Aliya stared at her parents as they recounted the story from the past.
We didn't mean to do that sweetheart but we were cornered too, we needed to protect you and your brother too. It's still one of the decisions I regret the most, we didn't know that they would die, I didn't mean to hurt my best friend,her mother said sobbing.
I admit we were a bit selfish but who in this world isn't selfish? We only did it to protect us, our family, her father added.
Mom, Dad, that wasn't just being selfish, it was heartless, you could have warned them, you could have chosen to stay out of it but you didn't, you clearly colluded with unknown people to harm the people you called your friends, just for what? For benefits! She looked at her parents unbelievably.
"You literally turned Aiden into an orphan" You made him lose everything, Aliya said as her voice choked up with emotions.
That was the reason I was grounded. You told me that Aiden's family was involved in a crime and that Aiden had died too in the fire, her voice trembling. The fire you helped start! You watched me mourn him, you watched my sorrow over him and still kept quiet.How could you guys do that to him?
Aliya's parents bowed their heads in shame and at a loss of what to say to their daughter.
It doesn't matter anymore, it's all in the past, Edward stated. He had no right to abduct you, it's illegal.
It's so easy for you to say that, it wasn't you who died back then.
Aliya! Mind the way you speak to your father. He didn't have a choice back then.
No mom, he had a lot of choices but he was just too greedy that he couldn't see it. Aiden is back to the Capital City, he doesn't seem to be okay with your choices back then. Aliya walked out of the study to her room.
The couple looked at each other in silence as they could feel the storm coming.
Aliya retreated to her bed recalling memories of the past.
Flashback
Dorothy Finch, her mom, was bestfriends with Mara Hendrix and this friendship extended to their husbands after marriage. The two men engaged in business deals and took major business risks. They were slowly making money and entering the wealthy class family in Capital City. Mara gave birth to a boy and Dorothy gave birth to a baby girl later on and because of their friendship, they agreed that their children would get married to each other. Aliya and Aiden practically grew up together and didn't object to the idea of getting married. Aiden was her big brother, best friend and boyfriend, he did do anything for her.
Everything changed after her sixteenth birthday, there seemed to be business related misunderstandings between their parents and they stopped her from seeing Aiden. She insisted on seeing him secretly and when her parents found out, she was grounded in the house.
Aliya could recall the news broadcaster talking about the fire at Hendrix house which killed the whole family and about them being involved in a huge tax crime making the government seize their assets.
Aliya was heartbroken and emotionally unstable for a long time, later on, she was sent abroad to have a change of environment and recuperate. She had only come back to the Capital City some years later.
End of Flashback
Tears streamed down Aliya's eyes as she recalled the past. Aiden didn't die, her Aiden was alive though no longer the same, she was still glad that he survived.
Aiden sat on the rocking chair in his room with a cigarette in between his fingers.
The room was covered with dark colors, with only the bedside lamp on making it difficult for one to see clearly.
Sleep was one of the luxuries he couldn't afford, he had been suffering from severe insomnia for many years now. Every time he closes his eyes, he's awakened by the dreams and images of his family perishing in the fire before his eyes and once he was up, he wouldn't fall asleep again. Aided rocked the chair as he smoked.
The two though on different sides remained awoke and restless the whole night.
Finch Residence In The Morning
Ryan sat close to Aliya enquiring what happened to her.
I'm really okay, Ryan and thanks for your support to my family all this while I was missing.
It's okay Aliya. Do you know the kidnappers? Did you get to know their identities and why did they release you all of a sudden ?
Actually it's someone I know.
Who's that? Ryan narrowed his eyes.
It's a bit personal Ryan. I'm sorry I can't share with you now.
Seriously Aliya, you were kidnapped on our f*cking wedding day and you tell me it's personal and you can't share huh!
I'm sorry Ryan, it's really complicated.
Good, just good. Suit yourself, Ryan said and stormed out of the house.
Aliya watched him leave and did not chase after him.
You shouldn't have acted so cold with him, her mother spoke softly.I know that this marriage wasn't based on love and affection but he was really worried about you. I think he really cares and feelings are slowly cultivated.
Mom, I don't have feelings for anyone. Ryan is just a business partner, whatever agreement we had including the marriage was for the mutual benefit of our company. Aiden is back , you don't expect me to get married to Ryan, do you? Aliya asked mockingly.
Sweetheart, it's been many years already and with the situation at hand, do you think Aid...Aiden would still….. Dorothy didn't finish her words.
You don't have to worry mom, it's for me to handle, she stood up and retreated to her room.
In her room, Aliya picked up her phone. Aiden had given her his number to call him when she had made her decision. There was no way she would allow her father to go to prison or their company destroyed so she had made her decision.
If marrying him was the punishment her family would get for what they did to him then she was willing to be the scapegoat.
Aiden's phone rang and he picked up.