A Call
1646 Words
The rhythmic hum of the car’s engine filled the silence as they drove down the highway. As the convoy disappeared into the distance, Victoria noticed Alex’s gaze lingering on the military vehicles, his eyes narrowing intensely.
She furrowed her brow. “Why are you staring at those trucks like that?”
Alex blinked, pulling his attention away from the military vehicles. “Huh?”
“The convoy,” Victoria pressed. “You’ve been staring at them like you recognize something.”
He hesitated, his jaw tightening for a moment before he replied. “Maybe… I’m just fascinated. It feels… familiar, somehow.”
Victoria shot him a sideways glance. “Familiar? Do you think you used to be in the military or something?” She grinned, nudging him playfully. “What if you were actually a military mechanic? That would explain why you fixed my car so easily.”
Alex offered a faint smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Maybe,” he murmured, trying to play along.
Victoria laughed. “I’m telling you, once I help you get your memory back, you’ll owe me. Big time. I expect free car repairs for life.”
Alex chuckled softly, but his mind wandered to darker places. If only she knew how close she was to the truth—just not in the way she imagined.
Just as the lightened mood settled between them, Victoria’s phone buzzed on the dashboard. She glanced at the screen.
Emma.
She hesitated, her grip on the steering wheel tightening as she debated whether to answer. With a sigh, she tapped the screen, accepting the call through the car’s speaker.
“Hey, Emma,” Victoria greeted, trying to keep her voice neutral.
“Victoria, where are you? I’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday,” Emma’s concerned voice rang through the car.
“I’m fine,” Victoria replied, her eyes briefly flicking to Alex beside her. “Just… out, running some errands.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line, the kind that made Victoria’s gut tighten.
“Does your dad know where you are?” Emma asked cautiously.
Victoria’s chest tightened as her fingers drummed against the steering wheel. “Why? Did he ask you to call me?”
“No! No, I swear!” Emma protested quickly. “I just… I hadn’t heard from you, and I was worried. That’s all.”
Victoria sighed, glancing at Alex, who was watching the road silently. But she could tell he was listening.
She lowered her voice slightly. “I can’t help but wonder if you’ve been telling him things. I mean…”
“Vic, come on, I would never—” Emma started, but Victoria cut her off.
“You sure about that?” she asked sharply. “I mean… you haven’t exactly been on my side with this whole marriage thing.”
Emma was silent for a moment, then spoke in a softer tone. “Look, I know things have been… complicated lately. But I’m not your enemy. I’m your friend. I just want to make sure you’re okay. You’re with… someone, right?”
Victoria’s eyes quickly narrowed. “Why do you ask?” she shot back.
“Nothing! I just want to make sure you’re safe, that’s all.”
Victoria bit her lip, torn between her lingering trust in Emma and the growing suspicion that her friend might not be as innocent as she claimed.
But before she could say anything more, Emma added quickly, “Listen, why don’t we meet up when you get back? We can talk—face to face. Please?”
Victoria hesitated, her weary gaze returning to Alex. He remained silent, his lips tight and eyes firmly closed.
Finally, she nodded, though Emma couldn’t see it. “Fine. I’ll meet you after I get home.”
“Thanks, Vic. I’ll text you the details,” Emma replied with relief. “And be careful, okay?”
“Yeah…” Victoria muttered, ending the call without another word.
She exhaled. The truth was, she didn’t trust Emma—at least, not entirely. Not anymore. But for now, it was better to play along until she could figure out who was really on her side.
Alex glanced at her. “Everything alright?” His voice was surprisingly soft.
Victoria forced a small smile. “Of course… just family stuff. You know how it is.”
He nodded, knowing all too well about complicated family dynamics. But as he looked ahead at the road stretching before them, he couldn’t help but wonder how long Victoria could keep balancing the lies and half-truths before everything came crashing down.
For now, though, they would continue pretending—both of them, in their own ways.
***
Emma slipped her phone back into her purse, a slight tremor in her hands as she glanced around the dimly lit bar. The familiar scent of whiskey and cigars clung to the air, while the low murmur of conversations buzzed in the background.
