Unveiling Shadows: Echoes of Vengeance, Ties of Betrayal

CHARLIE

"Charlie, you’re done. Are you feeling all right now? Are you hungry?” The sound of Julius's voice brought me back to reality.

He was holding a plate in one hand and a pan in the other as he made his way towards the counter.

"Don't worry, I am almost done in cooking the breakfast,” He stated and I simply nodded.

It's not that I didn't want to talk to him; I just couldn't find the time. I was so embarrassed that I just knew without a doubt that I would stutter.

Because of this, I just took a deep breath and followed him into the dining room after clearing my throat.

After a while, Julius decided to ask me about my work while we were eating together, so in order to avoid any awkwardness, I simply answered every question he asked.

"Did you like the clothes that I bought?"

"Yes, and once more, thank you," I replied with sincerity. When I said that to him, he flashed a warm smile.

"You don’t have to mind about it, it’s nothing big. By the way, I was just wondering if you miss your work today," he said, and relief washed over me.

"No, it's my day off," I said. Thank God, or I'd be in trouble.

"You work at Aventagio Network, right?"

"Yes, as a journalist."

"A journalist. It sounds exciting while also challenging at the same time." When he said those words, he did not have a smile on his face, and I could sense the sincerity in his voice.

Throughout breakfast, we continued to discuss a variety of unrelated topics.

"Let me help you with that,” I insisted on assisting him with the dishes.

I didn't know if he was used to doing these things, and even though I knew he had a lot of maids, I didn't see even a single one of them around.

When I queried him earlier about the reason why I can’t see one, he simply responded by saying, "I just asked them to have a day off, so that I could have you all to myself. I mean… I wished to serve you on my own.” Those words alone made it abundantly clear.

“Okay, but let me clean the dishes as you already cooked for us earlier,” I stated and offered him a smile.

He muttered, "If you insist," as a response.

There was that adorable smile once more, and it caused my vivid imagination to leap into action. My imagination ran wild again.

Julius and I… as a happy family, a happy couple doing chores, living together, married with kids waiting in the playroom.

After I was done cleaning up the dishes, Julius offered to give me a ride home, I accepted his offer and immediately thought to myself that my imaginations will never be real.

I brought myself out of this daydreaming state and I focused on giving him directions to my apartment.

“Charlie, if I may, can I ask why you moved out of the house you used to own in Avery's neighborhood? I was about to drop you off there the other night…” out of nowhere, Julius asked.

I couldn't think of the right words to answer his inquiry. Because my mother had never really explained the reason why we moved out from our old house, the truthful response was, I also don't know.

"Would it be appropriate for me to respond to you by saying, I don't know?" The only thing he did was cast a fleeting glance in my direction before deftly navigating a turn at an intersection.

"But it’s fine, as it turned out all right!" I tried to sound optimistic. “Living on my own has not only been a lot of fun for me, but it has also been quite educational for me.”

"I see, but what about your mom?" He asked.

"She was staying in the 'Koala Hugs'. An orphanage in a distant area, where she works as well," I explained and after that I told him a bit more about myself, which was honestly unusual for me because I hardly ever felt comfortable around other people besides Avery.

Finally, we arrived at my apartment. I looked into Julius' eyes and thanked him sincerely. "Thank you for everything, Julius." I wanted him to understand my gratitude.

"Just stay safe," he said as I was about to leave, and I thanked him.

"Charlie!" He called my name again.

"Yes?" My stomach churned with anticipation.

"Can I have your number? Just to stay in touch and make sure you're safe always," he asked, and I blushed.

Was this his way of getting my number after dropping me off? Or was I mistaken?

I gave him my number, trying to hide my racing heart. Just as I thought he was done speaking, he said something that sent my heart soaring.

"Rest assured, this won’t be the last time, Charlie. When we both have some free time, let's meet again. Shall we?" His smile was captivating. It was probably the most handsome smile he wore since last night.

“Yes, sure!” I agreed, and as he drove away, I rushed into my apartment.

It was the first time I went home with such a big smile on my face and felt my heart beating faster than usual.

….

Someone’s Point of View

I was just standing here calmly waiting for her to arrive. A couple of hours later, while hiding in the bushes, I noticed her exit a luxurious automobile The car was surrounded by a large entourage.

The vehicle stopped directly in front of her apartment. She communicated with whoever was driving the car in a manner that could not be heard by the passersby.

I couldn't help but notice the unsettling smile plastered across her face, but I shrugged it off and made a phone call to the boss as soon as the car pulled away.

"Tell me some good news," he asked as soon as he picked up the phone.

"Yes, boss. She finally had arrived back to her flat. I suppose that she slept somewhere last night,” I explained.

“It's possible that she slept with the guy who send her home just now.”

“Alright, then. Keep watching and give me update," The boss ended the call as soon as I completed the task, he had given me.

After which, I gazed again at the house where the woman I was asked to watch out had entered.