Chasing Shadows
1406 Words
I braced myself, my arms spread wide, determined to stop the shadowy figure emerging from the smoke. My heart pounded, torn between fear and adrenaline. Before I could fully react, they shoved me aside with ruthless strength. I hit the ground hard, the air forced from my lungs. As I gasped for breath, a terrible thought struck me. Had they set the fire?
Ignoring the pain in my side, I scrambled to my feet and took off after them. “Who are you?” I shouted, my voice hoarse from the thick, acrid smoke. The figure didn’t answer, their pace quickening as I closed the distance. My foot caught on something, and I stumbled, but desperation kept me going.
I lunged, my hands grabbing their ankle. They thrashed wildly, kicking at me as I held on with everything I had. The smoke swirled around us, blinding and suffocating, but I refused to let go.
“Charlotte! Where are you?” Zachary’s voice sliced through the chaos, sharp and commanding.
My grip faltered as I turned toward his voice. A mistake. The figure seized the opportunity, landing a sharp kick that wrenched me free. I cried out as they disappeared into the smoke. Coughing violently, my throat burning, I tried to stand but the dizziness overwhelmed me. My legs gave way, and I collapsed onto the scorched floor.
Through the haze, Zachary’s silhouette appeared like a lifeline. “Charlotte!” His voice carried a raw edge of panic. Before the darkness swallowed me, I felt his arms around me, lifting me effortlessly. “I’ve got you,” he murmured, his tone soft yet resolute.
When I opened my eyes, I was in an unfamiliar room, the air cool and clean. My head throbbed as I sat up, wincing at the dull ache behind my temples. The luxurious decor told me exactly where I was. Zachary’s suite. My cheeks burned as I realized I wasn’t wearing the dress I’d been in earlier.
The door creaked open, and Zachary stepped in, his expression a mix of worry and relief. “Charlotte, what were you thinking? Running into a fire like that?”
“I saw someone,” I blurted, my voice still rough. “A hooded figure. They were running away from the fire. Did you catch them?”
Zachary frowned and stepped closer. “No. They were gone by the time I found you. You shouldn’t have gone after them.”
I swung my legs over the side of the bed, ignoring the dizziness that followed. “I need to find out who it was. They’re probably the one who started the fire. My room, my things…” I trailed off, the weight of everything hitting me at once.
Zachary placed a hand on my shoulder, h
is touch grounding. “ You need to rest. The doctor said you inhaled too much smoke. You're not going anywhere.”
His concern caught me off guard, and for a moment, I didn't really know how to respond. But then reality hit me like a freight train. This man, the one who I had spent the night with, was my boss. My heart sank at the numerous implications. If he found out I was when this cruise ended…. What would happen then?
“ I can't stay here.” I murmured, brushing his hand off as I stood. “ I'll go ask if there is another vacant room.”
“There are no other rooms.” Zachary replied evenly, his eyes searching mine, “ The ship's full. Stay here. This suite has plenty space.”
I shook my head, panic bubbling up in my chest. “No, I can't. You're my -”
“ Your boss?” He interrupted, stepping closer. “ Is this what this is about?”
I froze as his hand lightly brushed a strand of hair from my face. “ The entire ship already knows that we are together. Why fight it?”
Just as I was about to respond, a sharp knock on the door scattered the moment. Zachary strode to the door, his expression stern as he exchanged a few words at the door. By the time he came back, my eyes narrowed as I saw the two men that had accompanied him. My eyes darted to their badges. They were police officers.
A few minutes later, we were all seated at the lounge facing the two officers who had boarded the ship to investigate the fire.
“ Did you see anyone suspicious?” One of them asked, his voice steady and professional.
I hesitated, the memory of the hooded figure vivid in my mind.“ Yes but I couldn't see their face. The figure ran as soon as I got close.”
The officer opened his mouth to press further, but before he could speak, the door slammed open with a force that made everyone in the room freeze. Connor stormed in, his movements sharp and fueled by anger. A crew member followed, attempting to hold him back, but a single wave of Zachary’s hand stopped them in their tracks, silently commanding them to step aside.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice firm, though my hands betrayed a slight tremor.
Connor’s gaze snapped to me, then to Zachary, his expression carved with fury. “Did you tell the police I started the fire?” His tone was cold, sharp.
Zachary stood, his calmness only making him more dangerous. “Would it be wrong if I did?” His voice was ice, his stance threatening. “Where were you after the party?”
Connor scoffed, folding his arms across his chest in a mock show of defiance. “Are you serious right now? You think I started the fire? That’s ridiculous.”
“Enough.” I stepped between them, my voice steady as I tried to break the rising tension. “Connor, maybe it’s best if you—”
“Don’t tell me what to do!” Connor’s sharp retort cut me off. He turned his glare on me, his words laced with cruel intent. “What’s your angle here, Charlotte? Did you set your own room on fire to play the victim? Or maybe to move in with him? It wouldn’t be the first time you stooped low for attention.”
His words hit me like a slap, each one cutting deeper than the last. “What are you even talking about?” I asked, my voice shaking with disbelief.
Connor smirked, his gaze dripping with contempt. “Oh, come on. Don’t act like you’ve forgotten. When you were chasing after me, you were relentless. Bringing me food every day, offering to help with my work, hanging on my every word like a lovesick puppy. It was pathetic.”
Before I could respond, the sound of a fist connecting with flesh echoed through the room. Connor staggered backward, clutching his jaw as Zachary lowered his arm, his expression a mask of icy fury.
“Get him off this ship,” Zachary said, his voice calm but laced with authority. He turned to the crew member, his piercing gaze brooking no argument. “r****d his ticket if you need to, but he’s done. He doesn’t spend another second here.”
Connor glared up at him, his eyes blazing with defiance, but his retort was cut off as the door opened again. I assumed it was more crew arriving to escort him out, but instead, a stunning young woman stepped in. Her beauty was striking, her presence commanding, and her dress was exquisite, catching the light in a way that made it impossible to look away.
Zachary froze. His eyes met hers. Something passed between them. Recognition. Pain.
“Hello, Zac,” she said, her voice smooth and melodic. She smiled, but there was a sharp edge to it, one that made my stomach tighten. “I’m here to marry you.”
The air in the room seemed to vanish as her words hung heavily between us. My heart dropped, an ache spreading through my chest as I looked at Zachary. He didn’t laugh or dismiss her claim. Instead, I saw it in his eyes. He was struggling.
I glanced between them, piecing together the tension in the room. Who was she? Was she his fiancée? My chest tightened as I realized I might not be ready for the answer.
- Writer
