THE FIRST APPROACH
(One step ahead)
Shadow_vee
Damien left his father's study with mapped out plans but first he needed someone swift he could trust.He shut his bedroom door and dialed Vance without hesitation,jaw tight, his mind already calculating ten steps ahead.
"I need you to find her."
"Find who?"
"The girl...Orabella that's all I have."
There was a brief pause on the other end before Vance responded, "That's not much."
"It's enough. Start digging."
He ended the call and leaned back in his chair, staring at nothing, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest as his thoughts raced a quiet smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"This time," he muttered under his breath,"I'll be one step ahead of you, Dad."
What he didn't know was that he was already too late.
Work had been steady for Orabella the grief was still there, quiet and heavy, but it no longer swallowed her whole the way it once did. She was gradually learning how to breathe around it, how to function without breaking at every memory.
She handed a regular his change with a small smile just as the café door opened.
Two men walked in dressed in black suits and sunglasses they looked more like the CIA than customers wanting to buy coffee,they didn't order,they didn't sit instead, they positioned themselves on either side of the entrance like silent guards waiting for someone else. The low hum of conversation in the café dipped slightly as a few customers stole curious glances.
Claire slowly made her way back to the counter, exchanging a confused look with Orabella.
"What's going on?" she whispered.
Orabella glanced toward the sleek cars parked outside, unease flickering across her face. "I have no idea."
Then another man stepped in.
He wasn't overdressed, just tailored trousers and a neatly pressed long-sleeve shirt simple yet elegant,one could tell he drowned in wealth.He moved without hurry, each step measured, as though the room naturally adjusted to accommodate him a natural air of authority around him.He approached the counter, offering a polite nod.
"Good afternoon, ladies."
"Good afternoon, sir," they replied in unison.
His gaze settled on Orabella, steady and deliberate.
"Hello, Orabella," he said calmly. "I'm here specifically to speak with you."
Orabella blinked, momentarily unsure she had heard him correctly.
"Speak to me?" she asked carefully.
A faint smile touched his lips, polite but unreadable. "Yes. Privately, if you don't mind."the air shifted.
Claire straightened beside her, protective instinct flashing across her face. "Is there a problem?"
"No problem," the man replied smoothly. "I simply wish to have a conversation."
His tone was calm, but it wasn't a request.
Orabella swallowed every instinct told her this wasn't ordinary, yet there was something composed about him, something that didn't scream danger but demanded attention.
She glanced at Claire.
"It's okay," she said softly. "I'll be right outside."
Claire didn't look convinced. "I'll be watching."
A subtle flicker of approval passed through the man's eyes before he stepped aside, allowing Orabella to walk ahead of him. The two suited men immediately straightened but did not move.
Outside, the late afternoon sun was harsh he gestured toward one of the cars, but she remained standing.
"You can speak here," she said, folding her hands in front of her chest.
"The sun is rather unforgiving,"he said calmly. "You can't possibly keep your guest standing out here."
Orabella lifted her chin slightly. "With respect, sir, you approached me. I didn't invite you."
The faintest curve touched his mouth. Not irritation interest.
"People are already watching," he added, his tone lowering just enough to make the point clear. "And I assure you, when they recognize me, you will not enjoy being caught in photographs beside me."
She held his gaze, stubborn and unmoved.
"I don't care about photographs.".There was a small pause.
"You truly are stubborn," he murmured. "But I do and I'd rather not have your face circulating for reasons you do not yet understand."
That made her hesitate this time around "Fine," she said at last. "The moment I'm uncomfortable, I leave."
"You have my word."
They entered the backseat of the SUV and when they settled down the driver turned slightly.
"Good afternoon, Miss Orabella."
Her breath caught she recognized him,he was the man that asked about her father the other day saying he lost his contact,what was her doing here again with this man,she had lots of thoughts running in her mind "You…" she narrowed her eyes. "I saw you the other day at the café."
"Yes, you did."
Her guard went up instantly. "What is going on?"
Andre did not answer immediately he simply watched her not in a way that made her uneasy, but in a way that showed he was trying to measure her up like he wanted to see every detail.
"You resemble him," he said finally.
Her fingers tightened in her lap.
"My father?"
The air inside the car felt smaller.
"My name is Andre Kuiver."
The name meant nothing to her.
"I knew your father."
Her pulse quickened as she realized this conversation was becoming more than what she expected.