Chapter 2: A Spark Unfinished
1784 Words
Maya lay in her hospital bed, her eyes fixed on the tall, lean figure approaching her.
It was Alex, her politically influential fiance and presidential aspirant.
His cold, calculating gaze and smirking smile hinted at his rumored arrogance and impulsive confidence.
Emilia, Maya's superior and mentor, stood by, observing the exchange.
She had never met Alex in person, though she was aware of his secret engagement to Maya.
Alex, ignoring Emilia's presence, snapped at Maya in a confrontational tone, "When will you come to terms with the fact that your profession is a risk to your life?"
Maya reassured him, holding his hand, "As you can see, I'm not at risk."
Emilia, sensing the tension between them, interrupted their conversation, "I'll take my leave now."
Maya abruptly remembered she hadn’t introduced Emilia to Alex formally.
Turning to Alex's direction, she initiated a brief introduction: “Alex, meet Emilia, my office supervisor.
Emilia, this is my fiancé, Alex Montenegro.”
Alex responded coldly, “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Emilia.”
Emilia’s face remained professional as she shook Alex’s hand.
“The pleasure is all mine, Alex. Congratulations on your engagement to Maya.
Alex's eyes widened in surprise after Emilia altered her last statement, with a warm smile spreading across his face.
“This is the best decision I have made, Emilia.” He said, extending his hand to Emilia.
Maya beamed with pride, happy to see her two worlds colliding.
“I’ve told Alex so much about you, Emilia. He’s been dying to meet you.”
Alex chuckled. “That’s true. Maya is always speaking highly of you and your leadership at the office.”
Emilia shifted her gaze to Maya, as a hint of amusement danced in her eyes.
“Well, I’m glad to hear that; Maya has been an invaluable asset to our team.”
Alex added, “There will be no team without a great team leader”.
Emilia's smile faltered before she replied, "Of course, Alex. I'm only privileged to pilot the teamwork affairs."
Maya couldn’t help but notice the contrast between Alex's edgy nature and Emilia’s collected responses.
She wondered what Emilia thought of Alex, she hoped her superior would approve of her choice.
As Emilia set out to leave, Maya thanked her for her support.
Emilia calmly patted Maya's shoulder, "The only risk I can't stand is losing you on my team. You should be resting so you can recover fully."
Maya smiled weakly, grateful for Emilia's consideration.
She secretly wished she could correct the episode of her vulnerability.
After Emilia left, Alex took her seat, adjusting himself close to Maya's bed.
"Hey, beautiful. How are you feeling today?"
Maya replied, "Am good as you can see, Alex. Thanks for coming."
“I should inform you of the campaign progress, but I need you to recover first, Maya,” Alex said with a concerned look on his face.
Maya knew she had to get better, not just for herself, but for Alex, their future together, and the country they loved.
******
Billionaire Julian arranged to pack his belongings out of his luxurious hotel room, preparing to check out.
As he scanned the room, he noticed a faint sparkle on the floor - Maya's diamond ring.
He remembered the ring from their encounter.
Julian placing the ring in his luggage, felt a sense of unfinished business with Maya. He knew he had to see her again.
Maya's recovery was slow but steady. With Emilia's support and Alex's occasional visits, she finally felt like herself again.
After two weeks, Maya was discharged, ready to return to her normal life.
As she settled back into her house, she found herself itching to get back to work.
She missed the thrill of the chase, the rush of adrenaline as she pursued a lead.
Emilia encouraged Maya to take it easy, but Maya was determined to resume work.
Finally, the day arrived when Maya walked back into the office, her heart bubbling with excitement.
Her colleagues welcomed her back, and Emilia beamed with optimism at her arrival.
Maya settled into her work, reviewing the latest information concerning Julian with renewed energy and zeal.
The investigative journalist was back, ready to take on whatever came her way.
She knew she still had a lot to learn from her last mission, and she wasn't ready to give in to self-pity.
With a newfound appreciation for good health and a renewed sense of determination.
Maya embarked on her next adventure, ready to uncover the truth about Billionaire Julian and make her mark in her journalism career.
Maya picked up a presumed photo of Julian she had in her custody.
Her investigative instincts kicked in as she retraced her steps back to the luxurious hotel to confirm if the image of the person in the photograph could be identified by the receptionist as a guest who checked into the hotel.
As she approached the reception desk, Maya flashed her ID card and introduced herself to the receptionist.
"Hi, I'm Maya, a private investigator. Have you, by chance, seen the person in this photograph around the hotel?"
The receptionist hesitated slightly, but she composed herself quickly.
