Two days later
HealZone Hospital
Savannah stepped outside the hospital, the cool air brushing against her skin, a welcome relief after being cooped up inside. Bella walked beside her, her scrubs a bright contrast to the drab hospital walls. They talked about everything and nothing—how she was planning to binge-watch a new series, how Savannah was looking forward to the island visit.
But then, something caught her eye. A figure stood near a sleek black car, dressed in a striking red ensemble that screamed luxury. The fabric clung to her form with perfect precision, tailored to fit in a way that made it look both expensive and almost too extravagant for this setting.
She stood completely still, her posture rigid, almost as if she were waiting for someone, her expression unreadable.
"What do you think?" Bella whispered, nudging Savannah slightly.
"Definitely not your typical hospital visitor," Savannah replied, raising an eyebrow as her gaze swept over the woman. The striking red ensemble seemed almost out of place against the sterile backdrop of the hospital.
"She looks like she's waiting for a scene to unfold, not just a visit."
The woman's gaze seemed to pierce through the crowd, scanning the busy entrance with an intensity that felt out of place among the usual hurried passersby. Savannah could see her lips painted a bold shade of crimson, matching the vibrant hue of her outfit. There was an elegance to her demeanor, yet an underlying tension that made her curious.
"Maybe she's here for someone important," Bella speculated, her voice low, almost conspiratorial.
"Or maybe she's the one who needs to be taken care of," Savannah countered, half-smiling. The image of this glamorous stranger flitting through the hospital corridors was almost comical.
Savannah shook her head, dismissing her as she continued walking with Bella, who was still animatedly discussing her latest binge-watch.
"Savannah!" The woman's voice sliced through the ambient noise, halting Savannah in her tracks. She turned, confusion swirling in her mind. Her smile was disarming, and as she removed her oversized sunglasses, recognition flickered—this was the woman who had appeared out of nowhere a few weeks back, rambling about something or other.
Savannah had thought she was just another eccentric visitor, her nonsensical chatter fading into her memory like a bad dream.
"Uh, hi," Savannah said cautiously, her stomach knotting slightly.
"Why haven't you called me? I thought we were going to discuss how you can help with-" she began, her voice dripping with urgency.
But Savannah didn't want to hear it. She took a small step back, glancing at Bella, who looked just as perplexed as she felt. Savannah picked up her pace, the desire to escape bubbling within her.
"I really can't right now," she muttered, starting to walk away.
"Savannah, wait!" Veronica called after her, her voice rising slightly. "It's about lif-"
"I really can't right now," Savannah said, quickening her steps, trying to put distance between them.
"Savannah, wait!" she called after her, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement. "I just need you to understand-"
Ignoring her, Savannah focused on the exit, her mind racing. She didn't want to delve into whatever strange narrative the woman was spinning.
"Savannah, this is about life and death--" Savannah froze in her tracks. A cold rush of anxiety washed over her, and she turned back toward Veronica, who was panting from walking, looking far more disheveled than before. Her hair was tousled, makeup smudged, and the cool, composed woman from earlier now seemed unraveling.
"What did you say?"
Savannah asked, her voice tight, a chill creeping down her spine as the weight of those words hit her like a punch to the gut.
Brew Haven
The café was warm and inviting, a cozy refuge from the crisp autumn air outside. They settled into a corner table. The last time they met, her frantic energy and desperate words lingered in her mind. She had approached her out of nowhere, weaving a tale that felt as tangled as the leaves swirling outside.
"What's going on?" Savannah asked, trying to keep her tone steady. Her intensity was palpable, and she could feel her curiosity piquing.
"It's about life and death," she said, her voice low. Savannah's heart skipped a beat. Those words hung in the air, heavy with implication.
"I need your help."
She leaned in, drawn by the urgency in her voice. "What do you mean?"
Veronica glanced around, as if checking for eavesdroppers, before she continued. "My husband, he's been involved in some shady business dealings. I'm afraid it's much worse than I realized. I need to gather information about his illegal activities to expose him before it's too late."
"Illegal activities?" Savannah repeated, her mind racing. "What kind of business are we talking about?"
She hesitated for a moment, then launched into a whirlwind of details. "He's involved in
smuggling, and there are people who want to silence him. He's done things in the shadows - things I only recently discovered. I'm afraid if I don't act soon, he could end up... well, you understand."
Her words were a mix of truth and uncertainty, but Savannah could sense the genuine fear in her eyes. Savannah took a deep breath, weighing her words. She didn't want to get entangled in a web of deceit, but she couldn't ignore the urgency in her plea. "If I help you, I need to know everything. No more secrets."
