DESTINED SOULMATES

CHAPTER 002

Zayn’s pov

My hands turned into fists as I furiously tapped my left foot on the worn taxi floor. My jaw clenched and my eyes narrowed into slits as I kept my gaze fixed on the edge of the main road just beyond the mansion grounds.

Any minute now, I knew she would come running out.

For days, I had sensed her desperation, her growing restlessness to leave. She was going to try and escape again—I could feel it. This time though, my gut kept gnawing at me: she’d succeed if I didn’t stop her.

After her last attempt to escape was foiled by the new camera I had installed, I made sure everyone knew the consequences of letting her get even a foot outside the door. But I still wasn’t convinced it would be enough. So, I decided to handle things myself instead of leaving them to chance.

She thought I would be away on a three-day business trip. Of course, she’d see it as the perfect opportunity and wouldn’t waste any time using my absence to her advantage.

So I decided to wait for her in plain sight, hidden in a taxi right where I knew she’d end up if she actually made it out.

And sure enough, I caught sight of her.

Ariana was running down the path, glancing back at the mansion as if it might chase her. I couldn’t help but feel a mix of anger and a hint of amusement. She really thought she was free.

My nails dug deeper into my palms as she stepped onto the sidewalk, her eyes darting around wildly, probably searching for an escape route.

Without wasting time, I revved the engine and pulled forward. She froze, averting her eyes a bit as the headlights shone on her. Ariana didn’t wait for me to fully stop before she jerked the door open and threw herself into the backseat, breathlessly ordering me to drive.

I didn’t utter a word.

From the looks of it, she didn’t recognize that I was the one behind the wheel. But how could she? I had kept the interior lights off and sank further into the shadows as I tightened my grip around the steering wheel.

Ariana was too hurried to even think of checking who was behind the wheel. She was so desperate, naïve and didn’t even hesitate. A scowl twisted my lips as I repositioned in the seat, digging my fingers into the leather.

She didn’t even care if she had just thrown herself into who-knows-what, so long as it took her far away.

I took a quick glance at her through the rearview mirror; the city’s lights highlighted some of her features, and I could tell she was enjoying it—her newfound ‘freedom’.

If only she knew.

I let the silence stretch between us for a while as the vehicle hummed down the road, I wanted to help feed her illusion of freedom. So, I waited until I saw her shoulders slightly relax, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as if that was the first time she tasted freedom.

Then, I spoke up, my calm voice breaking the silence.

“You still haven’t told me where we’re going, miss.”

The second the words hit, she froze and her eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, widening with instant, unmistakable horror.

Gotcha.

----

I parked the taxi at a quiet cliffside where the city lights were visible below and sat quietly for a second, my fingers drumming on the steering wheel. Ariana fidgeted on the seat, her eyes darting towards the door-she was probably wondering if she should try to make a run for it.

Finally, I broke the silence. “Is running all you ever know how to do?”

Her head tilted slightly to the side, but she didn’t look at me. “I…I didn’t think anyone would notice,” her voice was barely above a whisper.

“Notice?” I scoffed, shaking my head slowly. “You think I wouldn’t notice my wife was missing?’

She flinched a little at the bitterness laced in my voice but still avoided my burning gaze as I stared at her through the rearview mirror. “I just…I didn’t know what to do anymore.”

“Did it ever cross your mind that this isn’t just about you?” My tone remained sharp as I watched her shrink back into the seat, as if that would help her disappear. “I’ve given you everything – a home, luxury, security – and all you can think about is running away?”

I watched her throat bob up and down momentarily before she finally glanced at me through lowered lashes. “I-I didn’t ask for any of this, Zayn…for you to get married to me or…or keep me in your house.” Her voice was soft, almost pleading, as if she hoped I would understand what she was saying without her needing to explain more.

My jaw clenched. “And I didn’t ask to be married to someone who doesn’t even try to understand the situation she’s in.” I kept my gaze fixed on her, trying to calm the anger that was simmering within me. “And what exactly do you think you’d gain by leaving, Ariana?”

She hesitated, crease lines forming on her forehead as her lips curled up. “Maybe…I just wouldn’t feel so trapped and suffocated.”

This time, I turned to face her as I scoffed again. “Trapped? That’s what you call being given a better home, a better life? Your life here is far better than most people could ever hope for.”

She didn’t respond, her head dropping lower as if to shield herself from my words.

After a moment of tense silence, I exhaled and eased my firm grip on the steering wheel. “Look, I’m not your enemy. But if you keep pulling stunts like this, you’re not going to make things any easier for yourself.”

Ariana sat silently, her fidgeting fingers slowly going still.

“Here’s the deal,” I continued, my tone softening just a little bit. “If you stop trying to run away to heaven knows where, I’ll consider loosening the restrictions and give you some breathing space.”

Her head shot up, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes.

“But you’re going to have to play by my rules,” I added and she glanced back down, her shoulders dropping as she absorbed my words. “I…I understand,” she said quietly.

I watched her a moment longer, feeling a strange mix of relief and an uncomfortable sense of pity. She looked so fragile, like she was caught in a world she didn’t belong to. A small part of me wanted to ease her burden, to tell her that none of this had been my choice either—but that was a luxury I couldn’t afford.

If only she could understand why I was going through all the trouble of preventing her from running away.

Without another word, I turned around and started up the engine, ready to head back home. As I neared the house, my knuckles turned white as I tightened my grip on the wheel. The tension between the two of us was palpable and neither of us dared to speak after our moment on the cliffside.

Just as the mansion gates swung open, I slowed the taxi, my eyes narrowing as I caught sight of a tall, silhouetted figure, standing in front of the house doors with his arms crossed.

‘Father,’ a voice whispered in my head.

The headlights briefly shone on his face—cold and stern.

My jaw locked, and I muttered a curse under my breath. ‘What does he want this time?’

Father rarely appeared unannounced, especially not at that hour. Whatever had brought him here was not going to be good news on my part.

“This night just couldn't get any worse,” I mumbled.