"Not at all! We run shifts here and I have not been on duty for about two weeks, so I am not in the best position to ascertain your inquiries."
Maya's curiosity was triggered.
"I'd like to see the CCTV footage from two weeks ago, precisely on the 6th of October," she requested.
The receptionist nodded and directed Maya to the security room, where she introduced Maya to the security guard in charge of all the footage in the hotel.
As they reviewed the footage, Maya's heart sank.
"This is the wrong date," she said, confusion etched on her face.
The security guard apologized.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. There was a recent system upgrade and we lost some footage. It seems the footage for that day was among the ones we lost. We've been experiencing some technical issues lately."
Maya's instincts sensed that something was off.
She thanked the guard and left the security room.
Maya returned to the reception to thank the receptionist again for her assistance and dropped her contact details.
"If you notice any suspicious occurrences around this vicinity, please don't hesitate to reach out to me," she said.
Maya returned to the office, disappointment weighing her down.
She had hoped to uncover crucial information about the mysterious photograph of Julian in her possession.
As the day drew to a close and she prepared to retire home for the day, a sudden recollection struck her – the criminal apprehended a month ago was still detained in their custody to serve as an informant.
He was the same individual who had previously hinted to her about Billionaire Julian’s recent dealings in Los Angeles, prompting her to investigate further by going on an undercover mission at the hotel.
“I need to interrogate him.” Maya resolved and made her way to the private cell where he was detained.
Maya’s heels clicked as she entered the cell. “How are you today?’ she asked.
The informant smiled, savoring his meal. “Enjoying this delicacy, as you can see."
Maya nodded.
“As agreed, no drug trafficking charges will be pressed. You’ll remain here as an informant until Billionaire Julian’s apprehension."
“And my freedom, once the mission is accomplished,” the informant added.
Maya’s eyes narrowed. “I found no evidence of Julian checking into the Wellington Hotel. Is he truly in LA?”
The informant laughed. “Julian is a hardened criminal, always covering tracks”.
Maya pressed on. “Do you have any leads on his next operation?”
“I need a signed agreement guaranteeing my freedom,” the informant replied.
Maya signaled a security staff. “Get Emilia on the line”
Minutes later, the agreement was signed.
“I know Julian’s proposed LA operations,” the informant revealed.
“My boss, Caspian, plans to double-cross him.”
“An event at Alameda Street’s warehouse is where Julian’s LA deal will go down.”
Maya's grip on her ID card tightened. This was the lead she had been searching for.”
Do you know when the event is happening?"
The informant hesitated a bit, then whispered, "It is scheduled for Friday night, two weeks after he arrives in Los Angeles."
"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You've been very helpful.”
Maya updated Emilia, omitting the hotel room incident.
Emilia assumed Maya had figured out the address before her hospitalization.
Maya felt uneasy, sensing she was getting close to something.
She prepared for her date with Alex, sending him a selfie of her looks wearing a blue silk gown.
Alex arrived early, blown away by Maya's looks.
As they conversed, Alex inquired, "Where's your engagement ring?"
Maya realized she hadn't seen it since her discharge.
Alex," she said in a surprised tone, "I haven't seen it in a while."
"What!" Alex barked.
She tried to explain to him that it must have gotten lost when she slumped, as she never took it off her fingers, except when she took her bath.
Alex, disappointed by her response, told her the ring must be found at whatever price.
"But it can be replaced, Alex," Maya said.
Alex immediately called his assistant, to set up a meeting with the press.
"I must find the symbol of our love at any cost," Alex said, his eyes locked on Maya's.
Maya watched Alex leave the lounge after they exchanged brief goodnight kisses.
She spent a few minutes wondering why Alex seemed to worry so much about the engagement ring than she did.
She stood up and made her way home.
On arrival at her apartment, Maya was distracted by the voice of Alex on TV.
"I will give whoever finds the missing diamond ring of my fiancée a billion dollars in cash," he added.
"That ring is not just a treasured diamond ring; it is a symbol of Maya's worth in my life."
Maya wasn't sure how to react to the press release of Alex on TV.
She wondered why he would risk spending such an amount of money as a reward for the missing diamond ring when he had a lot on his plate; like the upcoming elections and their proposed wedding in two months.
Julian, watching the same broadcast, stiffened, intrigued by Maya's connection to Alex.
Just then, he realized that Maya was the fiancée of the presidential aspirant.
He stiffened the TV remote, as he started skimming for ways to track Maya.
"This is an unfinished business I have to close," Julian said, determined.
- Writer
