Chapter 2

Zevko didn’t answer Clara’s question. He just opened the door, helped her into the passenger seat, and got behind the wheel.

After starting the engine, Zevko stayed quiet. He gripped the steering wheel and tapped his fingers. Then he spoke in a cold voice. “Don’t be too curious about things that are none of your business.”

Thump!

Clara was startled by Zevko’s words, which sounded almost like a threat. What did he mean? Wasn’t it normal for her to ask about something that seemed odd?

Zevko stayed silent and drove away from the Olympic National Forest. The scenery was beautiful, which was why a luxury resort was planned there. Silverstar Development, the company they worked for, would be the developer.

Clara was still unhappy with Zevko’s attitude. She asked her question again.

“Was my question wrong? I’m just curious, why was the guide so afraid of you, as if you were a monster about to eat him?”

Clara kept asking questions, but Zevko didn’t answer any of them. He just stayed silent and focused on the road.

Clara grew annoyed at Zevko for ignoring her, but she stayed quiet. The car was silent.

After a while, they reached the city. Night was falling over the small town. Clara looked tired but tried to stay awake, while Zevko kept his eyes on the road. Neither of them spoke.

Zevko drove until they stopped in front of Clara’s apartment. They sat in silence for a moment. Clara glanced at Zevko, who didn’t move. She couldn’t stand sitting there any longer. She thanked him and was about to get out, but Zevko stopped her.

“What’s wrong?” Clara asked, puzzled.

“Remember, Clara, your report must be finished by tomorrow.”

“What? Tomorrow? That’s crazy. I’m so tired tonight.”

“That’s not my concern. As a professional, you should know how to manage your time. And remember! The future of your career depends on your report tomorrow.”

“Okay, okay. But I need to hear input and notes from the other team members.”

“Don’t make excuses. You can call them and ask them to send their notes tonight as well.”

Clara let out a deep sigh. She didn’t want to argue with her strict boss anymore. She looked for her phone, since all her important data was on it. After checking her jacket and pants pockets, she started to panic when she couldn’t find it.

“Oh no! How am I going to write the report?” Clara muttered, worried. She tried to remember. The last time she had her phone was before the wild wolf showed up. It must have fallen there.

“Sir, I…”

Clara looked up at Zevko and was surprised to see him holding a flat black object in his hand.

“Are you looking for this?”

“Huh? My phone? How did it end up in your hand?”

“It’s not important how it got to me. What’s important is that all your data is safe and you can contact your friends right away. So, there’s no reason to delay. Remember! Tomorrow morning, your report must be on my desk.”

Clara was speechless as she quickly took her phone. She had no choice but to work late tonight. She should have had another day to rest and review the new data, but Zevko didn’t give her any chance.

“Alright, I’ll get to work right away. Thank you for saving me. Good night.”

Clara didn’t wait for Zevko’s reply. She opened the door and got out of the car. Suddenly, Zevko rolled down the window and gave her a sharp look. “Remember, Clara! There are things you should write and things you shouldn’t. Good night.”

After saying that, Zevko drove away, leaving Clara standing there, confused. What did he mean? His last words were truly puzzling.

Clara quickly went inside and checked her phone. Thankfully, none of her data was missing. She was very curious about how Zevko had found her phone. He really was mysterious.

Clara tried to remember everything that happened today. Because she was careless, she almost got killed by a wild wolf. What was strange was how Zevko suddenly showed up and saved her.

Another strange thing was that Zevko could easily find the way out, even though the forest was so dense that sunlight barely got through. It was as if he already knew the place. And why was the local guide so scared when he saw Zevko?

Questions kept swirling in Clara’s mind. As an analyst, she was used to thinking things through. She was determined to find answers. Clara contacted her teammates from yesterday and started working on her assignment.

The next morning, Clara was almost late for work because she had stayed up all night preparing the report Zevko wanted. In the office hallway, she ran into her teammates from the survey. They immediately started asking her questions.

“Oh my God, Clara. Where did you go yesterday? We were all panicking.”

“Yeah, Clara. You almost gave us a heart attack. By the way, last night you said you’d write the report before telling us the story. Now, tell us!”

Clara was about to speak when she caught the scent of pine and damp earth. Zevko walked past them without a glance, acting as if he didn’t know Clara at all.

Clara felt nervous and forgot what she was about to say to her friends.

“Um, I’ll go in first. I have to go to Mr. Zevko’s office to submit this report.”

After speaking, Clara quickly went inside, leaving her friends looking at each other in confusion. “Okay, Clara, be careful. Mr. Zevko may be handsome, but he’s like a predator. Don’t let him eat you alive in his office.”

Clara didn’t answer. She just gave a faint smile and shook her head. After sitting at her desk for a moment to tidy up some files, she went straight to Zevko’s office.

Clara paused in front of the door and took a deep breath before knocking. She carried a folder with the survey report she had worked on all night. She wanted to show she was a professional analyst who used accurate data.

“Good morning, Sir. This is the survey report for the afternoon meeting. All vegetation data and land coordinates are complete,” Clara said, placing the folder on Zevko’s dark wooden desk.

Zevko didn’t answer right away. He kept his eyes on his monitor. Suddenly, Clara smelled pine and damp earth, even though the room was closed and air-conditioned.

Zevko slowly picked up the folder from the table and opened it. Suddenly…

Bang!!

Zevko threw the folder hard, scattering the papers. Clara gasped at his reaction. What was wrong this time? Hadn’t she written everything according to the data?

“This report is garbage! Revise everything!” Zevko barked, his voice low like a growl held in his throat.

“What? Garbage?” Clara tried to protest. “I worked hard on this, all the data is accurate.”

“Accurate?” Zevko interrupted. He slowly stood up. His tall, imposing figure filled the room, making Clara feel short of breath. Zevko walked around the table until he was just a few inches away from her.

“You mentioned unidentified predator disturbances at coordinate 204. Do you want central management to read this and send an armed security team there?”

Clara swallowed hard, her courage fading when she saw the strange look in Zevko’s dark eyes. “B-but that’s what happened. I nearly died there! I can’t lie in an official report.”

“Then learn to be silent,” Zevko whispered. His face was now so close that his warm breath brushed Clara’s forehead. “Delete all notes about that creature. Say the western area is unsuitable because the soil is unstable. If this report reaches the directors’ desk in its original form, I can’t guarantee your safety anymore.”

Clara felt both confused and challenged. “Why? Don’t you want this project to succeed?”

Zevko was silent for a moment, his sharp gaze fixed on Clara. “I don’t care about the project. I care about your stubborn head staying where it belongs. Do the survey again with me the day after tomorrow. And this time, write what I say, or don’t write anything at all.”