CHAPTER 20
Aidan’s body stiffened from sitting too long, and the uncomfortable feeling forced him to stand up. The lack of news about Min-Jun was driving him crazy.
Wake up! He repeated to himself.
Elena looked at him in silence as he paced the hallway, then at one moment he turned and declared, “I’m going to the station. Stay here and call me if you get any news.”
“Are you sure you’ll be able to drive?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
Aidan pulled his car keys out of his pocket and rushed through the hallway.
***
The door to the police station slid open, and Aidan navigated smoothly through the hallways. Police officers greeted him as he passed them by.
“Is Detective Miller here?” Aidan asked, stopping beside the counter.
“He’s in his office.” A young police officer gestured towards one of the closed doors.
Aidan didn’t need further navigation; he knew where Detective Miller’s office was. When he entered the room, he saw the older man sitting at his desk, focusing on the papers. The smell of tobacco hit his nostrils, Aidan grimaced and barely refrained from coughing.
Detective Miller looked up and adjusted his glasses. “Aidan…”
Aidan closed the door and stopped in front of the table. “I came regarding that hit and run, which, as you probably may know, happened on my street. Not far away from my house.”
“I know. And I also know that the young Korean man was your employee.” The older man raised his eyebrows inquiringly.
“That’s right.” Aidan crossed his arms. “What do you know so far?”
“Do you happen to know anyone who drives a black Cupra?”
Aidan tilted his head. “A black Cupra?”
Detective Miller raised a finger. “Cupra Formentor, to be precise.”
Aidan narrowed his eyes, trying to remember anyone who might own such a car. “I have no idea,” he said after a while. He didn’t know the color or the make and model of the cars for most of his visitors.
“Unfortunately, we still haven’t found any video that might show the plate. That’s why we contacted you. Did you check your cameras?”
Aidan released a heavy sigh. “I still haven’t checked them. But I’ll be on it.”
The detective raised an eyebrow.
“I went to the hospital first. To check on Min-Jun Han.”
“I see. Can I come with you to check your cameras?” The man already got not waiting for his answer and grabbed the jacket off the hanger.
Aidan opened and closed his mouth then nodded. “Let’s go.”
***
The police station was about a twenty-five-minute drive from Aidan’s mansion. Aidan led the detective into his work room, and they logged in to check on the recordings.
“The neighbors said it happened around nine in the morning,” Detective Miller added.
Aidan frowned. He knew exactly when it happened.
It was shortly after Min-Jun left the house while spending the night with me.
Aidan took a deep breath when black Cupra appeared on the screen. It was a little bit farther away from his house, but still close enough for his camera reach.
Who could it be?
They both saw the car was parked beside the road, so it wasn’t someone who happened to be coincidentally passing by. After a moment they saw Min-Jun open the gate and walk in the opposite direction from the parked Cupra.
Aidan held his breath. After only a few seconds, as Min-Jun closed the gate, the car moved.
Oh my God. The car is moving after him.
Detective Miller paused the video.
“This is what we need.” He pointed at the license plate. But Aidan wasn’t satisfied. He pressed play and watched the car accelerate out of camera range.
What bastard would do this?
The older man had already written the number down on the paper. “Are we going to look this up?”
Aidan leaned over and typed on the keyboard. When the site loaded, he entered the numbers. The page loaded again and a name appeared: Blair Jenkinson
Who the fuck is Blair Jenkinson?
Then it dawned on him.
Jenkinson. Cade Jenkinson. This is Cade’s brother’s car!
“Do you know who it is?” Detective Miller asked, examining his face.
“Yes! And I’m going to kick his ass.” Aidan jumped to his feet.
“Hold on. Hold on.” The detective got up too. “You can’t just go there and take matters into your own hands.”
“And he can?” Aidan snapped.
“Leave it to the law enforcement.”
“You go get the warrant. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“You know we wo–”
Aidan stormed out of the room and the older man rushed after him.
