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Novel Catalog
Chapter_39
The Encounter at the Airport
I gasped, bracing myself for impact, but instead of crashing to the ground, I felt myself being caught. A strong pair of arms wrapped around me, holding me steady. For a moment, I floated, suspended in his firm, protective embrace. My heart pounded, and I could hear gasps from onlookers, followed by some light applause.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself staring into the face of a tall man, his presence commanding yet oddly calming. He wore a black mask, which only added to the mystery. His eyes locked onto mine, and something about them felt familiar—almost as though I had seen them before. I instinctively gripped his arm, still trying to gather myself.
He gently lowered me to my feet, steadying me without saying a word. His gaze briefly flicked to my hand still resting on his arm, and I quickly pulled it away, offering him an awkward smile. “I’m sorry! Thank you!”
Another bystander stepped forward, picking up my fallen luggage. “You should be careful! That was close, but thankfully, this gentleman was quick to catch you!”
I turned back to the man, nodding gratefully. “Thank you so much!”
He seemed unfazed, his voice husky as he asked, “Where are you headed?”
I studied him, trying to place his voice, which also sounded oddly familiar. I looked him over again—his composed demeanor, the deep, mysterious eyes—and then it hit me. His presence in the ATL Empire meeting earlier that day, his sharp confidence—everything clicked.
“Mr. Pierce?” I blurted out in recognition, my surprise evident.
He pulled down his mask, revealing a strikingly handsome face. I chuckled in disbelief. “Mr. Pierce! It’s you…”
He gave a small, almost imperceptible smile, adjusting his mask as he said, “It’s late. Let’s go together.”
His tone was quick and decisive, and despite not knowing his full position at ATL Empire, I could tell he was an important person in the company—he carried himself like someone with authority.
“Wouldn’t it be inconvenient for you?” I hesitated, glancing at the crowded airport exit. I barely knew him, and the thought of sharing a ride with a near stranger made me uneasy.
He responded sharply, “Do you have another way to leave? If not, let’s go together.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and began walking, leaving me no choice but to follow. Shocked, I grabbed my luggage and hurried to catch up. He had a point—it would be easier to leave the airport with him than wait for the crowd to thin out and search for a cab on my own.
I followed him all the way to the waiting car, feeling a bit dazed by the sudden change of plans. Finally, we were on our way, and I let out a sigh of relief. I was closer to going home.
“Thank you, Mr. Pierce!” I said again, but he didn’t respond.
The drive was silent. He made a phone call, reporting that his departure had been delayed, but the rest of the trip was filled with a heavy, unspoken tension. I had hoped to make small talk or get to know him better, especially since our paths might cross again in the future, but the opportunity never arose.
As the car neared the city, I spoke up. “Mr. Pierce, you can drop me off here. I’ll take a cab from this point.”
But he simply said, “It’s alright. Just give the driver your address.”
There was no room for argument, and I eventually gave in, telling the driver my home address.
We drove in silence the rest of the way, and when we finally arrived at the entrance to my neighborhood, I thanked both Mr. Pierce and the driver profusely. I stepped out of the car, feeling strangely exhausted.
Entering my house, I noticed the dim lighting in the bedroom and thought nothing of it at first. But as I called out Matthew’s name, something strange caught my attention. I heard muffled moaning, low and unmistakable.
A chill ran through me. I felt my heart stop, and I froze in place, my mind racing. I slowly moved toward the bedroom door, which was slightly ajar.
The sounds inside were unbearable, growing louder, more intimate. When I peered through the crack in the door, what I saw was a nightmare come to life.
Two bodies, tangled together, illuminated by the faint light of the room.
My eyes darted from the faces to the bodies, and everything inside me shattered. The images before me, the recognition of who was there—it was too much to bear. I couldn’t process it, couldn’t breathe. My mind went blank as the painful truth sank in.