The Warning
1075 Words
Ethan stared at the message until the words blurred before his eyes.
WALK AWAY FROM ALEXANDER VAUGHN WHILE YOU STILL CAN.
His thumb hovered over the screen.
Whoever had sent it knew about Alexander.
More importantly, they knew about him.
His apartment had been searched. His parents' photographs were missing. Someone had entered his private space without leaving a single explanation.
Ethan locked the door and checked it twice.
Then he checked the windows.
Nothing.
The silence felt heavier than before.
He sat on the edge of his bed and tried to convince himself it was a prank.
But nobody knew about Alexander's offer.
Nobody except the people at Vaughn Foundation.
And Alexander himself.
His phone vibrated again.
Ethan jumped.
Another message.
ASK ALEXANDER WHAT HAPPENED TEN YEARS AGO.
His breathing stopped.
Ten years ago?
What could possibly have happened ten years ago that involved Alexander?
Before he could think further, another message appeared.
YOUR PARENTS KNEW.
Ethan's face drained of color.
“My parents?”
He immediately called the number.
It rang once.
Twice.
Then went dead.
He called again.
Nothing.
Ethan stared at the screen.
For the first time, he wondered whether accepting Alexander's offer had been a terrible mistake.
---
The next morning, Alexander noticed something was wrong the moment Ethan entered his office.
“You're late.”
“I'm sorry.”
Alexander studied him.
Ethan looked exhausted.
“You didn't sleep.”
“I did.”
“Don't lie.”
Ethan looked away.
Alexander walked around his desk.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Ethan.”
There was something about the way Alexander said his name that made Ethan's defenses weaken.
He pulled out his phone.
“I received a message last night.”
Alexander's expression changed.
“What message?”
Ethan showed him.
Alexander read the first message.
Then the second.
His jaw tightened.
But when he reached the final message, he became completely still.
YOUR PARENTS KNEW.
Ethan watched him carefully.
“You know something.”
Alexander didn't answer.
“You know something about my parents.”
“I don't.”
“Then why did your face change?”
Alexander looked at him.
“Because whoever sent this is trying to manipulate you.”
“Are they?”
“Yes.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because people who want the truth don't hide behind anonymous messages.”
Ethan folded his arms.
“Unless they're afraid of what will happen if the truth comes out.”
Alexander's eyes hardened.
“Ethan, listen to me. Whatever this person wants, don't let them control you.”
“Then tell me what happened ten years ago.”
Silence.
Alexander looked away.
That was all the answer Ethan needed.
“You do know.”
Alexander closed his eyes briefly.
“There are things from my past that you don't understand.”
“Then explain them.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't know who you can trust.”
Ethan stared at him.
“You expect me to trust you?”
Alexander stepped closer.
“No.”
His voice softened.
“I want you to.”
Ethan's heart betrayed him with one hard beat.
For a moment, neither moved.
Alexander lifted his hand, almost touching Ethan's face.
Then he stopped himself.
“I won't force you to believe me,” he said. “But I won't let anyone hurt you.”
Ethan swallowed.
“Why?”
Alexander's eyes remained fixed on his.
“Because I care about you.”
The words hung between them.
Ethan looked down.
Neither of them noticed the small camera hidden in the corner of the room.
The tiny red light blinked once.
Then disappeared.
---
That evening, Alexander drove Ethan home himself.
“I can take a taxi,” Ethan said.
“No.”
“You're not my bodyguard.”
“Tonight, I am.”
Ethan sighed.
“You're incredibly stubborn.”
“So are you.”
A faint smile appeared on Ethan's face.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Ethan looked through the window.
“Alexander?”
“Yes?”
“If you found out that someone close to you had betrayed you, what would you do?”
Alexander's hands tightened around the steering wheel.
“I'd find out why.”
“And forgive them?”
“No.”
“Not even if they had a reason?”
“Some betrayals don't deserve forgiveness.”
Ethan looked at him.
“That's sad.”
“It's realistic.”
The car stopped outside Ethan's apartment.
Alexander turned toward him.
“Don't stay here tonight.”
Ethan frowned.
“Why?”
“Because someone broke into your apartment.”
“I'll be fine.”
“You don't know that.”
“I can't keep running.”
Alexander stared at him.
Then he reached into his pocket and handed Ethan a card.
“My private number.”
Ethan looked at it.
“Call me if anything happens.”
“What if I just want to talk?”
Alexander's expression softened.
“Call anyway.”
Ethan smiled.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Ethan stepped out.
Alexander watched until he entered the building.
Only then did he drive away.
He didn't see the black car parked at the end of the street.
Inside it, the hooded man watched Ethan disappear through the entrance.
His phone rang.
“Did he tell him?”
“No.”
A pause.
“Then it's time.”
The man's eyes narrowed.
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
He smiled.
“Then send the photograph.”
---
Ethan had barely entered his apartment when his phone vibrated.
A photograph appeared.
He opened it.
His blood ran cold.
It was a picture of Alexander.
But not the Alexander he knew.
The photograph showed Alexander standing beside an older man outside a hospital.
And beside them—
Ethan's father.
Ethan zoomed in.
His hands began to shake.
There was a date printed beneath the photograph.
TEN YEARS AGO.
Then another message appeared.
NOW ASK HIM WHY YOUR FATHER DIED.
Ethan stopped breathing.
His father had died in an accident.
At least, that was what he had always been told.
But suddenly, everything he believed about his past began falling apart.
And for the first time, Ethan wondered whether Alexander Vaughn had found him three days ago by accident...
or whether he had been searching for him all along.
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