Suddenly, an off-duty police officer burst into the room without a notice, his hurried entrance shattering Mrs. Selence and Aric's quiet discussion about the candy found in the victim's body.
"Mr. Aric, we have found another body near the Firm Bridge!"… Darian was confused and froze for a second as the officer mentioned Firm Bridge. The name alone was enough to unsettle him. He knew that place well, as no civilians were allowed near it.
Abruptly, he pushed himself to his feet, his expression sharpening as scattered thoughts began to align.
"Firm's Bridge was a government-restricted zone, sealed off from public access, guarded by rules that no ordinary person could bypass." Darian stated the facts clearly; his voice was low but firm, as if marking the first crucial point in a case that was already spiralling into something far more dangerous than it appeared.
The police officer continued the part where Darian stopped for a moment, stating that "Mr. Aric, a young girl was found in an area controlled by the government; to enter that zone, even we as investigators need a warrant signed by the area collector to enter.
Lucien was traumatized by these suspicious murders out of nowhere. He entered the conversation by stating that "the very presence of a body there made the scene highly abnormal, don't you think, Darian?"
Aric smirked, "This case is getting interesting minute by minute." Did they send the body to the forensic lab?
The police officer replied, "Yes, Mr. Aric, they have sent the body to the lab, and I was here because the chief wants you to visit the crime scene to investigate."
Aric's anger simmered beneath the surface for a moment, and he answered rudely, "Mrs. Selence, please check the body and get me the report within 1 hr." Sure, Mr… She left the room to examine the body…
Aric turned towards Darian and smirked and said," Darian, I want you to come with me somewhere!".
Darian froze for a moment and responded "Yes chief". The team members were also paused for a moment when the chief investigator called Darian in a very low and soothing way which made everyone into speechless.
Aric walked steadily but not too fast, matching the footsteps with Darian's steps, as Darian didn't notice the step has he was in a deep thought about why Aric called him suddenly... Darian followed the steps of Aric and reached to the terrace.
Darain was too stunned to speak but gathered his courage to ask Aric" Chief, why are we here?"… Aric stopped just before the terrace opened fully before them. He turned slowly towards Darian, his gaze lingering too long-heavy with someone that felt like admiration twisted into possession. It unsettled Darian. A flicker of fear crossed his eyes before he could hide it.
"Chief… Why are we here?" Darian asked quietly again. His expression was innocent, yet beneath it lays curiosity, unease, and the fragile courage to question him.
Aric did not answer. He moved towards the Terrance entrance instead, and Darain followed despite the warning pulsing in his chest. The moment they stepped inside, Aric reached back and shut the door. The sound echoed-final. A faint smirk touched his lips.
Darain's heart began to race, pounding so hard he could hear it roaring in his ears.
Then Aric's hands were on his waist-firm, deliberate. Darian froze, shock locking his body in place as his fingers tightened against Aric's shoulder, caught between pulling away and holding on.
"What are you doing?" Darian whispered, his voice trembling despite himself.
Aric leaned in close, his mouth brushing near Darian's ear. His voice was low, dark, threaded with restrained hunger. "I missed you, Darling," he murmured, his breath warm against Darian's skin. "More than I should have.
"A chill spread through Darian's body. Aric's breath was slow and controlled, sent a dangerous shiver down his spine-fear and desire blurring together until Darian stood frozen, suspended in a silence that felt both intoxicating and terrifying…
.
.
.