Chapter 14: Go On and Lose It All

We had stopped searching after a whole day. It was apparent to Mark that we lost Ria and weren’t going to find her in this area. The only thing we could do was keep surveillance on the area, which even with that, we’d end up empty handed from the multitude of people that go to Central Park. Despite how tired I was, I decided to head over to Shannon’s and see if Ria was ok. I knocked on the door and waited for someone to open the door. I heard the locks being fiddled with and Shannon opened the door. With one look at me, her face fell to that of sympathy.

 

“Oh Aaron, come in.” She said ushering me in. She rubbed my back as I entered into her condo. I was dead tired.

 

“Where’s Ria?” I asked walking into the living room. Shannon entered behind me and pointed to Ria’s room. I nodded a ‘thanks’ and went to Ria’s room. I didn’t bother to knock and just walked in. I saw Ria sitting on her bed talking on the phone.

 

“You’re such an a*****e Griffon.” She joked�"“I told you that I haven’t taken the hard drive out of my sight. The damn thing sleeps with me at night…Okay well if it makes you feel better then have X come and pick it up.”

I stood at the door and felt myself boiling up with jealousy. She was talking to Griffon. I didn’t like him. He had feelings for her and I knew it. Whether she saw it or not I never really knew but I couldn’t stand hearing about him. When she hadn’t noticed me I coughed trying to get her attention. Ria looked to the doorway and found me standing there. She had the same look as Shannon and then looked away ending her phone conversation.

“Okay yeah…Sounds great…I really need to go Griffon…Bye.”  She said before hanging up. Ria pulled me to the bed and had me sit next to her. I complied and slumped down. She closed the door and came back to sit with me.�"“Why didn’t you go home love?” She asked stroking her fingers through my hair. It was really relaxing and could put me out at any minute.

 

“I wanted to make sure you were ok.” I said tiredly. Ria gave me a hug.

 

“Aww thank you, but you need to sleep Aaron, I don’t want you to lose sleep because of me.” She said. She kissed me softly and I smiled.

 

“I couldn’t help myself…I love you too much.” I said with a sleepy smile. She smiled back at me and pulled me to her. I rested my head in the crook of her neck.

 

“I can’t thank you enough Aaron. You really saved me and Griffon back there.” She said. I tensed at the mention of his name. She picked up on it but didn’t say anything. I straightened up and looked her in the eyes.

 

“I don’t like him.” I said honestly. Ria furrowed her eyebrows.

 

“Aaron he’s helping to prove my innocence so you and me don’t need to have this stress over our shoulders.” She said explaining softly. I didn’t like that she was defending him at all. I looked away from her.

 

“You’re already defending him.” I said boldly and not really thinking about what I was saying. Ria scoffed.

 

“Are you seriously that jealous of him?” She asked annoyed. I looked at her again.

 

“I’m not jealous.” I lied.

 

“Yeah okay Aaron. So what would it be then?” She said sarcastically.

 

“I don’t know.”�"I answered annoyed. I was getting a headache.�"“I just don’t like how close you guys are.” I admitted.

 

“We’re close friends Aaron.” She said frustrated.

 

“No to the public…” I mumbled, but I knew she heard me. Ria shot up from the bed.

 

“Are you…did you just...Did you just accuse me of cheating on you?”  She said obviously very upset. I looked up at her not in the mood for this at all.

 

“That’s not what I said.” I replied.

 

“But it’s what you meant and were alluding to.” She said folding her arms. I shook my head.

 

“No, I was just saying that to you maybe you’re close friends but other people might not see it that way.”

 

“People like you.” She returned. I let out a frustrated sigh.

 

“No, not people like me.” I said raising my voice. I was getting really annoyed now. Ria stood in the same place looking angry.

“Then explain yourself Aaron.” She said now shifting her weight to one side. I rubbed my eyes in frustration.

 

“All I’m saying is that the way you guys act can make it seem like you two are more than friends.” I explained.

 

“But you of all people know that we aren’t so what’s the problem?” She asked trying to get the real answer out of me.

 

“Ugh you know what I mean Ria.” I said with my headache growing.

 

“Yeah that you’re jealous.” She said. I groaned in annoyance.

 

“Yes okay?! Yes I’m jealous! Happy?!” I yelled at her. She winced at my anger. I looked down and rested my head in my hands.�"“Look I-I’m sorry ok…I’m just really tired and my head hurts. But I really don’t like the way he is with you.” I said. Ria sighed and sat down next to me.

