Chereads / BACCARA: It's all an Illusion / Chapter 66 - Chapter 66 - Roaring Temper.

Chapter 66 - Chapter 66 - Roaring Temper.

Three Days Later

Baldwin's Mansion

Blaze stepped through the grand entrance of his mansion, the familiar scent of polished wood and leather greeting him. But the silence that enveloped him felt heavier than ever. After twenty long days in France, he had imagined this moment-returning to Savannah, the woman who lit up the shadows of his world. Instead, the emptiness of the mansion swallowed him whole.

His gaze flickered to the front hall, and his heart sank as he noticed the absence of her heels, their delicate silhouette replaced by a void that gnawed at him. He turned sharply, an unsettling churn in his gut urging him to find answers.

Outside, the moonlight glinted off the manicured lawns, but the brightness did little to lift his mood. He spotted Elijah, his trusted left-hand man, standing near a black SUV. Blaze stormed over, his frustration palpable.

"Elijah," he called, his voice low and dangerous. "Where's Savannah?"

Elijah shifted, his eyes betraying a flicker of fear. "She... she went to the Island to volunteer. HealZone Hospital organized it."

The words hit Blaze like a slap. Fury coursed through him. "Volunteer? Why the hell wasn't I told?" His voice rose, the air thickening with tension. The men nearby shuffled nervously, sensing the storm brewing. "I-" Elijah began, but Blaze cut him off, the simmering rage igniting.

"What else haven't I been informed about? Who made this decision? I thought she was safe here!" He glared at Elijah, demanding answers with every breath.

Elijah swallowed hard, his composure cracking. "It was a group initiative. She wanted to help. I tried calling you but the networks weren't working so I thought-"

"Thought what?" Blaze spat, the chuckle that escaped him was devoid of humor, a dark sound echoing in the silence. "You thought I wouldn't care? You thought I wouldn't want to know?"

The reality of Savannah's absence settled heavy on his shoulders. He stepped back inside, fury and confusion swirling. He needed to hear her voice. He pulled out his phone, dialing her number, each ring amplifying his frustration until it went to voicemail.

"Damn it," he muttered, throwing the phone onto the polished table.

The outside world felt suffocating. He needed to move, to escape the confines of the mansion that felt so hollow without her. He stormed out, taking the keys from his pocket and jumping into one of his sleek cars.

Arthur, his secretary, watched silently from the doorway, knowing better than to engage. He could see Blaze's mind racing, the fury radiating off him like heat from a flame. Following at a distance, Arthur understood the weight of control that his boss so desperately needed-before that anger turned inward or, worse, outward.

As Blaze revved the engine, the world outside blurred into a backdrop of colors and chaos, but all he could think about was Savannah. He needed to ask some questions. And when he did, she would understand the depth of his feelings, the desperation that gripped him.

HealZone Hospital

Blaze stormed into the hospital, a dark cloud of anger and frustration trailing him like a shadow. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air, but it did little to calm the storm brewing within him. He could feel the eyes of the staff on him as he made his way through the lobby-whispers falling silent, breaths hitching. They all knew he was trouble, and today, he was a tempest.

Without sparing a glance, he marched straight to the elevator, his jaw clenched tight. The ride to the sixth floor felt agonizingly slow, the fluorescent lights flickering above as he mentally prepared for the confrontation ahead.

When the doors slid open, Blaze stepped into the corridor with purpose, his heavy footsteps echoing off the sterile tiles. He reached Dr. Liam Pederson's office and threw open the door without knocking. The sight of the doctor, clad in a white coat, hunched over his computer, startled him.

Liam looked up, confusion etched on his face. "Mr. Baldwin! What-"

"Cut the pleasantries, Pederson," Blaze snapped, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. "I know you're behind this volunteer work. Why wasn't I informed? Why did you let Savannah go to the Island?"

Liam swallowed hard, the color draining from his face. "-"

"You what?" Blaze's voice was a low growl, the fury radiating from him palpable. "You didn't know she was on the list? You know you have to go through every name and pick the right ones."

"Mr. Baldwin, please," Liam stammered, his composure crumbling under the weight of Blaze's glare. "She specifically requested to join the team. This was something she really wanted to do. Helping people- she said it's her dream."

At those words, Blaze's anger began to cool, replaced by a mix of confusion and concern. Savannah wanted to help. She had chosen this. It struck him like a punch to the gut.

"Her dream?" Blaze repeated, the tension in his voice lessening slightly. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to process this revelation. "You think it's safe out there?"

Before Liam could respond, Arthur burst into the room, breathless and wide-eyed. "Boss!" he panted, glancing nervously between the two men.

Blaze turned to him, his expression hardening again. "I want all the information about that Island on my desk by tomorrow morning. Every last detail."

"Yes," Arthur replied, nodding quickly.

As Blaze turned to leave, he couldn't shake the weight of what he had just learned. Savannah's desire to help was admirable, but it left him feeling torn-protective instincts battling against her independence. He stepped into the hallway, the harsh fluorescent lights casting shadows over his thoughts.

Island

Savannah stepped lightly onto the sandy path leading to the next house, her backpack filled with vaccination supplies bouncing gently against her back. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the small island. She loved this place the vibrant colors of the flora, the sound of waves lapping at the shore, and the genuine smiles of the residents she had come to know over the past few days.

