Running from Him by YH Yohi

Chapter 39: Return

A week later, Pari was finishing picking out the weeds in the garden when she got a call. It was her PA.

"Ma'am. We found out about Mr. Namer. Not much, but he was an orphan raised in an obscure island. After that, he lived on the streets begging for a year or two and was taken to another orphanage. We completed his studies, worked for a few years abroad. He married there and changed his last name, taking his wife's surname. The marriage didn't last long and he returned here, joining AISC company"

Changed his name. No wonder, he was such a hard nut to crack. Since it wasn't a newly registered name and was abroad, it had limited the search.

"Good job. How's everything at work and home?"

"Everyone is well Ma'am. When will you return home from your holiday?"

"Soon."

Before the fateful trip when Pari was kidnapped, she had taken a 3 month leave, which explained why many were not worried about her absence. Time was quickly running out, it was only a matter of days before she returned.

Just then, another number rang. It was Taren. She managed to slip her new number to Taren before he left, and instructed to call only when necessary. This meant there was a new development. 

"Taren"

"Miss, please come to the park at 6pm. I have something to give."

"Is it done?"

"Yes"

Finally. Pari left early and waited as Taren pulled up in a distance, he quietly handed the file and disappeared as quickly as he had come. Inside proved all her theories correct.

She immediately bid the elderly couple goodbye and hoped on the bus. Finally, back home but before that she stopped by Malon's office. The shock in Malon face was quickly replaced by pure joy, life seemed to slowly return to its blissful equilibrium. 

"It's all in here Malon. Do what you must do"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A day passed. She went back home and finally reunited with her parents, her lovely dogs, her friends and everyone she missed so much. The bruises and cuts had pretty much healed by now. That evening surprising news came that Arin stepped down from the CEO post temporarily, the Arin she knew would have never allowed it to happen.

She wanted to be there for him. She mustered up the courage and drove to their wedding-home. It was just as she imagined it to be, perfect. The colours, the design, everything suited her taste perfectly. The maids and helpers looked like they saw a ghost when Pari ended up at the doorstep. Inside, there were pictures of them, specifically her in every room and corridor. 

Arin was in his study, he looked better than before. When Pari knocked and entered, she expected anger, sadness and bitterness to overcome his face. But the Arin before her, looked at her teary and happy as if he had been waiting for her. Taren standing behind him gave an apologetic bow and left the couple together. Pari understood what it meant. 

Arin embraced her in a hug, breathing her in as he gently rubbed her back.

"You knew I was alive"

Arin hummed in affirmation, not breaking away from even a second.

"Why didn't you come for me then?"

Arin finally looked her in the eye, as if still trying to distinguish dream from reality.

"I didn't want to chase you down like a prey anymore. I didn't want to force you to be with me. I only wished you'd find it in you to forgive me and come back to me on your own."

"What if I chose to never return to you?"

Arin's eyes looked sad. He gently brushed her hair behind her ear as he said...

"I'd still be happy watching you from afar. That's enough for me."

"I love you" Pari said. Arin began crying in response. "I love you so so much Pari. I really do". They held hands as they went to their room. Just as Pari wanted it. "Arin, this is all my taste"

"Do you like it?" Arin asked like a little kid craving for praise. Pari let out a small laugh.

"I do. But I want you to add your taste as well. I thought about it Arin. I am to blame for a lot of things as well."

"No, you aren't."

"Let me speak. I never put effort to really know you. Your life, your sorrows and joys. I want that to change. So let's start with the house. It's isn't just my home, it is going to be our home. So change things around here based on how you like it. Let it be our both"

Arin only hugged her from behind, but she could feel him relax which meant he would listen to her. 

"By the way Arin, what's that rectangular hole in the garden? Almost looks like a grave, ugh" Pari shrugged

"Hah, don't worry about it"

"What is it?" Pari demanded

"Nothing." Arin turned around and left using food as an excuse. There's no way he could tell her that he had buried 'her' corpse there. No need to give another reason for her to see him as a psychopath and run away.

"Arin!"