Unexpected Journeys

The drive to the house was quiet, the kind of silence that felt both comforting and heavy. Suddenly, Emerald broke it, her voice soft and hesitant. "Umm… David," she said, glancing at him. David, who had been lost in his own thoughts, turned his head slightly towards her before focusing back on the road. "Yeah?" he replied, his tone calm yet curious.

She hesitated for a moment, fiddling with the strap of her bag, before continuing, "Before the call came in… you were saying something."

David's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly as he shifted his gaze back to the road ahead. His right hand rested firmly on the wheel, while his left hand lingered casually on the control knob between the seats.

"I wanted to ask if you'd be available this weekend," David said, his tone casual, though his gaze remained fixed on the road ahead. It felt safer that way—he couldn't risk his expression giving away more than he intended.

Emerald turned to look at him, her brows furrowing slightly, as though she was trying to read between the lines. After a moment, she glanced forward again. "I need to check," she replied thoughtfully. "How about I text you Friday night and let you know?"

David gave a slight nod, his lips pressing together in a faint, unreadable line. "That works," he said quietly, his voice carrying a calm that masked the anticipation beneath.

Twenty minutes later, the car slowed to a stop in front of Emerald's apartment building.

"Thanks, David," she said with a small smile as she stepped out of the car.

David returned her smile with one of his own, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Take care, Emmy," he said, his voice warm but laced with something she couldn't quite place.

Emerald waved before heading toward the building, her figure disappearing behind the glass doors. David watched for a moment before pulling away, his thoughts swirling.

As his car rolled down the street, a sleek black vehicle sped past him in the opposite direction. For a fleeting second, it tugged at his attention, the license plate vaguely familiar. But the thought slipped away as quickly as it had come. Too distracted by his own lingering emotions, he let it pass without a second glance, focusing instead on the road ahead.

Alex brought the car to an abrupt halt outside the building and practically leaped out, his urgency palpable. Emerald, standing by the elevator and about to press the button, looked up in surprise.

"Let's go," Alex said briskly, his voice tight with urgency.

Emerald frowned, confusion etched across her face. "Is everything okay? Why are you in such a hurry?" she asked, her concern evident.

Instead of answering, Alex reached out and gently but firmly grabbed her wrist, leading her toward the car. His grip wasn't forceful, but it was insistent, leaving no room for argument.

Before she could say another word, Alex opened the car door for her. "Get in," he said in a tone that brooked no refusal.

Emerald slid into the seat, her unease growing. The moment she was seated, Alex closed the door and hurried to the driver's side. He got in, started the engine without a second's delay, and drove off, his jaw clenched and eyes fixed on the road ahead.

Emerald stole a glance at him, her worry deepening. "Alex, what's going on?" she asked softly, her voice laced with both concern and curiosity.

Alex tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his expression grave. "I think Luke is keeping a close eye on her," he began, his voice steady but edged with tension. "My men were sort of caught when they tried to approach her."

Emerald's eyes widened. "Caught?" she echoed, her concern growing.

"So, you're saying that when your men arrived, they fought with Luke's people and were almost about to lose, but then they managed to win and decided to keep watch on her?" She asked, her voice steady as she pieced the situation together.

Alex nodded, a small hint of admiration in his eyes. "That's right. It wasn't easy, but we couldn't afford to let them get close again." He paused, his gaze focused on the road ahead. "Relocation isn't possible now. I'm sure Luke is already restless, knowing that he's lost his grip on her."

Emerald's voice trembled with concern. "But isn't that too risky? What if they show up while we're there?" Her brows furrowed in worry. Alex gave a reassuring sigh. "Don't worry, we've got backup." Only then did Emerald notice the black sprinter tailing their car, and a sense of calm washed over her as she settled back into her seat.

Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to a factory that seemed to have seen better days. The building appeared worn down, as if it might fall apart at any moment. In the corner, two grey vans were parked, and the entire place was in disarray. Weeds and tall grass were scattered everywhere, adding to the feeling of abandonment.

Emerald quietly followed Alex, her footsteps barely audible as some of the bodyguards from the van stepped out to patrol the area. Two of them followed inside, their presence commanding the room.

They entered a dimly lit room, the air thick with the scent of neglect. Spider webs clung to the corners, and the disarray was palpable. In the far corner, a nurse was absorbed in a stack of papers, her brow furrowed in concentration. On the bed, a woman lay still, the creaking mattress threatening to give way at any moment.

Emerald's eyes scanned the room, her gaze eventually landing on the woman lying helplessly on the bed. Her heart tightened as she pulled a chair over and sat beside the bed, her focus on the woman before her.

Turning to Alex, she asked softly, "Did you hire the nurse?" Alex nodded in response, his expression serious. He then motioned to one of the bodyguards, signaling him to begin recording the conversation Emerald was about to have. Standing next to her, Alex kept his hands tucked into his pockets, his presence unwavering.

"Hello," Emerald said gently, unsure of how to address the woman. The lady nodded in response, her eyes revealing a quiet understanding. It was clear she was here for a reason.

"Umm... I don't want to waste your time, so I'll get straight to the point," Emerald continued, her voice steady but filled with a quiet urgency.

"I'm Emerald Peterson, Luke's daughter," Emerald said, her voice soft but carrying a hint of hope. She looked at the woman with hopeful eyes, almost as if she was afraid to ask but needed to. "Do you by any chance know my dad?" The words hung in the air, her heart beating a little faster as she awaited the response.

The lady nodded slowly, her voice trembling as she spoke, "He... is a... dangerous man," she managed to say, before shuddering as if the very memory haunted her.

Emerald glanced up at Alex, his reassuring nod giving her the strength to continue. Turning back to the lady, she asked with quiet determination, "I wanted to ask... what happened to my mother?" The question hung heavy in the room, the answer she so desperately sought on the edge of her mind.

The lady slowly sat up, surprising Emerald when she gently took her hand and patted it, her touch warm but trembling. She coughed softly, gathering her strength before speaking.

"Your mother and I were best friends... and neighbors," she began, her voice fragile but steady. Her eyes glazed over for a moment as she continued, "She married Luke a few years after high school. They were high school sweethearts." The words seemed to carry a weight of nostalgia and sadness, as if the memories were too painful to fully relive.

The lady's voice grew softer, as if the memories pained her. "At that time, her parents died in an accident, and all of the company was handed to her—the Queens, which her father had spent years building." She paused, a sad look crossing her face. "You were born a little while later, so she had to stay back to care for you. Luke, though, took over the company. Over time, he began to claim all the shares for himself, and before long, he became very cruel to her."

The lady's gaze seemed distant, as if she were reliving a painful chapter of the past.

Tears welled up in the lady's eyes as she spoke, her voice quivering with the weight of the memories. "I wanted to help her, but he also locked me in the house. He'd beat her every day, and sometimes, he would beat me too." She paused, taking a shaky breath. "Your mother really helped me. She was my family because I didn't have anyone else. No one came looking for me when I was locked in his house."

Her words were filled with deep sorrow, and the rawness of the pain she carried was clear.