CHAPTER 2 :Shadow in the night
1062 Words
Aubrey's heart raced as Julian grasped her hand, leading her through the winding gardens with a sense of urgency. They moved swiftly, the only sound being the soft rustling of leaves beneath their feet.
As they reached the edge of the property, Julian stopped, his eyes scanning the surrounding area. "I think we're clear," he whispered, his breath warm against Aubrey's ear.
But Aubrey's instincts screamed otherwise. She felt eyes upon them, boring into her skin like cold, calculating fingers.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, tall and imposing. Aubrey's heart skipped a beat as Ethan Blackwood stepped forward, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.
"Julian, what are you doing with my sister?" Ethan demanded, his voice low and menacing.
Aubrey's instincts prickled, sensing a hidden danger lurking beneath Ethan's words. She tried to step forward, but Julian's grip on her hand tightened, holding her back.
"I'm just showing Aubrey the gardens, Ethan," Julian replied, his voice calm and even.
Ethan's eyes narrowed, his gaze flicking between Aubrey and Julian. "At midnight? Alone?"
Aubrey felt a shiver run down her spine as Ethan's words hung in the air, heavy with implication.
Ethan's eyes seemed to bore into Aubrey's soul, as if searching for secrets she didn't even know she kept. Julian's grip on her hand remained firm, a silent reassurance that he wouldn't let her face Ethan's wrath alone.
"I think it's time we got back to the party," Julian said, his voice smooth as silk. "Don't you, Aubrey?"
Aubrey nodded, still entranced by Ethan's piercing gaze. As they turned to leave, Ethan's voice stopped them.
"Aubrey, we need to talk. Tomorrow. In private."
Aubrey's heart skipped a beat. What did Ethan want to discuss? And why did she feel like she was walking into a trap?
The next day, Aubrey found herself standing outside Ethan's office, her nerves twisted into knots. She took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
Ethan looked up from his desk, his eyes gleaming with a calculating intensity. "Ah, Aubrey. Thank you for coming."
Aubrey's instincts screamed at her to run, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot. "What is it, Ethan?"
Ethan leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "I know all about your little escapade with Julian last night."
Aubrey's heart raced. How did Ethan know? And what did he plan to do with the information?
"I don't know what you're talking about," Aubrey said, trying to sound nonchalant despite her racing heart.
Ethan's smile was a thin-lipped affair. "Don't play dumb, Aubrey. I have eyes and ears everywhere. I know you're getting close to Julian, and I won't let that happen."
Aubrey's instincts prickled, sensing a hidden agenda behind Ethan's words. "What's it to you?"
Ethan's eyes flashed with anger. "Julian Saint Clair is not what he seems. He's using you, Aubrey, and I won't let him destroy our family's reputation."
Aubrey's mind reeled, trying to process Ethan's accusations. Was Julian using her? And what did Ethan mean by "our family's reputation"?
Suddenly, the door burst open and Catherine Blackwood swept in, her eyes blazing with fury. "Ethan, what's going on here?"
Ethan's expression smoothed into a mask of innocence. "Just having a chat with Aubrey, Mother."
Catherine's gaze narrowed, her eyes flicking between Aubrey and Ethan. "I don't believe you. Aubrey, come with me."
Aubrey hesitated, unsure what to do. But something about Catherine's commanding tone made her follow.
As they left the office, Aubrey whispered, "What's going on, Catherine?"
Catherine's voice was low and urgent. "Ethan's hiding something, Aubrey. Something big. And I think Julian's involved."
Aubrey's mind reeled, trying to piece together the puzzle. What secrets was Ethan hiding? And what did Julian have to do with it?
Catherine led Aubrey to a secluded garden, the sound of fountains and chirping birds filling the air. "Aubrey, I know you're caught in the middle of this mess," Catherine said, her voice laced with concern. "But you need to be careful. Ethan's not what he seems."
Aubrey's eyes widened, her mind racing with questions. "What do you mean?"
Catherine hesitated, glancing around nervously. "Ethan's involved in some shady dealings, Aubrey. And I think Julian's connected to it too."
Aubrey's heart skipped a beat. "What kind of dealings?"
Catherine leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know all the details, but I think it has something to do with Blackwood Industries. Ethan's been acting strange, and I've seen him arguing with Julian."
Aubrey's mind reeled, trying to process the information. She felt like she was trapped in a web of secrets and lies.
Just then, Julian appeared, his eyes locking onto Aubrey's. "Catherine, what's going on?"
Catherine's expression turned icy. "Just warning Aubrey about your little games, Julian."
Julian's smile was charming, but Aubrey sensed a hint of danger beneath. "I think Aubrey can handle herself, Catherine."
Aubrey felt a shiver run down her spine as Julian's eyes seemed to bore into her soul. What secrets was he hiding? And what did he want from her .
Aubrey's heart raced as Julian's gaze held hers, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. She felt like she was drowning in their depths, unsure what secrets lay hidden beneath.
Catherine's voice cut through the tension, her tone sharp. "Aubrey, don't trust him. He's using you."
Julian's smile never wavered, but Aubrey sensed a flicker of annoyance. "Catherine, always so quick to judge."
Aubrey took a step back, trying to clear her head. She needed to think, to process the tangled web of secrets and lies.
As she turned to leave, Julian's voice stopped her. "Aubrey, wait."
She turned back, her eyes questioning.
Julian's expression was serious, his voice low. "Meet me in the old oak garden at midnight. Come alone."
Aubrey's heart skipped a beat. What did Julian want to reveal? And why did she feel like she was stepping into danger?
At midnight, Aubrey made her way to the old oak garden, her nerves twisted into knots. Julian waited, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight.
"I know you're curious, Aubrey," Julian said, his voice barely above a whisper. "About Ethan, about Blackwood Industries...about me."
Aubrey nodded, her heart pounding.
Julian's smile was enigmatic. "Let's just say, Aubrey, that nothing is as it seems. And I'm willing to risk everything to show you the truth."
- Writer