 

“Look I’m sorry for over reacting just now. If Griffon is acting a certain way then the next time I see him I’ll talk to him or set tighter boundaries okay? But you don’t need to be jealous or upset or anything ok love? I love you…and no one else.” She said rubbing my back and resting her head on my shoulder. I looked up to her and nodded smiling slightly.

 

“I love you too.” I said kissing her sweetly. She smiled and got up off of the bed.

 

“Now get some rest Aaron. You’re gunna need it.” She said shutting off the light and closing the door behind her. I smiled laying down and drifting off instantly.

 

                        It wasn’t until weeks later that I’d make the worst mistakes of my life and go back on everything that I ever told Ria. I was just getting home from work, and was extremely hungry. I was in the kitchen making myself something to eat until Rick got home with dinner. I grabbed two slices of bread and cold cuts from the fridge. I began to stack up my sandwich when the phone rang.

 

“Hello?” I answered continuing to stack my sandwich.

 

“Hey man it’s me.” Rick said on the other line.

 

“Oh hey, dude where are you? I’m starving.” I said. Finishing up my sandwich and getting some soda from the fridge.

 

“Yeah about that…I’m running a little late here so I just ordered pizza for delivery. So when it comes can you pay for it and I’ll pay you back later.” Rick pleaded. I let out a sigh.

 

“Fine, but I can’t promise you that there’s going to be anything left.” I said joking and taking a bite of my sandwich. Rick laughed.

 

“And that my friend is why I ordered three large pies.” Rick said. It was my turn to laugh.

 

“Jesus Christ, Rick! Why so much?” I asked.

 

“Easy, I don’t trust you with food.” He said. I laughed.

 

“Smart man.” I joked and ended the conversation. I took my sandwich and soda with me to the living room. I turned on the TV and decided on a baseball game. I was getting into it when there was a knock on the door. I muted the TV and went to answer  the door. When I opened  it I was surprised to find Mai holding my three large pies. I raised an eyebrow.

“Mai what are you doing here…and with my pizza?” I asked. She smiled.

 

“I thought I’d do you a favor. Don’t worry about the tab, I took care of it for you.” She said letting herself in. I closed the door behind her still confused.

 

“You paid for my pizza?” I asked. She nodded putting it down in the dining room.

 

“You could say that.” She said alluding to something else. I studied her and noticed her hair was disheveled and her clothes looked a little off. That was when it hit me.

 

 “You fucked the pizza guy?” I asked in disbelief. She sat on the tables edge closest to me.

 

“You say f**k I say persuaded…same thing really.” She said.

 

“Speak for yourself.” I said now disgusted with her. I mean for pizza? Really? I walked slowly away from her.

 

“Well thanks…I guess but you need to go.” I said, pointing to the door. She pouted.

 

“Why?” She asked. I didn’t like where this was going at all.

 

“Because my roommate is coming home soon and I don’t think it’s fair to have company when he’s tired from work.” I said making up the excuse. Mai scoffed.

 

“What are you his girlfriend?” She asked. She then got off the table and walked up to me. She as getting way too close. I backed away from her only to be cornered by her and the wall.�"“I’m going to be honest with you Aaron…I’ve been studying you for a while now and it seems like you’ve been hiding something from the team. Now I don’t know what it is, but I’m sure you can tell me…right?” She asked seductively. I swallowed hard and looked away from her.

 

“Mai I don’t know what you’re talking about, so I suggest you go.” I said going around her and getting a slice of pizza. She didn’t listen and was persistent. She came up from behind me and started whispering in my ear.

 

“I know you’re hiding something Aaron…don’t make me get it out of you.” She said. I knew what she was referring to. I was in trouble now. I didn’t want to end up doing something I’d regret nor did I want Mai to find out about Ria and me. I shook my head to focus.

 

“There’s nothing that I’m hiding, so can you go now?” I asked leaving her in the dining room and going back to the living room. She still didn’t give up though. Mai entered the living room after I had sat down and just started to stare at me.

 

“I didn’t want to use this but you leave me no choice.” Mai said stalking towards me. I suddenly began to feel attracted to her. I wanted to be wherever she was. I wanted her to be wherever I was. I wanted to…Stop Aaron she’s trying to mess you up…Snap out of it. I said to myself trying to fight Mai’s ability. I couldn’t help but think if this was how Eddie felt the first day Mai demonstrated her ability.

                        I had never regretted such a night in my life. That night I lost control, my sense, my mind, and Ria. It was that night, I found out exactly how Mai got all her information, and unfortunately, it worked.