Chapter Seventy-Two – Real Him.
Damien passed the speed limit before slowing down again.
He hoped no police car drove behind his. They shouldn’t try to stop him, for their own sakes. He wasn’t in the mood.
His eyes went to his laptop that showed him where Arya was. Where her phone was at, exactly. It hadn’t move for long so he was beginning to worry, she wasn’t with it.
Why did she leave the hotel? And without telling anybody? She knew she was a target so why make such a mistake.
And was she with Connor? He’d feel less worried if she was. But Connor might have gone to a friend’s house and Arya was all alone. Did they have a place they two can go together?
“I can’t even think straight!” he groaned, accelerating again.
He tried Connor’s line for the first time and it didn’t go. His eyes widened. That was very unusual. Connor recently bought a phone and he would be everywhere with it.
“The phone is said to be switched off while Junior is away? He’d never switch his phone off when he’s far from home. What’s happening!” Damien struck the steering wheel.
His eyes went to his laptop, but he looked away, his eyes were dragged back again. Should he do it? He never wanted to do so, but it was feeling important that he did.
Along with tracking device he had implanted on Arya’s phone, he also had a way of viewing her contact and call logs.
He had never used it as it’d be a breach of her privacy but now she was missing, he had to. The only way someone could have made her leave, was by calling her out.
Parking his car by the side, he checked through his computer, the recent calls Arya had received. Many were from Winx but the most recent was from one ‘Aunt Jenna’.
“The Aunt that sold her, huh? That was definitely not a good sign.” Damien threw his laptop to the back.
He picked his phone and dialed the line of the Aunt. He got prepared to track the line if she’d pick up. But the line didn’t go through. “She must be the one behind this!”
Damien started his car again, moving speedily towards the Stark’s apartment. He had been there once, when he was helping Anna sneak in after she stayed out late.
His memories of it were quite blur but he knew the apartment stood alone from others so it wouldn’t be difficult to spot. “Wait for me, Arya. You too, Junior.”
Meanwhile, Arya and Connor finally had a breath of fresh air when Debby disappeared from their sight.
They weren’t sure how she left as the padlock to the gate was still intact. “Is there a secret escape she created?” Arya asked.
Connor looked around, perking his ears to hear for another sound. “Are we even sure she left for real?”
That was another possibility that Arya didn’t want to think of. They should be no way that crazy girl was standing at a place, hiding, waiting for them to leave so she’d stab them. Right?
She held Connor from moving. “I think her should just stay at a place. Earlier, she had said that if Damien starts looking for us, she’d leave. If she’s gone, then Damien is coming.”
Inside Arya’s eyes were determination and hope. Connor smiled, going back to the safe spot they were in. “If you say so then. Maybe this time, I’d see Damien scolding you for real.”
Arya folded her arms. Scolding her for real? Wasn’t he the one saying that what happened wasn’t her fault? Then why should she get scolded. “You’d be in it too, you know.”
It made Connor laugh. “I know. But it’s not new for me. I told you he had a scary part, right? You might be seeing it soon.”
There was silence between them. Arya sat besides him, looking down at the rubbles the explosion caused.
“Hey, I’m betting they were wrong though but is Damien all sweet and smiley like he is with me? Does he have a darker or more unstable side? I’m sorry I’m asking.” She muttered.
There was silence again.
“I’m telling you as my family, not as my sister-in-law. Damien grew up with a lot of burden as his father had died quite early.” Connor said.
Arya hadn’t really heard much about Mr. Wade. She didn’t think she’d ask either since it was probably painful.
“Damien keeping an intimidating aura was the only way to tame those shareholders who wanted to usurp the company, after his mother retired, you know.” Connor smiled.
She nodded. She used to watch movies and Kdrama with Winx. In every big company, they always had shareholders or workers who wanted to take it all.
“Maybe he didn’t have much time being a kid or as a child he was raised differently, but it doesn’t mean he’s out to use someone.” Connor exhaled. “He’s just a smart businessman.”
Hearing it again from Connor made Arya reassured.
Putting up a dangerous mask to keep bullies away, Anna used to give her that advice when she suffered from bullies.
Most bullies, in school or at companies, didn’t know your true strength so would tease you to break you down.
If you could act dangerous and show you aren’t to be messed with, it brings down their morale.
If that was the only way young Damien knew to support his family’s business, then it was fair.
After all, that business had helped her. It’s Ken and Debby’s fault for thinking that was the real him.
Arya smiled again. “Thank you. I’m convinced now. I’d like to suggest he drop his best friend Ken though. That’s a big jerk.”
“He’s the proudest being I know.” Connor shivered.
Arya patted his shoulders, showing full support. “I fully agree. Like what’s with him. He acts like he’s the boss.”
“In a way he is, I mean, he babysitted Damien while teaching him the family business.” Connor snickered.
“What?” Arya raised a brow.
“Our butler, the old man, is Ken’s only family. The butler and Mr. Wade were really close, even if the butler had a humble background. Ken literally grew up like a prince, with Damien.”
Arya wasn’t sure if she should pity the fact Ken was almost all alone in his life or the fact that Damien was subjected to him.
“I feel his proud attitude, it’s him being strong for Damien. So Damien will have someone to lean on, too.” Connor shrugged.
“When you put it that way, it actually makes sense.” Arya agreed. “Maybe I shouldn’t hate him…” she shrugged.