Chapter 21: The Unknown Caller

I didn’t enjoy the rest of the day anymore after the caller ended the call. The deep voice kept echoing in my head. My hands shook a little as I set the phone down. Work blurred after that. The papers on my desk looked the same and confusing. Numbers didn’t make sense. I tried to focus but my mind stayed far somewhere else, replaying the threat about my career.

James walked in a while later. He held some files and started talking about the task I gave him earlier. “I rechecked the numbers like you asked. We would need about 87 light bulbs for the birthday party. Should I go ahead and update them?”

I barely heard him. My thoughts kept drifting to the bar, to what might happen there. “Just do whatever you want, James. Handle it.” My voice came out flat. He looked at me strangely for a second but nodded and left. I felt bad for brushing him off but I couldn’t help it. The worry sat too heavy.

By evening I left the office with my mind racing. I took a cab to the bar, the same one where I had that one night stand with Mark. My fingers tapped on my bag the whole ride. What did this person want? Why bring up that night with my dad? The streets passed by in a blur. I kept checking my phone, half hoping the call was a joke.

When I got there, the place was not what I expected. It had changed a little. They renovated some stuff. The old wooden doors were gone. Now glass ones reflected the street lights. Inside, the place looked even more luxurious. Soft lighting, leather seats, and a long bar that shone like it cost a fortune. It felt like a multi-billionaire standard bar now. People in nice clothes sat around talking low. Music played smoothly in the background. I stood at the entrance for a moment, taking it all in. My stomach twisted. This didn’t feel right.

I pulled out my phone and dialed the unknown number. It rang twice before the same thick voice answered. “You came. Good. Walk to the corner table at the back, near the big plant. You will see me right there, I’m waiting.”

My legs felt heavy as I moved through the bar. I spotted the angle he meant. A strange guy sat there taking a drag from his cigarette. Smoke curled up slowly. He looked up when I got close. His eyes were sharp. “Sit,” he said, pointing to the chair across from him.

I sat down, keeping my bag on my lap. The leather seat felt cool. My heart beat fast. I shifted a little, trying to get comfortable but failing. The guy watched me quietly, taking another drag. I finally spoke. “Who are you? What do you want from me?”

He smiled slow, putting the cigarette out in the ashtray. “No need to rush, Evie. We have all evening. All night even, if we need it. Plenty of time to discuss things properly.”

I shook my head. “I don’t have all night. I have to go soon. Tell me what you want and then we can end this. Stop whatever game you’re playing.”

He leaned back, eyes never leaving mine. The luxury around us made the moment feel even more out of place. I tried to threaten him, keeping my voice steady. “If you think you can just call me and pull me here, you’re wrong. I have people who can make things difficult for you too.”

The guy chuckled low. He signaled the waiter for two drinks without asking me. “You’re brave. I like that. But threats won’t help you tonight. Let’s talk about that night with your dad first. Then we can move to what I really need from you.”

My mind raced faster. How did he know about that night? I gripped my bag tighter, waiting for his next words. The bar felt smaller suddenly. The nice lights and rich smell of drinks did nothing to calm me.

I began feeling uncomfortable. He was taking his time looking at me without a word. It was really pissing me off. “Say whatever you want to tell me so I can go. If you don’t, I will report you to the police. I mean it.”

The man took a long laugh at everything I just said. The sound was deep and mocking. He picked up the wine glass in front of him and took a slow sip. Then he set it down and waved his hand. “Go ahead. Report me.”

I quickly pulled out my phone, fingers moving to dial the police line. My heart pounded hard. This had to end now.

The guy brought out his own phone too and started going through it calm, like he had all the time in the world. He didn’t even look worried.

I paused, phone in hand. “What are you doing?”

He glanced up with a small smile. “Go ahead and call the police. But just know that before they get here, this video would already be all over the internet. Your choice.”

My fingers froze on the screen. The words hit me like a slap. Video? My mind raced to my reputation. Aurora Event Agency that I had been planning and building for years. All the late nights, the connections, the trust I worked so hard to earn. The big contract with the senator’s family flashed in my head. They would pull out immediately if a bad rumor started spreading. Twenty million dollars. The number burned behind my eyes. Everything I fought for could disappear in seconds. My hands started shaking. I slowly lowered the phone and placed it on the table.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked, voice quieter now. “Why do you want to ruin my reputation? What do you want? Is it money? Fame? A job? I’m offering to give you anything. Just name it.”

He didn’t answer right away. The silence stretched between us. The bar music played soft in the background. I waited, breath tight in my chest. My mind kept spinning through all the ways this could destroy me. The agency name I built from nothing. The clients who trusted me. My mom’s proud smile when I told her about the big deals. All of it at risk because of one drunken mistake I made. If only Alex hadn't touched me back then. I began feeling more hatred towards him.

He still said nothing. Instead, he stood up from his seat slow. He came close to me, stepping around the table. His hand reached out and ran against my face, fingers tracing down my cheek then lower to my breast. The touch made me stiff. He leaned in close, breath warm against my ear. “I just want a taste.”

“ What do you mean?” I asked. My mind spun fast, trying to make sense of it.

Before I could pull away, he whispered again, voice low and rough. “Why don’t you follow me and find out?”

The words sent a chill down my spine. My heart hammered hard. Part of me wanted to proceed to calling the police, but another part of me remembered the outcome of what would happen if the video goes viral. What was he planning? I sat frozen, breath caught, as the luxurious bar suddenly felt like the most dangerous place in the world.