Veronica nodded, her relief palpable. "Of course. I'll tell you everything I know. I just don't want anyone else to suffer because of his actions."
Savannah felt a strange mixture of apprehension and resolve. She didn't want to see anyone harmed, especially if there was a chance to prevent it. "Okay, I'll help," Savannah said finally, her voice steady.
"But it's just a one time meeting nothing else, right?." Savannah asked to confirm if there's something more she needs to double think again.
"Yes, yeah only one time simple meeting," Veronica reassured her, she too doesnt want any harm to this woman seating across her.
"But we need a solid plan. We can't rush into this," Savannah insisted, her tone firm as she leaned in, the weight of the situation pressing on her shoulders.
"We need to nail down the story—everything. From how we met to everything that happened in between."
Veronica's eyes widened, a flicker of admiration crossing her face. "Wow... I hadn't thought of it like that." She paused, clearly impressed by Savannah's clear-headed approach.
Savannah couldn't suppress a small, knowing smile. "Expected," she muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes slightly. She had a feeling Veronica wouldn't have considered the details on her own.
Veronica smiled back, her eyes twinkling with a mix of gratitude and something else, something almost desperate. "I've got the story ready," she said, her voice almost a whisper, as if the words themselves carried more weight than she let on.
Savannah nodded, her expression unreadable. The pieces were falling into place, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking into something much bigger than she had bargained for.
"Thank you, Savannah," Veronica said, her voice thickening with emotion. There was a brief, almost imperceptible crack in her usual composure.
"I promise, I won't let you down."
As they began discussing her husband's business, Savannah's mind started to whirl. The world Veronica was pulling her into felt murky and foreign—full of shadows and unspoken rules. It was a game she wasn't sure she knew how to play, but there was no turning back now.
She had made her choice, and she was committed to seeing this through. Whatever it was, she was in it now.
FRANCE
The city of Paris sprawled beneath him, a beautiful facade hiding the chaos that simmered just below the surface.
Blaze leaned against the cold steel railing of the rooftop, his eyes scanning the streets below. It was surreal-this city of lights and love, and yet here he was, a mafia man deep in the shadows, overseeing the operation that had brought him to France.
Although he was here but his heart was back home, his home, to Savannah, he couldnt stope thinking about her all these times, he had talked to her over a call just for a second, yes just for second because Savannah had to go had her lunch before the time runs up and he couldnt let her starve, so he hung up but he wanted to listen to her voice for a little longer.
For a bit long. He can't wait to go back home soon.
Arthur stood a few steps back, his sharp gaze fixed on the streets as he relayed updates about their men. "The shipment is on schedule. We've got eyes on the warehouse, and everyone is accounted for."
He took a moment to absorb the scenery-the Seine shimmering under the evening sky, oblivious to the darkness that surrounded it. Blaze's thoughts flickered back to his crew down below, where they were assembling weapons and preparing for the next phase of their operation.
"Are we sure the buyer won't flake?" Blaze asked, his mind racing through the possibilities. In this line of work, trust was a rare commodity.
"We've vetted him thoroughly. He's eager, and he knows what's at stake. He won't back out unless he wants to end up in a trunk." Arthur informed.
Blaze chuckled darkly, the humor doing little to lighten the weight on his shoulders. He had built this empire through blood, sweat, and ruthless determination, and he wasn't about to let some loose ends unravel everything he'd worked for.
The warehouse was a hive of activity, men moving with precision as they prepared the weapons for the deal. He had a network of loyal men, but loyalty could be fragile, especially when money was involved. He needed to keep a close eye on everything.
"Let's head down," Blaze said, pushing away from the railing. The chill in the air was nothing compared to the heat of the business they were conducting. He made his way to the stairwell, his mind calculating every detail of the plan.
As they descended, he could hear the distant sounds of the city-laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses from the cafes. It felt so distant from our reality, where every decision could lead to life or death.
When they reached the warehouse, the atmosphere shifted. The air was thick with tension as men loaded crates and prepared for the deal. Blaze moved through the space, mhis presence commanding attention.
Every pair of eyes turned to him, and he could sense their loyalty mingled with fear. It was the perfect balance; in this world, you needed both.
"Is everything ready?" he asked, looking around at the organized chaos.
Arthur stepped up beside him, nodding. "We're good to go. Just waiting on the buyer."
He scanned the faces of his men, reading their expressions. Trust was earned through bloodshed and respect, and he had earned it all. But the underworld was a fickle mistress; one wrong move, and everything could come crashing down.
"Keep your eyes open," he ordered, his voice firm. "No room for mistakes."
