Chapter 5 ~ Investigation About Arsen
1020 Words
"I've investigated the person you asked me to, but there's nothing suspicious. There's nothing I could find about this man besides what was already in the data you provided," Brant explained, meeting Ivana in secret at a restaurant.
"How is that possible? Have you been following him constantly?" Ivana asked, unable to accept Brant's response.
"I've been tailing him every day, and there's nothing suspicious. That man goes to the office, meets with clients, and returns home every evening. Honestly, I find him rather boring because he follows the same routine every day," Brant explained.
"Are you sure the people he meets are really his clients? They could be his trusted associates," Ivana speculated.
"I've already investigated his clients. Here are the records." Brant handed another file to Ivana. "These are the details of the people Arsen has met, and they are all legitimate clients who use Arsenio's services," Brant stated.
"This is too clean. I know he's not that kind of person," Ivana said, recalling past events. She had seen firsthand how Arsen killed her uncle and held her father captive.
"Maybe you've misunderstood your husband, Ma'am," Brant suggested.
"No, I'm not mistaken," Ivana insisted. "Once again, please keep an eye on his parents' movements. I've written their address here. I hope you can find something there," she instructed.
Brant nodded. "I will do that," he replied before leaving, leaving Ivana alone with her confusion.
"Does Arsen already know that I'm spying on him?" Ivana murmured, grabbing her glass and finishing her drink in an attempt to calm herself.
"If he knows, will everything still be okay?" she wondered, her anxiety growing.
At that moment, Ivana received an email from her secretary. She had previously requested a report on Arsenio's business activities and wanted to know about his expenditures behind her back. She carefully examined the financial reports, scrutinizing every figure and detail, searching for signs of embezzlement or anything that could harm the company. However, after hours of reviewing the reports, Ivana found nothing suspicious. Arsenio appeared to be completely clean, at least according to the documents.
But Ivana couldn't accept this reality so easily. She found it hard to believe that someone in the business world—full of deception and competition—could be that clean. She was convinced that Arsenio was hiding something from her. She couldn't allow herself to be deceived by his seemingly honest and sincere appearance. This time, she had to prevent Arsenio from repeating the past mistakes that had cost her dearly.
With renewed determination, Ivana decided to dig deeper into Arsenio’s affairs. She began reaching out to her contacts in various industries, hoping to uncover secrets about his personal life that could reveal the truth.
"Damn it, still nothing. Just how skilled is he at hiding his true identity? Why does he do everything so cleanly and honestly? No wonder I was fooled in my past life—I was completely blindsided when I found out he had been deceiving me all along," she muttered.
For several days, Ivana had been gathering information about Arsenio from various sources. However, the more she found, the harder it was to pinpoint any flaws in his life. Everything indicated that he was a good and honest man.
"Should I just follow him myself?" Ivana mused, glancing at the watch on her wrist. "At this time, Arsenio should be in his office. I have to see him," she decided, grabbing her phone and car keys before heading out.
Inside the elevator, she pressed the button to Arsenio’s floor, just three levels above her private office.
As the elevator doors slid open, Ivana stepped out and walked down the office corridor. But just as she was about to reach Arsen’s office, she saw him exiting. Instinctively, she hid behind the wall. Arsenio walked past her, completely unaware of her presence. As soon as he entered the elevator, Ivana quickly rushed toward it, watching the floor number display above the doors.
"Looks like he's leaving. I have to follow him," she murmured, pressing the elevator button beside her.
Her curiosity gnawed at her. The moment she saw Arsen’s car leave the office building, she started her engine and tailed him. Thoughts swirled in her mind, wondering where he was headed. She followed his car as it drove farther, leading her to a quieter area.
The surroundings soon changed to the outskirts of the city, bordering a dense forest. Tall trees lined both sides of the road, casting an eerie silence over the area. When Ivana saw Arsen’s car turn into the driveway of a large house, her heart pounded. The place looked familiar.
"This house?" Ivana covered her mouth in shock, her hands trembling as a dreadful realization washed over her. "This is the house where I died in my past life."
She pulled over, trying to steady her racing heart.
"I need to get closer and take a better look," she murmured, stepping out of her car.
Doubt crept into her mind, but her curiosity outweighed her fear. Hesitantly, she walked toward the house, staying hidden among the bushes.
It felt as if she had traveled back in time—to the moment she was imprisoned and ultimately killed in that very place. The suffocating memories threatened to consume her. She clenched her fists, inhaled deeply, and slowly exhaled, trying to regain control over her turbulent emotions.
When she reached the main gate, she noticed it was eerily quiet—no guards, no signs of life. She touched the gate handle, and to her surprise, it opened effortlessly.
"It's unlocked? Should I go in or just turn back?" she whispered to herself, hesitating. She feared history would repeat itself.
"Maybe I should just leave," she decided, taking a step back and turning around.
But before she could go any further, a strong hand suddenly grabbed her wrist, pinning her back against the gate.
Her eyes widened in shock as she saw the person standing before her.
Thump!
"Arsen?"
"Just as I suspected. You were following me," Arsen whispered, a smirk playing on his lips.
***
- Writer
