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2046 Words
Back at the Castillo estate, Reyansh storms into Drew's office, frustration etched on his face where Drew meticulously reviewing some documents.
He doesn't waste any time and dives straight into his question, "Drew, why didn't you let the plan happen? Everything was set, and we were on the verge of finally uncovering the truth."
Drew's Narrating Eyes -
I pause, my thoughts momentarily drifting to the old shop lady's accusations directed at Phoenix. The revelation of her family's alleged betrayal still lingers in my mind.
But I pull myself back to the present and turn my steely gaze toward Reyansh. His persistence challenges my authority, and I need to remind him of the hierarchy that exists in our world.
"Not today," I reply, my voice low but resolute. "We will have our answers, Reyansh. But not on her terms. We play by our rules."
Reyansh doesn't back down and insists, "But why, Drew? We were so close to the truth. We can't afford to back down now."
I fix him with a deadly glare, a reminder of the dominance and ruthlessness that define me. The message is clear – question me till the limit I've allowed him to question me.
Reyansh understands the unspoken command and takes a step back. He may be my right-hand man, but he knows there are lines he cannot cross.
I continue to review the documents,
"Rey," I begin, my voice laced with an air of detachment, "we've been dealing with a new player in the mafia world. A character worth our attention."
Reyansh raises an eyebrow, curious with hint of smirk. "Now who is betting his pawns in your game? Drew?"
I lean forward, lowering my voice. "His name is Luca Romano. A cunning, ruthless figure who's been making moves in the underworld. He's gathering power and resources, and his ambitions are growing."
Reyansh's eyes widen, recognizing the significance of the situation. "Romano? He's a force to be reckoned with. But, Drew, you're no stranger to formidable adversaries."
A knowing smirk plays on my lips. "That's true. But Romano is different. He's like a shadow, always lurking just out of reach. No one has ever come as close to challenging my dominance as he has. It's a game of wits, Rey, and one I intend to win."
As we continue to discuss the growing mess posed by Luca Romano, Reyansh and I delve into the details,
And the hours sweep away in Castillo's estate, Rey and I become engrossed in discussing the details of the Romano situation. The growing threat has our complete attention, and we strategize our next moves, leaving little room for distractions.
But then, the echoes of yelling penetrate the walls, jolting both Rey and me from our intense conversation. We exchange a confused glance before moving swiftly outside to investigate the commotion.
Sid, who's usually composed and unflappable, is in a rare state of agitation. His voice rings out with an unusual aggression as he berates the security personnel and anyone else within earshot. His accusations are cutting, and his words are meant to wound.
"You're all useless!" Sid shouts, his face flushed with anger. "Incompetent fools! You should all be removed from here immediately!"
I and Rey exchange another glance, equally baffled by Sid's uncharacteristic outburst. I have never allowed anyone, not even Sid, to unleash their frustration on my men or in the premises. Sid, too, is not one to lash out in such a manner. It's an unsettling and unexpected turn of events.
We approach Sid, who is still fuming, and Reyansh, ever the diplomat, attempts to defuse the situation. "Sid, what happened? Why are you so upset?"
Sid takes a deep breath, struggling to regain his composure. "I apologize for my outburst, but I've just received some troubling news. It's about Phoenix."
Sid's revelation about troubling news regarding Phoenix sends a shiver down my spine. The sudden transformation of my demeanor is evident to both Sid and Reyansh. Concern washes over me, and the world beyond this moment fades into insignificance.
For a fleeting instant, I forget that Phoenix is now my younger brother's pregnant wife. My intense love for her overrides all other considerations. The fierce protectiveness I feel for her, the need to shield her from harm, takes precedence.
"What's happened?" I demand, my voice uncharacteristically sharp. Sid hesitates, recognizing the depth of my concern. He carefully chooses his words.
"It's Phoenix, Drew. There's something...something unexpected. I've received information about her, and it's not what we anticipated."
Sid's initial hesitation only intensifies my concern, and I demand, my voice now dripping with aggression, "Sid, what's happening? Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth!"
The air crackles with tension as Sid stammers and struggles to find the right words. He knows that delivering this news won't be easy, and the gravity of the situation is etched on his face.
Finally, he takes a deep breath and reveals, "The security personnel at the mall have reported that Phoenix is missing. She's nowhere to be found."
The words hang in the air, and for a moment, it feels as though time has stopped. The revelation that Phoenix is missing sends shockwaves through me, and my aggression surges to a new level.
Sid attempts to calm me, saying, "Drew, we need to relax and think rationally. Panicking won't help us."
But my patience wears thin as the security personnel approach us. The head of security takes a deep breath before delivering the news that deepens my dread.
"We've searched the entire mall, reviewed all the CCTV footage, but the footage from the particular time she disappeared is missing," he says, his voice uneasy. "No one seems to know what happened, and we can't find any trace of Phoenix ma'am."
At that moment, something dark and menacing awakens within me. The veneer of control cracks, revealing the ruthless and sinister side of my persona. I seize the security person's collar in a grip of steel, my eyes narrowed with an intensity that sends shivers down his spine.
