CHAPTER 25: ECHOES OF THE PAST
743 Words
The morning sun bathed Lawson Manor in a warm golden light.
For the first time in weeks, the estate felt peaceful.
Birds chirped in the vast gardens, and the fountains sparkled beneath the clear sky.
Inside the manor, however, Kelvin was already at work.
He stood in his study, reviewing reports from Damien.
"Our businesses are stable," Damien reported.
"The warehouse has resumed operations, and Ricardo's men have remained unusually quiet."
Kelvin frowned.
"That's exactly what concerns me."
"You think this silence means something?"
Kelvin nodded.
"Ricardo never disappears."
"He waits."
"And when he waits..."
"He plans."
---
Across town...
Mackenzie was busy preparing for the grand opening of a luxury hotel.
Her team hurried around the venue, adjusting floral arrangements and checking lighting.
"You've inspected those centerpieces three times," Sophia teased.
Mackenzie smiled.
"I'll inspect them a fourth time if I have to."
Sophia laughed.
"Perfectionist."
Before Mackenzie could respond, her phone vibrated.
Kelvin Calling.
She answered almost immediately.
"Good morning."
"Good morning," Kelvin replied.
"I hope I'm not interrupting."
"Not at all."
"I was wondering..."
He hesitated for a brief second.
"...if you'd have dinner with me tomorrow evening."
A smile spread across Mackenzie's face.
"Is this another business dinner?"
"No."
"Then..."
She pretended to think.
"I suppose I can make time."
Kelvin smiled to himself.
"I'll send a car at seven."
---
Lawson Manor...
After ending the call, Kelvin walked into a private wing of the mansion.
Very few people were allowed there.
He unlocked an old wooden door.
Inside was a quiet room filled with photographs.
Family portraits.
Childhood memories.
Awards.
In the center stood a framed picture of a smiling woman.
His mother.
Kelvin gently brushed away a thin layer of dust.
"I think you would've liked her," he whispered.
A soft knock came at the door.
Damien stepped inside.
"I didn't mean to interrupt."
Kelvin nodded toward the photograph.
"My mother believed there was still good in people."
Damien looked at the picture.
"She was right."
Kelvin smiled sadly.
"I stopped believing that the day I lost her."
---
Meanwhile...
Far from Noctis...
Ricardo DeLuca arrived at a secluded estate hidden deep within the mountains.
A guard opened the iron gates.
Inside, an elderly man waited beside a large chessboard.
His silver hair contrasted sharply with his dark suit.
Ricardo bowed his head respectfully.
"Don Vittorio."
The old man looked up.
"So..."
"The great Ricardo DeLuca finally visits."
Ricardo sat opposite him.
"I need information."
Vittorio moved a chess piece.
"About Kelvin Lawson?"
Ricardo's eyes narrowed.
"You already knew."
"I know many things."
The old man smiled faintly.
"You've spent years trying to defeat Kelvin."
"But you've been fighting the wrong battle."
Ricardo leaned forward.
"What do you mean?"
Vittorio looked directly into his eyes.
"You're attacking his empire."
"When you should be uncovering his past."
---
The next evening...
Exactly at seven o'clock, a sleek black car stopped outside Mackenzie's apartment.
This time, Kelvin wasn't inside.
Instead, Damien stepped out and opened the door.
"Good evening, Miss Giovanni."
"Good evening."
"Mr. Lawson will meet us at the destination."
She smiled.
"Keeping secrets?"
Damien chuckled.
"Just one."
---
The car drove beyond the busy streets of Noctis, leaving the city lights behind.
After nearly forty minutes, they arrived at a hill overlooking the entire capital.
A beautifully restored observatory stood there, surrounded by gardens.
Mackenzie stepped out in amazement.
"It's beautiful."
"I hoped you'd like it."
She turned.
Kelvin was standing at the entrance, dressed in a navy suit.
The fading sunlight painted the sky in shades of gold and crimson.
"You planned all this?"
He smiled.
"I wanted somewhere quiet."
"No meetings."
"No reporters."
"No interruptions."
He offered his hand.
"Come."
She slipped her hand into his.
Together, they walked into the observatory.
The massive telescope pointed toward the evening sky.
"I used to come here with my mother," Kelvin said softly.
"She loved the stars."
Mackenzie looked at him.
"You've talked about her before."
"Not much."
"No."
He smiled sadly.
"It's still difficult."
She gently placed a hand over his.
"You don't have to tell me anything you're not ready to."
Kelvin looked at her, gratitude shining in his eyes.
"I know."
For a long moment, they stood together beneath the opening dome, watching the first stars appear.
Neither realized they weren't alone.
Hidden among the trees surrounding the observatory...
A figure quietly lifted a camera.
Click.
Another photograph.
The figure disappeared into the darkness.
- Writer