As the minutes ticked by, Blaze felt the weight of anticipation hanging in the air. The city outside may have been beautiful, but down here, in the heart of my operation, it was all about survival. He wouldn't let anything or anyone get in the way of what he had built.
Not now, not ever.
HealZone Hospital
A Day Later
Savannah sat in the cafeteria, the steady hum of conversation and the rhythmic clinking of trays providing a familiar, almost soothing soundtrack as she absentmindedly poked at her salad.
It was her usual midweek break—her one chance to escape the chaos that so often consumed her workday, even if only for a few quiet minutes.
Just as she lifted her black coffee to her lips, savoring the sharp bitterness, she felt the unmistakable shift of energy at her table.
"Savannah!" Veronica's voice rang out, almost too loud for the space, as she slid into the seat across from her with a fluidity that made it seem like she had materialized out of nowhere.
Savannah blinked, momentarily startled, her coffee cup halfway to her mouth.
"I couldn't wait any longer to get this over with," Veronica said, her words tumbling out in a rush, her tone brimming with a mix of determination and impatience.
"Uh, hi," Savannah replied, masking the confusion that washed over her. "I wasn't expecting to see you right now."
Veronica leaned in, her eyes wide with a dangerous combination of urgency and excitement. The way she looked at Savannah—nearly frantic—spelled trouble, but it was the wild spark in her gaze that made Savannah uneasy.
"I've been thinking about our plan," Veronica said, her voice dropping to a near-whisper as though she were sharing a secret. "And I've come up with the perfect story for when we meet my husband."
Savannah's brow furrowed instinctively, a flicker of wariness crossing her face. She raised an eyebrow, sensing something amiss. "A story?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with skepticism.
"What kind of story?"
Veronica's enthusiasm didn't falter, her eyes gleaming with excitement as if she were about to unveil a brilliant plan.
"Listen, I thought it would be perfect! Picture this: We meet at a café, right? And you're behind the counter selling cupcakes."
She leaned in, her voice lowering with a conspiratorial edge. "You offer me three cupcakes, and that's how we become friends."
Savannah blinked, her mouth slightly agape. She stared at Veronica, the absurdity of the idea settling in.
"Are you serious?"
Veronica's face brightened, undeterred by the skepticism. "Think about it! It's cute, it's casual—he'll never suspect a thing!" Her tone was so earnest it bordered on desperate.
Savannah shook her head slowly, her lips pressed into a tight line. "Veronica, that sounds... really dumb."
For a moment, Veronica's expression faltered, but she quickly recovered, her determination hardening.
"No, really! It's disarming! It makes it seem like we're just two normal people bonding over sweets. It's... it's relatable!"
Savannah's eyes narrowed, her exasperation evident as she crossed her arms.
"You honestly think your husband's going to buy that? 'Oh, my wife and her new friend met over cupcakes'—come on, Veronica. Get real."
Veronica's shoulders slumped for a beat, but the fire in her eyes reignited.
"Okay, maybe it's not perfect," she admitted, her voice softening. "But I need to ease him into this. He's not going to just take it well if I drop it on him out of nowhere."
Savannah let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing her temples as she took a slow breath, trying to calm the tension that had started to knot in her chest.
"I get that you want to protect him, but we have to be smart about this. We can't just spin a fairy tale and hope for the best."
Veronica leaned forward, a mixture of defiance and vulnerability in her posture, as if she were desperately clinging to any scrap of hope.
"Then what do you suggest? We can't walk in there empty-handed. We need something that'll make sense."
The buzz of the cafeteria faded into the background as Savannah's mind sharpened, the weight of the situation pushing her to think beyond the chaos. She took a moment, eyes scanning the room as she pieced together a better approach.
"We need something believable—something grounded in reality. Maybe we talk about how we met through a mutual friend, or something tied to your husband's work. It needs to feel authentic, not like a made-up story."
Veronica's expression softened as she considered this, her shoulders sagging a little in relief.
"You're right," she murmured. "I just... I'm scared."
Savannah's heart softened, the sharp edge of frustration dulling as she reached out, her voice gentler. "I understand. It's not easy. But we have to be strategic about this. I'll help you, but let's create a narrative that actually makes sense—something that won't just raise more questions."
For the first time in the conversation, Veronica's shoulders relaxed slightly, the tension in her posture easing.
She nodded, her voice quieter but more determined. "Okay. Let's do this right."
Savannah nodded too, a quiet resolve settling over her. She wasn't sure what kind of mess they were walking into, but for now, they had a plan.
And that was something to hold onto.
Author's Note :
How are you guys doing? Hopefully good <3
Take care of yourselves and stay hydrated<3. See you tomorrow:) Enjoy for now ;)
Have a good day/night<3<3