chapter 12
756 Words
Daisy stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of her office, watching the rain wash over the city below.
She held a glass of red wine but hadn't taken a sip.
Her thoughts were elsewhere.
"Brielle..."
She whispered the name as if it carried both hope and regret.
A knock echoed through the room.
"Come in."
The heavy wooden door opened.
A young man dressed in black entered and bowed respectfully.
"Ma'am."
"What is it?"
"Our people confirmed it."
Daisy slowly turned around.
"Say it."
"Alvins people met Brielle yesterday."
Silence.
"So..."
"It has finally begun."
Daisy closed her eyes.
For years she had prayed this day would never come.
Yet fate had ignored every prayer.
She walked towards her desk and opened the top drawer.
Inside lay an old family photograph.
Her fingers traced the smiling faces.
A little girl...
A young man...
And herself.
The picture had faded with age, but one face remained impossible to forget.
Brandon Cole.
She shut the drawer immediately.
"Prepare the car."
The man hesitated.
"You're going yourself?"
"I've hidden for long enough."
Across the city...
Brielle had just finished her Constitutional Law lecture.
Students poured out of the hall, laughing and discussing assignments.
Will caught up with her.
"You look happier today."
"Do I?"
"A little."
"I'm trying."
He smiled.
"That's progress."
As they walked toward the university gate, Brielle suddenly stopped.
Across the road...
A familiar black Mercedes-Benz was parked.
The rear door opened.
Daisy stepped out.
She wore an elegant navy-blue suit, dark sunglasses, and heels that clicked confidently against the pavement.
Even from a distance, she commanded attention.
She wasn't loud.
She didn't need to be.
People instinctively moved aside as she walked.
Will noticed Brielle staring.
"Do you know her?"
Brielle's face tightened.
"Unfortunately."
Daisy stopped a few feet away.
"Hello, Brielle."
"What do you want?"
"To talk."
"I have nothing to say to you."
Daisy removed her sunglasses slowly.
"I wasn't asking."
Will stepped forward.
"Excuse me, ma'am. She said she doesn't want to talk."
Daisy's gaze shifted to him.
For several seconds...
She simply stared.
Then she smiled.
"So you're William Daniels."
Will frowned.
"You know me?"
"I know everyone around Brielle."
His stomach tightened.
"Who exactly are you?"
Daisy ignored the question.
Instead, she looked back at Brielle.
"You've met Alvin."
It wasn't a question.
It was a statement.
Brielle remained silent.
"I warned you."
"I didn't go looking for him."
"No."
Daisy nodded.
"He came looking for you."
A heavy silence followed.
Students walked past without noticing the tension.
Brielle folded her arms.
"If you know so much, then tell me the truth."
Daisy's expression softened for the first time.
"I wish I could."
"Then why can't you?"
"Because the truth would destroy your life."
Brielle laughed bitterly.
"My life is already changing."
"You have no idea."
Meanwhile...
Inside Alvin's office...
Charles entered carrying another report.
"Sir."
Alvin didn't look up.
"What now?"
"Daisy approached Miss Cole."
That got his attention.
His head lifted slowly.
"Where?"
"At the university."
"And?"
"Our men couldn't get close enough to hear everything."
Alvin stood immediately.
His calm expression disappeared.
"Where is Daisy now?"
"We lost her vehicle near Victoria Island."
Alvin's jaw tightened.
"Find her."
"Yes, sir."
"And Charles..."
"Sir?"
"If Daisy gets to Brielle before I do..."
He paused.
"...everything changes."
Back at the university...
Daisy stepped closer until only inches separated her and Brielle.
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"Listen to me carefully."
Brielle swallowed.
"The next time Alvin asks you to get into his car..."
She paused.
"...don't."
"Why?"
"Because once you enter his world..."
Her eyes filled with emotion.
"...there is no way back."
Before Brielle could ask another question, several black SUVs appeared at the end of the road.
Daisy looked up.
Her expression changed instantly.
"They found me."
"What?"
"You have to leave."
"Daisy—"
"Go!"
Without another word, Daisy hurried toward her Mercedes.
Within seconds, it sped away.
Moments later, the black SUVs reached the university gate.
Charles stepped out.
He looked around carefully.
Too late.
Daisy was gone.
He clenched his jaw.
From inside one of the SUVs, Alvin watched the disappearing Mercedes.
His eyes were cold.
Very cold.
"So..."
He murmured.
"You're finally making your move."
Charles looked at him through the rearview mirror.
"Should we follow her?"
Alvin kept his eyes on the road ahead.
"No."
Charles looked surprised.
"No?"
Alvin's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Let her think she's one step ahead."
He leaned back against the leather seat.
"She isn't."
- Writer
