Victoria stood at the threshold, her heart weighed down by the burden of unspoken emotions.
Anthony, her devoted protector, stood stoically beside her. The air between them crackled with the tension of unspoken words, begging to be released into the void.
"Anthony," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper amidst the cavernous emptiness of the mansion's foyer. "I'll see you tomorrow."
With a heaviness settling in her chest, Victoria turned away, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors. She left Anthony standing infront of the door of the guest room, where he would spend his night cloaked in solitude.
As Victoria retreated, Anthony silently traversed the dimly lit corridors of the mansion. His senses finely tuned to the subtle symphony of the night - every creak of the floorboards, every whisper of the curtains, a testament to the solitude that now enveloped him.
But amidst the silence, he heard something peculiar, a faint whisper, barely discernible yet unmistakably human. Intrigued, Anthony followed the sound, his footsteps echoing softly against the marble floors.
The voice led him to a closed door, behind which the murmurs grew louder. Without hesitation, Anthony pressed his ear against the polished wood, straining to make out the words.
"...can't let him get away with it," a male voice, dripping with malice, spat venomously.
Recognition sent a shiver down Anthony's spine, it was Nicholas, the same voice that resonated across the dinner table moments ago.
Nicholas's palm crashed against the tabletop, fury blazing in his eyes. "Under no circumstance, Mr. Jaxon! Anthony should not be anywhere near Victoria."
Mr. Jaxon met Nicholas's gaze, his eyes steady and unwavering. "Nicholas, I understand your concern, but let me explain. Anthony possesses the specific skills necessary to ensure Victoria's safety. With his expertise, we can guarantee her protection like never before. With this, I can protect my power!" He grinned
Nicholas argued, trying to manipulate the situation. "And what if Anthony, take away Victoria to you, Mr. Jaxon? I can sense that there's something between them"
Leaning forward, Mr. Jaxon's voice took on a firm tone. "I assure you, Nicholas, this is the most prudent choice for Victoria's well-being."
A mysterious smile played on Mr. Jaxon's lips as he continued, indicating his ulterior motive. He wasn't just appointing Anthony to guard Victoria, he was also shielding her from Nicholas's unhealthy obsession.
Exasperated, Nicholas ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. "I just can't shake this feeling, Mr. Jaxon. I simply don't trust him."
"I understand your apprehension, Nicholas," Mr. Jaxon's voice dripped with urgency, leaning in as if to convey the gravity of the situation. "Nicholas, tomorrow night is the big one. We've got the shipment coming in, and it's going to be our biggest score yet."
Nicholas stood tall, his arms confidently crossed, exuding an air of assurance. "Yeah, I've been prepping everything. We've got the team ready to move as soon as it arrives." He affirmed, his words carrying the weight of meticulous planning and determination.
Meanwhile, Anthony, a shadowy figure lurking just outside the door, listened intently. His heart raced as he realized the magnitude of what he was hearing. This was his moment, the opportunity he had been waiting for to finally bring down the nefarious operation that had plagued his city for years.
Inside the room, Mr. Jaxon, a formidable presence, glared at Anthony with eyes full of venom, his voice dripping with contempt.
"You think you're so clever, don't you? Sneaking around, trying to ruin everything we've worked for," he sneered, his disdain palpable. "You think I don't know? I know that it was you who hired someone to follow her around. You tried to kill her, idiot!"
Caught in the middle of the tense confrontation, Nicholas remained silent, his mind racing with a mixture of pride and caution. "Be careful to your accusations, Mr. Jaxon," he interjected calmly, his voice laced with subtle warning. "Remember, I know everything about you."
Mr. Jaxon's grin widened, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You may think you know all my secrets, Nicholas, but remember, I've been in this game long before you came along. You don't scare me."
Nicholas leaned in, his tone dripping with a calculated edge. "Oh, I believe you're underestimating me, Jaxon. I know where the bodies are buried, so to speak. Push me too far, and I might just start singing like a canary."
Mr. Jaxon's jaw clenched as he considered the implications of Nicholas's words. He couldn't afford to ignore the threat Nicholas posed, but he also couldn't risk getting rid of him too soon.
With a forced calmness, Mr. Jaxon nodded slowly. "We'll see about that, Nicholas. But remember, loyalty goes both ways."
Nicholas's grin faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Don't worry, Jaxon. I'm not planning on going anywhere. Just keep that in mind."
As the tension in the room thickened, both men knew that tomorrow night's transaction would be more than just a business deal.
The sudden ring of Anthony's phone shattered the tense silence, causing both Mr. Jaxon and Nicholas to startle. They exchanged urgent glances, their instincts on high alert. As they moved towards the door, anticipation hung heavy in the air.
With cautious steps, Mr. Jaxon reached for the door handle. Nicholas hovered close behind, his senses heightened with anticipation. Together, they flung the door open, ready to confront whatever awaited them on the other side.
But to their surprise, it was empty. There was no sign of anyone else. Confusion clouded their expressions as they scanned their eyes everywhere, searching for any trace of the mysterious person secretly listening to them.