Chapter 6

MAX POV

It all began earlier that day when I was sitting at my desk in the office, staring at the glossy white invitation card on my table the Johnson's had sent to their reputable employees.

The golden embossed words “Engagement Ball: Johnson Family” seemed to shine under the morning sunlight pouring in through the blinds. My curiosity was high.

Kenneth Johnson had invited everyone in his company, myself included, to this evening’s engagement party for his daughter…a daughter the entire city believed to be dead.

'' How is that even possible? '' I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing and all the side gossip I was hearing in the office while I was working.

I leaned back in my chair, fingers tapping lightly on the edge of my desk. The mystery of it all shockd me to my heart. Why now? Why the secrecy all these years? The Johnsons were known for their lavish lifestyles, but this ball seemed to carry an extra air of surprise.

Without wasting much time, I grabbed my phone and dialed my mother's number. If anyone could offer some insight and ideas it would be her. She picked up after the second ring.

“Max, darling, what is it?” she greeted, her voice warm but carrying an undertone of concern, as if she already sensed something was off.

“Mom, you won’t believe this,” I said, glancing again at the invitation. “Kenneth Johnson has invited everyone in the company to his daughter’s engagement ball tonight.”

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and then her voice came back, sharper this time. “What did you say? His daughter?”

“Yes,” I replied, leaning forward on my desk. “His daughter. The same daughter everyone said died years ago.”

My mother gasped audibly, and I could almost picture her expression…her wide, shocked eyes and slightly open mouth.

“Max, are you sure about this? This can’t be true! Everyone knows the Johnson girl has been gone for years. Are you certain Kenneth didn’t mean someone else?”

“I’m telling you, Mom, it’s her. That’s what the invitation says. And the event is happening tonight. A ball, no less.”

From the background noise, I realized my sister Anya had joined the call. “What’s going on?” she asked, her tone curious but tinged with suspicion.

“Max says Kenneth Johnson is hosting an engagement ball for his daughter tonight,” Mom explained, her voice trembling slightly.

“What?” Anya exclaimed. “The daughter who’s supposed to be dead?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “The same one. Apparently, she’s alive and getting engaged. And Kenneth’s invited everyone.”

“This doesn’t make sense,” Anya muttered, and I could almost hear the frown in her voice. “Do you think it’s some kind of publicity stunt? Maybe he’s trying to divert attention from something else.”

Before I could respond, my mother interrupted. “Max, when did you get this invitation? How long have you known about this?”

“It hasn’t been long,” I replied. “The invites just came in this morning. I think everyone in the company got one and are also shocked just like me.”

My mother’s voice grew more insistent. “And you’re certain the invitation is real? What if it’s a mistake? Or worse, what if it’s some kind of trap?”

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. “Mom, I’m sure it’s real. Kenneth wouldn’t play games like this, especially not with something so sensitive.”

“Well, I don’t like it,” she declared. “There’s something off about this whole thing. Why wait so long to announce she’s alive? Why now, of all times?”

Anya chimed in again. “Max, are you going to the ball?”

“I haven’t decided yet,” I admitted. “But if I do, I’ll definitely be keeping my eyes open. Something about this doesn’t sit right with me either.”

“Be careful, Max,” my mother warned. “You never know with people like Kenneth Johnson. He’s a businessman, sure, but he’s always been... calculating.”

The door to my office slammed shut behind him, and my chest tightened when I got a clear look at who had barged in.

It was a young man dressed entirely in black, a black jacket, black jeans, and a black face cap pulled low over his face. His casual yet ominous presence filled the room, and I felt my stomach churn.

“Dennis?” I asked, my voice laced with both shock and confusion.

“Hold on,” I said hastily, grabbing the phone again but keeping my eyes fixed on the figure now standing in my doorway.

It was him. Of all people, it had to be him. My heart skipped a beat as fear crept up my spine. The man was dressed sharply, as always, but there was a dangerous look in his eyes that sent a chill through the room.

“Max, who is it?” my mother’s voice came through the phone, but I couldn’t bring myself to answer.

“Max?” Anya called out, her voice laced with worry.

I couldn’t respond. My throat felt dry, and my hands instinctively tightened around the phone. The man in my office stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator sizing up its prey.

“Max, I asked you a question,” my mother’s voice demanded again, growing louder, but I still couldn’t say a word.

The man smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction he’d provoked. “What’s the matter, Max? Cat got your tongue?”

“Who are you talking to, Max?” he added, nodding toward the phone in my hand.

My mother’s voice was frantic now. “Max! Max, answer me! What’s going on?”

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to speak. “Mom, I have to call you back,” I said quickly, my voice barely above a whisper.

“But…”

“ I’ll call you back,” I repeated, cutting the call and setting the phone down on my desk with shaky hands.

The man chuckled, crossing his arms as he leaned casually against the edge of my desk. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he said, his tone mocking.

“What do you want?” I asked, trying to sound calm but failing miserably.