Care and Caution

Julian changed into a fitted, dark-grey crew neck T-shirt, the soft fabric molding to his broad shoulders and toned physique. Paired with black lounge pants that hung casually on his hips, the outfit was simple yet refined, embodying his effortlessly commanding presence. He ran a hand through his tousled hair and took a deep breath. The private investigator he had hired to look into his parents’ murder would arrive shortly.  

He had chosen to keep the investigation quiet—discretion was paramount. He didn’t know who could be trusted, and secrets, he had learned, had a way of being betrayed.  

The door opened, and Theo entered. “He’s here, waiting in the lounge.”  

Julian nodded and followed him out. The lounge, nestled in the eastern wing of the villa, was his private sanctuary for handling sensitive matters. The room had witnessed his darkest moments and most critical decisions, and its connection to the hidden garden—the site of his parents’ murder—only added to its somber atmosphere.  

As they entered, Mr. Lee stood from his seat. He was a man of modest stature, with sharp eyes magnified by his round glasses. The thick brown mustache under his nose gave him an air of mystery, and his quiet, measured demeanor commanded respect.  

Julian extended a hand. “Mr. Lee, thank you for coming.”  

The investigator returned the handshake. “Mr. Salvatore, it’s a privilege to work with you. I understand this is a sensitive matter.”  

Julian gestured for him to sit, then took the chair opposite. Theo stood near the door, his watchful presence a silent assurance.  

Mr. Lee leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. “Before we begin, I need to establish some ground rules. Investigations like this require utmost discretion. No one, not even those closest to you, should know about my involvement. Trust is crucial, but it can also be dangerous. Keep your eyes open and observe everyone around you.”  

Julian nodded, his expression unreadable. “Understood.”  

“We’ll need to sign a confidentiality agreement,” Mr. Lee continued, pulling a small folder from his briefcase. “This protects both of us. It ensures that anything uncovered during the investigation stays between us unless otherwise agreed.”  

Julian reviewed the document quickly, then signed it without hesitation. As Mr. Lee slipped the signed contract back into his briefcase, he added, “I’ll begin my inquiries immediately. But remember, progress will be slow. The individuals responsible for your parents’ deaths had twelve years to cover their tracks. I’ll keep you updated as we uncover more.”  

Julian’s jaw tightened, but he gave a curt nod. “I don’t care how long it takes. I just want the truth.”  

Their conversation was brief, ending with a handshake and a shared understanding of the weight of the task ahead.  

---  

As Julian and Theo walked back toward the main house, Derrick approached them, his usually calm face marked by unease.  

“Sir,” Derrick began, falling in step beside them, “there’s been an incident.”  

Julian’s steps slowed, his brows knitting together. “What is it?”  

Derrick hesitated. “Alexa fainted a short while ago. She’s stable now and being attended to by the caretaker.”  

Julian’s concern flashed across his face. “Did they say what caused it?”  

“No, sir,” Derrick replied. Then, lowering his voice, he held out a small black device in his hand. “The caretaker found this in the main house near where she collapsed.”  

Julian took the object, a tiny hearing bud with a faint red light blinking on its side. He examined it closely, his frown deepening.  

Theo leaned over to get a better look. “That’s not standard equipment. Could be a listening device.”  

Julian’s grip tightened on the bud. “Where exactly was this found?”  

Derrick shook his head. “The caretaker wasn’t specific. Just said it was in the main house, not far from where Alexa was found.”  

Julian exchanged a glance with Theo, his expression hardening. “Take this to the tech team. I want a full analysis—where it came from, what it’s been recording, and if it’s connected to anyone inside or outside the villa.”  

Derrick nodded. “Right away, sir.”  

As Derrick hurried off, Julian turned to Theo, his voice low and resolute. “Increase surveillance across the villa. I want eyes on every corner, and I want the staff monitored. No one is above suspicion.”  

Theo nodded. “Consider it done.”  

Julian stared at the small device in his hand, his thoughts racing. Whoever had planted the hearing bud was bold—or desperate. And as shadows of the past intertwined with the present, Julian realized he couldn’t afford to let his guard down—not for a second. 

Julian made his way through the winding corridors of the villa, intending to retreat to his room and clear his head. But his steps, almost of their own volition, led him toward Alexa’s quarters instead.  

He told himself it was just a routine check on his maid—nothing more. But the niggling doubt wouldn’t let go. Alexa had arrived at the villa only a few days ago, her pale complexion and soft-spoken demeanor, and the tingling familiar aura around her. She’d come highly recommended by the agency, a young woman with nowhere else to go. Julian had felt a pang of pity when he’d heard her story, which was unusual for him.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He didn’t want to believe she was involved in anything shady. But the discovery of the hearing bud near where she fainted raised too many questions to ignore. *If Alexa isn’t innocent...* He didn’t finish the thought. He didn’t want to.  

As he reached her door, he hesitated, his hand hovering over the wood. What if she was hiding something? What would he do then? Taking a deep breath, he knocked twice.  

Inside the room, Alexa was a mess of nerves. She had turned the space upside down, her usually tidy quarters now in complete disarray. The bed sheets were rumpled, drawers were half-open, and clothes were strewn about the floor. Sweat beaded her brow as she frantically wracked her brain for answers.  

The hearing bud—her connection to everything—was gone. She’d searched every corner of her room, even sneaking into Miss Yvonne’s quarters on the off chance it had ended up there. Nothing.  

Her hands shook as she ran them through her hair. She had to find it. If anyone discovered the device and traced it back to her...  

A knock at the door startled her. She froze, her breath hitching. Wiping her clammy hands on her skirt, she moved cautiously to the door and opened it. Her heart sank when she saw Julian standing there.  

“Sir,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I wasn’t expecting you.”  

Julian’s sharp gaze swept over her pale face and the disarray of her room. He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.  

“Are you feeling better?” he asked.  

“Yes, sir. The caretaker said it was just exhaustion,” she replied quickly, stepping back.  

His eyes narrowed. “You’ve been busy,” he noted, gesturing to the scattered belongings.  

She forced a smile. “Just reorganizing.”  

Julian’s expression remained unreadable. “I heard you fainted. That’s unusual for you, isn’t it?”  

She nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ve been overworking myself. I’m sorry if I caused any trouble.”  

Julian studied her carefully. She was nervous—too nervous. He couldn’t shake the feeling that she was hiding something. “You should take better care of yourself, Alexa. The staff here is well-compensated for their work. There’s no need to overextend yourself.”  

She nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Thank you, sir. I’ll keep that in mind.”  

For a moment, Julian said nothing, his gaze drifting toward the scattered belongings. “Anything on your mind?” he asked, his tone deceptively light.  

Alexa’s heart skipped a beat. “No, sir. Just the usual.”  

Julian nodded slowly, letting the silence linger. “If there’s ever anything you need to tell me, you know you can, right?”  

The weight of his words hit her like a ton of bricks. Did he know? Has someone already found the hearing bud? She swallowed hard, forcing a smile. “Of course, sir.”  

Julian lingered a moment longer before heading to the door. “Rest well. Let the caretaker know if you feel unwell again.”  

As the door clicked shut, Alexa collapsed onto her bed, her hands trembling. She had to act fast before everything unraveled.  

Outside, Julian walked slowly to his room, his instincts screaming that something was off. Until he had proof, he would remain vigilant