"Wait." I pant, rushing to catch up with Aiden.
He strides in the hallway, heading to the elevator.
"Did you really fire him?" I ask breathlessly. "Don't you want to reconsider another option? Like, maybe a suspension, or a warning?"
Even though I don't want to question his decision, I just can't help but blurt out these questions.
"He's in charge for the residents' safety, and he clearly failed," Aiden says without stopping his steps, clenching his fist on his side. "Tonight's shift is under his surveillance, and he's bloody stupid for not recognizing that one of his subordinates has gone mental. Your attacker wasn't supposed to conduct a patrol on this floor tonight."
I swallow. Thinking about that psychopath again makes me shudder.
I follow Aiden when he steps into the elevator.
He presses the button for the top floor, and we wait in silence during the ride before Aiden breaks it, "No one has access to my floor except me and my people. The cards owned by apartment employees and security guards will be denied," he explains, assuring me that no one will ever barge in again like what happened tonight.
Nevertheless, my heart is still beating fast. I still don't know what I'm going to do.
The thought of coming back home to Texas, safe and sound with Mom and Dad, pops up in my head. But I can't just give up like that, can I?
The elevator stops as we reach the highest level of the building. When we step out, two men in black suits are guarding the elevator. I just throw them a glance and follow Aiden.
"My bodyguards always stand by on this floor," he says. "They won't allow other people to come here except for my family and personal assistants."
The hallway looks different than the one for the residents downstairs. This corridor is darker but also looks more extravagant and classy. It definitely belongs to the owner himself, Aiden Klein.
We come to an intersection, and Aiden leads me to take the left path. I glance back at the opposite path and spot a huge double door. It probably leads to his penthouse, guarded by two other bodyguards.
Aiden stops as we reach another double door that's smaller than the one from the other end of the hallway.
"We have an empty suite on this floor, and this will be your new place if you want to move here. I will assign my other bodyguard to guard the door for you." He turns to me, and when he notices my worry, he sighs. "You don't have to worry. All of them are my people, who have gained my trust and my father's."
Aiden opens the door, and the sight of the suite makes me gasp. There, in front of me, is an extravagant suite much larger than my apartment downstairs.
My eyes travel around the spacious living room with a fireplace, floor-to-ceiling windows, a stunning balcony, and a grand dining room. There are two bedrooms and one study room. This place is definitely too large for someone to live alone.
I snap my head toward Aiden and stare at him in horror. "I can't." I shake my head panicky. "I can't live here. This place is too big."
The last place I want to stay in after the incident tonight is one that can make me feel even more lonely. Although Aiden said that this place is more secure, I don't think that this is a good idea.
Aiden stares at me with guilt and sighs. "I understand. But you don't want to spend the rest of the night in your previous room, do you? Here, you don't have to worry about your safety anymore. I can guarantee that the security system on this floor is impossible to break. No employees downstairs have been here."
My hand starts to get sweaty. I haven't even recovered from the traumatic event that happened a while ago, and the only thing I need right now is not to be alone. However, I know that it's impossible because my family and friends are a thousand miles away.
Aiden studies me. "What do you think?"
He looks doubtful because of how restless I am, but I don't think that there's another option. Aiden is already generous enough to offer me this.
I've decided to live alone in this city and be independent, so it's about time for me to quit being spoiled and weak, isn't it?
Reluctantly, I nod, accepting the offer. Aiden's eyes soften, and I can see relief in them.
In the hallway, a tall muscular guy in a black suit strides toward us. When he arrives, Aiden introduces him to me, "This is Carter. He will guard your door at all times. I know that this is extremely hard for you, and again, I'm sorry for what happened. You don't have to make your decision now, and I will respect it whatever it is, even if you decide to leave this building and revoke the purchase."
We both know that it's the last option we would want to consider. But as he said, I don't have to decide now. He's right. I need time to think about this.
His eyes hold concern. "Right now, it's important that you take enough rest. You need it, Nevaeh."
Quietly, I nod again. I doubt that I can rest properly after this, but I need to try.
"I'll see you again in the morning," Aiden says. "Is that okay?"
"Okay," I say.
Aiden nods and leave, closing the door behind him and leaving me staring blankly at it.
30 minutes.
30 minutes have passed since Aiden left this suite, but I still can't close my eyes to sleep.
