CHAPTER TWO: THE MAN WITH GREY EYES

Still, for some strange reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that those masked eyes would follow me long after the car disappeared.

I stayed by the window for a little longer, watching the empty road as if the car might suddenly reappear.

It didn't.

“Are you planning to keep staring at the road?”

Michelle's voice came from behind me.

I glanced over my shoulder.

She was leaning against the doorway, holding her arms across her chest. There was a small smile on her lips—the kind that usually meant she was about to say something I wouldn't like.

“No.”

I said it a little too quickly, and judging by the way Michelle's eyebrow lifted, she noticed.

“Then why are you still standing there?”

I glanced back at the window before looking at her again. “I was thinking.”

“About the masked man?”

I looked at her.

She smiled wider.

That smile alone told me I had made a mistake by answering her in the first place.

I sighed and folded my arms across my chest. “Why do you look so happy?”

“Because you're acting weird.”

I frowned. “I'm not acting weird.”

“You've been staring outside since he left.”

I looked toward the window again, almost instinctively, then caught myself and looked back at her.

“I was observing.”

“Observing?”

“Yes.”

“His car?”

I hesitated.

Only for a second.

Unfortunately, Michelle had known me long enough to notice even that.

She raised an eyebrow.

“His eyes?”

I felt my expression tighten.

“His behavior.” I gave her a flat look.

“Right.”

The way she said it made me want to throw something at her.

She pushed herself away from the doorway and walked toward me, looking far too entertained for someone who was supposed to be my assistant.

“So…”

I already knew where this was going.

“No.”

“I haven't even asked anything.”

“I know what you're going to ask.”

She stopped in front of me.

“Okay, fine. I'll ask anyway.”

I crossed my arms, watching her with narrowed eyes.

She tilted her head.

“Were his eyes really that pretty?”

I stared at her.

For a moment, I genuinely couldn't think of an answer.

Not because I didn't have one.

Because I knew that whatever I said would only make things worse.

Then I scoffed.

“I wasn't looking at his eyes.”

Michelle's mouth fell open.

“You weren't?”

“No.”

I tried to sound convincing, but even I could hear how defensive I sounded.

“Then how do you know they're grey?”

I opened my mouth.

Nothing came out.

Damn it.

Michelle stared at me for two seconds before bursting into laughter.

I rubbed my forehead, already regretting this entire conversation.

“I'm surrounded by idiots.”

“I'm your favorite idiot.”

I lowered my hand and looked at her.

“That’s debatable.”

She grinned.

“You noticed him.”

“Of course I noticed him. He was sitting in a black car outside the palace wearing a mask.”

I shrugged as if that should have been the end of the conversation.

It wasn't.

“Handsome?”

I gave her a look.

“Suspicious.”

“Handsome and suspicious?”

“Suspicious.” I answered without hesitation this time.

She hummed, clearly unconvinced.

I knew that sound.

It was the sound Michelle made whenever she thought she had figured something out.

I could practically see the next question forming in her head.

“Michelle.”

“What?”

“Don't.”

“I'm not saying anything.” She held up both hands, trying and failing to hide the smile tugging at her lips.

“You're thinking it.” I narrowed my eyes.

“I'm thinking a lot of things.”

“That's exactly what worries me.”

She laughed.

I shook my head, but I couldn't stop the small smile from pulling at the corner of my mouth.

“Apparently neither can I.”

I turned away before she could see the smile threatening to appear on my face.

She's never going to let this go.

I walked back toward my desk.

Michelle followed.

“I'm just saying,” she continued, “if you're going to investigate him, at least let me know first.”

“I never said I was investigating him.”

“You're going to. You have that look.” She shrugged.

“What look?” I glanced at her.

“The one you get when you've already decided to do something stupid.”

“I don't have a look.” I shook my head and sat down.

“You absolutely do.”

The moment my back touched the chair, pain shot through it.

I winced before I could stop myself.

Michelle noticed immediately.

Her smile disappeared.

“You're bleeding again.”

I looked down.

There was a faint stain on the back of my shirt.

“It's nothing.”

“That's what you said yesterday.”

“And I was fine yesterday.”

“You could barely walk.”

“I walked.”

“For three seconds.”

I looked at her.

She looked back.

“Still counts.”

She rolled her eyes.

“You're impossible.”

“I've been told.”

“Where are you going?”

“To get something.” She turned toward the cabinet.

“I don't need anything.”

“I'm not asking.”

I watched her pull something from the cabinet.

A stainless-steel tumbler.

She placed it on my desk.

I stared at it.

“What is that?”

“Your refreshment.”

“Tea?”

She looked offended.

“Do I look like I want to die?”

I raised an eyebrow.

Then I opened the lid.

The smell immediately gave it away.

“Beer?”

“Beer.”

I glanced at the clock.

Eight in the morning.

I looked back at her.

“At this hour?”

