A chilling silence
1029 Words
"Because... because you're both my nephews. It's... very wrong."
"So? No one will find out."
His face came close.
"David, please—"
"Just one kiss. Please."
And he kissed her.
Soft. Gentle. Completely different from Devil.
For a moment, she was shocked.
Then she pushed him away.
"No! This is too much!"
She opened the car door and rushed out.
"Scarlett, wait—"
She didn't listen. Just ran.
On the roadside. Anywhere.
Her phone rang. Michael.
She answered.
"Scarlett, where are you?"
"I... I don't know... everything's a mess..."
"Calm down. Tell me what happened."
She told everything: Devil, David, the kiss. Everything.
A long silence.
Then his voice, cold and dangerous.
"They won't touch you. I'll make sure of that."
"Michael, please. Don't do anything—"
"I'll do what's necessary. You're mine, Scarlett. Only mine. No one will touch you."
His possessiveness was terrifying, yet comforting.
"Listen," he said. "Don't go to the warehouse tonight. I'm going. I'll deal with the blackmailers."
"But what if something goes wrong—"
"Nothing will happen. Trust me."
"Okay."
"And Scarlett?"
"Yes?"
"Tonight. You'll meet me. Same place. I need to... remind you again. Remind you who you belong to."
His words lit a fire inside her.
"I... I'll come."
"Good girl."
He hung up.
She stood still.
Then another call.
Not unknown this time. It was Mom. Living in another city.
She answered.
"Hello?"
"Scarlett, beta. How are you?"
"I'm fine, Mom. How are you?"
"I'm fine. I just missed you."
"Aww. Miss you too."
"By the way," her voice had something off, "I'm coming to California next week. Some work."
"Oh? What work?"
"Just some... personal. Actually... I have to meet someone."
"Someone?"
A pause.
"An... old friend. His name... Michael."
Time froze.
The world stopped.
"What... what did you say?"
"Michael. You don't know him. A very old friend. Actually... he's not just a friend. We... we have a complicated history."
Her hands almost dropped the phone.
*Michael.*
*My Mom knows Michael.*
*Complicated history.*
"Scarlett? Are you there?"
"Yes... yes, I'm here."
"Okay. I'll call you later. Take care, beta."
"You too."
The call ended.
She was standing on the roadside. Shocked. Confused.
*Michael and my Mom.*
*Complicated history.*
What did it mean?
Then a black car stopped in front of her.
Window rolled down.
A man inside. Sunglasses. Black suit.
"Miss Scarlett?"
"Who are you?"
"Warehouse. Eight PM. Don't be late. Or..."
He threw an envelope at her.
Then the car sped off.
She picked it up and opened it.
Inside, a photo.
Today's. Just now.
Her and David. Kissing in the car.
It was 7:30 in the evening. Scarlett stood before the mirror in her room—dressed in black, hair tied back, no jewelry. She was ready to face whatever was coming.
Then her phone rang. It was Michael.
"Are you not going to the warehouse, right?" His voice was commanding.
"I have to go, Michael. They have photos… mine and David's."
A chilling silence.
"David?" His voice turned ice-cold.
"It was nothing. Just—"
"You kissed him?"
"No! He kissed me. I pushed him away—"
"Enough," Michael growled. "I'm at the warehouse. Stay in your room. I'm handling everything."
"But Michael—"
"Stay. Home." Every word was an order.
He hung up.
Scarlett's heart pounded fiercely.
I have to go.
If she didn't, the blackmailers would send the photos. And if Michael went alone… who knew what might happen?
She made up her mind.
Jacket on. Car keys in hand. Quietly, she slipped out of the house.
On the stairs, Devil blocked her path holding her keys.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going out."
"To the warehouse?" His eyes narrowed.
"How did you know?"
"I tracked your phone. Saw the blackmailers' message."
"Devil, you—"
"I'm not letting you go alone. Not again."
"This is my problem—"
"No. It's mine too now." He grabbed her hand. "When you're in trouble, it automatically becomes mine."
Before she could respond, Mia's voice called from below.
"Devil? Scarlett?"
They froze.
"Yes, Mom?" Devil answered.
"Where are you two going this late?"
"Just… out for coffee."
"Together?"
A suspicious pause.
"Yeah. Scarlett's stressed because of exams. I'm taking her out for fresh air."
Mia ascended, suspicion clear on her face.
"Scarlett, are you okay?"
"Yes, Didi. Just… a little stressed."
She looked into Scarlett's eyes—so much love, so much trust.
And Scarlett lied to her.
"Okay. But come back early. And… be careful."
"We will."
***
In Devil's car, driving through the dark streets.
"You shouldn't have come with me."
"And you shouldn't have gone alone."
They were silent.
Then Scarlett asked, "Did you hear what happened this afternoon?"
His jaw clenched. "David kissed you."
"I pushed him away—"
"I don't care." He gripped the steering wheel tightly. "He can't touch you."
"Devil, he's your brother—"
"Exactly. That's why he knows that I… I want you."
He stopped looking at her, focusing on the road.
"Forget it."
But she couldn't. His unfinished sentence haunted her.
***
The warehouse was old and deserted in an industrial area. Night made it more terrifying.
She spotted Michael's car outside. Empty.
"He's inside," she said.
Devil parked, and they stepped out.
Suddenly, he grabbed her hand.
"Whatever happens, stay behind me."
"Devil—"
"Please."
She nodded.
Inside, darkness engulfed them except for flickering broken lights.
"Anyone here?" Scarlett called.
Suddenly, all lights blazed alive.
Five men in black suits stood before them. Guns drawn.
In the center—Michael. Hands tied behind his back, blood dripping from his mouth.
"Michael!" Scarlett screamed.
But Devil held her back.
The man in front smiled, lighting a cigar.
"Miss Scarlett. So, you've come at last."
"Who are you? What do you want?"
"Straight to the point. I like that." He exhaled smoke. "Name's Victor. Biggest rival to your brother-in-law's business."
"Damien's?"
"Exactly. That bastard broke many of my deals, stole my clients. Now… I'm taking revenge."
"What does that have to do with me?"
Victor laughed. "Everything, sweetheart. You're family. And I know you have something I want."
- Writer
