THE PHOTOGRAPH
1199 Words
Chapter Four — The Photograph
Lucy couldn't take her eyes off the photograph.
Her father's face was unmistakable.
But standing beside him was a man she had never seen before.
Richard Cross.
Adrian Cross's father.
Lucy slowly looked at her mother.
"How did Dad know him?"
Her mother shook her head.
"I don't know."
"You said this was found after Dad died."
"Yes."
"Then why didn't you tell me before?"
Her mother looked down.
"Because your father told me not to."
Lucy stared at her.
"He told you not to tell me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I don't know, Lucy. He said that some things were better left in the past."
Lucy picked up the photograph again.
"Then why did you give me the Rolex?"
Her mother hesitated.
"I didn't know it was connected to the Cross family."
Lucy frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Her mother reached for the envelope.
"There was a note with the photograph."
She pulled out a folded piece of paper.
Lucy opened it.
The handwriting immediately caught her attention.
It was her father's.
Her heart began beating faster.
If anything happens to me, keep this safe. One day, the Cross family may come looking for it.
Lucy read the sentence twice.
"What does this mean?"
"I don't know."
"Mom, this isn't normal."
"I know."
Lucy stood and began pacing.
"Why would Dad know the Cross family? Why would he tell you to keep something safe? And why would someone from that family need it?"
Her mother looked frightened.
"Maybe we should forget about it."
Lucy stopped.
"No."
"Lucy—"
"No, Mom. Dad left this for a reason."
She looked at the photograph again.
"And now I'm working for Adrian."
Her mother immediately became worried.
"You can't keep working there."
Lucy shook her head.
"I can't just quit."
"Why not?"
"Because I need the money. And I need the internship."
"Lucy, your safety is more important."
"I'll be careful."
Her mother sighed.
"Promise me."
"I promise."
But Lucy wasn't sure whether she could keep that promise.
The next morning, Lucy arrived at Cross Enterprises with the photograph hidden inside her handbag.
She hadn't slept properly.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw her father's handwriting.
The Cross family may come looking for it.
She walked into the building.
"Good morning," the receptionist said.
"Morning."
Lucy reached her desk.
A few minutes later, Adrian walked out of his office.
He looked at her.
"You look tired."
Lucy forced a smile.
"I'm fine."
"You said that yesterday."
"I'm still fine."
Adrian studied her face.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
He didn't look convinced.
"Come into my office."
Lucy followed him.
Adrian sat behind his desk.
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Lucy."
She looked at him.
"Why do you care?"
He paused.
"I don't."
"Then why ask?"
"Because you're distracted."
Lucy looked away.
"I have family problems."
Adrian nodded.
"Understood."
He didn't push her.
That surprised Lucy.
Instead, he handed her a folder.
"I need you to review these."
She took it.
"Okay."
As she turned, Adrian noticed something sticking out of her handbag.
A corner of a photograph.
His eyes narrowed.
"Lucy."
She stopped.
"What?"
"What's in your bag?"
Her heart skipped.
"Nothing."
"You've been acting strangely."
"I'm just tired."
Adrian stood.
"You're hiding something."
Lucy immediately became defensive.
"I'm not."
He looked at her.
"Then prove it."
"No."
"Lucy."
She stepped back.
"It's personal."
Adrian's expression softened slightly.
"Fine."
Lucy stared at him.
He returned to his desk.
"You don't have to tell me everything."
She quietly said, "Thank you."
Then she left.
Adrian watched the door close.
Something was definitely wrong.
Later that afternoon, Adrian received a call from his father.
"Hello."
"Adrian."
Richard's voice was unusually serious.
"What is it?"
"Have you heard from the Bennetts?"
Adrian froze.
"The Bennetts?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
There was silence.
Then Richard said,
"Because I need to know whether they're still in possession of something that belongs to us."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't ask questions. Just find out."
The call ended.
Adrian stared at his phone.
His father had never mentioned the Bennett family before.
Why now?
And why had Lucy suddenly become so secretive?
He looked toward the glass wall separating his office from Lucy's desk.
She was working quietly.
Her handbag sat beside her.
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
That evening, Lucy was the last person in the office.
She packed her things and checked that the photograph was still safely inside her bag.
She walked toward the elevator.
Before the doors closed, a voice stopped her.
"Lucy."
She turned.
Adrian stood several feet away.
"You're still here?"
"So are you."
"I had work."
"So did I."
He walked toward her.
"Let me drive you home."
Lucy shook her head.
"No, thank you."
"It's late."
"I can manage."
"I wasn't asking."
Lucy frowned.
"You really need to stop ordering people around."
"And you really need to stop refusing help."
"I don't need your help."
Adrian sighed.
"Fine."
The elevator doors began closing.
Then he suddenly noticed something.
A black car was parked across the street.
It had been there yesterday too.
Adrian's expression changed.
"Wait."
He pressed the elevator button.
Lucy looked confused.
"What?"
"Stay here."
He walked toward the glass entrance.
The black car immediately drove away.
Adrian watched it disappear.
Lucy approached him.
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
"You don't look like nothing happened."
Adrian turned toward her.
"Did anyone follow you today?"
Lucy froze.
"Why?"
"Just answer me."
"I don't think so."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
He studied her.
Then he looked at her handbag.
"Go home."
Lucy frowned.
"What?"
"Go home and lock your door."
"Adrian, what's going on?"
"I don't know yet."
His voice was serious.
"But until I do, be careful."
Lucy stared at him.
For the first time since she'd met him, she didn't see an arrogant billionaire standing in front of her.
She saw someone genuinely worried.
"Okay," she whispered.
Adrian nodded.
"I'll have someone drive you."
"You said you wouldn't order me around."
"This isn't an order."
"Then what is it?"
He looked at her.
"A favor."
Lucy hesitated.
Then she nodded.
"Fine."
That night, Lucy sat on her bed with the photograph in her hands.
She looked at her father's face.
"I wish you were here."
Her phone suddenly buzzed.
Unknown number.
Stop looking into the past.
Lucy froze.
Another message appeared.
Some secrets are better left buried.
Her heart raced.
She immediately locked her phone.
Someone knew.
Someone knew she had the photograph.
But how?
Across the city, Adrian was standing by his bedroom window when his phone rang.
It was his father.
"Adrian," Richard said, "I told you to stay away from the Bennett family."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"Why?"
"Because Lucy Bennett is not who you think she is."
Adrian went silent.
"What does that mean?"
Richard didn't answer.
Instead, he said something that left Adrian more confused than ever.
"Her father took something from this family years ago."
The call ended.
Adrian stared at the phone.
Then he remembered Lucy's mysterious behavior.
The photograph.
Her father's name.
The warning.
And suddenly, one question filled his mind.
What had Lucy Bennett's father taken from the Cross family?
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