The toy . . I dashed into the café, the door swinging shut behind me with a soft jingle. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee intertwined with the scent of warm pastries, curling into my nostrils like a familiar embrace. It awakened something deep in my belly, a growl of hunger that stirred but quickly died as if my appetite had forgotten how to wake up properly. My grip tightened on my bag as it threatened to slip from my shoulder. I made my way to the table tucked in the far corner of the café. The soft chatter of other patrons buzzed around me. I approached Mr. Andrew, who was seated at a table, clad in a sharp green suit paired with a black long-sleeve underneath. He was sipping American coffee from his mug, the steam curling lazily into the air. "Good afternoon, Mr. Andrew. I'm sorry I'm late," I said, offering a slight bow of apology before taking a seat across from him at the same table. "Hello, Ms. Aria. How have you been?" He asked, his eyes pausing on my face, sc
TW: (This chapter contains violence that might disturbing for viewers. Viewers discretion advised)THE CEO..Zach’s detective had sent a message that he would be meeting me up at the office. I bounced my legs on the floor as my eyes frequently checked my watch.“Mr. Hudson is here,” my P.A. announced as soon as he opened the door.I thought I would feel relief, but no. Instead, my heart pounding intensified. “Tell him to come in.” As soon as I said those words, Mr. Hudson appeared right behind my P.A. With his lazy gait, he strode in and settled in the seat across me. “Good morning, Mr. Wesley.” “Good morning, Mr. Hudson.” I leaned in and clasped my hand beneath my chin, My stubble was pricking the back of my palm subtly. “You had something to tell me?”“Yeah, I found the man you are looking for.” A raspy sound brushed against the sudden silence in the room as he rubbed his beard. “I could have said it over the phone or text, but I prefer to give important information in person.
The toy...The cool Saturday morning breeze swept across the picnic ground, carrying the scent of grass and chatters of the other girls who sat a distance away from us. Jessie, Eliana, and I sat on a picnic mat, encircling the different snacks—a big juice and a bottle of wine. With the whole tension from the investigation, Eliana decided we should hang out to take my mind off things. “How’s the investigation going?” Jessie asked, pouring juice into her glass. Eliana nudged her. “We brought her out to take her mind off things and not remind her of it.” She glanced at me. “Look at her, the puffy eyes and pale face. She needs to take her mind off things.”“The only thing that can take Ari’s mind off anything is work.” Jessie sipped from her juice. “This is wonderful.” She whipped her toward me and poured the juice into my empty glass. “Try this; you would love it.”Jessie was right; this picnic wasn’t going to take my mind off things, not when things were not making progress. Every
The toy ..Leonardo’s threat was this morning alarm as My eyes flew wide open, my heart pounding erratically in my chest. The sweat seeped back into my skin from the drenched pillow. I rose to a sitting position.Those shadows from the basement crept into my head and reminded me of everything that happened in that basement.The sound of the shower stopped, and Damon’s footsteps followed, getting louder as he approached me. As the thud got louder, I pressed my knees to my chest. I suddenly felt I was back in the basement and an uneasy feeling—pain flowed through the stream of my blood as Damon’s step reminded me of Leonard’s.“Are you alright?" Damon’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Yes.” I collapsed my knees back on the bed, forcing a smile.His gaze lingered on me. “You don’t look—“I jolted up. “Let me make breakfast for you.” Before he could say anything, I scurried out of the room.Getting out, I leaned, my back against the wall, seeking support as I muffled my sobs. Dam
The CEO..My car headlights pierced through the night, casting partial shadows on me as they merged with the darkness cloaking the path to my villa. The gates opened, and I drove in, my eyes immediately catching sight of the black car. Fear gripped me as I recognized it as my father's. I bolted out of my car, sprinting towards the house. "Why is he here?" I thought, my heart pounding. "Did he come to hurt Binky?" My body betrayed my fear, every movement tense and jittery. The more I thought about it, the more my fear gave way to anger.As I opened the door, my fist tightened at the sight of my father sitting in the living room. He was seated across from Binky. "Are you alright?" I asked as I hurried to her. I dropped to my knees beside her, cupping her face. "Did he hurt you?" I repeated, my eyes narrowing as I scanned her for any sign of distress. My father turned his head slightly, a chuckle escaping his lips. "My son thinks I'm a monster now. "No, he didn't.”She shook her hea
The CEO..Binky’s footstep got louder as she approached the dining, and at the time it stopped, I opened my eyes.It fell on hers, dread written in them as she took on the scene. The blood trickled down and tainted my white dress shirt. The shards of broken bottles that carpet the corner behind me. I forced a smile in an attempt to pacify her fear that was palpable. “It’s not that serious.” I tried wiping the coagulated blood on my head.She scurried towards me and cupped my hands between her palms. A frown formed on her face. “I hate when you do this; trying to act tough all the time.” Her tone dripped with seriousness. “You are only going to break.” Going to break, I chuckled inwardly; I might already be broken. My expression darkened. “What did he tell you before I came?” I remember the look in her eyes when I stepped in. The way fear tainted it made my heart ache. I needed to know if he had threatened her. Ignoring my question, she questioned, “What does he want from you?” S
The CEO..I swiveled in Tracy’s chair, waiting for her to arrive at her office. She had called me to meet her up at the office, and I hurried here, thinking she would be there. I had called her multiple times and even laid the threat that I was leaving, but an hour had gone by and she was still not here.“Oh God.” I smacked my forehead. “Remind me never to show up early whenever I meet up with her,” I muttered to myself. With boredom eating my soul, I opened the drawer, and a black album caught my eye. I took it out and opened it. The first picture was an old picture of her and my dad. They were probably in their early 20s and in college. They sat on a bench beneath a big tree with an extensive canopy. I hadn’t seen a picture of my father when he was young; this was the first time, and really the resemblance was uncanny. At first or a second glance, I could have passed as him. An image of him slipped into my mind; that’s how I am going to look when I’m older. I grimaced.I flippe
The toy..I paced around the room, my footsteps restless and uneven as the tension tightened its grip on me. The walls seemed to close in with every step I took. My mouth moved silently as if trying to shape words that refused to come out. I was lost in the chaotic swirl of my thoughts, feeling like I was spiraling out of control.I reached for my phone and called Jessie. My hands shook slightly as I held the device to my ear, waiting for her to pick it up. When she did, the words came tumbling out before I could stop them. "Jessie, I’m scared. I don’t know what to do anymore. Everywhere I go, it feels like he’s watching me like I can’t escape him. It’s like a shadow that I can’t shake off."I could hear Jessie moving around on the other end, probably pacing like I was. Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of concern that she couldn’t quite hide. "Ari, you don’t have to push yourself right now. If you’re too scared."I wanted to believe her, to let myself off the hook, but I co