Darling, Thanks For Stabbing Me

Chapter 25

Iris wriggled till the man finally made her sit on a chair, restraining her to it. He left and she felt dejected.

When she had closed her eyes in exhaustion, she heard urgent footsteps coming closer. Evelyn stood beside her and glared at her which she flipped by rolling her eyes at her.

“You could have landed me into trouble!” She yelled at the man who fidgeted in his place.

“Can’t you handle a petite woman?” She then glanced back at Iris and back to the man who lowered his head in shame.

Only if he could tell her that was because he valued his life more; he knew Derek was far more dangerous than this insane woman who wasn't less in any way.

But if he acted recklessly he was sure to have paid for it considering the quick mood swings she passes. One moment she said she wanted to kill her but the other moment she said she would need her alive, now who was he to decide what was needed to be finalized?

“And you... Let’s make a deal.” She said with disgust looking down upon Iris.

Iris felt relaxed and wanted to laugh. It was clear that her sister had never met anyone to challenge her from the utter disappointment on her face. It was like she was saying something forbidden.

Evelyn gestured the man to remove the tape from her mouth and undo her wrists. Iris nursed her bruised wrists as soon as she felt the rope untied. She breathed deeply with ease.

“Listen. You will get me what I demanded and in return you can ask me anything you want. Is that a deal?” She asked to which Iris c****d an eyebrow at her.

She was clearly enjoying Evelyn’s discomfort.

“Anything I want? Are you sure about it?” Iris smirked and saw how Evelyn was contemplating her words.

“Yes definitely! Sign this first.” Evelyn handed her a document that stated the same.

“You even had it drafted? Truly like a businesswoman.” Iris couldn’t help but laugh.

Iris knew she wasn't aware that this paper could be used against Evelyn which she was glad to do if she needed. On the other hand, Evelyn thought what else she could demand other than some amount of money so she gladly accepted.

Right now, her priority was to get rid of her.

“I see you have even mentioned it as an NDA?” Iris asked.

“You can’t tell anyone about today. Especially not that it was me behind this kidnapping or else you could risk your family.” Evelyn smirked seeing her discolored face.

“To answer your interest; I personally looked upon your background and what I found most interesting is that there is no mention of your birth parents. Why is that?” Evelyn could go on with this seeing how pained Sunny looked.

“You better not do anything reckless if you don’t want to regret it later. Abide by these points for both of our concerns.” Iris gritted through her teeth.

The death glare she aimed at Evelyn scared her a bit. She could sense that Sunny was tough than she looked. She faintly nodded her head and signed the document along with her, settling the matter for now.

***

Aiden and Derek sat in the car for longer than needed; both lost in their own thoughts trying to figure out what was happening.

“You must be having the blueprints right? I want to see if there is any other room attached to it.” Aiden was the first to break the silence.

“I will get it.” Derek left the car and headed inside as Aiden followed.

Only now he noticed the interiors of this mansion and was impressed with it until his eyes caught the huge wall sized portrait at the end of the hall. His lips tightened watching it. It was Iris dressed as ‘Portia’ from the ‘The Merchant of Venice’- her first play in school which made him whistle at her performance.

“Here it is...” Derek laid it out on the center table and watched as Aiden regained his attention back to him but being more distant.

“Do you need help with it?” He asked to which Aiden shook his head in negative.

“Well then... help yourself.” Derek replied and left him there alone.

He needed to shake his mind off the frustration caused due to whatever was happening. He hoped Sunny was safe and sound. He never felt this helpless before. All this money and power weren’t helping him today but he was determined to figure out something. He just hoped it wouldn’t be too late.

As they were busy among themselves, Aiden’s phone buzzed which went unnoticed by him. He was engrossed in studying the blueprint and finally found the room. His eyes shone in hope when he saw that there was another hidden room adjacent to the first one. He quickly picked up his phone and was about to leave when the door bell rang and in came the cops.

His heart raced in anticipation of something worst. Derek was informed as he rushed downstairs and stared at the uniformed personnel.

“Mr. Reider and Mr. Jones, we are glad that both of you are present here. I am Officer Ian Brown.” He offered his hand which Aiden took first.

“Yes officer?” He asked. His voice shook as he prayed inwardly.

“We found a lady who seemed to know you.” Officer wasn’t able to complete his sentence as both the men turned to look behind him.

“Where is she?” the expectation was evident as Officer called out for someone.