***
Aidan pounded at the door, his slams echoing down the hallway.
“Open up!” he demanded, but the door remained closed.
“Open up, you arsehole!” He tried again, but only the neighbors came out to see what was happening. There was no sign of Cade. Aidan ran a hand through his hair and groaned. He hit the door a few more times, but nothing changed.
What was his brother’s address?
While he walked down the stairs, he searched his notes.
When he found the needed information, he was already beside his car.
Blair was a ten-minute ride from Cade, and Aidan experienced déjà vu once at Blair’s door – he knocked and hoped this time someone would answer.
After a second knocking, the door opened, and a confused face greeted him.
“Can I help you?” Blair asked, puzzled.
Aidan’s fist remained frozen in the air. He lowered it and cleared his throat. “Is your brother here?”
“Cade… No. He’s not here.”
“Do you know where he is?”
“No idea. And you are?”
“Aidan.”
“Oh–” The young man’s serious expression faded; he smiled and gave him a playful look.
Aidan cleared his throat and looked away before focusing his gaze back on him. “You’re sure he’s not here?”
“Of course. But I am here.” Blair grinned and hooked his hand on the door frame, his biceps flexing under his tight white t-shirt.
Aidan shook his head. “Your car is also not there, it seems,” he added, waiting for Blair’s reaction.
Blair’s smile got wiped off his face. “Excuse me?”
“That’s right. Can I check your apartment?”
Blair frowned. “Tell me what happened.”
Aidan stuffed his hands in his pockets, and replied, “There’s an investigation ongoing, but I can’t tell you more than that. Can I come in?”
Blair hesitated but stepped to the side.
Aidan knew he should be careful and not let his guard down as he looked around the modern black and white interior.
From the entrance room, Aidan entered a spacious living room connected to the kitchen.
He walked around every corner of the room and carefully observed.
Blair paced after him and broke the silence, “Did something happened to my brother?”
Aidan gave him a look and opened one of the doors. Light automatically lit up the bathroom, and when Aidan was sure no one hid in there, he proceeded toward another door. Behind another door was a bedroom, just as he assumed.
Aidan looked in the closet and under the double bed, but there was no sign of Cade. Straightening himself, he asked with a serious expression, “When was the last time you saw Cade?”
“I think it was yesterday?” Blair answered, and added, “Thell me what happened.”
Aidan nodded and walked out of the bedroom. “He should be okay, that’s all I can tell you for now.” When he heard Blair’s footsteps behind him, he turned. “If you see Cade, let me know.” He handed him his business card.
Blair took it between his fingers and winked. “Of course.”
Aidan rolled his eyes and headed for the exit. He pulled out his phone while navigating through the hall and dialed Cade’s number, going directly to voicemail.
“Of course he wouldn’t answer…” Aidan muttered under his breath then he dialed another number.
“Miller. I didn’t find him. Yes. Please begin the search as fast as possible.”
Aidan stopped in front of the building and began coughing. He had to steady himself and hold onto the wall from the lack of oxygen. When his breathing calmed down, he reached his car.
***
Aidan slumped into the plastic chair and released a heavy sigh. His mind still raced but he felt exhaustion catching up to him.
Elena examined his face and asked, “What did you find out?”
“It was Cade,” Aidan stated simply and looked into the distance.
“What?” Shock and disbelief painted Elena’s voice.
“Jealousy perhaps?”
“But is he crazy? To go to such lengths?”
Aidan shook his head. “Is there some news about Min-Jun?”
“Still nothing.”
Aidan stared at the wall without moving. His brain still raced, but his body felt weak.
“Are you hungry?” Elena broke the silence.
“I guess I could have something. I was running on pure adrenaline for the whole day,” Aidan said and felt his chest tighten. He coughed, but this time coughing persisted.
“Aidan?” Elena rummaged through her purse. She put her hand on his back and handed him an inhaler.
Aidan grabbed it and put it in his mouth to take a puff. One wasn’t enough, so he took more and more.
