Trapped

Chapter 23

All the smiling, all the endurance of his unwanted presence has left Alisha exhausted and she very much wanted this night to end. And thankfully for her, she got her escape when Alan was surrounded by a group of important delegates, at least that's what he said. Zayn started introducing every single person in the group to Alan, emphasizing on how important it is to have a formal introduction. His insides smirking with triumph on making Alan lose his hold on the lady. And when the small session turned into an business meeting right in the middle of the party, Zayn saw his chance dancing between all the heavy words being thrown around so casually. "Alan, I think your date might want to leave and seeing as you are busy, do you want me to drop her off?" Zayn quickly whispered in Alan's ear with an earnest expression covering his features, hoping he appeared convincing. Alan, finding it all crushing his shoulder at once, nodded and excused himself for a moment, walking straight towards Alisha. "Alisha, forgive me but these are really important people. I would have dropped you personally but I will let Zayn do that this one time since I know you want to leave. Are you sure you can't stay a little longer? I still have few people I want to introduce you to." Alan finished all in one breath, finally allowing her to speak. "I really am tired Alan and I am sure I can meet them some other time though I understand your concern. I will be fine with Zayn" she answered and smiled softly which made her words sound genuine, although she didn't try to sound genuine for the first time in front of him.

Zayn took her hand in one swift motion and started leading her out while catching the car keys thrown at him by Alan. He made a quick call as they made their way out, the coolness of the night hitting them, making her shiver slightly. "Max, did you make your exit?" Zayn asked his friend on the call, professionally which is responded with a casual hum. He disconnects the call at once and throws the keys at a valet telling him the car he needs to get. "No bikes and rash driving today?" She asks him while innocently staring at him, leaving him a little breathless. "You are wearing a dress and no jacket to save you from the chilliness of the night" he replies, staring back at her. She nods in understanding and looks ahead waiting for the car, rubbing her arms to keep herself warm. He notices her actions and controls the urge to put his jacket around her or even better, hold her close to share his warmth. His imaginations are brought to a stop as the vallet comes up with the shiny black car, halting right in front of them. "Its Alan's car, right?" Alisha places the question before he can ask her to get in the car. He nods in a positive manner, looking at her with questioning eyes, anticipating there's more words to come from her. "I don't want to go in that car" she mumbles with a pleading gaze but he just takes her hand and opens the door for her, jerking his chin towards the seat as she continues to stare at him. "Sorry but there's no other option" and with that he closes the door slightly pushing her inside the car, after checking if she is settled inside and walks around to get into the driver seat.

The drive is silent and neither of them is making any attempt to change it. The warmth in the car keeps her at ease as she watches the trees and other concrete structures pass by with Zayn stealing subtle glances at her. His thoughts about her swirl round in his mind, never taking a break as he tries to drive slower to be in her presence for a little more time, in contradiction to his love for speed. "You need to stay away from him" he finally utters finding some courage to warn her before its too late. "And what if I don't?" she answers back, throwing her words in a rude manner and folding her hands in an attempt to intimidate him. "He is a dangerous man, Alisha" The calmness evident in his voice is no way related to the struggles he is facing to keep his gaze on the road ahead instead of staring at her with an intensity that will make her believe him. "And what are you?" She feigns his calmness while staring at him in a manner that implied that she is accusing him of the same thing. Unable to keep himself focussed on driving, he inhales sharply and parks on the road side where the traffic is minimal which alarms her a bit. He unbuckles his seatbelt and turns to full face her, his eyes boring into hers. "I am someone who can save you from all the mess you have been dragged into and are unaware about the situation at hand" "And why should I trust you, again? While Alan only saved me, weren't you the one who..." She cross questioned him, still feeling wary about his words. She hasn't forgotten the night she saw him doing the unthinkable and it is enough to scare her for the sake of her own life. She squirmed a little in her seat to maintain as much distance as she can as he leaned in towards her. "If you want to live, that's the only alternative" he whispered huskily sending shivers down her spine and her heart thumping into a crazy beat as the adrenaline begins to rush in her veins. Though, his heart is already hammering inside his ribcage with her proximity mixed with the thought that she can't go anywhere. As holding her tiny hand before wasn't enough for him to get electricity jolting through him.

The drive resumed making her gulp a few times weighing the words carefully before letting them out of her mouth. "Safe from what?" She manages to mutter without looking at him. "I can't give you the details right now but remember, there are many people right now pursing something that you may have."

Alisha feels like it has been hours since they left the party and yet it hasn't been more than 17 minutes. Each passing minute only makes her overthink the mysterious statements that Zayn has so carelessly thrown around into their conversation few minutes back. 'What can she possess to have people pursue her', she thought to herself. Neither is she a rich personality nor famous enough to gather such attention. Nothing seems to make sense to her.

'What if hes lying!' Her inner voice scolds her, reminding her that he has no proof for anything said by him and maybe that's the reason he is sending her down the spiral of confusing scenarios to distract her from his original intention. 'But he had numerous occasions to harm you and yet, everytime he had your concerns in his mind...' she thought to herself unable to come to a proper conclusion and groaning in response that catches his attention while he smoothly drives along the streets. "What's wrong?" She hadn't realised that she had not groaned internally until she heard his concern laced voice. "Nothing." "Doesn't sound like nothing" her lips pursed tightly in a straight line in order to stop herself from giving away anything else and embarassing herself even more.

Silence prevails most of the ride as Zayn knows it is a lost cause and he would have to use other ways to save her and maybe, make her understand the situation she is in. It won't be easy, it is never easy but he has no choice when it comes to the lady sitting besides him, in the passenger seat. Too close, yet away from his reach. 'She has been closer before' his inner voice taunts him and he just sighs, not in mood to let his heart and brain have a conflict right now.
She has been closer, a lot closer when he saved her, when he held her in that cab, when she was sitting behind him on his bike but he still craves for one more chance and more and more. For every chance that he gets to have her close, he keeps getting a hit from reality that makes him realise from time to time that why he should keep his distance from her.

And then, the windshield of the car cracks.

*****

New chapter is up, people.
Thoughts?

Regards,
A.R.