Chapter 4: The warning
676 Words
Amara stared at the message until the words blurred.
Stop asking questions about your father's death.
Her first instinct was to call her mother again.
She did.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
“Seriously?” she muttered.
She slipped her phone into her bag and tried to return to work, but the words on the screen wouldn't leave her mind.
Her father's death had never been a mystery.
At least, that's what she'd always believed.
Six years ago, she'd been told there had been an accident.
That was all anyone ever said.
Whenever she'd asked for details, her mother changed the subject.
Whenever she'd mentioned his old workplace, her mother became uncomfortable.
And yesterday, she'd practically begged Amara to stay away from Blackwood Holdings.
Now Kian Blackwood had somehow known about her father.
Coincidence?
Amara didn't believe in coincidences anymore.
She stood up.
“Where are you going?”
She turned.
Mrs. Carter was looking at her from across the office.
“Bathroom.”
Mrs. Carter glanced at the clock.
“You've been staring at that computer for ten minutes.”
Amara forced a smile.
“I'm fine.”
“Good. Because Mr. Blackwood wants those documents before two.”
“Right.”
Amara sat back down.
She had barely opened the file when someone placed a coffee beside her.
She looked up.
A young man stood there, smiling.
“Peace offering.”
Amara blinked.
“For what?”
“Nothing yet. I'm planning ahead.”
She laughed despite herself.
“That's reassuring.”
“I'm Noah.”
“Amara.”
“I know.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Should I be concerned?”
“No. Everyone knows the new girl who survived her first day with Mr. Blackwood.”
“I survived?”
“Barely.”
Amara laughed.
For the first time that day, her shoulders relaxed.
Noah pulled up a chair.
“Just a warning, though.”
“Another one?”
“Mr. Blackwood hates mistakes.”
“I've noticed.”
“And he hates people asking personal questions.”
Amara's smile disappeared.
“Why?”
Noah shrugged.
“That's just how he is.”
Before she could respond, the office suddenly became quiet.
Amara looked toward the elevator.
Kian had stepped out.
His eyes moved across the room.
They stopped briefly on Noah.
Then on Amara.
Noah stood.
“I'm going to disappear now.”
Amara whispered, “Why?”
“Because I enjoy being employed.”
He walked away.
Amara almost smiled.
Kian approached her desk.
“Come with me.”
She looked up.
“Why?”
“Do you always question instructions?”
“When they're vague.”
His jaw tightened slightly.
“Five minutes.”
She followed him into his office.
He closed the door.
Amara folded her arms.
“You wanted to see me?”
“Yes.”
“About the documents?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
Kian walked toward the window.
“Did you receive any strange messages today?”
Amara's stomach tightened.
“How do you know?”
He turned around.
“Answer me.”
“Yes.”
“What did it say?”
“Why?”
“Amara.”
She hesitated.
Then pulled out her phone and showed him.
Kian read the message.
His expression hardened.
“Delete it.”
“What?”
“Delete the message.”
“Why?”
“Because whoever sent it wants you frightened.”
Amara stared at him.
“And you're not?”
Kian looked at her.
“No.”
“Then tell me the truth.”
Silence.
“What happened to my father?”
Kian's expression changed.
For a moment, something almost like regret crossed his face.
Then it disappeared.
“I don't know.”
Amara stepped closer.
“You're lying.”
Kian didn't answer.
Her phone suddenly buzzed again.
Both of them looked down.
Another message.
Unknown Number: Ask Kian what happened the night your father died.
Amara slowly raised her eyes.
Kian was already staring at her.
And this time, neither of them spoke.
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