I stare at the high ceiling above me while my heart is beating fast. I turn on my side, trying to close my eyes again. It's not working.
I turn around to face the other side, and this time, I squeeze my eyes shut in an attempt to sleep. Still, it's not working.
I lay on my back and let out a desperate sigh. My chest is heaving up and down. I really can't sleep. This is ridiculous.
But after what happened, it's impossible for me to sleep. Right now, in my mind, the idea of me sleeping will only endanger me.
If I'd slept in my room earlier tonight, I wouldn't have heard the sound of my attacker breaking in and he would have straddled me on my bed. I was lucky that I hadn't been asleep.
The hair on the back of my neck stands as I think about that. I curse silently. Bad idea, Nevaeh. Why do you have to think about that again?
My heart almost drops as I hear something crack from the window. It turns out that the rain that has started a while ago is now pouring hard, slapping against the glass.
Great. There's a storm outside, adding more to the terrifying atmosphere I've been struggling to get rid of. I really feel like I'm in a thriller movie now.
My gaze darts on my phone, which is lying on the nightstand. It's very tempting to call Mom and Dad, to cry and tell them everything. But I'm not ready for the consequences. That impulsive decision will only make them panic and destroy my goal.
Come on, Nevaeh. Don't be paranoid. You're safe now.
I pull the bed cover closer to my chest, but just when I'm about to close my eyes again, lightning strikes. The sound of thunder booms, making me scream.
Jesus Christ.
I push myself against the headboard, sitting up. My pulse quickens, and I'm breathing heavily, clutching the bed cover with my shaking hand.
Oh, God, why are you doing this to me? Can't the storm wait?
Cold air blows through me, sending chills through my body. A horrible feeling stirs inside me. I snap my head toward the bedroom door, which I've locked securely.
"Who's there?" I stutter, feeling like dying.
I know that this might be just my imagination, but it's like I can feel someone else's presence in this place.
Someone is here. I must have missed the sound because of the thunder just now.
But then, I shake my head in denial.
That's nonsense, Nevaeh. It's because you're traumatized. No one is here.
Oh, God, maybe I'm really becoming crazy. I'm going mental.
Still shaking, I slip out of the bed cover and tiptoe toward the door. Before I reach the handle, I take a deep breath.
If I don't die because of a psychopath, I'll most certainly die because of a heart attack.
First, I need to make sure that this is all my hallucination. But then, if I open this door, I can't even brace myself to look around.
What if there's really a lunatic waiting to grab me?
There's a guard outside, but can he hear me if I scream? I mean, I'm sure that the room is soundproof.
Slowly, I turn the doorknob. My heart is thumping so loudly inside my chest that I can almost hear it myself. The door creaks as I open it, and the next thing I know is that I'm sprinting.
Yes, I'm sprinting toward the front door, passing the living room like a flash of light. My breathing is short and fast.
The moment I push the door open, I run past Carter, the bodyguard.
"Ms. Spencer!" he calls, following suit.
I don't stop running. I run across the corridor as fast as I can, with my bare feet thumping against the carpet. I'm running for my life.
Why the hell didn't I talk to Carter first? Why the hell am I running away from him?
I don't know, but after the incident with the security guard tonight, I can't trust another one.
There's only one person that I know wouldn't harm me, and he's Aiden Klein.
He's Max's future brother-in-law.
He's Luna's brother.
I believe that he's a good person. I know damn well that he is. My heart always knows that he's a good person.
He can't possibly harm me, or hurt me.
The closer I get to the double door to his penthouse, the more my heart feels like it's about to explode. I'm having a panic attack, and there's only one person I can turn to.
"Ms. Spencer!" Carter's voice echoes in my ears as he tries to stop me, but I don't give a damn.
I bang on Aiden's door with my fist, with all the remaining power I have in my body. Tears spring to my eyes, and I'm trying so hard to not collapse.
I feel like I'm experiencing it all over again -- struggling to get away from my attacker's grasp -- although I'm not sure that Carter is dangerous.
To my surprise, the door opens shortly after, and Aiden's worried face comes into view. He's changed into casual attire, now wearing a black t-shirt and jogger. His hair is still a bit wet from the shower.
Sudden relief washes over me, and before I know it, my legs give up on me. Aiden catches me before I fall, and the next thing I feel is a pair of strong arms wrapping around me.