“Please just follow me, ma'am.”
But Aleandra could no longer hold back her curiosity. There were too many things that felt strange: the hotel's sudden chaos after Issac abruptly left, the tension that had been visible on Ben's face all this time, and what confused her most was the fact that no one could even clarify where Issac was.
“Wait!”
Ben, who had been about to walk ahead of her, finally stopped. But when Aleandra expected him to turn around and answer her questions, Ben simply continued facing away from her.
“What exactly is happening?” Aleandra demanded. “Why does everyone look so panicked? And why do we have to leave? Where's Issac?”
Ben let out a quiet breath. “Sir will explain later.”
“No. I want an explanation now.”
Aleandra stepped closer. Her long wedding dress made it slightly difficult to move, while the high heels she wore felt increasingly painful. But that discomfort was nothing compared to the anxiety filling her mind.
“This is my wedding,” she continued. “I have the right to know what's happening.”
Ben finally turned around. His gaze looked heavy, as though he were considering something.
But before a single word could leave his lips, all the lights suddenly went out. The hotel, which had been brightly lit moments before, was immediately plunged into darkness.
Alea flinched and instinctively took a step back.
“What now?”
“Don't move.” Ben's voice turned firm.
In the darkness, Aleandra could hear a commotion in the distance. People's screams, running footsteps, and something that sounded like an object hitting the ground. Her heart immediately began pounding faster.
“What happened?” she whispered.
Ben grabbed her wrist.
“I'm sorry, ma'am. We have to go. Now.”
“Wait.”
“There isn't time.” Ben pulled Aleandra through the dark hallway. A few moments later, the emergency lights came on dimly, providing a little illumination. They continued walking, passing several guards stationed at different points.
Aleandra glanced behind her.
“But Issac—”
“Sir Issac knows what he needs to do,” Ben explained.
That answer did nothing to calm her. They continued on until they finally reached the rooftop. The moment the door leading to the roof opened, the sound of helicopter blades assaulted Aleandra's ears.
The strong wind whipped her hair into disarray and sent the hem of her wedding dress fluttering wildly.
“We're leaving in that?” the woman asked.
Ben only nodded. “Come on, ma'am.”
“I won't leave until I know what's happening!”
Ben moved a little closer. This time, his face looked far more serious.
“Ma'am, if you want to stay alive—and if you want Sir Issac to survive as well—come with me.”
The words made Aleandra's body go rigid. Before she could ask what he meant, Ben had already ushered her into the helicopter. Not long afterward, it took off, leaving the hotel rooftop behind.
Aleandra sat by the window and watched the hotel slowly grow smaller below.
From above, the magnificent building still looked like the same place she had arrived at to get married. But now Aleandra knew that something had happened inside it.
“Is he going to be okay?”
Ben remained silent.
“Hey!”
There was no answer.
“I'm talking to you, sir.”
The man only stared straight ahead.
Aleandra clenched both hands into fists. She knew it was pointless to pressure him. Ben clearly had no intention of telling her anything. And the more silent Ben remained, the worse the possibilities became in her mind.
Some time later, the helicopter finally landed in a wide area surrounded by tall trees.
“We're here, ma'am.” Ben quickly climbed out and extended a hand to help Aleandra.
But Aleandra only glanced at him and jumped down on her own, ignoring Ben. The man merely gave her a faint smile.
Before them stood a huge, magnificent mansion that looked deserted in the middle of the night. The building was surrounded by tight security, making Aleandra immediately realize that this was no ordinary place.
“This... belongs to Issac?” she asked.
Ben gave a brief nod. They walked toward the main entrance. But before Ben could open the way for her, the mansion door opened from inside.
A woman appeared in the doorway. Her gaze immediately fell on Aleandra.