Sydney

I cautiously peered about the small, confined room, which had cinder block walls painted in a hideous green and was only furnished with a scarred wooden table and two hefty wooden chairs. With a thundering creak, the massive metal door behind me opened, and in stepped my Interrogator, a man who was gigantic by anyone's standards. I kept my eyes downcast, knowing that if I looked at him, he'd see the terror in them.

"Now that you know why you're in here, don't you want to tell me everything and take the easy way out?" In a quiet but forceful tone, he inquired.



I narrated everything, then repeated it several times.



"We're looking into your claim, but the amount of cocaine was enormous. You'd have to stay in the holding cell." He stated.

I gave a cautious nod.

"By the way, your friends are coming to see you."

Mike and Leah were a welcome sight.

"How are you doing? Is there anything you need ?" Mike inquired.

"Just get me out of here Mike. I am scared. So very scared," I said desperately.

Mike and Leah exchanged glances.

"We've already provided our statements to the cops, and I swear you were with me the entire time I was shopping," Leah added.

"The good news is that you are eligible for bail. The bad news is..." Mike paused for a moment.

I gave Leah an inquisitive look.

"It's about the money, Sydney," Leah said to her brother.

"How...how much for the bail?" I blurted out as I gazed at the brother and sister duo.

When Mike whispered gently, "two hundred and fifty grand," he didn't look at me.

"WHAT! TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS???" I was on the verge of screaming. "How am I going to come up with that type of cash?" I frantically looked at Mike and Leah.

"I've given it some thought. I'd ask for a loan because I have some savings..." Mike made a suggestion.

"I have some money set up, but it will not be enough. What should I do, oh, what should I do?" I was terrified, and I was a complete wreck. How had my life been turned completely upside down in just a few hours? I shoved my hands in my pocket and something hit my fingers. I pulled out Aiden's card.

******************

Aiden

The holiday season means family and vacation for most people. For me it meant more work, the only saving grace was spending time with grandpa. He had been released from the hospital and was recuperating at home now. I dropped a cube of sugar-free in his tea and passed it on to him. I enjoyed our weekly brunches together. We discussed business and his financial advice were always valuable.

"I met Mr Mayers at the club yesterday. He was talking about you and Marilyn." Grandpa said taking the teacup from me.

"Marilyn and me? There is nothing to talk about it." I replied shrugging. I knew where this was going to lead. Marilyn's father and my dad had been close. Years of a business relationship and my friendship with Marilyn had somehow convinced our parents that we were well suited for marriage. It was far from the truth.

"You can't stay a swinging bachelor for the rest of your life. I'm not going to allow our business fall into the hands of those crazies unless you get married and have children!" Grandpa stated firmly.

"How's your tea, Grandpa?" I asked with a smile.

He gave me a hard stare. "Don't attempt to be cool with me, young man! Simply respond to my query. When are you planning to tie the knot?"

I sighed. I did enjoy female company. For the last few months, I had been sleeping with the biggest hard-on in years. I needed a warm pliant wild body next to me and the only one I could think of was my exotic beauty Sydney. But marriage? I wasn't sure if I was that into her. Maybe I would lose interest once I was done conquering her.

"I have no idea, Grandpa," I just shrugged.

"Good! That means I'm free to make my own choices." Grandpa had an arrogant grin.

I cocked my head back, "are you planning to marry again, grandpa? I must say, you are quite a catch." I gave him a kind grin.

He narrowed his brows at me, but his blue eyes twinkled, indicating that he wasn't upset.

"Ah! to be young again," he sighed. "Coming back to the business. I am giving you an ultimatum to get married within a month otherwise...."

"Otherwise?" I inquired, a smile on my face.

"Otherwise, nothing.....you are a successful young man. I'm elderly and unwell, and I'm sure I'll die soon. Why would you care for an old man?"

I sighed, hating it when Grandpa played the emotion card. I took his wrinkled old hand in mine and squeezed it tight.

"I will fulfil your wish grandpa. I promise." I said softly.

His blue eyes twinkled as his lips curled into a smile once more. I chuckled as he realised he had me cornered. It was probably intended, because a phone call made everything suddenly a lot more fascinating.

