He sneaked into her house!

Could it be that someone blackmailed her to leave him?

Or, she might have got into some trouble and didn't want to implicate him in it.

Or, someone must have threatened her with the lives of her loved ones to do something dangerous.

These are the most plausible reasons he could think of all these years.

He tried to investigate it but in vain. He even tried to find her but that didn't work out as well.

It was like she vanished from the Earth itself.

He tried to locate her family but that was a futile attempt as Anna never mentioned about her family.

Frustrated, he tried to locate her with his military connections. However, it scared him that after he found her, she would be in danger if someone really threatened her.

He would have protected her if that is the case. The main reason is, he was scared that she would despise him and reject him. He was afraid that she would refuse her love for him.

But who would have thought that she is suffering just like him?

If he had known that she still cares for him, he wouldn't have been a coward and would have used all his power to search for her. But the fear of rejection stopped him till now. He is a coward when it comes to his love life.

And, this time, fate has brought them together.

'You are not leaving the city till I get my answers, Anna. You must take responsibility for all the suffering you caused.' he thought and turned off the monitors before closing his eyes.

The memories of their break up and the pain that engrossed him in the aftermath flooded back, crushing his heart.

Meanwhile, Anna just finished with her porridge and walked into the living room with the tray but only to find it empty.

Noticing that the room in the right corner has its lights on and door slightly ajar, she walked to it and was about to knock the door but seeing his pained expression, she hesitated.

He must be back to Mode 1 now.

After a few seconds, she gathered her courage and knocked on the door.

That sound brought Aiden back from his thoughts and when he realized that Anna was standing at the door, he looked at her, upset and angry.

If she was really threatened, she should have consulted him first. Whatever the reason is, she should have trusted him!!

"Dinner is ready." Anna said, ignoring his scorching eyes.

"You can place it on the dining table and leave. Sorry for bothering you." he said and closed his eyes once again, ignoring her completely.

—--------

Anna's penthouse.

She doesn't remember how she walked back to her house but as soon as closed the door behind herself, Anna slumped on the floor, her back leaning on the door.

It might look like she is overreacting, and yes, people who don't know what happened to her would come to the conclusion that she is extremely sensitive.

But what can she do?

Aiden's drastic emotional swings are making her confused and on the other hand, her heart is suffocating seeing Aiden like this.

One second he would be nice to her but the other second he would taunt her and give her the cold shoulder.

She is not complaining. She knows that she deserves it but her heart is in so much pain that she could barely compose herself. At this rate, she will go insane.

"What happened?" A voice all of a sudden, startled Anna.

She didn't know that someone barged into her house.

But as soon as she recognised whose voice it was, Anna lowered her guards.

It is Allen.

He would have probably got someone from HOPE to hack her security code and entered her apartment.

It is not new anyway.

"And, where have you been tonight? You weren't there in your brother's apartment nor at Ria's apartment." Allen enquired as he switched on the lights.

"You are keeping tabs on Ria and Kyle too?" Anna questioned back, looking at Allen who had his sharp gaze fixated on her.

"That doesn't matter, Ann. And, you, don't avoid my question, all right?!" Allen said, offering his hand to Anna so that she could stand up.

Anna accepted his help and stood up. "If you are spying on my brother and Ria, you probably would have already found out where I was till now. Drop the act, Allen" she said, frustrated.

She is already in a bad mood because of Aiden and now Allen is annoying her.

"Ann, I am not spying on them. I am looking after them" Allen defended himself for which Anna just scoffed.

"And, who on the earth asked you to look after them, Allen? Didn't I say that I will take care of my fucking problems?!" Anna sneered.

"First of all, answer my question." Allen said.

"I was at Aiden's place. Any problem with that?" Anna asked, sitting down on her chair with her legs crossed.

Allen raised his eyebrow and then he sighed. He can't bear to be harsh on her but this is for her own sake.

"And, what were you doing in his house? It's been almost an hour since you left the house with that medicine you ordered your people to bring over from the warehouse" he enquired.

"So, you knew. Why would you ask if you knew the details??" Anna huffed. She knows that Allen is worried about her and meant no harm but damn, she is angry!!

She is fucking angry and frustrated!!