Her billionaire enemy

CHAPTER FIVE: SHADOWS IN THE CROWD

*Alyssa*

The city was alive with its usual with him.

I just alighted from Ethan’s car. But I wanted to get food so that I won’t have to go out during lunch .

I walked through the streets navigating my way to the nearest restaurant.

I had never walked out alone before but no today I didn’t have a choice as I didn’t want to ask Ethan to drive me.

Suddenly I felt watched

Delusional.

People were every where.

But still the feeling wouldn’t go

My heart no refused to settle

I slowed my steps.

Noticed a man across the street, he looked familiar, the kind of familiarity someone is awarded with after being seen just once or twice.

Not clearly familiar

He was standing between two stalls

Black dark clothes

His face not visible enough

I frowned for a second

Continued walking

A few seconds later I looked back

He was gone

I’m probably overthinking I said to myself

I walked faster.

I didn’t even know exactly where I was headed

I looked at the map google provided me again and saw that I missed a turn

I turned around and started retracing my steps

I passed a bookstore

A cafe’

And then I saw him again

I froze for a second

My heart skipped

I was so sure this time

I hurried after him

He took a turn

I took the turn

But then

Vanished

He was no where in sight

Where is he?

What am I even going to do?

Several questions flooded my mind

I reached out into my coach purse

Brought out my phone

The call connected after two rings

“Dad” I said softly

The line became quiet

“What happened?”

“I think someone was following me”

“In your car”. He no asked

“ no” I said in a whisper

The line became quiet

Too quiet

“Dad”

He let out a slow breath

“Did you see his face”

“No”

Another silence.

“Dad what’s going on “

“Nothing you need to worry about”

“You always say that”

“Where are you I’ll send someone to pick you”

“I don’t know”I replied immediately

“Share me your location”

“Dad-“

“Please Alyssa”

I sighed

“Okay”

After the call ended I stood there looking

Life continued as usual

But I couldn’t imagine acting like nothing had happened.

I just realized something was wrong the package, the odd car I noticed earlier and now this.

I guess it has just begun.

*VICTORIA*

The conference room was filled with quiet conversations as members of the children’s hope foundation settled into studio seats.

As the chairwoman of the foundation, I carried myself with the same grace and confidence I was known for.

I greeted everyone with a warm smile before taking my seat at the head of the table.

“Good morning everyone” I began, “let’s get started”

The meeting progressed smooth.

Reports were presented on the foundation’s scholarship program, the construction of a health center

Probably, to everyone I appeared calm on the and completely focused

But my mind was elsewhere

Every now and then my eyes shifted to the leather bag resting beside my chair

Inside was an old envelope

One I had hid for years and promised never to open again

When the meeting finally came to an end one of the members said to me

“You did well ma”

I returned the smile politely “Thank you,have a safe trip home”

Soon the room was empty

I slowly opened my handbag

I took out the worn out envelope

My fingers carefully tracing its edges

A tear threatened to slip down my eyes

I can’t anymore

I returned he envelope before walking to my car .

The drive home was unusually long

Traffic crawled, giving me more time to think than I wanted

Every memory I had tried burying came back rushing at me

Secrets had its ways of getting revealed

I hesitated

Then picked my phone

My thumb hovering over a contact

Ethan.

If I did this Alyssa may hate me forever

Closing my eyes I gathered every ounce of courage I had

Then pressed call

The phone rang

Twice

Three times

Then he picked

“Ethan” I said softly

“Are you free this evening”

There was a brief pause.

“ I should be” he finally replied

“Is everything alright” he added

I looked outside as the traffic light turned the green

“No”I admitted quietly

“It isn’t ?”

“Yes it isn’t”I said again hating myself slowly for doing this

Another silence ensued

“I need to tell you some thing” I said breaking the silence l.

“And I’ll rather tell you in person”

I wanted him to say something, his silence was killing me, maybe no say he’s too busy to meet up.

“Okay… I’ll come” he finally said

I could hear the confusion in his voice

“Thank you” I said tears already dropping down my eyes

I lowered my phone and looked through the windshield

I imagined if this one action would ruin my family, my husband.

I loved him very dearly and hope he would forgive me for this.

Now I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing

I didn’t want to

I let them flow freely.

I hoped Richard would forgive me for this.

I parked my car by the side of the road and cried.

I finally wiped my tear s

My head ached slightly probably from the crying

I raised my head

Suddenly

I see it again

The car

The sedan that was parked inside the mansion earlier on.

Realizing I had seen it twice earlier while driving from the meeting but didn’t acknowledge it because I was too sad to notice.

It Sped past me and took the next turn

I wanted to follow it

But I took the left turn instead heading home.

I had a dinner and speech to prepare

One which would free me but still haunt me.