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CHAPTER 12
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THE THORNES CHAPTER 13
The night continued calmly, the music thrumming through the room like a steady heartbeat. Jessica felt increasingly restless, her eyes constantly scanning the crowd for Lucas. He'd disappeared after their brief encounter, leaving a void of discomfort from his sudden awakening.She stood close to one of the big curtains that hung down from one of the corners of the room. There were only a few people at that corner.Suddenly, a familiar figure materialized behind her, close enough for his cologne to send a jolt of unwelcome recognition through her."Enjoying the party, Jessica?" Lucas's voice was a low murmur, sending goosebumps prickling across her arms.She jilted a bit, not turning around, forcing a smile. "Just taking it all in," she replied, her voice strained. "It's quite a crowd."Lucas chuckled, a humorless sound that grated on her nerves. "Indeed. A lovely place to mix-up, don't you think?"His words, seemingly innocuous, sent a shiver down her spine. Did he recognize her? W
THE THORNES CHAPTER 14
Jessica tried to follow the man's trail with her eyes but she couldn't. All that he had left her was a paper.Who could that be?Was she being spied on?Why discreetly too?Jessica unfolded the paper, her heart racing in her chest, it was too much occurrence in one night. It wasn't a note, but a crudely drawn map of the building, with a small red circle drawn over a spot, indicating a secluded balcony right before the gardens behind the building.Slightly apprehensive, Jessica cast a glance at Liam whom she was nearly six steps close to. He was still talking to his business partners when he caught her gaze, it felt questionable. Trying not to cause suspicion she finally walked up to him."Excuse me for a moment," she said to him, trying to steady her voice. "I uh… I need to use the restroom."Liam nodded, a shadow of concern crossing his face. He could see through her words,it didn't feel like a restroom break, he sensed there could be more. Offering him a reassuring smile like all
THE THORNES CHAPTER 15
Liam stood in the dim light, right in her view, a relieved smile breaking out on his face. "There you are. I was starting to get worried."“Oh… yeah. Uhm… I got lost down the hall.” She lied“I walked down here and loved the view. Simply taking it in,” she added, turning to look at the view to confirm her lie.It was then she noticed.It was indeed a lovely view from the open area on the balcony. She might have lied about the reason she was there but it wasn't totally a lie, the view was pretty.Liam turned to have a glance at the view and he got captivated. The garden lights glittered like little diamonds and the moon was out like it lay on a waterbed. They stood there, taking the view in, in silence.Then, Jessica had taken deep breaths that were enough to rejuvenate her confidence beside him.Just what she needed; silence!“It's lovely.” He finally broke the quiet moment.“I never knew you loved the cool evenings.” He added.“Well… we never spoke about interests.” She said, a smil
THE THORNES CHAPTER 16
Tomorrow was another day, another day to live a secret life at TRIX and navigate the web of her case and this old problem of hers, Lucas.The weight of it all grew heavier with each passing moment. The more time she spent with Liam, the more she yearned to be honest with him. But honesty came with a price, and the potential consequences were too high.Jessica got home and fell on her couch. Several toss and turns for hours while her mind replayed the clips of the night's event, the stolen glances with Liam, the unsettling encounter with Lucas.Sleep, when it finally came, was a restless symphony of anxieties.And that too, forgetting the daily updates she had to give to the agency.**THE NEXT DAY.She arrived early at TRIX. Expecting Liam in his office, a flurry of activity around him as always.Jessica took a deep breath and a smile emerged onto her face. As she approached his door, it swung open, revealing Lucas, his features plastered with a charming grin."Ah, Jessica! There you
THE THORNES CHAPTER 17
“I simply can't do what you're asking of me!” Jessica blasted at Lucas.As said, Lucas had asked Jessica to meet him at 8:00 pm. At first, she meant not to see him but Lucas could be a pain in the ass.What did he have to say tonight?Getting there, there was no sight of him anywhere close, not until an hour later he rode in, demanding a swaddle from her.“Get in!” He said as he parked his car beside her, his glass whined down to the eyes view only.Hesitant, Jessica stood in a way that showed she wasn't willing to do that.“... I said get in!” He demanded with a more controlling voice that sounded like he was angry already.Still hesitant, Jessica finally walked to the passenger side of the car, opened up, and sat down.There was about a minute of silence as both of them stared at the empty park right in front of them. The cold evening wasn't hitting on either of them tonight and Lucas looked angry.“I need you to make him accept the deal!” Lucas started.“What?” Shocked at his word
THE THORNES CHAPTER 18
It's been two nights since Jessica gave reports to the agency. Bright and early on Saturday, Jessica tugged off her bed to prepare for some morning jog. There in the bathroom, her phone rang and she rushed out to pick up.It was Mr Troy. “Mr Troy! Good morning.” She said, startled. “Your presence is needed at the board meeting.” He started.“For two nights, two nights Jessica, you've withheld reports. Now, that doesn't look good, does it?”“The board would like to know why. They suggested a secluded physical meeting today.”Saturday was starting to look like another work day already.Arriving at the agency, discreetly through one of the restricted and confined routes, Jessica found herself in a round table of high board members, same people that had given her the last stretch of the Thorne's. “We thought you'd like a physical meeting this time.” One of the members spoke. Just then, the gush of statements started coming straight from the other members. “Is there a reason we have
THE THORNES CHAPTER 19
A decision has sprung up in this young detective's mind. Monday was bright and sunny as usual and it wasn't surprising to have Liam seated at the front of a working laptop display and some paperwork featuring the day.“Good morning Mr Liam.” Jessica greeted as she walked into his office. “You seem uncommonly bright this morning Jessica. Is there a call for celebration?” He asked jokingly as she walked to where his chairs were fixed. As she stood before him, looking directly at his eyes before taking her seat, he responded to the initial greeting.“Morning Jessica.”She sat down and it was business and little butterflies sprouting in her stomach as usual. But those butterflies would be forced to go back to the caterpillar they sprouted from with the agency's keen mark on her case.As the paperwork progressed, the conversation settled from past businesses to most recent businesses, and the one of Lucas at that.“... I expected to see Mr Lucas as early as the birds today.” She starte
THE THORNES CHAPTER 20
Jessica stared at Miss Beth, a hunch of confusion lacing her brows."Mr. Thorne wants me to meet him at the DeluxeOT Hotel?" she asked. The luxury setting felt like a steer contrast to the concept of a business meeting.Everyone knows who goes to the DeluxeOT, the big moguls and wealthy gents. For a while, Jessica had forgotten who her boss was or whose son he was.".... For a meeting?" Still questioning.Miss Beth, ever the picture of collected efficiency, nodded curtly."Yes, Ms. Willows. He mentioned a new business associate, Mr. Greg.”“Apparently, the meeting couldn't be held at the office…. He suggested something outdoor."Usually, Liam was a stickler for routine and transparency but for some other family and business reasons, he kept his reach only within the company.Requesting a meeting at a luxury hotel was not what Jessica would have ever expected.And also, what if she was seen or taken note of by known agency past victims?"Did he mention what Mr. Greg is involved in?"
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