She shrugged.

“It's medicinal.”

I almost laughed.

“Since when is beer medicine?”

“Since I became your assistant.”

“That doesn't make any sense.”

“It doesn't have to.”

I pushed the tumbler away.

“No.”

She blinked.

“No?”

“I don't want it.”

“Okay.”

She reached for it.

The moment her fingers touched the tumbler, I grabbed it and pulled it toward myself.

She stopped.

I stopped.

Her eyes dropped to my hand.

Then slowly moved back to my face.

A smile appeared.

“You don't want it?”

“I changed my mind.” I cleared my throat.

“You changed your mind really fast.” She laughed.

“I was thirsty.”

“You literally said no.”

“I reconsidered.”

“You snatched it.”

“I did not.”

“You did.”

I opened the tumbler and took a sip.

She watched me with a smug smile.

“Good?”

I tried to keep my face straight.

“It's okay.”

“Just okay?”

I took another sip.

“Fine. It's good.”

She nodded proudly.

“I knew it.”

“Don't look so pleased.”

“You love it.”

“I tolerate it.”

“You grabbed it before I could take it back.”

“I said I was thirsty.”

“Whatever helps you sleep and rest.” She laughed.

I shook my head and took another drink.

She reached into the cabinet again.

This time, she came back with a small plate.

She placed it beside the tumbler.

I looked down.

“What is that?”

“Cheese.”

I picked up my fork and poked it.

It moved.

I slowly looked at Michelle.

“This isn't cheese.”

“It is.”

“Michelle.”

“Yes?”

“It's cake.”

“Cake disguised as cheese.” She smiled.

I stared at the cake.

Then at her.

“Why?”

“Because your father doesn't like you eating sweets.”

I paused.

“He doesn't even know I like sweets.”

“Exactly.”

I couldn't help smiling.

I took a bite.

My eyes widened slightly.

“Damn.”

Michelle grinned.

“Good?”

I nodded.

“Very.”

“I made it myself.”

I looked at her.

“You?”

She put a hand over her chest.

“Why does everyone react like that?”

“Because I didn't know you could bake.”

“I have hidden talents.”

“Apparently.”

I took another bite.

“You're getting a raise.”

Her eyes lit up.

“Really?”

“No.”

Her expression dropped.

“You're horrible.”

I laughed.

She reached for the plate.

“Fine. Give me the cake.”

I immediately pulled it closer to me.

“No.”

She stared.

“Didn't you just say no raise?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“I changed my mind.”

She shook her head.

“You're unbelievable.”

“And yet you're still here.”

“Unfortunately.”

I took another bite.

She watched me for a moment before her eyes narrowed again.

“So…”

I stopped chewing.

“No.”

She laughed.

“You really know me.”

“Unfortunately.”

“The masked man.”

I swallowed.

“You're obsessed with him.”

“I'm curious.”

“You're curious about his eyes.”

“Because you keep mentioning them.”

“I mentioned them once.”

“Exactly.”

I gave her a look.

She smiled.

“So, what shade of grey?”

I stared at her.

“What?”

“His eyes.”

“Grey.”

“I know they're grey.”

“Then why ask?”

“I want details.”

“There's nothing to detail.”

“Light grey?”

“I don't know.”

“Dark grey?”

“Michelle.”

“Silver?”

“I don't know.”

She leaned closer.

“Beautiful?”

I almost choked on my beer.

She burst out laughing.

I wiped my mouth and glared at her.

“You're ridiculous.”

“You didn't answer.”

“Because that's a ridiculous question.”

“You thought he was handsome.”

“I did not.”

“You noticed his eyes.”

“Because he was staring at me.”

She paused.

Then her grin faded slightly.

“He was?”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

“Like… staring?”

“Yes.”

“For how long?”

“I don't know.”

I looked back toward the window.

“Long enough.”

Michelle followed my gaze.

The joking expression on her face disappeared.

“Do you think he knows you?”

“I don't know.”

“Then how did he know you were looking for them?”

I didn't answer.

That was the part bothering me too.

My mother.

Althea.

The two things my father had warned me never to investigate.

And now a stranger had appeared outside the palace knowing exactly what I was doing.

I took another sip of beer.

Michelle pulled the chair beside my desk and sat down.

“You're going anyway, aren't you?”

I glanced at her.

“Yes.”

She sighed.

“I knew it.”

“I have to.”

“You don't even know who he is.”

“I know.”

“You don't know what he wants.”

“I know.”

“You don't know if he's dangerous.”

I looked at her.

“He probably is.”

She stared at me.

“That wasn't supposed to make me feel better.”

I smiled faintly.

“Sorry.”

She shook her head.

Then she looked at the cake.

“Give me a piece.”

“No.”

“You're eating all of it.”

“You made it.”

“Exactly. I deserve some.”

I pushed the plate toward her.

She took a piece.

