21

AYLIN'S POV :

I could hear the footsteps behind me getting louder and louder as I ran through the empty hallway. With every step I took I felt like my legs would break. I don't know how long I have been running all I know is I can't stop.

Every nerve in my body wanted me to stop and catch up my breath but I know it's not possible, if I stop he would find me.

I got down another set of stairs only to end up in a similar endless corridor. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. My breathing was getting heavier and heavier as I continued to run.

I tried calling out for help but it was of no use. Probably the entire building is empty, obviously with an exception of me and him .

I hid myself behind the silk curtains as I heard the footsteps getting louder and louder. " Come out, come out butterfly. I know you're in there. " I heard his menacing voice call out from across the room .

" I'm an impatient man butterfly. I don't like to wait. "

I closed my eyes and made a silent prayer, hoping that the wall behind me would open and I could get out of this hellhole.

I could feel tears roll down my cheeks as my mind kept ranting about various possibilities of me dying in this abandoned mansion, or whatever it is.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even notice that he was getting really close to me.

I studied his appearance , he was tall maybe six feet or more, and his face was covered in a black hoodie.

Well that's all I could see from the light coming from the single bulb lit in the farther most corner of the hallway.

" Don't make it difficult for both of us butterfly. " I heard him growl in anger sure he was loosing it.

My body started to shake in fear as the footsteps got painfully close and even before I got a chance to make a move. The curtains was wide opened and a ear piercing scream escaped my throat.

I jolted awake panting and gasping, and my body was drenched in sweat. God! It was just a dream. I glanced at Nathan and sighed in relief. Thank god at least this time I didn't wake him up.

It has been a week since I moved in with him and things have gone even worse . Kayden has been texting like every minute and lately I have been getting flowers with threat notes and Nathan was attacked twice.

The police has been trying to locate him but all their efforts are just leading to a dead end. Whenever they think they are close enough to get him arrested, he always slips out of their hands.

Rex had even told me that they had found 50 hidden canaras in my old apartment. Around six in my bathroom and the rest scattered around in my room and other parts of the house.

To be honest, I actually freaked out when they told me about the cameras. I mean, that guy has most probably seen me naked scratch that he already has.

My stomach growled bringing me out of my thoughts. God! Lately I have been eating a lot and I'm always hungry. Sighing heavily I hopped out of the bed and headed downstairs to get something to eat.

I scanned through the fridge and my face instantly lit up the moment I found what I was looking for. My favourite Chocolate Fudge Brownie. Yup I'm eating chocolate at 1 in the morning sue me.

Once done with my brownie I headed to the lounge looking for some DVD 's. I know I should be going to bed but I know it would be of no use. It's not like I'm going to get any sleep anyways.

After watching TV for some time I felt my eye lids getting heavier. I turned off the TV and got out of the couch. I was about to walk back to my room but paused mid way when I heard the doorbell ring.

I know Nathan had told me not to open the door when I'm alone but curiosity got the best of me. Anyways it's not like I am the only one under this roof.

I walked to the door and opened it. I scanned the empty hallway and sighed in frustration. Seriously? Do these kids have no better things to do than ringing door bell in the middle of the night?

I was about to slam the door shut but paused when I noticed a gift wrapped box lying on the ground with my name written on it. I gently picked it up and walked into the house.

I gently placed the box on the coffee table and walked up to the switch board and turned on the lights and headed back.

An ear piercing scream escaped my throat the moment I opened the box. There was a dead foetus drenched in blood with a note stuck on it.I picked the bloody note with shaky hands and read it.

________________________________

Did you like your early birthday present butterfly? I know you did. Anyways happy birthday in advance.

-K

________________________________

" what happened Aylin? Are you alright? " I heard Nathan's voice as he rushed towards me. He snatched the bloody note from my hand the moment he spotted it.

I watched a lot of emotions flash in his eyes. The one that stood out was anger and something else. Fear? He glared at the note and back at the box with the bloody fetus.

" Where did you find this? " he asked in a calm tone after few minutes of silence.

"Someone had left it in the doorstep. " I replied awkwardly fidling with my fingers.

" Why did you open the door Aylin? Didn't I tell you never to open the door when you are alone?"

I gulped. " Somebody rang the doorbell and you were sleeping. So I..." I trailed off.

" This is ridiculous Aylin. How could you be so careless? What if anything would have happened to you? "

" Look I'm fine. So you don't -" but he cut me off in the middle.

" Promise me you won't do it again? " he asked as he cupped my face.

I nodded. " I won't do it again. Now can we get rid of that thing? It's freaking me out. " I asked pointing at the box.

" No Aylin we can't at least not until the cops get here . " he replied as he dialed someone in his phone.

" You are calling the cops? "

" Obviously. " he replied and walked away as he talked into the phone.