They saw another police officer bringing a lady in his arms. She lay unconscious and Aiden could feel the rage. He saw her bruised and exhausted figure. She seemed to look so petite and weak making her more vulnerable.

He wanted to punch the daylights out of the kidnapper who he was sure was none other than Evelyn.

Derek on the other hand was speechless to see her in this condition. He stared for long as he decided to make this place a living hell for the kidnapper. He believed Aiden was correct to think it could be Evelyn but he needed solid proof to do anything further.

Both of them were even more furious at the officer who was carrying her in his arms. The softness on his face as he carried her like a piece of glass made their blood boil. If she wasn't unconscious; they would have taught him a lesson.

Aiden rushed to her and the officer gladly handed her to him. He was well aware with the daggers thrown at him and he wasn't here to make unnecessary trouble with these two. Aiden carried her and stayed there till the officers take their leave.

They said she was spotted on the road by one of their patrolling cars. She seemed to lose her conscious now and then and could only manage to give their names. They tried calling Aiden who didn’t receive it so they decided to bring her to the next person they knew would be present in this city. With the conclusion to come back again to record her statement; the police officer left while glancing at the woman again.

“At least she is safe. Thank goodness.” Derek muttered under his breath to calm his nerves.

Aiden seemed to have attached to her and it irked him up.

Aiden wanted to leave but seeing her in this condition made him take the hardest decision.

“Where should I take her?” he asked.

Derek felt happy. It was first time that she would be staying the night. He personally guided him to her room and Aiden couldn’t help but notice that the mansion was literally everything about Iris. He felt condemned and rivalry from Derek.

“Why is it decorated with only Iris’s things?” He scorned.

“Because this is her mansion. I bought it under her name and it is what is should be- adorned with her memories.” Derek answered with such enthusiasm that Aiden felt contemplate.

‘Keep on dreaming Derek.’ He wondered.

***

Aiden had nursed Iris the whole night and Derek had come to check upon her now and then. Derek asked her maid to get her changed into something comfortable and when they made sure that she was fine; they called it night.

Early morning Iris woke with discomfort in her stomach. She had been starving and heard her stomach grumble angrily. She inspected around and realized she was in Derek’s house and a smile crossed her face.

Feeling refreshed, she ran downstairs in search of kitchen but ended up walking on Derek who seemed to have just woken up and ready for workout.

“Hey!” He couldn’t suppress his excitement to see her here in his room.

“Hey? Good morning.” Iris felt awkward.

If time was reversed; she would have been hanging on his biceps giggling loudly as he pulled her outside. They used to work out together and Derek would have pestered her every night till dusk to wake her up on time.

He could sense her awkwardness as he beamed and nodded his head.

“Good morning to you too Cara Mia. Do you need some help?” He studied her like she was the most amusing person right now.

The slightly raised eyebrow furrowed together and her twisted smile; strain on her cheek to keep that smile plastered made it apparent that she needed something.

“Ha nothing at all; just thought to come and say hello.” She tried her best to not get embarrassed.

Derek on the other hand chuckled inwardly. Raising his eyebrow at her with tilt in his head, he asked, “Are you sure? Seeing that it is just 4 in the morning… it is hard to believe that.”

Iris gave him the sweetest smile she could mutter up with.

“So what? Can’t I? Even though I hate you for being so domineering and arrogant; still… It is what I am.” She stared at him in disbelief crossing her arms over her chest.

Derek didn’t take it personally, he was actually enjoying it. It reminded him of the old times where Iris used to call out him for his behaviour. He was about to reply when he heard her stomach growl more like the roar of a dragon.

Iris facial expression changed from strict to embarrass while trying to hide her somewhere. She stared at him with a raised eyebrow and asked with curiosity.

“What was that?” She asked as if taken aback by the sound.

Derek laughed at her attempt as Iris blushed knowing well he wasn’t fooled after all.

“Let’s get you something to eat first.” He laughed and held her from shoulders, pushing her outside.

Iris felt chocking with sudden emotions. Derek seemed changed. He was carefree like he before and jolly that made her heart melt for a moment. She felt like hugging him and cry in his welcoming chest while she ranted on and on of what a jerk he was.

She was made to sit as Derek took this opportunity to cook delicious food for her. He had damn culinary skills but seldom used it even for himself. Right now he enjoyed doing it knowing a person’s way to his heart was through his stomach and he hoped it was the same case with the girls.

He doesn’t have experience in pursuing a woman before but he could only hope that his Iris’ choice could land him in impressing this woman sitting beside him.