The first Standoff
841 Words
Leon took another slow step.Then another.Not running.Not lunging.Just closing the distance with the confidence of a man who had already claimed the outcome.His eyes never shifted from Zara. Michael moved half a step forward, blocking her fully.
“Don’t come any closer,” he warned, voice low and sharp.Leon stopped…tilted his head slightly…and smiled. Not a warm smile. Not a human smile.
A smile that said he had already anticipated every move.Michael Fenadez,” Leon said calmly.As predictable as your file suggested.
”Zara froze. He knows Michael’s name. He studied him. He planned this. Michael didn’t flinch. Zara is leaving. You’re not stopping us.”Leon chuckled—a quiet, deadly sound.
Zara has never left anything that belonged to me.
”Zara’s breath hitched.She knew that tone.She remembered what followed it.
She felt old scars burn under her skin. No,” she whispered to herself. Not again.Not this time.
Michael’s arm pressed lightly behind him, ensuring she stayed back.
Leon’s eyes flicked to the movement. Bodyguard?” Leon asked. Lover? Replacement?
”Michael tightened his fists.Try me and find out.”
For a brief moment, nothing happened.Just air. Just silence. Just three hearts beating for different reasons. Then—Leon’s expression shifted.Darkened.Softened.Focused.Little star,” he murmured.You should never have run.”Zara felt tears gather—not from weakness, but from pure rage and fear mixing in her chest.
Leon, leave,” she said, voice trembling but firm.This is over.” His smile vanished.Completely.You think running makes anything over?” He took one more step. And the building lights flickered again.
(Michael Moves First------------)
Michael didn’t wait. He lunged—fast, precise, trained—and shoved Zara behind the corner of the hallway wall.
Stay down!” Zara hit the ground hard, her heart punching her ribs.
Leon didn’t flinch at Michael’s sudden movement.He simply sidestepped with lazy grace, as if he had expected the attack before it started.
Michael swung. Leon blocked it effortlessly. Michael swung again. Leon dodged, stepped back, hands still in his pockets. A mockery. A message. You can’t touch me. Zara lifted her head just enough to see—Michael trying to land a hit.Leon moving like smoke.Controlled.Calculated.Silent.Stop!” she shouted.
Leon froze mid-pivot.bMichael tensed.Then Leon said softly:“I’m not here to hurt him. Yet.”He looked directly at Michael.“I’m only here for her.” Michael stepped back toward Zara like a grounded shield.
“You’ll have to go through me.” Leon shrugged lightly.If you insist.”
(The Trap Within the Trap----------)
Before either man moved again—The hallway lights snapped off. Pitch black.Total silence. Zara’s breath shook. Michael whispered immediately: Zara. My hand—grab it.”She reached out— Felt nothing. Michael?”Her voice cracked. No answer. Her lungs tightened. Michael!” Still nothing. Darkness pressed against her ears, thick and suffocating. A soft breath brushed her right ear. She froze. A whisper followed—warm, familiar, terrifying.You always reach for the wrong man first.”
Zara’s entire body locked. Leon. He was right beside her.
She tried to move—but his fingers slid along her wrist, holding her in place with almost gentle pressure. I missed the way you trembled,” he murmured.
Her throat tightened painfully.
Let me go,” she breathed.
Leon exhaled slowly, inhaling her scent like a memory he wanted to swallow whole.
Not yet.” Suddenly—A hand grabbed Zara’s other arm, yanking her back. Strong.Firm.Protective. Michael. Get your hands off her!” He roared.
Lights blasted back on. Zara stumbled into Michael’s chest, shaking.
Leon stood a few feet away—hands still in his pockets, eyes unreadable. Michael positioned her behind him again.
Leon tilted his head, studying the two of them. Interesting,” Leon said softly.You think you can guard her.You have no idea what she’s done… or who she’s crossed.”
Michael didn’t blink. And you have no idea who you’re dealing with.” Leon smiled, amused.
Oh, I know exactly who you are.But you—”He pointed at Zara.“—You don’t know what she kept from you.”Zara stiffened. Michael glanced at her quickly.Leon saw it.And he enjoyed it.You didn’t tell him the full story, little star.” Leon whispered.Did you?”Zara swallowed hard.Leon, stop.”But he stepped back, lifting his chin slightly—a gesture of warning or farewell; she couldn’t tell.Round two begins soon.”And then—He simply turned…and walked away.No rushing.No running. Security alarms suddenly rebooted.Doors unlocked.The building lights hummed back to normal.Leon was gone.But the damage was done.Michael turned to Zara slowly.Zara… Why didn’t you tell me?”She couldn’t breathe.Her past had finally caught up.And this time…It wasn’t stopping.
- Writer
