Dylan lay in bed, staring lifelessly at a blank space, deep in thoughts. He still had not found Ava. His company was crumbling.
Investors lost interest with each passing day. Things were not looking good for him.
His phone suddenly vibrated on the bedside table. He picked it up and answered the call.
"Sir, we found her." The caller said.
Dylan's face brightened up. "Where!?" He asked.
"She's currently at the airport. Should I send a live video feed to your device?" The caller asked.
"Yes please."
Dylan could see through the hacked CCTV cameras at the airport. He immediately spotted Ava. "Shit, she's trying to leave the country. Do you know where her flight's going?"
"I'm sorry, we were only able to hack the cameras."
Dylan rushed out of the house and drove as fast as he could toward the airport. 'She must have planned to lay low for a while before making a run for it. But I have you now bitch.' Dylan said internally.
He arrived at the airport after a few minutes of reckless driving. He was a little too late. He was just in time to see the plane take off.
"Fuck!" He yelled bitterly.
He got back into his car, wondering where to go. tears streamed down his face. His whole life was a mess. A mess he created with his own misguided actions. "I deserve it." He cried.
He remembered Taylor. She still did not know what danger she had gotten herself into. He was determined to save her from Mark, even if it meant not being with her.
He fired up the car engines and drove out of the airport. His next stop was not very far off. He drove to the place he knew he was sure to find Mark. His company.
The building was several stories tall. He walked in with fast-paced steps and demanded to see Mark.
"There's a man here. My name's Dylan. Says he wants to talk." The man at the front desk said into a phone.
"Let him in." A voice said back.
Dylan took the elevator to the floor where he would find Mark. He barged into his office.
"Hey. Dylan, my man. Long time no see." Mark greeted. "Cut the bullshit, Mark," Dylan said in a hostile tone.
Mark smiled tauntingly. It was obvious that he was getting to him. "Is that how you greet me after such a long time?"
"Leave Taylor alone. I don't know exactly what you're planning to do with her, but I know it's no good, just like you did with my sister." Dylan said.
"That's a very bold statement to make without any evidence." Mark's countenance changed. His face went from a smirk to a slight frown.
"Why did it have to be her? You know she is my wife."
"Ex-wife." Mark laughed.
"Didn't you throw her out of your house?" Mark asked.
Dylan had nothing to say.
"What right do you have to tell me to stay away from someone that's no longer yours?" Mark asked. There were long seconds of silence in the room.
"Tell me Mark, what are your true intentions with Taylor? If you're just looking for someone to parade as your fiancée, many other women would be willing. Just leave Taylor alone, please."
"I have no 'true intentions' D," Mark said. "I love Taylor."
Dylan could not believe what he heard. Love? How could this monster be capable of love? How dare he say that about Taylor? These thoughts raced through his mind and it was only the thought of being thrown out of the building like he was at the ball, that stopped him from punching Mark's jaw out of his face.
"You liar!" Dylan said.
"I don't expect you to believe me. But I do love her. I've loved her from the beginning. And I knew you'd fuck up. So I patiently waited. You had your chance, mate, and you blew it. Now it's my turn to be with her. I've created the perfect conditions where she will be unable to leave my side. And there's nothing you can do to stop it."
Dylan was devastated. Reality hit him like a truck and he was forced to accept it.
"Now, leave my building before I call security."
Dylan walked out of the office and went down the elevator. He was shocked to see Taylor as the doors parted. Taylor was with Mae.
"What are you doing here?" Taylor asked, confused.
"Taylor, please, just hear me out." Dylan pleaded.
"I don't want to hear anything you have to say. Just stay away from me and my baby." Taylor said.
Mae immediately figured out what was going on. The man in front of them was Dylan.
Taylor had told her about her encounter with him at the ball, and there he was again, trying to get back what he should have known was long gone.
"I already told you, I have nothing to say to you. Please get out of my way." Taylor said.
"All I ask is--" Dylan was cut short.
"Please get out of the way or we'll have to call security," Mae said. On hearing about security, Dylan quietly left the way for them.
The doors closed and Taylor and Mae went their way.
"How long will he keep bothering you like that?" Mae asked in a concerned tone.
"I don't know. I might have to put a restraining order on him." Taylor said.
"Are you... Crying?" Mae asked as she noticed little streams of tears on Taylor's beautiful face.
"No." Taylor wipes the tears off.
"Listen, he's not worth it, okay?" Mae said.
"Okay." Taylor nodded.
"Forget him. He's trash. Less than trash. You shouldn't give him any chance to get to you. Just think about all the money you'll make when all this is over. You'll be able to give yourself and your baby the best life. And maybe... Emphasis on maybe, you'll find another man. A man that would respect you, and love you for you. And won't treat you like trash. When you think about all that. It's easy to forget him. He doesn't deserve you... He doesn't even--"
Taylor drew Mae into an unexpected hug, cutting her off mid-sentence. Mae hugged her back.
"You've been incredibly good to me. I'm really grateful." Taylor said.