“Enough. You can’t take too much,” Elena warned and ripped it out of his hand.
Aidan tried to take a breath but his lungs refused to listen to his body’s orders. He opened his mouth and leaned forward and took in only a small gulp of breath.
It’s not working! He noticed and started to panic. His chest wheezed and his head spun.
“Aidan?” Elena crouched in front of him and put her hands on his shoulders. She examined his face, straightened up and turned, calling in panic, “We need a doctor!”
Aidan heard her calls echoing from a distance. He coughed and gasped for the air as the world around him rotated. He pressed his hand to his chest as if trying to make his lungs work, but it felt like he tried to breathe through the straw. Never in his life had he experienced such a severe attack.
This must be it… I… am I really going to die now?
Aidan desperately tried to get more air into his lungs but instead of achieving it, he collapsed onto the floor.
***
Aidan blinked his eyes to the artificial light. He took in a deep breath, relieved it came into his lungs with ease. He realized he was pinned to the bed, and when he tried to move his fingers, it seemed like an impossible task to do.
“You’re awake.” Elena smiled and held his hand. “I was so worried.”
“It’s nice to be able to breathe again,” Aidan said through the mask.
“We were lucky to be in the hospital. Who knows what could have happened if we–” Elena trailed off noticing his look. “I’m sorry.”
Aidan’s eyes went distant.
I was lucky, but what about Min-Jun? Will he survive this?
“The doctor said you had a severe asthma attack. From now on you’ll need to make sure you don’t skip taking your medicines, which you probably did lately…”
Aidan frowned. Elena was right. But on the other hand, he didn’t really care if his heart stopped beating.
“Promise me.”
Aidan’s eyes shifted to Elena’s face.
“Promise me you will take your pills regularly. Otherwise, I’d be forced to check on you every day.”
He didn’t speak; he only continued staring back at her. Elena looked away but didn’t let go of his hand.
Aidan gritted his teeth. “How come you’re caring about me now?”
Elena locked her eyes with him. “I cared about you. Always.”
“Then why did you leave me?” Aidan’s breathing became ragged and his face reddened.
“Are you sure you want to hear it now?”
“Speak.”
“Fine. I... I had no choice,” Elena started and looked at their hands.
Aidan closed his eyes and released a ragged breath.
Elena continued, “I couldn’t take care of you, but I wanted you to have a good life.”
“I could have had a better life with you, you know?”
Elena shook her head. “I hit rock bottom, and I didn’t want you to struggle too.”
“Where’s my father?”
The tears gathered in Elena’s eyes. “He’s dead. Died when he was only twenty-eight years old. I was twenty-four when I lost him.”
Aidan looked at her with wide eyes, and Elena added, “Died in a car accident. By a drunk driver.” She sighed, and a tear rolled down her face from recollection.
“I was lost. I started drinking, didn’t have the money for all our bills, and I lost my job.
I had no one and I was sinking lower and lower… ”
Aidan tore his eyes away from her and stared at the ceiling.
A car accident? Just like… Almost like Min-Jun. No...
His heart squeezed and his vision blurred.
No, Min-Jun. Please, no… Not you too.
***
This time it was Elena who drove them home. Aidan got released from the hospital under condition that he wouldn’t drive and have someone to help him get safely home.
When they entered the house, Aidan broke the silence stuffing hands in his pockets, “So, when will you leave?”
Elena looked at him with the sadness in her eyes. “Do you really want me to leave?”
“I still can’t come to terms about what you said to me... and I still didn’t even check if your claims are true at all.”
Elena nodded, looking away. “Fair point. I understand.”
Aidan avoided looking her in the eyes as well. “It’s hard for me to process that you are...”
“I know. It’s okay. But do you want to be alone now that-?”
I don’t want to be alone, but I can’t have you around either.
“I’ll manage,” he said with his face devoid of all emotions.
Elena hesitated, but said, “Okay. I’m going to pack my things.”