CHAPTER 18: THE TRAP
767 Words
Morning arrived peacefully over Noctis.
For the first time in days, Mackenzie woke feeling lighter.
Kelvin's promise by the riverside echoed in her thoughts.
"As long as I breathe... no one will ever face you alone."
She smiled despite herself.
She wasn't sure what they were becoming.
Friends.
Business partners.
Or something more.
Whatever it was...
It made her feel safe.
---
Across the city...
Ricardo DeLuca stood in his study, looking at the latest photographs of Kelvin and Mackenzie.
Every picture told the same story.
Kelvin's eyes never strayed far from her.
"He doesn't even realize it," Ricardo murmured.
Vincent Moretti sipped his espresso.
"Love makes even the strongest men predictable."
Ricardo smiled faintly.
"Exactly."
He slid a sealed envelope across the table.
"Phase Three begins today."
Vincent picked it up.
"What's inside?"
"A lie."
"And sometimes..."
Ricardo's smile widened.
"...a lie is more dangerous than a bullet."
---
Later that morning...
Mackenzie arrived at her office to find Clara waiting anxiously.
"Boss, this was delivered a few minutes ago."
She handed Mackenzie a plain white envelope.
There was no sender's name.
Mackenzie hesitated before opening it.
Inside were several printed photographs.
Her heart stopped.
The first showed Kelvin entering a private restaurant with a beautiful blonde woman.
The second showed him placing a hand on the woman's back as they entered a private room.
The third showed them leaving together late at night.
There was also a typed note.
Be careful who you trust. Some men belong to everyone... and to no one.
Mackenzie stared silently at the pictures.
Something about them felt...
Wrong.
But she couldn't explain why.
Sophia entered just then.
"You look like you've seen a ghost."
Without a word, Mackenzie handed her the photographs.
Sophia examined them carefully.
Then frowned.
"These don't make sense."
"What do you mean?"
"Look at Kelvin's suit."
Mackenzie looked again.
"The jacket changes between photos."
Sophia pointed to another detail.
"And the restaurant decorations are different."
"They weren't taken on the same day."
Mackenzie blinked.
"You think someone arranged this?"
"I think someone wants you to believe something."
---
Meanwhile...
Lawson Tower.
Damien entered Kelvin's office carrying urgent news.
"Boss."
"The first part of Ricardo's plan has begun."
Kelvin looked up.
"What has he done?"
"He sent Miss Giovanni fake photographs."
Kelvin's expression darkened.
"Has she contacted us?"
"Not yet."
Kelvin stood immediately.
"No."
Damien looked confused.
"No?"
"I won't run after her demanding that she believes me."
"If I have to convince her every time someone tells a lie..."
He shook his head.
"Then there was never any trust to begin with."
Damien nodded slowly.
"You believe she'll come to you."
Kelvin's answer came without hesitation.
"I believe in Mackenzie."
---
That evening...
Unable to stop thinking about the photographs, Mackenzie decided to visit the restaurant shown in the pictures.
The manager greeted her politely.
"Good evening, Miss. How may I help you?"
She showed him one of the photographs.
"Do you remember this evening?"
The manager adjusted his glasses.
"Oh..."
He smiled.
"Of course."
"Mr. Lawson rented the private dining room."
Mackenzie's heart sank.
"So he was here."
"Yes."
She looked down.
"I understand."
"But..." the manager continued.
"...he wasn't on a date."
She looked up quickly.
"He reserved the room for a charity planning committee."
"There were twelve guests."
"Twelve?"
The manager nodded.
"We even have the group photograph displayed in our office."
He returned a moment later carrying a framed picture.
There stood Kelvin...
Surrounded by businessmen, lawyers, and charity organizers.
The blonde woman from the photograph stood on the opposite side of the group, speaking with another guest.
The pictures had been cropped.
Deliberately.
Mackenzie let out a slow breath.
Someone had manipulated the truth.
---
As she stepped outside the restaurant...
A familiar black car pulled up.
Kelvin stepped out.
"You came."
She looked surprised.
"You knew I'd be here?"
"No."
He smiled gently.
"I hoped."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Finally, Mackenzie handed him the envelope.
"I'm sorry."
He looked inside.
"I don't know why..."
she admitted quietly,
"...but I wanted to find the truth before believing the lie."
Kelvin looked at her for a long moment.
Then a small, genuine smile appeared.
"Thank you."
She frowned.
"For what?"
"For trusting me."
Their eyes met beneath the soft glow of the streetlights.
Neither noticed the black SUV parked farther down the road.
Inside...
Ricardo watched through binoculars.
"So..."
he whispered.
"The lie failed."
Vincent looked at him.
"What now?"
Ricardo's expression became unreadable.
"If you can't destroy their trust..."
He slowly lowered the binoculars.
"...you make them doubt themselves."
- Writer
