BURIED TRUTH ,RISING FLAMES
1100 Words
Ayana stared at the message, her fingers trembling as she clutched the phone. The cold words glared back at her like a slap across the face.
Unknown Number:
You think Ethan can save you?
Wait until the world knows what you did at the salon.
It’s not over.
Her stomach dropped.
The salon.
That word alone summoned a tidal wave of memories she had spent years suppressing. Memories of whispered threats, muffled cries, and the one terrible mistake that haunted her every night.
“Ayana?”
Ethan’s voice came from behind, calm but alert.
She quickly locked the screen and turned, trying to compose herself, but Ethan was already reading her. His brows knit together.
“You’re shaking,” he said, stepping closer. “Did you get another message?”
She hesitated.
This wasn’t like the last threats. This wasn’t just about Claudia or Ethan. This was about her past—the life she ran from. The day everything went wrong at the salon and shattered her world.
“Ayana,” he said again, gently. “Talk to me.”
She sighed, eyes wet. “This one’s different.”
He took her hand, leading her to sit down beside him on the balcony sofa. The city lights twinkled far below them, mocking her attempt at peace.
“I need you to tell me everything,” Ethan said softly. “What happened at the salon?”
She bit her lip, torn between fear and trust.
“I never told anyone,” she began, voice almost a whisper. “Not Zara. Not even my mother. But that day... I made a mistake that cost someone their life.”
Ethan froze. “What?”
Ayana’s throat tightened. “There was a client. High-profile. She came in for a treatment she shouldn’t have had. She lied on her form about her allergies. But I should’ve checked again. She went into anaphylactic shock. We called for help, but…”
She paused, tears welling up.
“She died before the ambulance arrived.”
Ethan sat back, stunned. “Jesus, Ayana…”
“There was an internal investigation. They pinned part of the blame on me. Said I didn’t follow up on the form. I was suspended. Paparazzi got wind of it. My name, my face—it was everywhere for weeks.”
She wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “I couldn’t get hired anywhere again. That’s when I left Mombasa. I cut off everyone. Even Zara.”
“And you think this… person knows about it?” Ethan asked.
Ayana nodded. “They said salon. That’s not something Claudia would know. Not unless someone dug deep. Really deep.”
Ethan looked like he wanted to throw something. “Then they’ve crossed a line. This isn’t just revenge. This is targeted destruction.”
“But why?” Ayana asked. “Why now? After all this time?”
Ethan leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Because you’re a threat. To Claudia. To her pride. To her image. To her control. You became the woman standing beside the man she once controlled. You rose from nothing and somehow, you’re still rising.”
Ayana blinked, her heart stuttering.
“You think this is Claudia’s doing?”
“I think Claudia’s just the face. But there’s someone operating behind the scenes. Someone who wants to bury you. And they’ve found your deepest scar.”
Ayana looked down at her phone again. The words echoed.
Wait until the world knows…
She wasn’t ready to relive it. But now, she might not have a choice.
Scene: The Next Morning Legal War Room
The penthouse was turned into a temporary war room. Ethan’s lawyers arrived before dawn. A digital forensics expert set up his laptop on the marble dining table while a private investigator pored over printed messages and maps of Ayana’s past addresses.
“I’ve traced the last message to a burner phone,” the expert said. “But whoever sent it knew how to cover their tracks. They’re using a VPN and rotating IPs. Could take time to locate them.”
“We don’t have time,” Ethan said, his voice clipped.
Ayana sat quietly, sipping lukewarm coffee, her eyes puffy from crying but her spirit slowly reigniting.
“We start with Nina,” the PI said. “She’s the closest link to Claudia. But I want to widen the net. Any past co-workers, neighbors, former clients who might’ve had a grudge?”
Ayana nodded slowly. “There was a girl named Wanja. She worked with me back then. Got fired for stealing but always blamed me.”
The investigator jotted it down. “We’ll check her records.”
“And I’ll dig into Nina’s finances,” Ethan added. “If Claudia’s funding this, it’ll show.”
Ayana’s eyes flickered with gratitude. “You don’t have to go this far.”
Ethan looked at her, serious. “You’re not in this alone anymore. Remember that.”
Scene: Claudia’s Hotel Suite Later That Day
In a lavish suite at the top of a boutique hotel in Karen, Claudia poured herself a mimosa, lounging in a silky robe. She scrolled through her phone, lips curling as she read Ayana’s name trending locally again.
But not in the way she wanted. Not yet.
“You really think this is the best way?” Nina asked, arms folded as she stood by the floor-length windows.
Claudia sipped her drink. “Of course. Ayana built a new life on a lie. I’m just… reminding the world who she really is.”
“You’re playing with fire,” Nina muttered.
Claudia turned, eyes icy. “No. I am the fire.”
She clicked on a folder on her tablet. Videos, pictures, and an audio recording of a salon client screaming in the background. The chaos. The fear. The headlines. “Promising Beautician Faces Negligence Allegations After Tragic Client Death.”
“By next week,” Claudia said, “Ayana Mwende won’t be able to walk outside without being recognized. Not as Ethan’s secret wife. But as a killer in hiding.”
Nina looked uneasy. “What if Ethan retaliates?”
Claudia smirked. “Let him. He may be rich. But I’m ruthless.”
Scene: Penthouse Nightfall
Ayana leaned against Ethan’s chest as they stood by the windows, the city a glowing tapestry below.
“I can’t let my past destroy what I’ve built,” she whispered.
“It won’t,” Ethan said, wrapping his arms around her. “We’ll fight this. Together.”
Ayana nodded. “Then it’s time I stop running.”
- Writer
