The city lights blurred as Ziv's car sped through the streets, his mind locked in a cycle of thoughts. The weight of his decisions pressed on him as he recalled a conversation he had in Noa's homeland—a place that, despite its beauty, had a way of twisting his intentions.
It had been a warm evening in Cyprus, a place Ziv had come to associate with clarity, though now it felt like an echo of the darker path he was treading. He had sat across from Mr. Yonatan Malachi, Noa's father, on the terrace of a high-end restaurant overlooking the sea. The soft hum of distant waves was a stark contrast to the tension in the air.
Yonatan, ever the businessman, was a man who spoke with authority but also knew how to appeal to one's ambitions. His words were carefully measured, each sentence wrapped in layers of strategy.
"Ziv, I trust you understand the value of this opportunity," Yonatan had said, his gaze piercing. "The vineyard… Liora's family's land, to be exact. It's a goldmine, and I see you as someone who can help us acquire it."
Ziv nodded, feeling the weight of the proposition. "But I'm not the only one who sees the land's worth. Lior Malachi won't just hand it over."
Yonatan's smile remained unchanged, calm and composed. "Of course. But that's where you come in. You'll need to get close to Liora. Develop a relationship, gain her trust. Once that's done, you can help us… acquire the land. It will take time, subtlety. I'll make sure you're well-compensated."
Ziv's heart raced as Yonatan's words sank in. The plan was clear: through Liora, he would gain access to the vineyard and, in turn, secure a position as the CEO of one of Yonatan's companies. The promise of power was tempting, and Ziv couldn't ignore it. The land, the vineyard—it all felt within his grasp, so long as he followed Yonatan's advice.
But what Ziv didn't know at the time was that Noa had already informed her father about Liora's presence in his life. Noa had been quiet, watching, and waiting for the right moment to reveal her knowledge. She had told Yonatan that Ziv had become involved with Liora, and they both saw it as an opportunity to use that connection to their advantage.
It was no coincidence that Noa had brought up Ziv's relationship with Liora. She had overheard part of a conversation Ziv had with one of his friends, mentioning his growing involvement with Liora. Noa, always observant, kept this information to herself. She'd filed it away for the moment when it would be most useful.
Later, Noa had overheard Yonatan discussing his growing interest in the vineyard—Liora's family land. Noa, ever the strategist, kept her silence, knowing that she could leverage this information to her benefit. She passed the details along to her father without revealing that she had overheard Ziv. Instead, she let Yonatan believe that she had stumbled upon the information independently. It was a careful game of manipulation, one she knew would come to fruition at the right time.
As Ziv recalled the conversation with Yonatan, the weight of his deceit and manipulation pressed down on him. The plan was in motion, but what if it all unraveled before he could see it through? What if Liora found out?
His chest tightened as panic surged within him. The fear of everything crashing down around him—of Liora discovering the truth too soon—was almost overwhelming. His hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. He tried to breathe, tried to calm himself, but the anxiety churned within him.
Suddenly, a truck loomed ahead. Ziv's hands jerked on the wheel in a frantic attempt to correct course. His heart raced as the truck's horn blared, but he managed to regain control just in time, narrowly avoiding a collision.
With shaky hands, Ziv pulled to the side of the road, his breath shallow. He leaned back in the seat, staring out at the darkened street. The panic attack subsided slowly, but the dread lingered. What had he gotten himself into?
After taking a few moments to collect himself, Ziv continued his drive, the streets ahead now feeling colder, more distant. He barely registered the time passing until his phone rang. The name that flashed on the screen made his heart skip a beat: Liora.
"Ziv," Liora's voice came through the line, warm and calm. "How's Noa? Has she settled in alright?"
Ziv paused, his mind racing to find the right words. "Yeah, she's fine. Settled in fine," he replied, his voice steady but lacking its usual ease.
"I'm glad. You never really mentioned her much," Liora continued, her tone light but curious. "How did you two meet?"
Ziv hesitated, unsure how to navigate the conversation without revealing too much. He had to keep the lie intact. "We met while I was abroad. She's an old friend of the family."
Liora's voice softened, though there was an edge to it. "I see. I'd love to meet her sometime. It must be interesting, having someone from your past here."
Ziv's throat tightened. "Yeah, I'm sure you'll meet her soon enough," he said, hoping his tone didn't betray him.
There was a pause on the other end of the line before Liora asked, her voice almost casual, "And how did you two meet, exactly? I mean, how did you end up getting close?"
Ziv's heart pounded, and he struggled to keep his composure. "We were introduced through mutual friends. Nothing special."
Liora didn't press further, but Ziv felt the weight of her curiosity. As the call ended, he leaned back in his seat, staring at the ceiling. Noa's presence, her secrets, the vineyard, and Liora's unspoken questions—it was all unraveling. And he was caught in the middle.