The Lies I Believed

Solitude

I rolled over on the bed and sighed. I could hardly remember anything from last night. I guess I had a nightmare? I only remember telling Brad I was pregnant. I know anyone could take that out of context, but it's always been our code phrase. We came up with it after I moved to New York. I argued with him about it, but he claimed it would catch his attention faster. That's funny, because the last time I told him I was pregnant, he laughed at me and told me to find something better to do.

Wait! This bed feels weird. It's not the usual type of mattress I'd sleep on. I sat up and everything from last night came flooding back. I tried my best not to cry out in annoyance. Honestly, do people not have better things to do? They kidnap me, because they don't know what patience is? If I'd noticed the files were missing earlier, I would have called Hayden and they would have been here by now. Also, what time is it now?

"You're awake."

I shot up from the mattress and looked around. I knew there was something off about this situation.

"It's best if you take your time getting up. You move too fast and you might blackout."

"Now you care about me?" I eased myself back down.

"I still don't. Just don't want you to pass out before I get a chance to explain everything."

"Whatever..."

"As you can see, you're not home anymore. You have something of mine and I don't like waiting for anything. If I were any nicer, I would have let you off with a warning, but I'm not. People are waiting and we all have schedules of our own. Now that I have to deal with this nonsense, everyone is having to work around me. I don't like having people wait on me. It's quite annoying."

"You're very confusing."

"How am I confusing? You're the one who took my things and won't give them back. You promised."

"I told you I would get them back, but you wouldn't listen. As a woman of certain stature, I like when people wait on me. It makes me feel wanted."

"Yeah, well, I don't want to feel wanted. I want people to want me. I like the waiting game. I like yelling at people who waste my time."

"You and I are so different, Aaron, but the same." He literally just said what I said.

"Now you say that?" Aaron rolled his eyes. "I don't want to waste anyone's time today, so I'm going to ask you a series of questions. If you take too long to answer, I will hit you."

"That's a little unfair," I pointed out.

"No, it's fair enough. You lost something of mine, so you get to lose something of yours."

"What?"

"Your will to live, silly." He laughed like it was actually funny. "I'll be right back. I just have to check on a few things."

I watched Aaron leave the room. I stared at the door for a full minute in complete silence. I wonder what made him pick me for this job. Out of everyone who has ever been in my line of work, why did it have to be me? Is there something he has against me? Maybe he wants to get back at Asher for something he did. Asher's always pissing off somebody. Honestly, if a group of people came forward and said he did something to them, I'd believe it. He's crazy.

That made me start thinking of what Taylor said at the company. Yes, he did stalk me for a good while, but I can't find any other fault in him. That's not enough to say I want a divorce. We fight a lot, but what couple doesn't? No marriage is perfect. If someone came up to me and told me that, I'd run, because they're lying.

Why am I thinking of divorce anyway? It's not like he's cheating--Jenni...

"I'm back." Aaron returned with a smile on his face. "I hope you thought a lot about your past behavior. I won't tolerate any lies or hesitation. I'm not exactly in a good mood, so if you want to stay beautiful, just answer my questions."

"Aaron, I was in an abusive relationship for six years. You can hit me, but it won't hurt me."

"Yeah, whatever you say. I'm sure you need a clear reminder of who's boss."

Maybe I should have gone to those extra self-defense classes. Or I should have taken up boxing. I definitely would have a fighting chance against him. I don't like when people touch me. I also don't want to be reminded of Luca like this.

"You and Asher have always led a quiet life. It isn't easy, considering his ties with the mafia and your on and off fame."

"Have you been stalking us?"

"I get to ask the questions here, girly. Bite me, if you don't like that."

"I'm not into that kind of stuff."

Aaron's smile dropped a little, but it wasn't enough to say he was annoyed. I think he was loving the fact that I wasn't backing down. He has some really weird kinks. I don't think I could be his wife. She'd probably have to suffer through his endless unfunny jokes and empty threats.

"Anyway, how come you never see the awful things Asher does behind the scenes? You clearly have enough power to have him killed, but you stay with him and treat him like he's some guy who deserves all your love. I can attest to every time he's been with a woman who isn't you."

"Is this one of your ploys to get me to hate my family?" I crossed my arms.

"Do you want to get punched?"

I knew he was never going to hit me. If he was, then he would have already done it. I don't like being threatened and nothing happens. It's a waste of energy.

"I'm not afraid to ruin a marriage or two, but I'd never break up a couple madly in love with each other."

"Asher and I are definitely madly in love with each other. He would never cheat on me and I'll never cheat on him. I can say we have looked at the opposite sex with lewd thoughts, but we've never acted on them."

"At least, you haven't. Right?"

"Asher hasn't either."

"Lexi." Aaron laughed. "Are you that ignorant? Are you afraid your little marriage is destined to fail? You have one kid with him and he could leave you at any time, because he has enough finances and people to help him out. You don't have the pleasure of friends who love you enough to take you in and help you out."

"I do!" I exclaimed.

"If you did, don't you think your disappearance would have been reported by now?"

True. I was supposed to hang out with Isabella today. I hadn't seen Juan and Elise in so long. Me not answering my phone is a sure way to wind up stapled to a telephone pole. If she truly cared about me, she'd come looking for me. Maybe she'd even report my disappearance to Asher. He'd listen to her. She never calls him, unless she has to.

I didn't want to believe that my friends wouldn't be there for me. I have made a lot of promises for this week. Everyone I was supposed to meet will definitely act a certain way in my absence. It's possible one of them will think something is wrong and come looking for me. Unless something more important comes up, there's a 99.9% chance I'll be rescued soon.

"You don't, Lexi," Aaron said. "If you did, then you wouldn't be here. They would have offered to let you stay with them."

"I wouldn't dare intrude on their lives," I muttered.

"Which is why they couldn't care less about you going missing. You think you can trust them and depend on them, until this happens. I do hope you enjoy your time here. If Asher doesn't come for you soon, you may cease to exist."

And in some way...I would like that.