THE GIRL I WASN'T SUPPOSE TO LOVE

Chapter Two — The Man Who Was Supposed to Be Dead David stared at Amara. For several seconds, neither of them moved. The rain outside tapped against the windows of the executive office, but David barely heard it. His mind was stuck on one sentence. He's alive. “My father?” David finally whispered. Amara nodded slowly. David laughed. It wasn't a happy laugh. It was the kind of laugh that escaped when something was too impossible to believe. “No.” “David—” “No.” He stepped backward. “My father died when I was eight.” “I know what you were told.” “My mother was there.” “I know.” “She identified the body.” Amara looked down. “Did she?” David froze. “What does that mean?” Amara walked toward the desk. “Your mother was told that your father died.” “That isn't what I asked.” “I know.” “Then answer me.” Amara looked at him. “I don't know everything.” “But you know something.” She didn't respond. David's jaw tightened. “Who is he?” Amara took a breath. “Richard Williams.” The name hit David like a punch. His father's name. Richard. For years, it had existed only in old photographs and memories that were slowly becoming harder to remember. David's father had been a businessman. A loving father. At least, that was what David remembered. Then one night, everything changed. His mother had cried. Relatives had arrived. Adults whispered in corners. And eventually, someone told eight-year-old David that his father wasn't coming home. David had spent the next ten years believing it. “You're saying the chairman of Northstar Holdings is my father?” “Yes.” David shook his head. “Why would he hide?” “I don't know.” “Why would he let us believe he was dead?” “I don't know.” “Why are you involved?” Amara looked away. “That is complicated.” “Then make it simple.” She smiled sadly. “You always ask difficult questions.” “I'm finding out that my life is a difficult question.” For the first time, Amara laughed. It was quiet. Almost nervous. David stared at her. “What?” She shook her head. “Nothing.” “You're laughing.” “Because even when you're angry, you still manage to say something funny.” David couldn't help smiling. “You're unbelievable.” “And you're stubborn.” “You barely know me.” “I know enough.” Their eyes met. The room suddenly felt smaller. The tension between them wasn't only about David's father anymore. David noticed the way Amara looked at him. Not like an employee. Not like a stranger. There was something else. Something neither of them was willing to name. David stepped closer. “Why do you care so much?” Amara's smile faded. “Because I know what it's like to lose someone.” David's expression softened. “You lost someone?” “Yes.” “Who?” She looked toward the window. “My mother.” David didn't know what to say. “I'm sorry.” “Thank you.” For a moment, they stood silently. Then David noticed something. There was a tiny scar near Amara's wrist. He reached toward it without thinking. “What happened here?” Amara immediately pulled her hand away. “Nothing.” David frowned. “That doesn't look like nothing.” “It was a long time ago.” “Amara—” “David.” Her voice was gentle but firm. “Some things are better left in the past.” David nodded slowly. But he knew one thing. Whatever happened to Amara's family was connected to his. He just didn't know how. --- A knock came at the door. They both turned. Mr. Cole stood outside. “David?” David stepped away from Amara. “Yes?” “Are you finished with the documents?” David looked at the folder on the desk. “Yes, sir.” Mr. Cole's eyes moved between David and Amara. Something about his expression made David uncomfortable. “I'll take those,” Mr. Cole said. David handed him the folder. As Mr. Cole turned to leave, Amara called him. “Cole.” He stopped. “Yes, ma'am?” “Don't mention this conversation to anyone.” Mr. Cole looked at her. “Of course.” He left. The door closed. David looked at Amara. “You trust him?” “No.” The answer came so quickly that David almost laughed. “Then why does he work here?” “Because sometimes you have to keep your enemies close enough to watch them.” David stared at her. “You talk like someone who's been fighting a war.” “Maybe I have.” --- That evening, David returned home. His mother was in the kitchen preparing dinner. She smiled when she saw him. “How was your first day?” David dropped his bag beside the door. “Interesting.” “Interesting good or interesting bad?” David hesitated. “Mom?” She looked at him. “Yes?” “Do you remember Dad's old company?” Her hands stopped moving. Just for a second. Then she continued cooking. “Why are you asking?” “I found something today.” “What?” David pulled out his phone. He had secretly taken a picture of the photograph from Amara's office. He showed it to her. His mother stared at the screen. The color drained from her face. “Where did you get this?” David's heart began beating faster. “At work.” She looked at him. “What do you mean, at work?” “The man in the picture…” His voice became quieter. “Is he Dad?” His mother didn't answer. “Mom?” She turned away. “David, forget about it.” “Forget about it?” “Yes.” “Why?” “Because there are things you don't understand.” “Then explain them.” “I can't.” “You told me he died!” Her eyes filled with tears. “I was trying to protect you.” “From what?” She covered her face with one hand. David stepped closer. “Mom.” She shook her head. “Please.” “No.” His voice cracked. “I've spent ten years believing my father was dead.” “I know.” “And now someone tells me he's alive.” His mother looked at him. “Who told you?” David froze. That wasn't the reaction he'd expected. “Why?” “Who told you?” “Someone at the company.” His mother's eyes widened. “David, you need to leave that company.” “What?” “Quit your job.” “Why?” “Just do it.” “I'm not quitting.” “David!” “I finally have a job!” “You don't understand!” “Then make me understand!” His mother started crying. David's anger disappeared immediately. He walked toward her. “Mom…” She sat down. For several seconds, she said nothing. Then she whispered, “Your father wasn't a good man.” David stared at her. “What?” “He wasn't the man you remember.” David shook his head. “He loved us.” “He loved you.” “And you?” His mother looked away. “That doesn't matter.” “It matters to me.” She wiped her tears. “David, promise me something.” “What?” “Stay away from Richard Williams.” David swallowed. “But he's my father.” His mother looked directly into his eyes. “No.” She shook her head. “Your father died the night he disappeared.” David felt a chill. “Then who's alive?” His mother didn't answer. --- That night, David couldn't sleep. He lay in bed staring at the ceiling. His mother's words repeated in his head. Your father died the night he disappeared. Then who was the man at Northstar? His phone vibrated. Unknown number. David sat up. He opened the message. STOP ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR FATHER. He stared at it. Another message arrived. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GETTING YOURSELF INTO. David's fingers tightened around the phone. Then a third message appeared. ASK AMARA WHY HER MOTHER REALLY DIED. David's heart stopped. He immediately called Amara. She answered after three rings. “David?” “Did you send me a message?” “What message?” He sent her a screenshot. There was silence. Then Amara spoke. “Where are you?” “At home.” “Don't leave.” “Why?” “David, listen to me carefully.” Her voice was different. Serious. Afraid. “Lock your door.” David stood up. “Why?” “Because whoever sent that message knows where you live.” David looked toward his bedroom window. A shadow moved outside. He froze. “Amara…” “Yes?” “I think someone is outside.” There was silence. Then Amara whispered, “David, don't go near the window.” A loud knock came from the front door. David's heart pounded. Another knock. Harder this time. Then someone shouted from outside. “David!” He recognized the voice. It was his father. The man who was supposed to be dead.