A Secret Meeting Reopened

~Adrain~

I glanced through the documents Austin dropped on my desk and shook my head in disagreement.

How would the South Side armies want an agreement? The matter has already been resolved in a peace talk, so who would have brought it up again?

I walked to the shelf next to my dresser and heaved. The piles of books there were discouraging for someone who wanted to search for something he didn’t know exactly where it was placed.

I moved to the first row, carefully raising the books one at a time to ensure they didn’t stick to each other.

The document wasn’t in the first row or the second or even the third row either.

Could it be that I had misplaced it? My hands rested on my waist as I walked back to my desk, pulling the dresser open and beginning to rummage its contents.

Still the same news. It wasn’t there.

I closed my eyes, searching my head to remember if I had kept it somewhere else. But the memory wasn’t coming in. It's been three years, three whole years since it was signed and sealed.

I looked around my room; it wasn’t going to be anywhere except hers. That means a lost document.

Shit! Losing these documents would cost a lot to the pack and me too.

I was about to sit down when something struck my mind.

The penthouse was the last resort for it.

I picked up my keys and my phone and headed outside.

I was at the door that led to my quarters when I met Emilia approaching and Ivy trailing behind her.

Where could she be going, dressed in a body-hugging gray gown?

Her lips curled into a faint smile when she saw me.

“Austin said you want to see me.” Her voice came out in a low rumble.

‘Oops, I totally forgot that.’

“Yes, but something came up; I have an emergency and would be back soon.” I pleaded with my eyes.

Her expression twisted in disappointment, and she nodded slightly.

"Just don’t leave the quarters." I said and headed to the car.

I had wanted to tell her about her training with the armies when Austin brought in the files.

He returned saying she wasn’t in her room and had left for a walk when I asked him to get her.

I didn’t want her walking around the pack, because it seemed she wasn’t safe anymore. After the incident of the vase wanting to hit her, I knew something was off already. I had feared this moment the most and prayed it wouldn’t come, but it just did.

Austin offered to go with me, but I waved him off. It was of no use; I’d return in a few minutes' time.

~~~~~~~

From where I stood, I could see a beam of light on the top floor of the pent house. I had left it on the last time I met with Ava; that was clearly a mistake.

The estate was quiet and cold as usual, and I loved it that way.

I scanned the code and entered, going up to check the turned-on light.

When I got to the hallway, I saw a figure moving like a predator that was assessing its prey.

The figure stood still for a while, then continued with its movement.

I froze mid-step and tugged my jacket closer before walking into the hallway.

My steps were silent and slow, and I ensured not to make any sounds.

I tiptoed gradually, pushed the door slightly, and watched for a moment.

The figure stood, facing the window and turning its back on me.

My eyes ran through the black pants and oversized jacket and the folded hair and the cap, and I let out a silent heave.

That dressing was only meant for one girl.

She turned to face me, her expression unreadable.

“Charlotte." I called, stressing every syllable of her name.

She grinned widely then shoved her hands into the side pocket of the jacket and moved close to me.

What would she be doing here even without my knowledge?

I glanced at her arm to see if the cut was still there; I couldn’t see it, the jacket already covered it.

“Why would you come here without my knowledge, Charlotte?" My voice came out in hushed tones.

"I didn’t just give you the code so you can come in and leave whenever it pleases you," I roared.

Charlotte twisted her lips, then burst into laughter like I was saying something that made no sense.

“You can’t be serious right now." She said amidst laughter.

"Our next appointment is today, Adrain, or have you forgotten that?”

I tilted my head and let out a frustrating hiss.

I was forgetting things too easily these days, and I needed to work on it.

Forgetting the appointment I was supposed to have with Charlotte was shocking, though.

“It skipped my mind.” I explained and went to sit on the couch.

"So tell me, Adrain, what’s your take on the matter? Filling up on getting them back or helping me directly?” She started and followed me.

I glanced at her and knew she needed the answer real quick, but I hadn’t even thought about her requests yet.

According to her, she wanted me to help her with funds that would cost more than $10 million so she could get back her father's lost properties, but I wanted to do the digging myself, get to the root of the matter, and find out people surrounding that attack.

I hadn’t thought about it that much; I just gave her the option of doing it myself, which she was strongly against. I knew Charlotte so well; she was too stubborn to convince and would eventually get to the root of the matter herself.

It was just me making the decision, no Austin or elders to ask.

Nobody was ever going to find out about Charlotte's return; it wouldn’t be revealed till I’m done with my plans.