PHOENIX

11| GUESS WHO'S HERE?

The next morning, Jackson’s plans to follow Matt were abruptly interrupted. As he was getting ready, he saw Melissa leaving the hotel. This unexpected turn of events set his heart racing. Though he was still perplexed about why she was staying in a hotel when her family owned a luxurious villa, he felt a surge of relief. The hotel provided an easy point of surveillance; once she returned home, tracking her movements would become significantly more challenging.

Without wasting a moment, Jackson grabbed his things and hurried out to his car. He watched from a safe distance as Melissa got into a sleek black sedan. The same burly man from the previous day was driving her. Jackson waited until they pulled out of the parking lot before starting his car and following them at a discreet distance. He made sure to keep other vehicles between them, careful not to raise any suspicion since he had a habit of being caught.

Melissa's car headed towards the city, weaving through the morning traffic with ease. Jackson followed, his mind buzzing with questions. Why was she staying at the hotel? What was she up to? The thought of losing sight of her once she returned to the family villa loomed large in his mind. He needed to gather as much information as possible while he still had the opportunity.

After about half an hour, Melissa's car pulled into the parking lot of a nondescript office building. Jackson parked a block away and watched as she and the driver entered the building. He noted the name of the building and made a mental note to research it later. He waited for a few minutes, observing the surroundings, before deciding to follow her inside.

Jackson approached the building with caution. He entered the lobby and scanned the directory, noting the different businesses and offices. His eyes landed on a law firm that occupied the top floor. It seemed like a plausible destination for Melissa. He took the elevator to the top floor, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

As the elevator doors opened, Jackson saw a reception area with a sleek, modern design. He approached the desk, pretending to be lost. The receptionist looked up with a polite smile.

“Good morning. How can I help you?” she asked.

“I’m looking for someone who might have come in a few minutes ago,” Jackson said, trying to sound casual. “A woman, early twenties, brown hair?”

The receptionist’s smile faltered slightly. “I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t give out information about our clients.”

Jackson nodded, feigning understanding. “Of course, I apologize. I must have the wrong place.” He turned away, glancing around the reception area one last time before heading back to the elevator.

Jackson returned to his car. He might not have seen her but from what he could read from the receptionist's face, Melissa did go there as he had predicted. He decided to wait in the parking lot, hoping Melissa wouldn’t stay inside for too long. As he waited, he reviewed the events of the past few days in his mind, trying to piece together the puzzle.

An hour later, Melissa emerged from the building, her expression tense. Jackson watched as she got into the car, the burly man opening the door for her again. They drove off, and Jackson resumed his pursuit.

The car took a different route this time, heading towards the outskirts of the city. Jackson followed, his curiosity intensifying. They eventually arrived at a secluded estate surrounded by high walls and dense trees. Jackson parked at a safe distance, using binoculars to observe the property.

The estate was massive, with sprawling gardens and a large mansion at its centre. Jackson watched as Melissa and the driver entered the mansion. He noted the security cameras and guards patrolling the perimeter. This was a place of significant importance, and Jackson felt a surge of determination. He needed to find out what was going on inside.

For the next few hours, Jackson maintained his vigil. He watched as various people came and went, noting their faces and any interactions they had. The more he observed, the more he realized how deeply involved Melissa was in something significant.

In the afternoon, Jackson's patience paid off as he saw Melissa and the scarred bodyguard leave the estate. He tailed them at a careful distance, weaving through the sparse traffic on the country roads. The drive took them further away from the city, into the rolling countryside where sprawling farms dotted the landscape.

Eventually, they turned into a long dirt driveway that led to a modest farmhouse. Jackson parked his car behind a cluster of trees, far enough to remain unseen but close enough to observe. He watched as Melissa and the bodyguard got out of the car and walked towards the house. A few minutes later, they emerged, having changed into work clothes. They joined an older man who was busy planting something in the fields.

The scene before him was unexpectedly domestic. The old man, with his weathered face and sturdy build, bore a striking resemblance to the scarred bodyguard. Their mannerisms were similar, the way they moved and carried themselves. Jackson realized that this must be the bodyguard's father or grandfather. The older man seemed genuinely happy to have them there, his face lighting up with a broad smile. Even the usually stoic bodyguard laughed occasionally, a sound that seemed out of place but strangely comforting in this setting.

Melissa, too, was different here. She appeared relaxed, almost joyful, as she worked alongside the two men. The contrast between her current demeanour and the tension he had witnessed at the office building was stark. She seemed at ease, and comfortable in this rural environment.

Jackson's mind raced as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. Why was Melissa here, helping on a farm, when she came from such a wealthy background? What was her connection to this family? He watched as they worked together, planting seeds and tending to the crops. It was clear that Melissa had a bond with these men, one that went beyond mere acquaintance.

As he continued to observe, Jackson's thoughts drifted back to his original purpose. He had been so focused on following her, on uncovering her secrets, that he hadn't stopped to consider the person she was now. The genuine smiles, the shared laughter—it didn't fit with the image of the woman who had betrayed him. He wondered if there was more to Melissa than he had ever understood.

