The Deeper Trench

Oriana checks her watch as she waits for her investigation partner to arrive. It's been 10 minutes but to be fair, she's always early for every appointment or meet-up or date for that matter. So, she's not going to blame Fabian for being late. Speaking of dating, she winces at the thought that slowly creeps up to her mind. As a kid, her mom always warned her not to get involved with men as they, according to her, are the special bunch that God created to punish the women. Oriana wanted to disregard her mom's

opinions as she knew where did those come from. Her dad's being a rascal was the initiation of her mom's men hating rituals. But as she grew older, she didn't get much luck around that special bunch either. At the

culmination of that journey, she too, started to believe in her mom's opinion slash mantra. Men really were created to punish women and maybe....

"Good morning, Miss. You're early." Fabian's voice sounds perkier than usual as his eyes sparkle a bit. He's in a good mood, no doubt.

"Hey... Good morning! Yeah, I'm always early." Oriana nervously fixes her ponytail.

Fabian stares at her for a moment as his heart silently skips a beat.

"Um...we ready to start the day?" She smiles at his fixated eyes, being a bit self-conscious as his gaze lingers.

Fabian clears his throat and his Adam's apple bobs up and down, sending a quiet chill down Oriana's arms ever so slightly.

"Yeah, sure. I'm sorry I kept you waiting."

"Nah! It's alright, not your fault. It's entirely on me." she smiles.

"So, we need to take the central line as it seems." Fabian looks at his mobile screen, "she lives right beside the Holborn tube station."

"Ah! Fancy."

"Yeah, maybe. We'll figure that out." He smiles as he pushes his specs up the bridge of his nose. Oriana never knew such a nerdy move could warm her heart. She should keep her guards up. No point in falling for one of that cursed bunch ever again.

"You okay, Miss?" Fabian looks at her as they enter the tube station side by side. He checks his urge to reach for her hand, just to hold it casually.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you...never mind." She forces a small grin. "Why do I...?" he gives her a quizzical look.

"Why do you call me Miss all the time?" she regrets her stupid mouth taking over her logical, steady mind, obviously with the help of her

impulsive heart. Good job at keeping your guard up, Oriana, she silently tells herself off.

Fabian hesitates a moment before grinning, warming every single anxious nerve in Oriana's body.

"Well, that would be because...um...how do I put it..." "Maybe because I'm older?" she blurts out.

"No, you are not...I mean, yes you're but...no!"

"Okay, I understand. No worries, it's fine." She chortles, "I'm aware of my age, and that's well...6 years more than yours. It's just logical for you to call me miss. I was just pulling your leg."

"No, that's not..." his words trail off as the train arrives. He clenches his jaw seeing no seat is empty inside as they enter the cramped train, again

side by side just to get lost amidst the huge crowd. God job at stuttering

again, Champ! Now, there's no way you can explain the why to her...he grunts in frustration.

The crowd seems to intensify as the train runs through the subsequent stations, finally arriving at Holborn.

Oriana looks over her shoulder to see if Fabian got down but cannot see him.

"Hey, I'm over here if that's who you're looking for." his voice startles her from her right. "Ooh! You got me there." She snorts a laughter.

"Ah, sorry."

"Come on! It's alright." she casually reaches for his arm to lightly pat on it. No wonder a brief bout of electric shock makes its way to his spine.

Dang it, he likes this girl.

"So, any guess what we might get out of Alexina?" She starts the conversation, for the hundredth time since they got to know each other in an awkward encounter in the lobby of the tuition center, seven months back.

"No clue. I feel like she wouldn't know much about Raya's disappearance. This whole thing is so stupid, you know."

"Yeah, you mean the secret investigation? I have a feeling it's gonna cost Mr. Landon. Informing the police would be the best solution in a situation like this."

"Besides, Raya's dad is a big shot businessman which means he would have loads of enemies wandering about to take their revenge...given Raya is the only daughter apart from his current trophy wife who's always glued to him..."

"Wait, wait! So, Raya is the only child and her mom's dead?" "Yeah!"

