LENNOX.
I wish that humans didn’t have to work.
I have done so much to make sure that other people would be taken care of yet there’s no way that it would end up happening for me. I keep asking myself what I would do about it, thinking that maybe something more might happen. As the heir to the family business and the CEO of a security company, I have a lot of stuff on my mind right now and there’s no way that I’m going to let anything stand in my way.
I guess I didn’t think that I had anything to fear.
Unlocking the door, I enter my apartment. My home is what you could consider a minimalistic modern condo with high ceilings and white walls. A crystal chandelier casts a warm, golden glow over the space, just how I like it. In the middle of the room is a large, plush sofa that I spend my days on, and next to it are a pair of comfy armchairs. A coffee table sits between them with fake books on it, even now forgetting their titles. A velvety area rug made of the finest wool spreads across the floor; that I love to sink my bare feet into.
It is a feeling that I can’t quite explain.
The windows of the living room are draped with silk curtains drawn to create a sense of privacy and seclusion surrounded by my curated collection of paintings and sculptures. All of which were carefully selected by the interior designer to compliment the overall aesthetic of the room.
My eyes scan my living room, noting that something feels off, frowning when I notice one of the statues has been moved ever so slightly. I’m very particular about how my space feels, keeping my surroundings super organized is crucial to my life. Eugene calls it OCD, but I don’t think it is.
Walking over, I put the statue back in place, knowing that one of my workers would never touch it because they know better. Someone is here… Someone who doesn’t realize just how aware I can be.
I walk over and tilt the statue back to place, mentally acknowledging none of my workers or I wouldn’t notice, noting that I’m not alone right now. Someone is here…
Ah, looks much better.
Now, to bigger things.
Thieves don’t come to my house often. Actually, no one does. Even though I don’t have bodyguards, the area is packed with surveillance cameras; it’s what my company is known for after all. Thieves know they’ll be caught, so, who could it be? With my family out of town and Eugene out on a date that I know isn’t going to end well, there is no obvious answer. I stroll towards my office. If I were to place bets, that is where the intruder is. I smile, unafraid of what awaits me. Remember when I said my house is full of cameras? Well, most of them are in the study and the best part is just to come. All are connected to Eugene’s phone and computers; he will call the cops if I am in danger.
Let’s just hope his date ends early. I draw in a deep breath and turn the doorknob. Here I go. Entering my office, my palms are sweating, indicating I’m nervous. But I can’t believe I’m feeling nervous in my own home. Whoever this is, I’ll gladly watch the cops arrest them. The lights are off, but the atmosphere is tense. Someone’s in here. I can sense the threatening aura that they are trying so hard to hide.
“Lights on.” I murmur without a trace of fear in my voice.
I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.
The lights turn on automatically and that’s when I see a man. He turns around to face me, and my breath hitches. He is tall; a few inches taller than me with a strong, athletic build. His dark hair is neatly styled, and his chiselled jawline is accentuated by a few days’ old stubble. His piercing gaze, framed by thick eyebrows, seemed to see right through me. Every feature on his face seems perfectly proportioned, from his strong, straight nose to full lips. He is dressed head to toe in a well-tailored suit that hugs his muscular frame, emphasising his broad shoulders and narrow waist. People say that I am well created but this man, this man must be moulded by God himself. He’s incredibly handsome and totally my type. Honestly, he looks like a walking sex god.
I wonder if he is single. It would be nice to know despite the fact he did break into my home.
“You don’t know me.” He says in a matter-of-fact tone, his deep baritone voice that just makes my heart melt more, “I would be surprised if you did. You’re not the kind of man that needs to worry about people like me.”
I clear my throat, feeling a little nervous, “That’s a shame, I feel like I should. You’re quite handsome and we would make a pretty good pair. Don’t you think so?”
He could have helped me through many of my sleepless nights.
“I’m Silas Gray.” is all he has to say for me to register exactly who he is.
My body tenses immediately for a whole different reason at his words. The Silas Gray? Everyone and their grandma know this man. They also know that once he visits you, you usually won’t see tomorrow’s daylight. Am I going to be one of his statistics? Wait - hang on a second, who the hell hired him to kill me? Another chill runs down my spine, but I keep my expression blank to match his. I’m not going to freak out, freaking out will do me no good. Nor will it save my life, if the rumours are true, he hates weakness.
“Well. Good to meet you, Silas. I am Lennox.” I give him one of my best award-winning smiles, “But I’m sure you already know that.”
His face is a stone wall, I get nothing.
He’s known for being a killing machine; and a handsome one. I open one of my drawers and I pull out a 1982 Bordeaux, my all-time favourite wine. I know people drink whiskey in their offices, but I am a wine lover. What better way to die than having the taste of my favourite wine on my tongue. Reaching for the cabinet for two glasses, I slowly pour the wine into two glasses. I gesture for him to have it, but he doesn’t budge. Damn, I hadn’t thought that he would be so cold.
“It’s great wine.” I tried to explain to him, “I know you’re probably a whiskey guy but trust me, this is good.”
I drink from my own glass, and I place his glass on the table. He makes no move to take it. Trying to show him that it wasn’t poisoned didn’t seem to work, but I should have known that he wouldn’t be deterred.
“I expected your house to be better guarded.” Silas states, making me shrug.
“I prefer my home to be comfortable above anything else.” I tell him, trying to keep my cool and not let him see that I am afraid, “Besides, it’s a hassle trying to put my stuff back in place because people won’t stop touching them.”
