Chapter 4
Over and over in her mind all Victoria could hear was the door slamming shut as Aiden walked away. Yesterday after Aiden had left Dominick had promised to talk to him for her but she knew it was useless. She couldn't shake the feeling of shame as his words echoed through her mind.
"To talk about what? The fact you abandoned me as a baby? Or the way you went on to have the perfect family? Huh?"
The sense of anger and pain in his voice broke her heart. But she still couldn't believe he hadn't even considered talking to her. Every time she pictured him all she could see was the business man who had come to Grayson Global. She had met him. She had talked to him. She had never known who he really was.
Lost in her memories she didn't hear Conrad enter behind her until his hands rested on her hips. She gave a slight jump.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his chin resting on her shoulder. She forced a smile as she looked at him in the mirror.
"What do you mean?" she asked as she put on her favourite pair of pearl earrings.
"You've been off ever since your meeting with the lawyer. How did it go?" he asked and she looked down at the table looking for her make-up brush.
"Fine. They said it's likely there won't be enough evidence to condemn both of us." She replied lightly as Conrad straightened up.
"You'll never change will you? Self perseverance always your main priority." He added in disgust, stalking away. Victoria felt no shame. She had no feelings, good or bad, for the man she called her husband.
Victoria stared at herself in the mirror before noticing another man behind her.
"Daniel darling! How was your trip?" she asked turning to face him. His face is grim and Victoria knew immediately that something is wrong. "What is it?" she asked as she stood up.
"I found Emily." Victoria's eyes widened.
"Where is she?" she asks.
"Working for Takeda." Victoria thought about it for just a moment before she decided.
"I'm going to pay Miss Thorne a visit."
X
Emily fingered her new necklace contentedly as Aiden slept behind her. All night he had been restless and Emily was worried about him. What could be disturbing him? It was nearly seven o'clock and Emily slipped out of the bed. She grabbed a piece of paper and a pen that lay beside his phone and scribbled a note before heading back to her own room.
Once there she got dressed, many thoughts running through her mind. Most of them centred on Aiden but she found Daniel creeping into her thoughts more and more. The pain in his eyes when he had had to ask if she had ever loved him. Emily found herself pitying him more and more.
After taking a quick shower she was ready to go.
As she took off, jogging down the long shore she found her thoughts drifting back to her conversation with Daniel the night before.
Why couldn't she just forget about it?
On her way back up the beach she met Aiden.
"Hey. You disappeared awful early this morning." He commented, turning to run back with her.
"Yeah. I had a lot on my mind." she replied easily.
"Me too." Aiden muttered so low Emily wondered if he actually said it. What could he have on his mind?
"You okay? You seem kind of… distant. Is there something you're not telling me?" Emily asked raising an eyebrow at him as they neared the centre.
"Like what?" He asked, slowing to a walk. He shot her a smile and she realised how stupid she sounded. What could he keep from her?
"You're right." She replied laughing. But as Aiden walked inside ahead of her she couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right with him…
X
As Victoria sped through New York in her taxi she couldn't stop the memories of the day before that surfaced in her mind. No matter what she did she couldn't get Aiden out of her mind. Before she knew it was she had arrived.
The centre reminded Victoria of a large prison though on entering she realised it was a lot nicer than a prison. There was no one in the entrance area and Victoria looked around wondering how she could find Emily in this huge building. A moment later a young girl walked past, her face was red and her brow sweaty. She looked tired and annoyed as she stormed past Victoria down a hallway.
"Hello?" the girl turned to Victoria, a look of surprise on her face, a few red curls hanging loosely around her face.
"Can I help you?" she asked crossing her arms. Victoria didn't like this girl. She reminded her of Emily Thorne though her attitude was considerably worse.
"I'm looking for Emily Thorne." Victoria replied still smiling at the girl.
"The bitch is down there." Victoria cocked her head to the side as the girl turned and continued down the hall. She clearly wasn't a fan of Emily's. maybe the girl wasn't so bad after all. Victoria started in the direction the girl had pointed heading down the corridor. A moment later she saw her, her blond hair tied back as she spoke with Satoshi Takeda.
"… really isn't making an effort with her training." Emily finished. Takeda was silent as he considered what Emily had told him.
"I shall monitor Cassandra's progress over the coming days and treat the situation as I see fit." There was a note of finality in his voice and though Emily clearly had more to say she bowed before leaving Takeda to his training. As she walked away Takeda stopped her.
"Do not forget your purpose here. Cassandra needs guidance and if you are unable to provide such guidance I may have to remove you from this facility." He warned. Emily nodded in understanding.
Victoria stood back as Emily came through to the hallway, stopping still when she saw her.
"I believe we have some things to discuss.