As she approached a quaint little cottage with a flower garden in front, she felt a rush of excitement. Each visit brought new stories and connections, and she cherished the moments spent with the islanders. Today, she was here to provide vaccinations, but she often found that her conversations with the locals meant just as much, if not more.

The door creaked open, revealing an elderly woman with a warm smile and twinkling eyes. "Ah, my lovely Savannah!" she exclaimed, her voice a melodic mix of joy and surprise. "Come in, dear! Come in!"

Savannah stepped inside, the cozy warmth of the home enveloping her. The walls were adorned with family photos, each telling a story of love and life. The old woman ushered her to a small table where a pitcher of lemonade sat, condensation dripping down the sides.

"Would you like some?" the woman asked, her hands trembling slightly as she poured a glass.

"Yes, please! It's so hot today," Savannah replied, taking the glass with gratitude.

As they chatted, the old woman's eyes sparkled with admiration. "You are such a beautiful young woman, inside and out. Tell me, are you married?"

Savannah chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Not yet, just focusing on my work for now."

"Oh, you should be careful! A woman as lovely as you should have someone special," the old woman said, a teasing smile on her face. "You need someone to take care of you, too!"

Savannah felt her cheeks warm at the compliment. "I appreciate that. It's nice to hear. I'm just enjoying this experience and the people I meet."

As the conversation flowed, Savannah noticed the flicker of loneliness in the old woman's eyes. She talked about her late husband and how much she missed having someone to share her days with. It made Savannah's heart ache. "If you ever need anything, dear," the woman said earnestly, "don't hesitate to ask. You have a kind heart, and you deserve all the love in the world."

Savannah smiled softly, feeling a connection that transcended their age difference. "Thank you. That means a lot to me. And if you ever want company or just someone to talk to, I'm just down the road."

The old woman's face lit up, and for a moment, Savannah saw the joy that flickered in her eyes as she spoke about her garden and the memories woven into every flower.

As she prepared to leave, Savannah promised to return soon. She stepped out into the sunlight, her heart feeling a little fuller, a little lighter. Each interaction deepened her love for this island and its people. She had come here to help, but it was moments like these- simple, heartfelt connections-that reminded her of the beauty in giving and receiving love.

With renewed determination, she headed to the next house, eager to share more smiles more stories, and to keep weaving herself into the fabric of this community.

Later that Day

Savannah stood at the water's edge, the gentle waves lapping at her feet, a soothing rhythm that mirrored her thoughts. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue across the horizon, but her mind was elsewhere. She thought of Blaze, of the one phone call he had made to her, brief and distant, a flicker of concern buried beneath layers of his usual intensity.

It felt strange to care so much, yet there she was, standing on this beautiful island, wondering why he hadn't reached out since. She pushed the thought away. Nothing special existed between them, and she reminded herself that it was generous of him to let her stay at his mansion, but that was all it was a convenience, a moment of kindness. Soon, she would find her own place, carve out her own life here, away from any lingering ties.

Lost in her musings, she was startled when a figure appeared beside her. She turned quickly, ready to walk away, when his voice stopped her. "Thinking something?"

Savannah looked at him, confusion knitting her brows. "Who are you?" she asked, eyeing him cautiously.

The man turned to her, the moonlight illuminating his features. It was one of the younger volunteers, someone she had seen but didn't know well. "I'm Alex," he said with a slight smile. "I've seen you around. You're doing great work here."

She relaxed a bit, recognizing the friendly sincerity in his tone. "Thanks, I'm just trying to help out wherever I can."

He stepped closer, Savannah stepped back the sound of the waves providing a backdrop to their conversation. "You seem to really care about the people here," he noted. "I admire that."

Savannah felt warmth spread through her. "I do. They've welcomed me so much. It feels good to give back."

"Do you miss home?" Alex asked, his curiosity genuine.

A moment of silence hung between them as she contemplated her answer. "Not really. I feel more at home here than I ever did back there."

He nodded smiling, understanding in his eyes. "That's powerful. A lot of people never find that."

She turned her gaze back to the ocean, the horizon stretching endlessly before her. "I guess I'm just figuring things out, you know? Trying to find where I belong."

Alex fell silent, and for a moment, they both stood there, the sea breeze swirling around them. She felt a strange sense of camaraderie with him, an unspoken bond forged in their shared purpose.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly, breaking the spell. "You seem a little... lost."

She hesitated, wanting to brush off his concern. "I'm fine. Just a lot work awaits." Savannah said choosing to play privacy.

"Sometimes it helps to talk," he offered gently.

Savannah appreciated his kindness, but she wasn't ready to delve into her feelings about Blaze or her uncertainties to some stranger. Instead, she simply smiled. "I'll be alright.

Really."

"Alright, but if you ever need someone to listen, I'm here," he said, his sincerity clear.

As they stood together, the sun dipped lower, casting a warm glow over the water. In that moment, Savannah felt a flicker of connection-not with Alex, but with the island itself. She realized she wasn't alone in her journey island people are with her. Perhaps this was what she had been missing-a sense of community, a place where her heart could feel at home, far from any complicated ties that pulled her in different directions.

"I'll get going," she said, turning to him with a genuine smile. "good night"

He smiled back, and for a moment, Alex was was mesmerised by her beauty in the moonlight, how it illuminates her beautifully, He watched at her back as Savannah walked away and disappered into the darkness, Perhaps he would see her tomorrow morning.

Author's Note :

Enjoy everyone<3

Stay healthy, take care <3<3

Have a good day/night <3<3