Chapter 2 - Chapter 2

"Luke?"Cherry stepped into room eighteen zero seven, but her brother was not there.The voice she had recognized from the hallway had fallen silent. She searched the dim room, then looked back at the open door.Her mother had said Luke was being held here.So where was he?Cherry turned to leave. Before she reached the doorway, Benjamin Scott stepped into it."There you are, Cherry."She stopped.He was the person she had heard.Cherry knew him from university. They were in the same year, and his father worked in the government. Benjamin often behaved as though that gave him the right to do whatever he wanted.She kept her distance."Where's my brother?""Your brother is fine.""Where is he?"Benjamin stepped farther into the room without answering.Cherry moved toward the door. "Then I'll find someone who can tell me.""I was asked to explain the confusion last night."She stopped short of him. "We can talk in the lobby with a manager."He gave her a small smile. "There's no need. This will be quick.""No."She would not stay alone with him.Keeping her phone low, Cherry started the recorder. Then she called the front desk."This is Cherry Blaire. Please send a manager and security to room eighteen zero seven. I came to find my brother, and I need help."Benjamin's smile disappeared.Cherry stayed near the doorway while they waited. Her stomach still ached, and she tightened her grip on her phone to steady her hand.When the duty manager and a security guard arrived, she let out a breath."Miss Blaire, are you all right?" the manager asked."Yes. I'd like to wait outside.""Of course."Cherry stepped into the hallway. The manager stayed beside her, while the guard remained near Benjamin."My mother told me my brother was here," she said. "His name is Luke. No one will tell me where he is.""We'll check on him," the manager assured her. "Then we can escort you downstairs."Before Cherry could thank him, Benjamin spoke."You should already know about the agreement."She turned. "What agreement?""One hundred thousand pesos."Cherry stared at him. "For what?""Your mother signed it."He held out his phone, showing her a photograph of a document. Her mother's name appeared at the bottom beside a messy signature.Cherry leaned just close enough to look.She recognized the name. That did not tell her whether the signature was real, what her mother had agreed to, or why Benjamin thought it involved her."I never agreed to anything," she said."It makes things simpler.""What does?"Benjamin lifted his chin but gave her no explanation.Cherry's hands went cold. Her mother had begged her to come quickly. Had she known Benjamin would be waiting?Cherry pushed the question aside. First, she needed to get somewhere safe and find Luke."I'm not agreeing to anything here," she said. "If that document is real, I'll review it with my family and a lawyer."She turned to the manager."I won't discuss it alone with him.""Understood."Benjamin shifted toward her.Cherry stepped closer to the manager. "Please don't come any closer."The guard moved between them, and Benjamin stopped."We can take you to the public lounge," the manager said. "You can contact your family from there while we check on your brother."Cherry nodded and called her mother."Mom, it's me."Her voice sounded steadier than she felt."Benjamin showed me a document with your name on it. He mentioned one hundred thousand pesos. What is he talking about?"She glanced toward him."I'm with the manager and security. I'm safe, but I need you to tell me what happened."Cherry listened, waiting for an explanation that would make sense of the room, Luke's absence, and her mother's name on Benjamin's phone.She still had no clear answer when the manager guided her toward the elevators.Benjamin followed several steps behind."You think you can just walk away from this?"Cherry stopped and turned."I came to find my brother. I'm going downstairs with the staff."He stepped toward her again.She raised her phone. "I've already asked you to stay away."Benjamin stopped, but his expression made her grip the phone harder.She needed him to understand that she had someone else she could call."I'm married."His eyes narrowed."If there's a real legal problem, my husband can help me deal with it through the proper process.""Your husband?""Gilbert Ace Carter."For the first time, Benjamin hesitated."From Ace Carter Group?""Yes."Cherry felt the weight of what she had said.Only that morning, she had left Gilbert without asking him anything. She had heard him say their marriage was ending. Now she was using his name, hoping it would be enough to make Benjamin leave her alone.She did not know whether Gilbert would help her.But they were still married.Benjamin gave a bitter laugh. "Prove it.""I will if I need to, with other people present.""This isn't necessary.""It is to me."Cherry turned back to the manager. "Please help me find Luke. I don't want to stay here."The manager told the guard to escort them directly to the public lounge and asked that any relevant hotel footage be preserved.Cherry followed, keeping close to the staff.She needed to find her brother, speak to her mother, and understand the document. But with Benjamin still behind them, all she could think about was reaching the elevator.The doors opened.Cherry hurried forward. Her foot slipped, and she lost her balance.She gasped.A hand caught her elbow before she hit the floor. She grabbed the man's arm and steadied herself."I'm sorry."Then she looked up.Gilbert.For a moment, she could only stare at him.She had been holding herself together since her mother's call. Now he was standing in front of her, close enough to touch, and tears filled her eyes before she could stop them.His gaze moved over her pale face and trembling hand."Cherry." His voice softened. "What happened?"She opened her mouth, but her throat tightened.Gilbert kept hold of her elbow while she struggled to speak. She tightened her fingers around his arm, unable to let go yet.He looked past her at the manager and the guard. Then his gaze settled farther down the hallway."Who are you trying to get away from?""Cherry!"Benjamin's angry voice made her flinch.Gilbert turned toward him.Benjamin stopped several steps away. The anger faded from his face as he recognized the man holding her arm.Gilbert moved slightly in front of Cherry, placing himself between them.She stayed close behind him. That morning, he had spoken as though their marriage was already over. Now she watched his face, afraid he might step aside once he understood that she had used his name.He stayed where he was."Cherry," he said quietly. "Is this the man?"She looked at Benjamin, then at the husband she barely knew.Gilbert waited for her answer without moving out of the way.