X
"Why are you here Victoria?" Emily asked turning to face Victoria after closing the doors to the dining room. She couldn't think of anywhere else to bring her.
"I must admit I never figured you for a personal trainer. That is what you do is it not?" Victoria asked. Emily's eyes narrowed unsure where her would-have-been mother-in-law was going with this.
"Among other things." Emily replied coolly. Victoria smiled.
"Well your client does not appear impressed with you though neither does your boss. I suppose your… technique might need a bit of work after your last job. Throwing yourself at rich men." Victoria spat vindictively.
"Wasn't that your job for the last thirty years?" Emily retorted her blood boiling. Victoria had a face of thunder now.
"Why you stupid little slut!" suddenly the door opened and Aiden entered. "Aiden!" cried Victoria in shock. Aiden looked pissed.
"What did you just call her?" he demanded. Victoria looked from Aiden to Emily and back, reeling as she recalled something Dominick had told her.
He's got a girlfriend… Met her a few years ago but they split up but they're back together again now … he's really happy with her…
Aiden walked over and took his place at Emily's side, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Well I see you seem to take great interests in my sons" Victoria spat at Emily and she was pleased to see the look of shock in the younger girl's eyes.
"You're not my mother." Aiden replied lowly feeling Emily tense and knowing he would face her wrath later.
"I guess Aiden isn't a big fan of manipulative bitches who love ruining people's lives." Emily snapped at Victoria who raised her eyebrows at her.
"I don't know what you mean." Victoria replied easily and Emily had to admit she was good. But Emily was better.
"I mean how you destroyed my father's life all because he loved you." Emily told her and she watched with pleasure as realisation crossed Victoria's face.
"Your father? … Amanda Clarke." Emily smirked. Even Victoria had no witty retort for that.
"I think it's time you left." Aiden announced leading Victoria towards the door. "I'm sure you can find your own way out."
"Aiden please listen to me. About yesterday…" Victoria began.
"I don't want to hear it. Just leave Victoria."
X
Once she was gone Aiden turned to face Emily bracing himself for her anger but instead all he got was disappointment.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Emily asked, sitting down, her head in her hands.
"I don't know. I just… I honestly don't know." Aiden replied and felt his heart break a little when Emily looked at him, hurt in her eyes.
"You couldn't trust me." It wasn't a question.
"That wasn't it at all! I swear," Aiden promised. "Look I guess after everything with you and Victoria I just thought if I told you you'd..."
"I'd what? What did you think I would do?" Emily demanded anger flaring up.
"You'd tell me to have nothing to do with her! And I... I wasnt sure if i wanted that or not."
X
Victoria sat in the back of her taxi as it sped towards the airport. The look of disgust on Aiden's face when he saw her. And how could she blame him after the way she had treated him. However... she of course hated the thought of Emily Thorne taking another son away from her. She couldnt believe Emily Thorne- no Amanda Clarke, had found Aiden. It seemed crazy. But Victoria didnt want her near Aiden anymore than she wanted her with Daniel.
"Jamie, it's Victoria. I want to change my last request. I want you to find everything you possibly can about Amanda Clarke."
X
"Aiden you know what she's done! You know what she's like! Why would you want to have anything to with her?" Emily cried.
"When you believed your father had downed that plane you hated him but I bet a part of you always wanted to see him even just once more so you could have answers. I know Victoria can't be trusted, she's a monster but... she's still the woman who gave me up as a baby and I needed to figure out if I wanted answers or not." Aiden explained and Emily realised she couldn't be mad at him for what he did.
"And have you figured it out?" She asked almost fearing the answer and Aiden's response didnt help. He shook his head. Emily realised she had to make a quick decision. She wouldnt lose Aiden over this.
"Well whatever you decide I'll support you." She tells him. Aiden pulled her into his arms.
"I love you." He whispered.
"I love you too." She whispered knowing her love for him was the only reason she could stand it if he chose to talk to Victoria.
X
Victoria stared at her reflection in the mirror and noticed Daniel behind her.
"Did you see her?" he asked.
"Yes. And there's something you must know." As she revealed her true identity Daniel face turned to one of fury. She had played him for so long and even after speaking to her yesterday she didnt have the guts to tell him the truth.
As Daniel stormed away Victoria's phone rang.
"Hello Jamie. What have you got for me?" she asked.
"A lot though most of it is public knowledge. Father a convicted terrorist, spent time in juvie, abortion, worked for Satoshi Takeda-"
"Wait what did you just say?" Victoria demanded.
"Satoshi Ta-"
"No before that." Victoria demanded not daring to hope.
"A few years a ago she had an abortion in The Southern Richards Clinic."
Et voila! Im am soooooooooo sorry for the long wait but here it is and I promise I will try my best to get this story updated more! I do have a detailed plan so don't worry this story will be finished!