A threat in shadow

Chapter 6: A Threat in the Shadows

Alex

The instant I saw him, my stomach twisted. Daniel was standing there, half-hidden by shadows, his face a mix of fury and disbelief. He'd heard everything—enough to leave questions in his mind, enough to destroy any trust we had.

“Daniel…” I breathed, stepping forward, but he held up a hand, stopping me cold.

"Don’t," he snapped, his voice tight. “Just… don’t. I knew you were hiding things from me, Alex, but this?” His gaze shifted to Liam, eyes narrowed. “What exactly is going on here?”

Liam stepped forward, his stance calm but wary. "It’s not what you think, Daniel," he began, but Daniel scoffed.

“Oh, I’m sure it’s exactly what I think,” he shot back, anger flashing in his eyes. "All this secrecy, sneaking around. Alex, do you have any idea what this looks like?”

I tried to steady my voice, to keep the guilt from showing. “Daniel, just listen to me for a second. I can explain—”

“Explain what?” he interrupted, looking between us. “How long has this been going on? How many lies have I believed?”

Liam raised a hand, stepping between us. “We were just talking. There’s no need to make this into something it’s not.”

But that only made Daniel’s jaw clench tighter. “Oh, so now you’re speaking for him? Since when did you two get so… close?” He let out a bitter laugh, glancing away. "Unbelievable."

“Daniel,” I began, a trace of desperation slipping into my voice. “This isn’t what it looks like. I wanted to tell you—”

“Tell me what, Alex? That you’ve been lying to my face? Or that you’ve been meeting up with him, your so-called 'enemy' behind my back?” His voice was edged with hurt, and I could feel his frustration reaching its limit.

Liam’s expression tightened, and he took a step closer to Daniel, his voice low. “I don’t think you understand the situation.”

“Oh, I think I understand perfectly,” Daniel shot back, his voice sharp. “You’re just as much a part of this, aren’t you? Pretending to be someone you’re not, keeping Alex in the dark about… whatever this is?”

Liam’s patience was visibly thinning, and I stepped between them, feeling the tension build like a powder keg about to blow. “Both of you, stop. This isn’t helping.”

“Helping?” Daniel looked at me, betrayal clear in his eyes. “Alex, I trusted you. I thought you were different. But all I see now is someone who’s been playing me for a fool.”

“Daniel, that’s not fair—” I tried, but he cut me off, his voice filled with frustration and hurt.

“Then make it fair. Tell me what’s going on! Tell me why you were out here with him, your so-called 'enemy' in the middle of the night, whispering about secrecy and lies!”

Liam took a breath, his voice softening. “Look, Daniel, it’s… complicated. There are things in my life that—”

“Spare me the excuses,” Daniel snapped, his gaze icy. “Complicated? I get that you’re both used to keeping secrets, but don’t expect me to just stand here and take it.”

“Daniel, please,” I said, reaching for him, but he took a step back, his expression filled with disappointment.

“You don’t get it, do you?” His voice broke slightly, a hint of vulnerability slipping through. “I thought you were my friend, Alex. But now… I don’t know what to believe.”

And with that, he turned, walking away before I could say another word, his footsteps echoing in the empty corridor.

I stared after him, my heart sinking. I wanted to run after him, to explain everything, but I knew it would only make things worse.

Beside me, Liam sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Alex. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

I looked at him, my frustration boiling over. “You think that helps? I just lost my best friend, Liam. You knew this would happen, and yet…”

He opened his mouth to respond, but closed it, clearly at a loss. “Alex, I know this is difficult—”

“Difficult?” I shook my head, a hollow laugh escaping. “You have no idea what you’ve cost me tonight.”

Liam’s expression shifted, a flicker of regret crossing his features. But I couldn’t stay there, not with him, not with the weight of Daniel’s anger and betrayal pressing down on me.

The next morning, I barely slept. I had tried calling Daniel a dozen times, each call going straight to voicemail. I felt the weight of everything—his anger, the secrets I was keeping, the tension with Liam—and it gnawed at me, refusing to let me breathe.

As if things couldn’t get worse, my parents started in on me the moment I stepped out of my room.

“Alex,” my mother said, her voice low but firm as she approached me in the hallway. “You need to focus. The summit is this whole week. Your role there is crucial, and I expect you to be fully prepared.”

I forced a nod, but my mind was miles away. The summit was supposed to be a priority, a chance to prove myself, but after last night, it felt like just one more burden. I had barely even unpacked my things at the hotel before being pulled into one event after another.

As the summit would last a week, during that time my parents and I were staying in a luxurious hotel. Because the summit was at the opulent ballroom of the presidential residence.

And then there was Charlotte, my 'dear' fiancée.

“Good morning, darling,” her voice rang out, smooth and calculated as she glided toward me in the hotel lobby. Her smile was polished, practiced. The way she looked at me was like I was a piece on a chessboard, something to be moved according to her will.

“Morning, Charlotte,” I replied, trying to keep the weariness from my voice.

Her smile faded just slightly, her eyes narrowing. “You look exhausted, Alex. I hope you’re not letting anything… distract you from our engagement.”

The warning in her voice was clear, but I met her gaze, refusing to let her see my weakness. “I’m not distracted, Charlotte. The summit’s important to me. You know that.”

She arched a brow, her tone dipping with a hint of sarcasm. “Good. Because from where I stand, it seems like you’ve been spending far too much time with other… people.”

I clenched my jaw, swallowing back the retort I wanted to throw at her. “Is there something you’d like to say, Charlotte?”

“Oh, not at all,” she replied, her smile returning, though it was as cold as ice. “Just a friendly reminder that I expect your full commitment. After all, this alliance is… beneficial for both our families.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Charlotte’s words were laced with implication, and it didn’t take a genius to understand her jealousy. She knew there was someone else on my mind, and it bothered her more than she’d admit.

But I didn’t have the energy to argue. Not with her, not with anyone.