She took a deep breath and steadied herself as she approached the private booth at the back of the room, where Dorian Blackwood sat.
His dark eyes flickered up as Emma neared, but he didn’t bother to stand or offer any greeting. His presence alone exuded a commanding authority that made her stomach twist.
“Well?” Dorian’s voice was crisp and to the point.
Emma swallowed hard, leaning in closer. “She’s on her way home,” she whispered.
Dorian’s lips curved into a thin smile, though there was no warmth behind it. He swirled the amber liquid in his glass, watching it with disinterest. “Good. It’s about time she stopped playing games.”
Emma shifted awkwardly, her pulse quickening as she watched him. She hated how nervous he made her feel, but even more than that, she despised how much she craved his approval.
Her eyes lingered on the stack of crisp hundred-dollar bills resting on the table in front of him.
When she didn’t reach for the cash, Dorian’s gaze snapped up, eyebrow raised in question. “What? Not enough?”
Emma shook her head, biting her lip. She stepped closer, her hand brushing lightly against his broad shoulder. “I don’t want your money, Dorian,” she murmured, leaning in as her fingers slid down his arm. “I did this for you. Everything I’ve done… it’s to make you happy.”
He let out a low, humorless chuckle, the sound sending a chill down her spine. He turned his head, catching her seductive gaze. “Emma, we’ve been over this. You know how this works.”
Her heart dropped, but she pressed on. “You don’t have to keep pretending I’m just some… fling.” Her lips brushed against his ear. “We both know it’s more than that.”
Dorian shifted away from her, setting down his glass with a sharp clink. He stood up, towering over her.
“Don’t fool yourself.” His face darkened. “You’re a distraction. Nothing more.”
The words hit her like a slap, and for a moment, Emma froze. She felt the sting of ache burn through her, but it quickly transformed into something darker.
Anger.
Her jaw clenched, and she straightened, squaring her shoulders as she met his cold gaze. “A distraction?” she spat. “Is that what you think?”
Dorian arched an eyebrow. “That’s exactly what I think. Now, take the money and go. I’ve got more important things to deal with.”
But Emma wasn’t done. Her lips twisted into a bitter smile as she stepped closer. “Fine. But before I go, you might want to know something about your precious Victoria.”
Dorian’s expression faltered for a brief second, and Emma seized the moment. “She’s been seeing someone. A stranger she picked up on the beach. Probably her new plaything.”
The room seemed to go still. For a moment, Emma relished the shock flickering across Dorian’s face. It was brief, but enough to show her she’d hit a nerve.
“What did you just say?”
“Oh, you heard me.” Emma’s smile widened. “I’ve seen them together. All cozy in her little car, heading into the city. You know what that means, don’t you? She’s already moved on.”
Dorian’s face twisted, his fists clenching at his sides. “You’re lying.”
“I’m not. You think she’s going to go through with that marriage? You think she’s loyal to you? Well, she’s already found someone else—right under your nose.”
Dorian took a dangerous step toward her, his voice filled with fury. “If you’re playing games with me, Emma, I swear—”
“I’m not playing games, Dorian,” Emma interrupted. “You know me. I wouldn’t lie about this. I’ve done everything for you. And now…” She crossed her arms. “Now, I think it’s your turn to realize who the real problem is.”
For a while, the room was filled with nothing but the sound of Dorian’s labored breathing. His eyes burned, and he seemed to be weighing his next move carefully.
Finally, his voice came out like a growl. “I’ll deal with Victoria. But first, there are going to be some changes.”
He turned to Emma. “As of now, all business dealings between my company and her family’s are suspended. They’ll pay for this.”
Emma’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected things to escalate this quickly, but she couldn’t deny the thrill that coursed through her. She had wanted to hurt Victoria, to make her suffer, but now… it seemed she had set something far more dangerous in motion.
Dorian’s voice was like ice as he added, “Tell her father to expect a call.”
- Writer
