Love In Hidden View

hone. As they drove through the night, she sat in the back seat, sandwiched between Anthony an

ear told her they were taking her straight to Ethan. Was h

. Stink glanced at her briefly but remained

ub. Those were her favorite shoes, ones she had saved up to buy. Losing them felt like a small but significant defeat. Greg hadn't sai

ng the silence. The city lights blurred by, and she felt a gro

e're going," she pleaded. Ant

ound herself. Her mind

in her chest as they approached a large, ominous building. She knew this was

d between both men and, with feeble legs, walked behin

armed men who sprang to attention as soon as Rebecca and Anthony entered. On

oss's interest," he stated firmly, releasing the man who stumbled before regaining his composure.

on Rebecca's arm tightened, causing her to flinch. She attempted to pul

fort, she remained silent as Anthony led her to a nearby room. With a flick of a switch, the room was floo

. Rebecca hesitated for a moment before com

he shelf as if he was see

is you

real name or her stage name? She thought for

t name." He turned to face her. She saw t

anxiously, "It's

something from the shelves. He pulled a file out and blew the

that seemed to have been untouched for years. Its corners were still coated in dust as she tentatively reach

y dressed in a black turtleneck shirt and black trousers. He was engrossed in a phone conversat

with various snapshots of the same man, captured from different angles and on different occasions.

e looked at other pictures of him in the folder. The man did not appear fearful like Gre

You are to report to me twice a week, his activities, his transactions, who he is meeting with and where,

e supposed to establish contact with Ethan and gather all this information? "Thi

of words. "Do you mean to imply the Boss's

en her fear of Greg and her growing apprehension of Anthony. "Of course

wn Rebecca's spine. "The Boss didn't select you for

of her. Anthony's laughter only heightened her discomfort. "I have no interest in

ed that her profession hadn't earned her unwanted attention or offended by his im

tried to understand her role. If her appearance was the reason for h

him. You'll be his personal assistant," Anthony

ired the skills needed for such a role. Life had been a relentless struggle for her and her mother, forcing

s that sound?" Anthony's proposition left her feeling both bewildered and apprehensive. While the idea of having a

I can do this

rushed against the gun concealed in his pocket, a silent r

well. If she declined, her fate would be

ve a choice," H

Anthony. Something about him mad

ill have to work your way into securing the role

e would get her to fill in the role. How

er have a need for you," Anthony continued. He smiled at her

allowed hard.

asy. Just as she began to worry he wouldn't respond, his voice cut th

after her, their silent inquiries hanging in the air. With Anthony's firm guidance, she navigated through their

n intensity that made Rebecca shift uncomfortably. As she moved to exit t

ony held her gaze, searching for any sign of deception. Finding none, he

the spot where his fingers had dug i

hat, he restarted the engine, signaling the end of their conversation. Rebecca wasted no time in exiting the car

in her chest. Peering out, she scanned the parking lot below, half expecting to see Anthony's ca

s acknowledgment of her presence. Shocked, she recoiled from the window and da

nly appeared and the figure standing by the window. With a sense of

nd, "We will meet tomorrow?", filling her with dread at the thought of facing him

en who now knew her face, her apartment, and her name? Desperation fueled her as sh

altry sum in the face of the danger that loomed over her. Yet, it was all she had, and she h

tears, refusing to let them fall as she glanced up at the wall clock above her; a gift from her ex, Logan

d. The wall clock found its way into her belongings. If she left by five, she calculated, Anthony would likel

from the dangers that now lurked in California. With trembling hands, she changed into more practical

xcess. Outside, she dragged her suitcase to the nearest bus stop, desperately trying to flag down a cab. J

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