After like twenty minutes the cops arrived. And Nathan and Rex have been talking in his office and they wouldn't let me join them.

I know right now I'm sounding like a five year old but I can't help it. This is all about me and they are not involving me in it.

" So Aylin, what else did you see? " Rex asked bringing me out of my thoughts.

" Umm..sorry? "

He chuckled. " Zoned out? " he asked with a playful smile on his face.

I nodded. " So what were you saying? " I asked trying to hide my embarrassment.

" I asked what exactly did you see when you opened the door? "

" There was nothing. I mean the corridors were empty. I thought maybe the kids were playing pranks. "

" Try to recall Aylin. Did you see anything? I mean a shadow or anything? "

I shook my head. " No Rex. Other than the box, I didn't see anything.

" I told you Rex she didn't see anything. " Nathan stated as he walked up to us.

" What about the foetus? From where did it come? Was it stolen or something? "

He shrugged. " Maybe, I really don't understand where people get all these things from." he replied with a laugh trying to ease the tension.

" Aren't you supposed to be a cop? " Nathan asked as he glared at him.

" Can I have a minute officer? " one of the cops interrupted us. Rex excused himself and left.

" Aylin, I think you should go and rest. " Nathan suggested as he cupped my shoulder.

I shook my head. " No I am not leaving." I replied with a smirk.

He didn't argue instead, he just smiled at me. " Fine. Do you want something to eat? " he asked changing the topic.

I shook my head. " Nope. I'm good. " I replied.

" Aylin I'm sorry. " he started after a few minutes of silence.

I raised an eyebrow. " Sorry for what? "

" For not keeping my promise."

" It wasn't your fault Nathan so stop blaming yourself. " I replied as I pulled him into a hug .

He gently pulled away and cupped my face. " I love you." he whispered and he gently crashed his lips on mine. His lips were so gentle and soft that I could feel my body melt in his arms but the kiss didn't last long as someone cleared their throat.

" Aylin, have you seen this guy before? " Rex asked as he handed me a printed photo. I glanced at the picture and my eyes went wide. What the....

No it can't be him. The last time I heard from him he was in California but then it was three years back.

" Aylin, are you alright? " Nathan asked as he nudged me out of my thoughts.

" So do you know this guy? " Rex asked.

I nodded. " He's Dylan. Dylan Ross, my ex " I stated as I continued to stare at the picture.

It was clicked my the security cameras and it looked like his hoodie had just slipped when he was running, revealing his profile to the camera.

" Are you sure? " Rex asked as he studied my face.

" I knew that guy half of my life Rex I am positive. " I replied honestly.

" When was the last time you saw him? " Nathan asked sounding a little upset.

" Three years back. He had come to see me at the university. He had said that he would be settling in California, and taking care of his uncle's diner or something like that. "

" How did he enter the building without the security guard noticing him? " Nathan demanded .

" The guard said, he had gone out for like five minutes to use the bathroom and when he returned he saw this guy running out of the building. He got suspicious and tried to stop him, but even before he could catch hold of him , a black car pulled in front of them and the guy got into the car and they sped off. "

" Did he at least take down the number? " Nathan snapped.

" Luckily yes! He did. I guess it was 8055 or something. "

" Wait a minute, did you say 8055? " I asked confirming I didn't hear it wrong.

" Why what's wrong ? Do you know whose it is? " he asked.

I nodded " I'm not sure but I think it belongs to Mark Williams . "

" Mark Williams you mean your ex- boss? " Nathan interrupted. Rex was about to ask something when his phone started to buzz.

"I need to take this " he excused himself and walked away.

" I don't understand what does Mark have to do with this? " I stated in frustration.

Rex walked back into the room with his expression unreadable. " What's wrong? " I demanded as I got off the couch.

He walked up to Nathan and whispered something in his ears and I saw him stiffen.

" Are you sure? " he asked.

Rex nodded . " I'm positive. " he replied.

" What's going on guys and don't dare lie to me. " I warned them. They exchanged looks and Rex nodded.

Nathan stepped forward. " Aylin, we will explain everything but not right now. Now please go back to bed. We will speak about this in the morning. "

I shook my head. " No you are not -" but he cut me off in the middle.

" Aylin please... " he trailed off giving me a pleading look.

" Nathan I guess we should get going and Aylin, there are guards around. So you don't have to worry. "

" Do you trust me Aylin? " Nathan asked as he cupped my face.

I nodded. " Yes I do. " I replied.

" Then go to bed Aylin at least for our baby. " He stated.

" Ok fine " I finally agreed. He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead and left.

___________________________________

A/N:

If you are confused about who this Rex guy is then let me tell you he's the cop who Is handling this case and he's also Nathan's best friend.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter.

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