For a few seconds, neither of us said anything.

It was quiet.

Almost peaceful.

Then my phone rang.

I looked at the screen.

Celine.

I answered.

“What?”

“What the hell? Good morning, Bestie!”

I smiled despite myself.

“It's two in the morning there.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you calling me?”

“Because I miss you.”

“You're disgusting.”

“You missed me too.”

“I'd rather miss my own funeral.”

She gasped.

“Ouch.”

I laughed.

“Where are you?”

“Japan.”

“You're coming home?”

“Tomorrow.”

My smile softened.

“Finally.”

“I need to talk to you.”

Something in her voice made me straighten.

“What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“Celine.”

She went quiet.

I looked at Michelle.

She had stopped eating and was watching me.

“Is this about Althea?”

Silence.

My fingers tightened around the phone.

“Celine?”

“I'll tell you when I get there.”

“Why not now?”

“Because I don't know who's listening.”

The smile disappeared from my face.

“What?”

“I'll explain tomorrow.”

“Celine, what did you find?”

“I don't know if I found something…”

She paused.

“…or if someone wanted me to find it.”

My stomach tightened.

“Celine.”

“I have to go.”

“Wait—”

The call ended.

I slowly lowered the phone.

Michelle was already looking at me.

“What happened?”

“I don't know.”

“You're worried.” She studied my face.

“I am.”

“About Celine?”

“And Althea.”

"Yes" I nodded.

Two years since they disappeared.

Two years of searching.

Two years of lying to my father.

Two years of pretending I had given up.

I hadn't.

Not once.

I opened my drawer but something caught my attention. A small envelope had been pushed underneath the files on my desk.

“Michelle.” I frowned.

I didn't remember seeing it there.

“What?” She looked up.

I pulled the envelope out.

There was no name on it.

No seal.

Nothing.

I opened it carefully.

A photograph slid into my hand.

I looked at it.

And everything inside me went still.

It was my mother.

Althea was beside her.

They were standing outside the palace.

Two years ago.

I recognized the clothes.

The location.

Everything.

But there was something behind them I'd never noticed before.

A black car.

I stared at it.

“That's the same car.”

Michelle stood up.

“What?”

“The car.”

She came around my desk.

I handed her the photograph.

Her eyes moved over it.

Then she looked at me.

“Are you sure?”

“I don't know.”

I turned the photograph over.

There was a date written on the back.

The exact month they disappeared.

My fingers tightened around the photograph.

Then I noticed the man standing beside the car. W

His eyes—

I stopped breathing.

Grey.

Michelle looked at me.

“Shane?”

I couldn't take my eyes off the photograph.

“I saw those eyes this morning.”

She went quiet.

“You think it's him?”

“I don't know.”

“But you recognize the eyes.”

I nodded.

Slowly.

“Yes.”

Neither of us spoke.

Then my phone vibrated.

I looked down.

Unknown number.

One message.

" You shouldn't have opened that envelope."

My heart began beating faster.

I looked at Michelle.

She had read it too.

Another message appeared.

" Now you know why, I was watching you."

I swallowed.

A third message came.

If you want to know what happened to your mother and Althea, come to the old estate tonight.

Michelle immediately shook her head.

“No.”

I looked at her.

She was serious.

“Shane, don't.”

I looked back at the screen.

Another message appeared.

Come alone.

I let out a slow breath.

I already knew it was probably a trap.

But after two years of finding nothing, this was the first time someone had given me a direction.

And I couldn't ignore it.

I reached for my coat.

Michelle stood in front of me.

“Absolutely not.”

“I have to go.”

“No, you don't.”

“Michelle—”

“You're not going alone.”

“I have no choice.”

“You always say that when you don't want anyone following you.”

I looked at her.

She was angry now.

Not because she wanted to stop me.

Because she was scared.

“I'll be careful.”

“You don't know who you're dealing with.” She shook her head.

“I know.”

“No, you don't.”

I didn't answer.

Because she was right.

I didn't know who he was.

I didn't know why he was watching me.

I didn't know how he knew about my family.

But I knew one thing.

He had been there two years ago.

And now he was back.

I slipped my phone into my pocket.

Then it vibrated again.

I frowned and pulled it out.

Another photograph.

My stomach dropped.

It wasn't my mother.

It wasn't Althea.

It wasn't even the black car.

It was Michelle.

Standing beside me.

Inside my studio.

The photograph had been taken from outside the window.

Just seconds ago.

I slowly lifted my eyes.

The window was closed.

The curtains were barely moving.

Michelle followed my gaze.

Her face lost its color.

“Shane…”

Neither of us moved.

Then my phone vibrated one final time.

I looked down.

One sentence.

I told you to come alone.

For once, Michelle didn't have a joke.

And neither did I.

Because somewhere outside the palace—

an engine started.

And whoever was behind it already knew exactly where we were.