"You will find her," I growl, my voice a low, threatening snarl. "You will find her, or you will face consequences you can't even begin to imagine."
The security personnel, trembling under the weight of my menace, nod fervently. In this moment, there's no room for mistakes, no room for failure. The hunt for Phoenix has begun, and I will stop at nothing to find her.
Rey senses the growing storm within me. As I clutch the security personnel's collar, he steps in, attempting to pull me back from the precipice of my fury.
He doesn't say the words out loud, understanding the delicate situation with Sid present, but his actions and gestures speak volumes. His hand falls gently on my shoulder, a silent reminder of our roles and the lines we cannot cross.
In a soft, calming tone, he says, "Drew, we'll find her. We'll do whatever it takes. But we need to handle this with care and strategy. Losing control won't help us"
As Sid moves away to make the necessary calls, Reyansh and I are left alone, the tension in the air still palpable. Reyansh takes a step closer and, in a low, steady voice, imparts a crucial reminder.
"Drew, we can't afford to lose control like that again," he advises. "Remember, Phoenix is Sid's now. We need to act accordingly."
But before Reyansh can finish his words, a surge of anger wells up within me, and my response is swift and unyielding.
"It doesn't matter to me right now," I retort, my voice harsh and unrelenting. "What matters is her. Where is she?"
My concerns for Phoenix, my need to find her, override any other considerations. In this moment, she's not just an element in the delicate balance of our world – she's a woman who needs to be located, and I will not rest until she's safe.
Third Person POV -
In the dimly lit space, the feeble glow of a single, bare bulb casts long shadows, revealing the form of Phoenix, who is tied to a wooden chair. As she slowly regains consciousness, the stark reality of her situation begins to seep into her awareness.
Her eyes flutter open, and for a moment, she's disoriented. The darkness that surrounds her is suffocating, and the rope binding her wrists feels constricting. Panic washes over her, and she tugs at her restraints.
"What... Where am I?" she whispers to herself, her voice trembling. The taste of fear lingers on her tongue, and she fights to keep her composure. The realization that she's in an unknown, perilous place, without any recollection of how she got here, sends a shiver down her spine.
As Phoenix's fear escalates, she can no longer contain the panic welling up inside her. In the eerie darkness, her voice grows louder, more desperate.
"Help! Who's there? What do you want?" she cries out, her voice echoing through the oppressive silence.
Slowly, from the shadows, a figure emerges, moving with deliberate and ominous steps. His face remains concealed in the dim light, adding to the mystery and fear that envelops the room.
Phoenix, now teetering on the edge of terror, continues to scream and shout, her words laced with a combination of fear and defiance. "Who are you? Why have you brought me here?" Her heart pounds as she waits for a response, desperate to make sense of the nightmare that has become her reality.
As the handsome Italian man steps further into the dim light, his striking features become more apparent. He has captivating dark eyes and a chiseled jaw, giving him an air of undeniable allure. Yet, Phoenix's fear and anger prevent her from being attracted to him.
Phoenix, her voice quivering with anger and confusion, confronts him. "Who the hell are you, and why have you tied me here?"
The man moves closer to her, his fingers lightly caressing her cheek in a strangely tender manner. But his touch only exacerbates her agitation, and she tries to pull away.
"Answer me!" Phoenix demands, her voice now laced with fury.
In a sudden and alarming turn, the man's demeanor shifts. His grip on her face tightens, his eyes flashing with an intensity that sends a shiver down her spine, " Mrs Phoenix Castillo! "
In Drew's estate, he calls for a meeting with Robin, the head of the bodyguards. They sit in a dimly lit room, and Drew's voice is intense as he addresses Robin.
Drew: "Robin, I need to know something. Did you instruct our men not to pursue Phoenix after we decided to abandon our plan to threaten her?"
Robin: "Yes, Drew, I did. I thought it was best to back off and reassess the situation."
Drew's eyes narrow, his mind racing with thoughts. Suddenly, he remembers something, and his urgency grows. He instructs Robin to call Reyansh immediately and have him come to the estate.
When Reyansh arrives in a hurry, Drew doesn't waste any time.
Drew: "Rey, did you also tell the men to halt their pursuit of Phoenix when we changed our plan?"
Reyansh: "Yes, Drew, I did. "
In a dimly lit room of a clandestine hideout, Drew's menacing presence loomed large. He paced back and forth, his eyes flashing with anger and frustration as Albert who was incharge of phoenix security cautiously delivered his message, " Sir, we've not got any information yet ! "
Drew's voice, like a thunderstorm, rumbled through the room, "You fool, Albert ! I don't care about unnecessary confrontation. I want to know where Phoenix is, and I want to know now!" He slammed his palm against the table, causing the room to tremble.
ALBERT gulped, feeling the weight of Drew's aggression. "SH…She…she she disappeared without a trace. No one knows where she is. It's like she vanished into thin air."
Drew's face contorted with a mixture of anger and helplessness. "Vanished into thin air? Do you think I care about excuses? She's my .. and if anything happens to her, I'll tear this city apart to find her."
As Drew's rage continued to consume him, the room seemed to close in, and Reyansh knew that finding Phoenix was a matter of life and death.
- Writer
