Episode4
1254 Words
Anita’s POV
The clinking of glasses, the aroma of pricey wine, and the soft murmur of discussion filled the spacious dining hall. I felt his gaze on me, but I kept my head down, concentrating on preparing the table.
Alfred Jerry.
Our eyes met across the room each time I looked up. His eyes were unreadable and intense. My heart raced. I detested how conscious I was of him and how every look made me shudder.
Clara muttered, "Anita," next to me. "Why does Mr. Alfred keep looking at you like that?"
I suppressed a little chuckle. "I have no idea."
However, I did. And I was afraid.
This was not how I was expected to feel. I was on a mission, and he was dangerous. But it was becoming more difficult to ignore the draw between us as each second went by.
The guests went to the ballroom after dinner. Couples were dancing elegantly beneath the chandeliers as music drifted across the air. I watched from the edge, attempting to blend in.
Until his voice reached me.
"Dance with me."
I made a quick turn. Jerry was standing in front of me and extended his hand. Something inconceivable shone in his emerald eyes.
"I can’t," I said. "I shouldn’t."
"Shouldn’t?" His lips formed a smirk. "Are you afraid?"
I raised my chin. "No."
"Then prove it."
His hand encircled mine and dragged me onto the dance floor before I could object. I felt warm all over the second his fingers touched my waist. He led with ease, his movements fluid and under control.
"Why are you doing this?" My voice could hardly be heard above the music as I whispered.
He said, "Because you intrigue me," as his breath warmed my ear. "And I don’t like mysteries."
My heart was racing. I let myself forget who he was for a second as his hold tightened and drew me in.
I allowed myself to feel.
As the evening went on, Jerry went to his lounge. There, I discovered him gazing at the fire while holding a tumbler of whiskey.
After a moment of hesitation, I entered. "You shouldn’t drink so much."
He gave a gloomy laugh. "Worried about me, Anita?"
Sitting opposite him, I sighed. "You don’t seem like the type to lose control."
He tightened his jaw. "Control is the only thing I have left."
There was silence between us. Then he spoke once more but with a softer tone.
"There once was a person. A female. I ought to have rescued her.
I straightened my posture. "What happened?"
Gazing into his glass, he let out a breath. She became entangled in the gunfire. I failed to keep my pledge to protect her.
He was in genuine pain. For the first time, I was able to see the broken guy underneath the stoic façade.
I reached for his hand before I could stop myself. "It wasn’t your fault."
He gave me a serious look at that moment. And I thought for a second that he may say something.
Rather, he removed his hand, concealing his feelings. "You should go, Anita."
With a sorrowful heart, I nodded.
However, I was certain as I was leaving that Jerry Alfred was not the evil I had pictured.
That night, it was difficult to fall asleep. I couldn't stop thinking about anything Jerry had said.
I needed to know more.
I crept out of my room and headed for his office. I was still fascinated by the secret entrance behind the bookshelf. What was down there had to be seen.
I shoved the shelf out of the way and entered the dim hallway. The smell of moist stone filled my nostrils, and the air was frigid. As the silence closed in on me, I carefully descended.
And then, as I got to the bottom—
Someone took hold of my wrist.
My heart leapt into my throat as I gasped.
In the passage, who was it? Was I apprehended?
My wrist was gripped more tightly. As I turned, my heart thumping in my chest, my breath stuck in my throat. His face was barely lit by the passage's faint light, but I could tell who it was.
Jerry.
His mysterious yet piercing emerald eyes stared into mine. At first, he held my wrist and said nothing, perhaps challenging me to explain myself.
"Anita," he said in a scratchy, low voice. "What are you doing here?"
My brain raced to come up with a response. There was no simple way out of the situation; I had been caught. I stumbled, making my voice seem uncertain, "I—I heard something," I said. "I thought maybe someone was sneaking around."
His hold remained firm. "And you intended to look into it? By yourself? In my personal space?" His lips quirked slightly, but his face was devoid of humour.
I gave a brief nod, hoping that my expression wouldn't reveal the deception. "Yes. I didn't want anyone to wake up.
He clenched his jaw. "You’re lying."
I took a deep breath. "I—"
He interrupted me, moving closer until his body was just inches from mine. "I don’t like liars, Anita," he said. "What were you doing down here?"
I shivered from the heat of his body, but I fortified myself. "I swear, I was just—"
The strain was broken by a sharp ring. Jerry took out his phone and muttered a swear. As he responded, his gaze remained fixed on mine.
"What?" he yelled.
On the other end came a garbled voice. Jerry's face grew serious. "Now? Alright. In 10, I'll be there.
After hanging up, he let go of my wrist. "You’re coming with me."
I blinked. "What?"
Do you wish to enter my home covertly? Alright. You'll see what I do right now."
He took hold of my hand and dragged me out of the corridor before I could object. My heart was racing. I had simply been pulled farther into Jerry's world, whatever it was.
The drive was stressful. Jerry's mouth was set in a harsh line, and he had a firm hold on the steering wheel. I sat rigidly next to him, not sure whether I should feel relieved or afraid.
"Where are we going?" My question was hardly audible above a whisper.
"You’ll see," he whispered, keeping his gaze fixed on the road.
As we hurried through the streets, the city lights flickered by. The possibilities rushed through my thoughts. Was he bringing me to face me somewhere? To put me to the test? Or was I going to learn something I wasn't supposed to know?
Jerry arrived in an abandoned warehouse ten minutes later. After turning off the engine, he faced me. "Remain near. And keep your mouth shut."
I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded.
He guided me across poorly lit corridors and crates into a side entrance. Every sound echoed menacingly, and the air smelled of metal and oil.
A bunch of men were waiting inside. Jerry received a nod from one of them, a tall man dressed in a grey suit. "You took your time."
Jerry gave a quick exhale. "Congestion. "What do you have?"
The man pointed to a table piled high with documents and pictures. "Everything that you requested. Proof that Lang has been secretly smuggling weapons. This is a record of his complete operation.
I gasped. It wasn't drugs. These were not illicit shipments made for private benefit.
Jerry was gathering proof.
- Writer