The afternoon wore on, and Jackson watched as they eventually finished their work and started to clean up. Melissa and the bodyguard chatted amiably with the older man, who seemed reluctant to see them go. The warmth of their interactions was palpable, and Jackson couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. It made him think of the family connections he had lost, the sense of belonging he had always craved.

When they finally got back into the car and drove away, Jackson followed once more. But this time, he felt a shift in his purpose. He wasn't just following a lead; he was seeking understanding, trying to piece together the fragments of Melissa's life that didn't fit into the narrative he had constructed.

As Jackson followed Melissa and the scarred bodyguard back to the city, his curiosity grew. Instead of heading to the hotel or the estate they had visited earlier, they drove towards a secluded area on the outskirts of town. The landscape became increasingly remote, with fewer houses and more dense woods.

Eventually, they approached a gated property with a sign that read "Private Property – No Trespassing." Jackson pulled over, parking his car out of sight but close enough to keep an eye on the entrance. His mind raced with possibilities. What was this place? Why were they here?

His instincts urged him to follow them further, to uncover the secrets they were hiding. But his rational mind held him back. He knew that if he crossed that boundary, it would be obvious he was tailing them, and the consequences could be severe. He had already taken significant risks following Melissa for the past few days. Any further and he might find himself in a situation he couldn't control.

He watched as Melissa and the bodyguard drove through the gate. The barrier closed behind them, cutting off his view. Frustration gnawed at him. He was so close to uncovering something significant, yet the private property sign was an unyielding barrier. He clenched his fists, fighting the urge to take the risk and continue.

Instead, Jackson decided to bide his time. He would wait and see if they came back out. He needed to know how long they would stay and what they might do next. Maybe he could glean some information without putting himself in immediate danger.

As the minutes turned into hours, Jackson reflected on the day's events. The trip to the farm, the warm interactions with the older man, and now this mysterious secluded area. Each piece of the puzzle seemed disjointed, yet he felt they were all connected in ways he couldn't yet understand.

As Jackson watched the building, it dawned on him that this wasn't just any estate—it was the Roy family mansion. He remembered hearing that Roy's mother, Melissa's grandmother, still lived in this massive estate. This revelation brought a wave of frustration and resignation. Melissa had come to visit her grandmother, and he had no idea when or if she was going to leave.

The mansion, a sprawling estate hidden behind high walls and dense foliage, was known for its tight security. There was no way Jackson could get closer without being noticed. He sighed, realizing his efforts to follow Melissa might be futile today.

Time dragged on as Jackson kept his vigil. He debated whether he should leave and come back later, but the fear of missing something important kept him rooted in place. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing at the mansion's imposing façade.

The minutes stretched into hours, and Jackson began to lose hope of seeing Melissa leave. He knew he couldn't stay here indefinitely. He needed a plan, a way to get closer without being detected.

Just as he was about to give up for the night, movement caught his eye. The front gate of the mansion opened, and Melissa stepped out, followed by the scarred bodyguard. She looked around briefly before heading towards the car. Jackson's heart raced as he watched them get into the vehicle.

He waited until they were a safe distance away before starting his car and following them. This time, he was more cautious, keeping a greater distance to avoid detection. They drove back towards the city, the streets becoming more familiar as they neared the hotel.

Jackson parked a few blocks away and watched as Melissa and the bodyguard entered the hotel. He decided to wait a bit longer, hoping to catch a glimpse of any other activity that might provide more clues.

Once Jackson saw the scarred bodyguard leave the hotel without Melissa, he felt a wave of relief. It was a clear sign she wasn't going anywhere for the rest of the day. Satisfied that his immediate surveillance task was done, he decided it was time to turn his attention to his family.

He had been so caught up in following Melissa and trying to uncover her secrets that he had neglected his promise to visit his sister and Ethan. The thought of Ethan's disappointed face when he didn't show up as promised gnawed at him. Jackson knew he needed to make things right, not just for Ethan's sake but for his own peace of mind.

He drove through the city, the familiar streets guiding him back to the modest neighbourhood where Sue lived. As he pulled up in front of her house, he took a moment to collect his thoughts. He hoped Sue hadn't done anything reckless in his absence and that Ethan was still his usual cheerful self.

Jackson knocked on the door, and a few moments later, Sue opened it, her face lighting up in surprise. "Jackson! I wasn't expecting you today."

"Yeah, I figured I should stop by and see you guys," Jackson replied, smiling. "Is Ethan around?"

"He's in his room, probably playing with his toys. He missed you, you know," Sue said, stepping aside to let him in.

Jackson walked into the cosy living room, the familiar scent of home greeting him. He could hear Ethan's laughter coming from the back room. "Ethan! Guess who’s here?" he called out.

A moment later, Ethan came running out, his eyes wide with excitement. "Big brother! You came!" He threw himself at Jackson, hugging him tightly around the waist.

Jackson picked him up and spun him around, eliciting giggles from the little boy. "Of course I came, buddy. I'm sorry it took me so long."

Ethan's eyes sparkled with joy. "It's okay. You're here now! Can we play?"

"Absolutely," Jackson said, setting Ethan down. "What do you want to play?"