19th January 2019;

Gus rushed out the moment the car came to a stop outside the gym. Being informed beforehand with the situation didn't lessen his concern, but rather it skyrocketed. "Aurora?" He flung the door open and cradled her in his arms carefully.

"I tried to keep her up...but she's out." Aidan hurried after them, heart heavy with worry.

Being near three am, the gym was deserted save for a couple of dudes grunting in the ring. Climbing down the stairs, a corridor, resembling the ones in the hospital, led to a couple of closed rooms. Aidan wondered about what's inside.

Barging in one, medical equipment met them as a woman was quick by their side. He examined the room briefly before his eyes were back on her being lowered slowly on the bed. "Steph, do your work."

She nodded silently, determined eyes checking, experienced hands moving. "Wait outside, please."

Shutting the door, Aidan whipped around his expression skeptical. "Is it safe? Will she be okay?"

Gus rolled his eyes. "Of course. Steph is a good doc," though anxiety was etched on his face. "This isn't her first time. That kid never fucking listens. Anyway, who are you?" His eyebrow tilted up.

"Uh," he rubbed the back of his head. "An old acquaintance?"

Laughing, the middle-aged man ushered him to another room. It was a spacious office, a large table in the corner, papers everywhere and computers pushed against the wall and a large flat screen with a couch and a coffee table facing it.

All in all it was messy.

"Excuse the mess," Gus flopped down patting the space next to him and Aidan took a seat reluctantly. "Aurora doesn't really like anyone in here except Jesse and sometimes my decaying self." He chuckled then rose. "Take some rest. I better go check those grumpy guys out there. Don't touch anything." He surely was intimidating.

Aidan put his hands up. "Wasn't planning on it." But, he was until Gus informed him about the cameras inside.

Closing his eyes, he made himself comfortable on the squishy sofa and drifted off to sleep to be woken up hours later. He squinted at the silhouette in front of him. "Rho?" He asked groggily sitting up, rubbing his eyes.

She leant back against her desk and crossed her arms. His vision cleared, eyes following her movements then trailed down her body clad in black spandex shorts and a sports bra. He gulped and coughed the embarrassment away. "Shouldn't you be resting?"

Sighing, she pushed off the wooden table and limped to take a seat next to him. "I'm fine." You aren't, he bit down on his tongue. Wounds on her waist, arm and leg were bound in bandages. "Figured, while you're still here, why not have a chat?" She forced out.

He fought back a grin. "Alright."

Rho counted to twenty before finally starting talking. "The club, last night...how did you know?"

"Actually, that was pure coincidence. I was there for work and happened to see you."

Her eyebrows knitted together, fingers intertwined on her lap, eyes avoiding his. "Work?"

"Yes, I was tasked to guard Violet, filling up for a friend. How do you think the other bodyguards didn't bother you? Slipping alcohol in their drinks was fun, though." He mused. "So, his name is Mark?"

Glancing at him, Aidan looked deep in thought. "Thanks." She muttered. "Without you, I'd be dead right now." Shocked, his jaw went slack as he stammered for a quick you're welcome. "Violet told me she'd heard him once mention that address. So,"

"You decided to check it," Gus finished for her, a cup of orange juice in hand. "You're an idiot." He tossed her the pills and handed her the drink. Gus surely was holding back his emotions. He was pissed off but also scared. So, his concern outweighed his anger. "Don't fucking do that again."

She nodded. Jesse barged in after him. She stopped, rooted to the spot. "Uh, I can always come back later." Gus laughed and motioned her closer. "Hi there old man, Aurora and, uh, stranger."

"Jesse," Rho jumped to her feet and winced hurrying to turn on the screen. "The computers." The other girl headed to them. Aidan watched in bewilderment and Gus just hummed some country song.

"So," Jesse started as she fixed her stuff out. "Who's this young man? Is he a hostage? Are we asking for a ransom?"

Gus burst into laughter and Aurora froze a look of horror plastered on her face. "Handsome, aye? Think he'll be worth some money?" She nodded at him and they high-fived.

Aidan flushed a crimson red and waved his hands around. "Uh, thanks I guess. I'm Aidan." He laughed nervously.

"What have you got, Jesse?" Aurora interjected, changing the subject. That caught their attention. And, for the next half an hour, Jesse showed them and explained what she's been up to lately. Pride swelled in her chest, and for the first time, Rho wrapped her arms around the younger girl squeezing tight.

At the shocked expression on Gus and Jesse, Aidan concluded this was something rare. Moments later, Aurora broke out of the embrace. "All that's left now is proving Tom's involvement in what happened four years ago. Then, his company will crumble."

"And, you'll be there to retrieve it. But, how?" Aidan frowned. "Mark?" She nodded.

Jesse's eyes widened, smirking. "I'll help with that. Hacking is very beneficial, you know."

"We need to find more about him first." Aurora, then, glanced at Aidan and with a small smile gestured for him to go out. "Jesse, come. We'll drive you home. Gus, pass my gratitude to your daughter for patching me up. See you in our next training session."

"Bugger off, kiddo. Take some time off, for once." He waved them off.

Carrying her upstairs again, after much resistance, Aidan helped her in his car, Jesse climbing behind. Then after squeezing the address out of Aurora, he headed there. It was a silent short drive before dropping the teenage girl off. 

"Why did you run off that night, Rho?" Breaking the silence, a fleeting glance, he focused back on the road.

Three heartbeats later, she decided to reply. "I was afraid." What happened years ago have been sealed shut for a long time. She didn't particularly enjoy dwelling on such recollections, or relaying them. For once she peeks inside; she gets stuck in a whirlwind of nightmares and regrets. "Opening up to you meant trust. Which was something I didn't want, wasn't ready for."

"Fair enough."

"But now..." She exhaled. "Now, I feel like I already do. Frankly, I realized that I've always trusted you and that's what scared me." His heart skipped a beat. "Are you busy today?" She added quickly.

"No," never for you, he wanted to add. "I'm free."

"Once we reach my place, order a pizza. I'll take a shower then we'll talk. I'll tell you everything that's happened, including Amelia." She turned around, closing her eyes. "It's a long way there."

He knows. It's the lake house's address.

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