******************

Sydney

I waited patiently for something to happen. I didn't have access to my phone, so I asked Leah to call Aiden for help. I wasn't sure if he would agree to help me. Drug dealing was a huge thing, he might choose to stay away. I wouldn't blame him, he wouldn't ruin his reputation for me. I heard the click of the lock and looked at the steel door.

The warden declared, "You have a guest."

I nodded and followed the warden. It wasn't Leah or Mike. A bespectacled guy in an expensive suit was waiting in the visitor's lounge. He stood up and smiled when I approached.

"Rosbak, Miss My name is David Dawson, and I'd want to introduce myself. I've come to defend you and help you pay your $500,000 bond. Please stick with me."

I wasn't sure if I heard him correctly. I was speechless and rooted on the spot. Did he say half a million dollars? Why was the sudden increase?

"Miss Rosbak ?" he asked.

"Yes, sorry but I didn't hire a lawyer,"  I said.

"I have been sent by Mr Reiner, we need to be quick. He is waiting for you."

"Reiner? Are you referring to Aiden Reiner?" I asked a dumb question.

"Mr. Aiden Reiner, the one and only. Let's get this party started, shall we?" The lawyer's brow furrowed.

"Wh...where are we going?" I inquired once more, sounding increasingly dumb by the minute.

"To his office, of course, your bail is done. We can leave now." He explained patiently.

So, Aiden had come to my rescue after all. I must thank him. I thought. I walked out of the cell, out of the police station and into the sunshine. The air felt so much better as if I was alive again after a long time. Mr Dawson escorted me to a sleek black sedan waiting outside the police station. The chauffeur held the door open when he saw us approaching. I hesitated for a moment.

"Please, Miss Rosbak," says the narrator. Dawson made a hand gesture suggesting that he wanted to climb in. I twisted my hands nervously, unsure of what to anticipate. Why was he so eager to meet me?

The automobile came to a halt in the basement of a recognisable structure. I had previously visited this location. Aiden's penthouse was where he was taking me. Mr Dawson exited the car without glancing back when the chauffeur opened the door. He assumed I'd follow him. I quietly followed him. We walked across the vast lobby after the lift doors opened. As I took a step forwards, the plush blue carpet sank nearly an inch. When I entered the penthouse, Dawson was met by a well-dressed middle-aged woman, whom I assumed to be Martha, the housekeeper.

"Mr Reiner is expecting you, Miss Rosbak. This way please," she said with a smile.
I was taken to a large, attractive oak door. I walked in, shivering slightly, and heard the door close softly behind me. It was as though I'd walked into the den of the devil.

"Would you like something to drink?" A deep, rich voice spoke up.

Aiden was behind his massive desk as I looked up. He wore a crisp blue shirt with a tie.I shook my head. He smiled and strolled over to a large bar counter and poured out two drinks.

"You're going to need that." He remarked this as he handed me a drink.

I felt a thrill down my spine when our fingers connected. While I stared at Aiden, he made a toast and sipped his whisky.

"Drink," he said to me.

I took a drink and swallowed the harsh liquid. The sensation of burning was strangely soothing.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

He smiled and guided me to a white sofa by my elbow.

He whispered softly but firmly, "Sit down."

I did what I was told.

He sat down next to me and said, "You're unusually quiet today." He was a touch too close for my liking. Uncomfortably, I fidgeted.

I stammered, "I...I don't know what to say."

"How about you start by expressing your gratitude for the bail?" With a solemn expression on his face, he stated.

I was taken aback and gave him a startled look. I was so overcome with emotion that I forgot to thank him for the bail and felt ungrateful. He was correct once again; I had neglected to thank him.

"Oh! I am so sorry Mr Reiner. Please forgive my rude behaviour. I didn't mean to offend you. Thank you for helping me..... I wasn't being rude… I was just..."
I fumbled, looking at his serious expression, he suddenly burst into laughter. His laugh sent that familiar shiver down my spine.

"Relax, you haven't offended me." He had an amused smile as if he was enjoining the situation.

I looked at his face for any hidden messages, but there were none. His blue eyes glowed with laughter, which matched the smile on his lips.

"I don't know how I could ever express my gratitude......I didn't expect you to help." I whispered.

"Are you serious?" He cocked his head. "Now that's offensive." He pouted.

I was taken aback when I looked at him, but he was clearly mocking me. I couldn't stop myself from bringing up the events of the previous several days. Tears welled up in my eyes and streamed down.