Darling, Thanks For Stabbing Me

Chapter 12

“What’s happening here? Are you troubling this lady?” The sheriff demanded an answer as the others gave each other secretive glances.

“Oh no sir, not at all. I am Mathew Roger, government detective and I just needed some answers from this young lady.” He handed his ID to the sheriff who checked and returned it back.

When he turned to look at the girl, it became clear that she was the one Grayson asked the help for so he went back to the car and gestured someone to come out. As on cue, the other men slowly stepped back to stay out of this mess. They can just report this to their boss as for now.

Grayson took the hint and rushed out to see scared Iris as he whispered something to the Sheriff. The cop, Ridley nodded and headed towards the girl.

“Miss, you’ll have to accompany us.” Ridley said with a straight face.

Although Iris was terrified now seeing Grayson along with him, the first thought that crossed her mind was- Has the cop found out about the duplicate scorecards? Else, why does he need me and what Grayson is doing here?

But she also believed that Grayson wouldn’t bail out on her at times like this. Thinking to go with the flow, she breathed deeply and was ready to go but only to be stopped by the detective.

“Excuse me Officer, why are you taking her? I really demand some urgent answers from her so could it be possible that she can come back later?” Mathew asked but the look on Ridley’s face made him gulp down his words.

“Okay. Never mind, we will continue it later.” Mathew said nervously.

Till the time, the officer had pulled out his car from the scene with Grayson and Iris, Aiden was back there after being informed by the bodyguard.

On the other hand, Grayson had already asked Linda and Erik to be there at his place and had planned to move her to NY at this very time. So, Linda and Erik grabbed few clothing items for her and for themselves before rushing there and not to miss the new documents.   

“Lady, you have to be more careful from now on. I am the son of Chief Officer but cannot fight against my dad’s order for long and just so you know, he works according to Aiden and Derek.” Ridley said without even glancing at her.

“Oh! Thank you so much Officer and I will do my best not to fall in trouble the next time. It was so unexpected.” She was about to explain when Ridley cut her off.

“I didn’t mean that you were careless but giving you heads up for later. It was good Grayson informed me beforehand and met me just 10 minutes back or else, I don’t know how you could have managed.” Ridley gave her a sympathy look but quickly masked it.

She was silent. It was clear that Grayson saw Aiden before and she was thankful for his help but she didn’t want to totally depend on him anymore or drag him in this mess.

“Thank you.” She breathed lowly but Grayson heard it and smiled sweetly.

“Anything for you… Friend!” the word ‘Friend’ sounded awkward to him and funny to her.

She didn’t realize that her face was split in a small smile but when Grayson saw it, he was happy.

Ridley dropped them away and shook hands before leaving after promising them to visit sometime later when he was off-duty. When he had left, Grayson placed a quick call to get his private jet ready and asked the others to come downstairs.

The other two rushed downstairs and hugged her seeing she was alright. They quickly sat in a car and drove to his private airport. They were seated and the jet took off leaving Grayson alone watching them fly away.

He was already missing her. He wished her all the best and prayed that she would b fine away from this place where she had suffered so much.

***

“Who was that other man you said?” Aiden asked his bodyguard who fidgeted.

“I-I don’t know sir but he seemed to know the officer.” The bodyguard realized he was in a grave danger since he dared to inform him half the information.

“The Officer was some Ridley? At least that was what I could read from his tag.” Mathew informed Aiden who seemed lost in his thoughts.

After a while, he shrugged and decided to visit Grayson for the matter he totally forgot. He just prayed that the girl he indeed saw in the photo and the men were after should be his Iris because he doesn’t know how long he could go without her.

“Hey man! Were you out somewhere?” Aiden eyed Grayson coming out of his car just as he did.

“Uh- yes, I actually went to a client’s place for an emergency.” Grayson replied looking him into the eye that made Aiden believe him.

Together they went inside as they talked about business mainly Grayson thinking to catch more client and opening a sister company in Minnesota. He said he would like to have more connections to save him brokerage and taxes and save his time to which Aiden genuinely agreed to help.

They were now talking about their personal lives and getting drunk.

However, Iris was anxious to go to NY as she knew she needs to be more careful. Erik on the other hand understood her emotions and started telling her to relax. He convinced her to visit a psychologist who was his best friend and she promised to have sessions in their place only. When they had worked out their plan, they were now nervous of the future that waits ahead.