"That's even more messed up. How are we supposed to know about everything she might be involved with apart from having this best friend and a questionable boyfriend?"

"Exactly my point."

Oriana bites on her lower lip, "Now that we're here. Let's see what we can get." She knocks on the door.

Five minutes later, Oriana and Fabian are sitting in an ample living room waiting for Ms. Alexina who is apparently getting her manicures done upstairs. At least, that's what the maid said.

"Hey! I must say I don't know you guys." A seemingly spoiled, confused and a bit feisty Alexina climbs down the stairs in an outfit too pink and too tight for Oriana's choice.

Fabian rolls his eyes as he shifts his gaze down to the ground. "Hey, Alxina, right? So sorry to bother you." Oriana offers her hand

trying to put on her most-friendly smile.

Alexina quirks up one brow at her to get a once over before shaking the outstretched

hand, "I think I saw you before. Do you work at that place? Like the tuition center where Raya goes to?"

"Yes, I'm Oriana." she genuinely smiles now, hopeful to get something important out of the pink princess.

"Huh! Yeah, so you're here for Raya? She hasn't been picking up

since...like 3 days!" she matter-of-factly shrugs her shoulders, "So typical Raya."

"Wait, what do you mean by so typical Raya?" Fabian intercedes.

"Um...you're good looking! Wow! You're like, really handsome... Like you know, nerdy sort of cute. How come I not remember your face?"

Alexina flirtatiously smirks.

Fabian clenches his jaw, never getting along with corny flirtations.

Oriana smiles at his reaction before turning to Alexina, "So? What do you mean by typical Raya?"

"Huh? O yeah, she just refuses to pick up her phone whenever she's with..."

"Well, I think I cannot give that away." Alexina purses her lips. "Why not? Come on, Alexina. You know we all are very concerned

about Raya at this moment. Any information you'll give us would be more

than appreciated." Oriana utters with a twinge of real concern.

"I don't think you guys should be very concerned about Raya. I mean I don't understand why her father doesn't get used to it! She does it every six to eight months whenever she meets that...guy."

"What guy?" Fabian asks.

"Dang it! You even SOUND sexy! Oriana, right? I'm seriously jealous of you right now for your boyfriend."

Oriana cuts Alexina short, "Please, don't try to dodge the question and no, he isn't my boyfriend."

Her voice sounds so plain and logical that Fabian chews on the inside of his cheek to hide the disappointment that arises on his face.

"Okay, so this guy, Alex... Ares... Axel. Yeah, Axel works for her father's company and they have this special sort of strictly sexual relationship going on."

Oriana's senses suddenly grow tenfold stronger, "Wait up! Did you say Axel?"

"Yeah! He works at this modelling sector... and.." Alexina's voice grow distant as Oriana tries to work out the meanings. Could this Axel be the

same Axel that Ilona's sister dating and Ilona secretly having an affair with? This is next level messed up.

"You okay, Miss?" Fabian touches a hand to Oriana's shoulder slightly. "Yeah...yeah! Alexina, do you know Solar?"

"You mean Axel's rich-ass wife?" "What?"

"What? You asked the question, not me." Alexina looks confused. "Did you say wife?"

"Uh-huh!"

"And you said rich-ass..."

"Yeah, she's rich af...inherited almost everything from her dead Oldman."

Oriana struggles to keep breathing as a tight knot slowly starts to form in her chest. She remains silent for a moment.

"You guys ready to go? I have a party coming up tonight. You can stay if you want." Alxina deliberately licks her lips as she shoots Fabian another flirtatious glance.

Fabian shakes his head in irritation, such a waste of time! "No, thanks. Miss, we ready to go?" he turns to the currently stunned Oriana. He doesn't want to ask her about anything now but he's pretty sure she's got a clue.

"Yeah, sure." Oriana pushes to her feet, "Thanks a lot, Alexina. You've been really helpful." She quickly shakes her hand before ducking out of the door to find the rain pouring down like crazy. Ugh! She knew she forgot something today... her umbrella.