I look at him now, so he knows that I know he had snooped around my house. I expect him to be embarrassed but again, I get nothing. He’s so rigid. I’ve avoided looking at his body, but his face isn’t helping much. They might be void of any expression, but those grey eyes are to die for.
“I’m guessing you already figured out why I am here.” Silas murmurs as he brings out a gun, and my heart drops.
Oh my! That’s a big gun.
I place my wine glass down with shaky hands. Am I really going to die tonight? I guess there’s no better way to go than being gunned down by a very handsome man. I sigh. I gather up my courage as I walk closer to him. Silas watches me wearily, as if he expects me to do something, a beggars move.
“Oh well,” I say in an exasperated voice “I might die but at least I’ll go to heaven, so I guess that’s comforting.” Meeting his eyes now as I try my best to ignore the gun that is now very close to me, “I’m a Christian; but you on the other hand” I gaze up and down his body now, “won’t be in such a very favourable place.”
I can tell he is curious. He raises one of his eyebrows.
“Are you saying I’m going to hell?” He wonders aloud, as if it is something that he never would have been able to imagine, “That’s a first.”
I smile, “No.”
Great, hopefully I don’t die. I don’t think he will go to hell; I’m not even sure he believes in hell. I said what I said for a very different reason. Honestly, it was supposed to be a joke - though it clearly didn’t land.
“You did ask me why I have no men guarding my home?” I continue, sighing as if it is so simple, “but you didn’t ask me if it’s protected.”
He frowns, tilting his head slightly to the side. He doesn’t seem to fully believe me. I’m unsure how to tell him this, but I know it is going to be the only thing that could potentially save my life.
“My house is bugged.” I explain to him, holding back a smirk at this point, “I have hundreds of cameras and the room we’re in right now has the most of them. Everything that you’re doing is being recorded and watched on a live feed by myself and colleagues.”
He doesn't move or say anything, but his eyes dart around searching for the cameras. I smile. Cute. I wonder if he might end up murdering me if he isn’t completely sure. Either way, I want to tease him a little more.
“You can’t see the cameras, Silas. They’re well hidden, give me some credit.” I chuckle, shaking my head, “Wouldn’t it be too obvious if you could see them? I run a security company; you know?”
Didn’t he do his research? I watch as Silas contemplates whether I’m bluffing. So, he has trust issues, interesting. But then again, I guess everyone does. I sigh and dig into my back pocket. He cocks his gun to let me know he’s ready to shoot me if I make the wrong move. I don’t plan on fighting the guy. Who is crazy enough to? It’s obvious that he would win.
“Relax!” I tell him, fighting the urge to roll my eyes, “I’m not doing anything bad.”
I turn around so he can see that I have no gun. Honestly, I don’t even know how to use one. I probably should though, I never thought I would be in so much danger.
“I am going to get my cell phone.” I explain to him, hoping he will believe me, “See?”
He looks on suspiciously, trust issues. I can see it in his eyes.
I get out my cell phone and show him the feed with my hand stretched out a few inches from him. Once he can see that I’m telling the truth, I pull my hand back. I don’t know what he’s going to do next, seeing how his expression grows colder. At least I proved that I’m not a liar.
“See? If I die, you’ll go to prison.” I tell him as I move away, leaning on my table, shrugging my shoulders, “I’m sure the cops have been trying to get to you, but you leave no trace for them to follow. You’d be behind bars for a long time with this footage.” The way he glares at me, I know I’m walking on thin ice, “I’m not trying to trick you, I am just telling you the truth, Silas.”
Silas watches me. I can tell he is contemplating on what he’s going to do next as he keeps that damn gun pointed at me. I try to appear nonchalant, but I really hope I don’t die. I’ll miss my family too much and Eugene. How is he going to navigate the world without me? He has always been my best friend, my confidant. I love him more than I would ever be able to say.
After a few moments, Silas puts the gun away. I let out a deep breath that I hadn’t realised I’d been holding. Oh, thank God. I probably won’t go to church on Sunday, but maybe I’ll try and pray more often. I glance at Silas. I guess he isn’t that bad after all.
“I won’t kill you.” He promises me, “I wouldn’t gain anything from it.”
I nod; I should say thanks, but I hold back. He isn’t going to let this go so easily.
“Someone else might anyway.” He continues coldly, making me freeze, “The one who ordered the kill won’t stop until you are dead, Lennox.”
There’s more of them?
“Who?” I managed to ask him, wondering what he might know, “Who wants me dead?”
Silas shrugs, and I can tell that he doesn’t care, “I don’t know, but I am curious.” He admits to me before he turns around and leaves, “Good luck, Lennox.
How can he not know? I see his mouth form into a sinister smile. It’s the kind of smile that tells me he is thinking something dark. What it could be, I’m not a hundred percent sure I want to know. He slinks from my office room like a cat in the night, exiting through the door like he was someone normal.
That he didn’t end up looking like a total thief.
I let go as my body gives up on me, and I fall to the rug on my knees. All my life, I’ve made sure this day wouldn’t come. I’ve made sure to do everything that I could to keep myself, friends, and my family safe. No one dares to kill me. I thought I held all the secrets but apparently that’s not the case anymore. I must fix this.
Now.
I gather myself up on the floor, Silas’ cologne still in the air as I stroll out of my home. I’m not going to die so easily; I can promise him that. I’m going to prove him wrong, I will live, and I will definitely piss him off.
Silas Gray isn’t going to know what hit him.
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