Behind Every Facade

Paul's Pov

Paul's Pov.

The cold air from the docks hit my face as I stood by the van, watching the last crate being sealed. My phone buzzed it was Samuel

Samuel: "Sir, she was in your office."

I clenched my jaw. Priscilla. She always had too much curiosity for her own good. “Did she see anything?” I asked through gritted teeth.

Samuel hesitated. “She said she was looking for her charger. Played it off real well. I don’t trust it.”

Of course she didn’t just wander in. I knew my wife. I knew the moment her eyes flicked across my face, studying me like I was some puzzle she was about to solve.

“Keep her close,” I said. “No mistakes this time.”

I hung up and lit a cigarette, staring at the warehouse where the new batch was being processed. The Erebus Island files were never meant to be seen—not by her, not by anyone. That island held the final phase of everything I’d worked toward. Power. Fear. Silence. I couldn’t let her unravel it.

But deep down, beneath the sharp suit and the darker deeds, a sliver of me... the old me, the one who once loved Priscilla, flickered. Briefly.

Then I shook it off.

Emotion was a liability. And liabilities needed to handled but I have noticed something about Priscilla she wasn't the one I knew,she used to obey now she ask questions

I clenched my jaw. This is business, I reminded myself. Emotions are for the weak. I provide what the world demands, and they pay me handsomely for it. That’s the game.

But lately, Priscilla… she's been slipping through the cracks of my carefully curated life. Her silence was no longer comforting—it was loud. Her eyes used to be filled with awe, now they’re filled with suspicion. She doesn't look at me like she used to.

She used to admire me. Now I think she's afraid.

I got back into the black Benz and let the engine hum soothe my nerves. The driver nodded, waiting for my signal, but I waved him off. I needed a moment. Just one.

In my mind, I saw her again—Priscilla, standing at the balcony yesterday, her bruises concealed with expensive makeup I bought. Her perfume lingered in the hallway long after she passed me.

I hate how she looks at me now.

But she won't leave.

They never do.

And yet, Samuel’s words echoed in my ear from earlier.

"She's asking questions, Paul. She’s not stupid."

I slammed my fist against the dashboard.

If she found out about Erebus Island, the sacrifices, the shipments, the truth… I don’t know if I could cover it up this time.

Maybe it's time I remind her why she fell in love with me. Or maybe it’s time to finally decide if she’s going to be an asset—or a threat.

Because in my world, there’s no in-between.

I checked the time it was 02:00 a.m called the driver and we drove to my house...

Insert 08

Priscilla's Pov

I woke up around 04:00 a.m to go and pee only to see a figure in a corner of my room..

Me:Pau..l,Paul is that you?

Paul:what did I tell you about entering my office without asking me?Who gave the permission to barge in without my permission?

(I could hear that he was pissed but hiding it) It's okay promise me that you'd never do that, okay?

I nodded vigorously, swallowing hard.

Paul: I can't hear you Pris

Me:yes,yes,I won't do it again , I'm sorry. I don't know what I was doing I thought that being there will get me closer to you,as I was missing you.

He got closer and I stepped back

Paul:come on and hug me,I missed you.

I slowly got closer to his embrace and he smelled like blood but mostly cigarettes. It been a while since I got his hugs I wonder what he's hiding..anyways I just enjoyed the moment.He held me tightly, a little too tightly, and for a moment, I wondered if this was comfort or control. His hand slowly slid up my back, then rested on the back of my neck, as though anchoring me to him. I wanted to pull away, to ask about the smell, to question the photos, the files, everything—but I didn’t. I just stood there, letting myself be held by the man I barely recognized anymore.

Paul: "That’s my good girl. You just need to trust me, okay? I do everything to protect us. To protect you."

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My voice was caught somewhere between fear and confusion.

He finally let go, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

Paul: "Get some sleep. We have a charity event to attend tomorrow. You’ll need to smile and wear that green dress I like."

I nodded.

He turned and walked out of the room without another word, leaving a trail of smoke and cologne behind him. I closed the door, locked it, and sat on the edge of the bed, trembling.

---

Later That Morning

I didn’t sleep after that. When the sun rose, I went into the bathroom and stared at myself in the mirror. My face looked tired, the faint bruise under my eye still visible beneath yesterday’s makeup. I turned on the shower, letting the water wash away everything I couldn’t say aloud.

As I stepped out, I noticed my phone vibrating. It was a message from an unknown number:

"You’re not safe. Look inside the Erebus Island files. He’s planning something big. Don’t trust anyone."

My heart dropped. I quickly deleted the message.

At breakfast, Paul acted like nothing happened. He kissed my forehead and complimented my dress. The chef brought out omelets and toast like we were the perfect couple. Samuel stood silently by the doorway, eyes on me, like he wanted to say something... but couldn’t.

---

Back in my room

I waited until the house was quiet. Paul had left for a “business meeting,” and I knew this was my only chance.

I slipped into his office again.

My hands shook as I opened the drawer and pulled out the "Erebus Island" file. Inside were photographs. Girls. Young, scared girls. Some I recognized from events Paul had taken me to—always introduced as assistants or interns.

There were lists. Ages. Transactions. Flight records.

My knees buckled.

That’s when I heard it—footsteps approaching.

The footsteps grew louder, deliberate, heavy. I panicked, pushing the files back into the drawer and quietly shutting it. My hands were trembling as I darted to the other side of the room, pretending to admire the wall of books Paul never read.

The door creaked open.

It was Samuel.

Samuel: "Mrs. Davis." His voice was low, careful.

Me: "Oh—Samuel. You scared me." I forced a smile, trying to seem casual.

He stepped inside, then slowly closed the door behind him. His eyes flicked to the drawer, then to me.

Samuel: "I saw you earlier... looking at those files."

I swallowed. My pulse thundered in my ears.

Me: "Samuel, I—I didn’t mean to. I was just curious. What is Erebus Island?"

He looked around, then back at me. There was a long pause.

Samuel: "You don’t want to be involved in this. Trust me, Mrs. Davis. You need to act like you don’t know anything,what are you don't here in the first place please go back to your room,I don't want any trouble..

Paul: trouble you say..

wait when did he get here..

Paul: I thought I made my self clear when I said,I don't want you to enter in my office?

his voice was so calm yet angry,he looked at Samuel who was looking down the entire time,it was unlike Samuel to be shy,but he looked as if he was scared and about to pee on himself, that's when I knew that we're in deep s**t.

Paul:Samuel you're off for the day, please leave my premises

he turned to look at me

please go to our room,we have plenty to chat about.

Samuel left as he was told,and I was shaking in my boots.

I went to our room to prepare for the worst.