"Hey, what's the latest on that big project? Are you making headway with them?" Marco asked, his voice brimming with enthusiasm as he settled back on my couch sporting his trademark wide grin.
I hesitated unsure how to respond. "It's... not straightforward," I admitted propping myself against the kitchen counter feeling the burden of it all. "The Voss family is more enigmatic than I expected. Something seems off."
Marco's eyebrow shot up. "Seems off? You have a good handle on these things."
"I get it," I let out a breath messing up my hair. "But Marco, something's not right. All this stress, the texts, and I've been checking out Isabella Voss's death."
"Isabella Voss? What's got you looking into that?" Marco straightened up, his brow creasing.
"Alexander and his family - there's some weird stuff going on. I feel like I'm walking into a trap, but I can't shake it off."
Marco shot me a concerned glance. "Elena, I'm not sure about this... Poking around a wealthy influential family like the Vosses? That sounds risky."
"It's wild, I know," I confessed, "but they're keeping something under wraps. I've dug up old tales about Isabella's passing, and the pieces don't fit."
"What do you think you'll uncover?" he questioned leaning in with his hands clasped.
"I'm not sure," I replied glancing at the laptop on the table. "But I can't quit now. I've seen too much already."
Marco shook his head. "Elena, watch yourself. I get you're curious, but this sounds dangerous. The Voss family doesn't like folks poking around in their business."
"I know," I said trying to push away the gut-wrenching fear. "But I just feel like I need to work this out."
Marco attempted to ease the tension. "Well, if you start wearing a trench coat and carrying a magnifying glass, I'm out," he kidded.
I gave a faint smile. "Thanks for the backup."
We stayed quiet for a few minutes before I turned to my laptop. "I've been researching some things," I said pulling up the article I found about Isabella's death. "There's a lot of stuff that's been hidden."
"What did you discover?" Marco asked leaning to view the screen.
"Check this out," I said pointing to an old image of Alexander's mother. "This comes from an article about Isabella's funeral."
Marco nodded. "Alright, but why does it matter?"
"Look," I said, enlarging the picture. "Can you spot that man in the background?"
Marco peered at the screen. "Hold on... is that...?"
"Yes. He's one of the workers I noticed at the construction site," I said, my pulse quickening. "Why was he at Isabella's funeral?"
Marco shook his head. "Elena, this is getting too weird."
Before I said anything else, a loud knock on my door startled me. I stopped moving, my heart pounding.
"Did you expect someone?" Marco asked, his voice tight.
"No," I whispered. I stood up and walked to the door. I opened it, but saw no one. an envelope lay on the porch. My hands trembled as I picked it up.
"What's that?" Marco asked standing behind me.
I opened it taking out a single piece of paper. The words appeared in big black letters: "You're being watched."
I gazed at the message, and it sent chills down my back.
"You're late, Miss Russo," Alexander said the moment I entered his office. His voice matched the frigid air from the AC blasting in the room.
"Something came up," I replied aiming to keep my cool. "But I'm set to proceed with the design plan."
Alexander took his time to respond. His sharp eyes met mine tracking each move. He seemed different today more aloof and distant than usual. Yet, I sensed that spark between us, the unspoken attraction that lingered in the air.
"Let's check out the new specs," he said, as he leaned back in his chair with a poker face.
I took a seat and grabbed my tablet. "I've looked at the updates, and I think we're making good progress."
Alexander stared at me for a bit before he talked. "I need you to make one more change."
I raised an eyebrow. "Another change?"
He nodded. "Yes. I want you to add a secret room to the design."
"A hidden room?" I echoed puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"It's straightforward," he stated maintaining a calm tone. "A concealed chamber. No windows. No visible entrances from the main corridors. undisclosed."
I faced him. "But why? What's the purpose of such a room?"
"You'll be better without that knowledge," he replied , his gaze growing somber.
My pulse quickened. "What do you mean I'll be better without that knowledge? You're asking me to build a hidden chamber in a large structure without explaining the reason?"
Alexander's expression remained unchanged. "It's not your business, Miss Russo. Just make the modifications."
I couldn't believe my ears. "But how am I supposed to"
"Elena," he cut in leaning close, his voice quiet and threatening, "if you want to keep working on this project, you'll do as I say without questions."
I gulped, my throat felt parched. Tension filled the room, and I sensed my pulse pounding in my ears. So much remained unclear, and Alexander wouldn't give me any explanations. But I refused to give up.
"Okay," I replied stiffly. "I'll do it."
"Good," Alexander replied leaning back in his chair. "We'll talk about what's next after you update the plans."
I got up and gathered my stuff, but I had to ask one more thing before I left. "Alexander... what are you keeping under wraps?"
He didn't look at me when he answered. "Some things should stay hidden, Miss Russo."
I walked out of his office with my head full of questions. What was going on with this project? And what was Alexander trying so hard to keep secret?
That night, I couldn't sleep in my room. The message, the secret room, and the odd warnings overwhelmed me. I stared at my laptop screen feeling like I was in deep trouble.
Just before I closed my laptop, my phone vibrated. I hesitated to pick it up, my heart pounding. Another message appeared.
"Quit now, or you'll face unpleasant consequences."