***

College life

Being back to college like a normal person after such a tragedy in life was scary. Although it did help me distracted and I had started to ease up with socializing but it was still difficult. I have made some good friends who still don’t know my dark secret but they were really cool. They talked about everything and I literally mean everything.

I could say I was back in track and major credits go to Amaya, Erik’s bestie. She is a wonderful woman and she helped me overcome much of my self-doubts and regain my confidence but a part that she still isn't aware was that my nightmares have re-appeared.

I didn’t want to trouble Erik or Linda and so kept it to myself. I thought maybe it was good only, it helped as a constant reminder of his betrayal and the revenge I need from them.

I had maintained a low-key, have made social accounts with Sunny Walker name and presented myself as a legit person and not a faked up one.

Two semesters were done and after a week it is the final exams of third semester. After that I would gladly enjoy my free time. I had taken up MBA in Finance and Erik was in the same class.

Linda had started her own bakery ‘Linda’s Love’ which was popular in our area. We usually hang out there and she prepares the best coffee like the one at home.

Home?

I felt a little sad to realize the harsh truth but I won’t let it go to the drain. From Marcus and Maria I was told that Aiden had grown hostile more than before and visits their café every single day. They couldn’t complaint as the Chief of Police was his known and they have now started giving him a cold shoulder.

I really missed them now specially my Adonis.

I don’t know how he would be coping without me and Erik there.

***

Aiden had tried pulling each and every string but unluckily he hadn’t found his Iris. He was slowly losing hope but then one of his clients came for a meeting and left a brochure at the conference table.

Even though the meeting was over, Aiden was lost in his thoughts like usual and his eyes remain fixed on it. It was UB’s brochure and when he realized that he quickly called Rick to hand it over to Mr. Cameron whose son wanted to apply for it.

Rick took the brochure and his eyes froze. Surely, there was an image of his Madam Iris. He was about to dash out of the office but Aiden saw the sudden change and asked him before snatching the brochure from his hands.

“Sir, no… it’s just that… I thought… I saw Madam-” Rick was scared to hell.

“Iris? What is she doing here?” Aiden saw it with widened eyes and a smirk spread on his face.

“Get my jet ready. Let’s go to bring her back- Home!” Aiden replied in a soft voice that sounded more dangerous than his hostile voice.

“Ye-yes sir.” Rick said and left the office as soon as he could. He just prayed madam to hide well but he wasn’t aware that Aiden had already planned everything out.

They landed NY and were quick to reach UB and Aiden went to the reception asking for Iris. The admin staff checked and informed there wasn’t any such student in here. Aiden went shock. He thought either the admin was playing with him or how could that be possible so he demanded to see the director.

Everyone knew about his power and influence and they didn’t want to cause any unnecessary problem. Hence, they sent him directly to the director’s office.

After Iris had finished her exam, she bee-lined to where Erik stood and smiled at him. Erik was lost in his serene seeing that but it was short lived when they saw a huge crowd near the director’s office.

“Why all the girls and few guys are gathered there? Do you think it is important?” Erik asked.

Iris was feeling uneasy as she still hasn’t learnt well doing with the crowds. It made her anxious but giving it a second thought thinking what if it is regarding the academia, they reached where others stood.

It was now they heard that the girls were dying over some man who looked hotter than a modal and they wanted to have a piece of him.

Erik and Iris stared each other wide eyed and rolled their eyes before leaving it. They just turned when the door opened and the girls shrieked and squealed making them jolt in their places.

Another rush came and pulled them closer to the man who was standing there. The very moment Iris was closer, the cologne hit her popping her eyes out. She glanced at Erik nervously who seemed to take up the hint but gave her an assuring look.

“Hey beautiful ladies, can anyone here tell me whether you know someone named Iris Reider?” Aiden’s voice was hopeful as she shivered.

The crowd roared ‘ooooh’ed and shaking their heads in a ‘No’.

“Why don’t you ask about me? You wouldn’t ever want to find me.” One girl shouted and received few laughs but it only angered Iris.

She doesn’t know why but she was uncomfortable and she opened and closed her fists to calm herself.

When she was about to leave, Aiden’s eyes fell on her lilac colored hair and called her out but Iris engrossed in pure rage was pushing through the crowds like Aiden.

The only difference was that Aiden was tightly held back while Iris was quick to reach out.

She wanted to get her head clear so she ran outside in the garden. Aiden somehow managed to break the human barrier and ran out to look for her.

After panting lightly, his eyes fell on the one he was waiting for.

“Iris!” he called her out.