Lucian's POV-
I rushed to the dining table, and finished the dinner.
I was already in a hurry. I opened my phone and checked the email...
Lysander Valle...2006
But when I opened the email... it was empty, no message, no warning but just a word...
VALLE...
"Sir? You look worried.", Aunt Era enquired me from top to bottom.
"I have to go aunt, please take care of the house.", I looked towards her as if begging for another favor.
I already have a lot to pay back to her, but I am not in the state to do so.
"Sir, you have been out for 1-2 weeks, no message, no call, then you suddenly showed up and now you say you have to go back?", she frowned at me, like scolding me.
I moved towards her.
"Aunt you already know that I am not someone who runs away, and you know me, since mom..." I paused, because the memories rushed back.
"Please aunt this time, help me, just this time.", I pleaded.
"I will help you dear, but promise me that you will return. Because your mom also went away but then never came back.", she looked down...in regret.
"It's not your fault, I promise, once I solve all these puzzles, I'll surely find out, who was behind mom's death.", I stepped out.
I drove towards the Corp.
As soon as I entered my office, I saw Nikos, Stella and Stephen.
Their faces lit up once they saw me.
"What happened?", I asked.
"Lucian, there is a good news." Nikos moved towards me.
"Good news?", I turned towards Stephen.
"Yes, The Gail's went bankrupt. Now, they backed off. The letters we got were all fabricated according to our investigation. Your father never sent you any letter. And the protector you mentioned...", he stopped speaking because, Nikos and Stella's expression changed.
They new nothing about The Protector.
He came closer to me and then whispered..." I am not sure whether it's real or not.", He shifted back.
"Are you sure that your investigations are absolutely correct?", I questioned them all.
Because...
How's it possible? Fabricated mails and letters? Then who did that? If Gail's were the reason... how did they went bankrupt? Is it even possible? And if my father never came or sent letters... then who was the person Aria mentioned about? Who was the one misleading us... and why?
"Yes, I believe that what we did is absolutely correct.", Stella stepped forward.
But my gaze shifted on Stephen... Who was now sweating. It seemed he had something inside him, which was eating him alive.
I knew something is off.
"Fine if everything is alright then you are going to get back to work from tomorrow. And Nikos... you'll help me as my personal assistance.", I forced a smile.
"Are your manger and secretary not enough! Why include me?", I jumped up from the sofa.
"Because you did well in all this false drama.", I stared at Stephen, who was now trying to avoid my gaze.
"My final exams are coming up probably next week. I need to prepare.", I pulled Nikos.
"You are already good in academics, sports etc. then why rush?", Stella blocked our way.
"Because, I have my personal business to do." I pushed her.
Nikos was clearly irritated by my decision, and all the way to villa, he just argued.
We got off the car and moved towards the main door.
Aunt was already waiting for me at the door.
She came forward to say something but stopped... after seeing Nikos.
"Come in dear.", She forced a smile.
We walked in. The table was filled with variety of dishes.
Nikos quickly ran to the table.
"Thanks..." before I could complete aunt pulled me to the side.
Her hands trembled, her voice broken, words shaking and face dull.
She hesitated and then spoke, " Someone came searching for you Lucian."
She stopped speaking as if someone was controlling her, but who?
She looked towards me, it seemed if her eyes were pleading to me to save her.
She was forced not to speak, then why did she didn't called me.
I comforted her.
I knew she was hiding something but it's not the right time to ask.
We finished the dinner and went to sleep.
At midnight, I heard someone's footsteps...
Someone walked through the stairs. Am I dreaming?
No way! I got up and opened the door silently, but no one was there.
I checked all rooms, corridors, guest rooms. But... no one was there.
I must have dreamed about all.
I went back to the room but sleep never came back.
In the morning after freshening up, I went downstairs.
"Hey! Good morning. What's up?", Nikos greeted me.
"Fine...", I forced a smile back.
But something felt off.
I scanned the room but aunt Era was nowhere...
I moved towards a maid.
"Where is aunt Era?", I asked her coldly.
"Sir, she is in the garden watering the plants.", the maid replied calmly.
"Thanku.", I moved towards garden, followed by Nikos.
"Where are you going?", he asked curiously.
"Prepare the car, else I'll get late for the school.", I ordered.
I made sure he left, and then I moved faster.
Aunt Era was there, watering the tulips.
"Aunty, I have something to ask.", I took the pipe from her hand.
"What?", she snatched the pipe back.
"I heard footstep's outside my bedroom last night...", but before I could continue.
The pipe fell down from her hand, sweat formed on her forehead.
"You might have had a bad dream dear... Just go or you'll be late.", she pushed me back.
Strange! She never behaved like this, what's with the attitude now.
I stepped out and got in the car.
As soon as Nikos drove, I saw Stephen entering the house from the backdoor.
What the hell is going on!!!!!!