Chasing

LESLIE’S POV

Tears fall down my cheeks in torrents, my struggle to free myself becomes even more futile and in what I now believe are my last moments, the words of Stone resurfaces in my mind. He said I went against someone more powerful than I am and that is why I am going to die.

The only person I can think of is Kian

I can’t tell what breaks my heart more, the fact that I am going to die here without anyone finding out or because Kian, the man I spent most of my life loving, ordered my death. How could he? I know he never loved me but I never thought he was capable of going this far either. He would rather let me die than divorce me? How could he be so cruel to the very end?

I feel more pain in my heart now more than my body. As the fire grows bigger, the smoke infiltrates my nostrils like poison. My vision starts to blur and I can feel my consciousness slipping away for the second time this night only this time it’s going to be forever.

In the final moments before my eyes close, I see someone running through the fire towards me, yelling my name.

I thought I must have made it to heaven when I opened my eyes and I almost got blinded by a really bright light but it turns out it’s just the fluorescent lights of a hospital ward

I am laying on the bed, having opened my eyes a long time ago and staring up at the ceiling. My mind is a blank slate and only one thought circles my mind; I didn’t die. I survived. Someone comes into the room slowly but hasten their footsteps once they realize I am awake.

“Leslie, you’re awake.” I turn my head to meet the eyes of the one who had saved my life. Travis. I’d registered his voice as the one yelling out my name just before I lost consciousness at the warehouse. I already owe this man a lot and now I owe him something that’s worth more than everything he has done in the past–my life.

“Travis.” I call, my voice croaky. I want to hug him, to tell him just how grateful I am that he came. To tell him how scared I’d been but his name was the only thing I could manage.

Travis’s eyes soften and he sighs heavily, his relief as clear as day.

“God, Leslie, I was so worried.” He says, unable to keep the tremble in his voice from making itself

known.

“How did you find me?” I didn’t tell anyone where I was going and that was my biggest mistake because! was still stupid enough to trust him Kian.

Travis takes a seat beside the bed as he replies, “Your father has a tracker in every single car he owns mostly to know what his drivers do with his cars when he isn’t around. I am only thankful that you went out in one of those cars. I can’t…I can’t imagine what would have happened…” His voice breaks as he speaks.

I look around the room and Travis notices what I’m looking for.

“Your father wanted to be here but you know he isn’t in good health. I told him to stay back. I promise, he’s worried sick.”

I nod and wince when that small movement causes me pain.

“Hey, don’t move, okay? Just rest up. The police are already looking for suspects. I promise you, Leslie. I will find the person who did this and make them pay.”

As he says that, I feel a burst of anger inside of me.

“It’s Kian.” I say, shocking Travis into silence.

“What?”

“Kian did it. He asked to meet there alone and I foolishly listened to him.” I no longer feel pain or hurt at the thought. All I feel now is fiery anger that makes me want to burn Kian in a fire greater than the one I almost got killed in.

“Leslie, I know you aren’t really in the right state of mind right now-

“I am not crazy! I know what I am saying! It was Kian. That bastard ordered my death.”

Travis goes silent for a second before speaking again, “I’m not saying you are crazy. Leslie but I was with Kian when your father called and I didn’t notice anything strange. This is a serious allegation, Leslie.”

I have the strong conviction that Kian did it even if I can’t tell why he wants me dead. The thought of him fills me with nothing but spite and a thirst for vengeance,

“Does he know what happened?”

Travis shook his head, “I left him as soon as I got your father’s call.”

“Good, keep it that way. He wants me dead, doesn’t he? Then let him know I died. Let everyone damned family, his company and the entire world know that Leslie Winston is dead.” Content © NôvelDrama.Org.

in that

Travis looks at me, confusion and concern mixing in his eyes, “What are you planning, Leslie?”

“I am getting reborn. I will become someone else if that’s what it takes to teach that bastard a lesson.” My plan was to go back to being Leslie Johnson after the divorce as I would prefer to take my mother’s last name rather than that of my father but my near death experience has made me realize that to fight against the powerful, I need to be just as powerful.

“How do you intend to do that?” Travis asks and I smile at him.

“My father has been dying to announce to the world that he has an heiress, hasn’t he? This is his chance. Have him organize a charity gala where he introduces me next month and of course, the almighty Kian Winston gets a special invite.” I elaborate the plan and it fills me with excitement.

A special invite where he gets to see me rise from the ashes not as Leslie Winston, the timid, spineless wife and secretary but Leslie Hanson, the heiress of a conglomerate.