Lucian's POV-
A car arrived in front of...
Actually somewhat like a mini van.
We sat inside the mini van, I, Stella, Stephen and Nikos...
In less than a hour we reached the Kensington dockyard.
The smell of wine wasn't normal either—it was too sharp, too new… like the barrels had just been opened to cover another scent. Blood, maybe. Or smoke.
The work was still in progress, shipping and unloading was going on...but I searched for Blackveil Storage 11-C.
The shipment didn't stay still. It's being hidden — right now, it's stored in a secret section of Blackveil warehouse.
I went straight to an employee, " Hey, I am Lucian Valle, do you have any idea where is the section 11-C?", I asked him directly looking into his eyes.
He hesitated and then pointed towards a direction.
When my gaze shifted there, the only thing I could see was pitch black darkness, cold air visible through the dim light and a strong smell of fresh wine flowed through the air.
I turned towards the team, "Are you sure, you want to go there?", Nikos asked, his voice trembled, his words were shaking ,
and even in this cold environment, I could clearly see that we all were sweating.
"There's no choice...", Stephen pulled out his phone and turned on the flashlight, we all did the same.
As we moved forward my heart raced faster than cheetah...
The darkness ahead wasn't empty—it was watching. I could feel it.Stella's flashlight trembled. Nikos muttered something under his breath. Stephen's face was pale but steady.Every step echoed like a heartbeat—slow, heavy, wrong.
I could feel my body heating up...Suddenly, Stephen stopped and looked towards me.
"This is the door, let's go inside.", he looked towards me but it seemed more like he was taking my consent to move.
I nodded my head slightly.
The door creaked, the smell of wine became stronger, it was unbearable to even stand there.
I covered my nose with my hand. The floor was wet, probably with the spilled wine and the lights were too dim.
It was too cold inside... and we were trembling.
"Lucian! Here!", I heard Stella shout.
I moved in her direction.
"Look...", she shone the flashlight on the desk, and there was a paper with the initials...L.V.
and I knew it's him... Lysander Valle.
I opened the envelope. It said...If you are reading this, then the fight isover, [Over? No. Not for me. Not after everything he destroyed]
the Gail's will now be silent and your protector will always help you, I know you have read the letter I sent to my close friend on date-22/11/2006, then now you can go out from here without any tension because its over...
"Maybe he is true... because I received a message from the Gail Corp. office, I mean from the guy I met at the taxi stand, he is saying that... suddenly, the Gail's stopped the execution's of their plan.", he stepped towards the gate.
Stephen spoke too fast. His eyes didn't meet mine."They've stopped the executions."The words felt rehearsed. Like he'd been waiting to say them.I wanted to believe him—but my instincts screamed otherwise.
"Stop!!!", I ordered, my voice firm, that it echoed.
I wanted to ask him, why did he believed my father? How is he so sure that the information is true? How did he get close to that guy from Gail Corporation? And who is this protector?
But, when Stephen turned towards me, his face was expression less, sweat forming on his forehead...probably he guessed what's coming up.
"Is this section legal or illegal?", I changed the question, because it's not the right time for answers.
"It's legal probably... I'll check it once we reach the office.", he rushed out.
"You both go to the office and manage the rest of the work... I trust Stephen. So, now I'll go to school.", I moved out but... the real investigation starts now.
Something is too fishy... how did the Gail's stop suddenly when they were about to win? Something's stopping them, someone is helping me but who is this protector?
I took a taxi to my villa and Aunt Era greeted me.
"Welcome back sir.", she looked towards me and I could sense she was too happy, and suddenly I felt relived.
"I'll wash up. Thanks for waiting.", I smiled at her.
She smiled back but her smile fainted...
"Sir, Ms. Sinclair came here yesterday, she was asking about you. Should I inform her?", Aunt asked me.
"No, no need. In fact, I am planning to go to school tomorrow, so I'll inform her anyways.", I said and turned away.
I climbed the stairs slowly. The house was too quiet — like it was holding its breath.When I entered my room, the smell of dust still hung in the air. My mom's old study files were stacked near the shelf.
I loosened my tie and sat on the edge of my bed. My reflection in the mirror looked foreign — tired eyes, pale skin, a storm trapped behind a calm face.
That letter… those initials… that word — Protector.If it's really over, why does it feel like the beginning?
I leaned back against the wall and looked out the window. The city lights blinked far away, small, fragile.
The wind rattled the windowpane, and for a second, I could almost hear my father's voice — deep and distant.
"For protection, not destruction, Lucian…"
I exhaled, rubbing my face. "You destroyed everything in the name of protection, didn't you, father?"Silence answered back.
I switched off the light. Sleep never came.
Next Morning-
The car stopped in front of the school gate.Students were already crowding around, laughing, talking — normal.Something I forgot how to be.
As soon as I stepped out, heads turned.
"Bro, you disappeared for days!""Lucian! You alive?""Where've you been, man?"
Their questions stabbed through the air.I gave a small, forced smile. "Had some family things to handle."
"Family things?" one whispered. "He's literally the Valle heir, what kind of family things?"I ignored them.
The hall smelled like fresh paper, chalk, and perfume — too clean for what was going on in my mind.
Then, from across the corridor, I saw her.Aria Sinclair.
Her eyes met mine — soft, hesitant, searching.I froze.For a moment, everything else — the whispers, the laughter, the noise — just faded.
She took a step toward me."Lucian—"
But I turned away, walking past her like she was just another face in the crowd.Her voice cracked slightly, "You can't keep running forever."
Maybe she was right.But right now, I had to.
The bell rang. Everyone rushed inside.I took my usual seat by the window, sunlight spilling over my desk.
Aria sat two rows behind — I could feel her gaze even when I wasn't looking.
The teacher entered, placing her files down with a loud thump.
"Good morning, class," she said with a strict tone. "I hope you're all prepared for what's next."
The class fell silent.
She looked around, her voice firm but calm.
"Your final examinations will begin in two weeks."
A collective groan echoed through the room.Someone muttered, "Great. Just great."
But I didn't react.My hand tightened on the desk.
Finals.For everyone else, it was about grades, marks, and ranks.For me — it felt like the word meant something else entirely.Something ending. Something starting.
I glanced out the window again — the clouds were darker today.Aria's reflection flickered faintly in the glass.
And for just a moment, I thought — maybe even storms come before peace.