Chapter 04 : Agreement Maxim And Everly

"Miss Harper," Maxim finally said, his voice lower but stressed. "Can you show me your shots of the Tartarus forest during the lunar eclipse?"

The question hit Everly like a bolt of lightning in broad daylight. Her eyes widened, and her breath caught. Her face was instantly pale, like someone who had just been caught doing something that should have been kept secret.

Maxim watched her reaction with a faint smile that was hard to interpret. It was the confirmation he needed. "Ah... so my guess was right. You're the photographer, aren't you?"

Everly bit her lower lip, trying to deny it, but Maxim's gaze made it difficult for her to lie. "S-I don't know what you're talking about..."

Maxim chuckled, but there was no humor in his voice. "Miss Harper, don't underestimate my intelligence. I know you were there that night. And I know you saw something you shouldn't have."

Everly clasped her hands together tightly, trying to calm the rumbling in her chest. "Even if I was there... it was just a coincidence. I don't know what you mean."

Maxim stood up, walking slowly towards her. With his towering posture, he looked like a menacing shadow. "Don't play games, Miss Harper. You know exactly what I mean. I just want to make sure, to what extent you know... and what you're going to do with that information."

Everly felt like she was cornered, but she could not show weakness. "I have no intention of doing anything. I'm just a photographer, Mr. Harrington. Whatever I see, it's not important."

Maxim grinned, his gaze cold yet calculating. "Good, then. Because I will not tolerate anything that could jeopardize my family. Remember that well, Miss Harper."

Everly nodded slowly, while her mind was full of questions and fears. However, underneath it all, there was a curiosity that she couldn't resist. Who exactly was Maxim Harrington? And what was the secret that was so big that he was behaving like this?

Maxim gave Everly a domineering look, letting the silence in the room grow even more oppressive. His steps were slow, circling around Everly like a predator circling its prey.

"So, Miss Harper," he said finally, his voice soft but full of veiled threat, "let's make things clear. You may think that what you saw is not important. But let me tell you-for me, it's very important. And I don't like important things to be threatened."

Everly tried to open her mouth to reply, but her tongue felt numb. Maxim leaned in, bringing his face to within inches of hers. The look in his eyes seemed to pierce her soul.

"I don't have time for games, Miss Harper," Maxim continued. "So, here's the deal: You will keep anything you see or hear to yourself. Not one word out of your mouth. Not to friends, family, or anyone else. No articles, no photos, no traces of anything. If you violate..."

Maxim didn't finish his sentence, but the way he said it was enough to make Everly shiver. The threat was clear, even if it wasn't said outright.

"And what do I get in return?" Everly finally managed to get the words out, though her voice sounded small and shaky.

Maxim grinned, his smile cold yet controlled. "In exchange, I'll make sure your photography career takes off. I'll give you all the tools you need, including the best cameras on the market. I'll even give you access to places that other photographers can't get to. But only if you abide by this deal. Do we have a deal, Miss Harper?"

Everly bit her lower lip, her mind whirling around looking for a way out. But Maxim's cold, intense gaze let her know that she had no other choice.

"Fine," she murmured finally, almost inaudibly. "I agree."

"Good," Maxim replied, his satisfied tone clear. "And remember, Miss Harper. I'll always be watching."

Everly swallowed, feeling like she had just made a deal with the devil. Maxim took a few steps back, his posture relaxed, as if nothing had just happened. But the intimidating aura surrounding him was still strong, making Everly feel small and helpless.

"Then," Maxim said in a much lighter tone, "let's discuss this job further."

***

In a coffee shop with a warm atmosphere but unable to calm Everly's mind, she sat alone with Jester. Her friend looked at her with questioning eyes, seemingly impatient for the answer that Everly had been avoiding.

"Eve, what's wrong with you? I've asked you many times, but you've been silent. What exactly happened that night?" urged Jester in a frustrated tone.

Everly stared at the empty coffee cup in front of her, her fingers playing with the rim, her mind back in Maxim's office. The man's piercing gaze, his heavy yet firm voice, and the deal they had just made swirled in her head.

"I knew he suspected me," Everly muttered to herself. "He invited me to his office just to make sure I was the one he was looking for. All the photographers present were wildlife photographers. This is no coincidence."

"EVE!"

Jester's suddenly raised voice snapped Everly out of her reverie. She looked up at Jester who was now looking increasingly frustrated.

"What's wrong?" asked Everly in a flat tone, trying to ignore the tension that kept haunting her mind.

"Are you even listening to me? I've been asking about that night, and you just sit there silently. Do you think I don't care? I need to know what really happened!"

Everly took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "What were you asking? I didn't hear you."

Jester sighed, his patience clearly wearing thin. "You're obviously thinking about that night, aren't you? You were scared we were going to die because of that wolf chasing us. But look at us now—we're alive! And you know why? Because of me. I was the one driving us to safety."

Everly looked at Jester, feeling a pang of guilt. "Yeah, you're right, Jes. Thank you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here right now."

Jester nodded, satisfied for a moment, but his expression quickly turned serious again. "Then, you said that night I wouldn't believe what you saw. What exactly did you see, Eve?"

Everly hesitated. In her mind, Maxim's warning echoed loud and clear: Not a single word about this must leave your lips. She knew the risks of saying too much.

"That night..." Everly finally said, letting her words hang in the air. "That night, I panicked. I accidentally took a photo of a wolf standing on a rock. Its gaze was so sharp... I can still hear its howl. And when it started chasing us, I thought we were done for."

Jester studied her intently, one eyebrow arching in suspicion. "Are you sure that's all there is to tell?" he asked, his tone tinged with doubt.

"Of course," Everly replied quickly, trying to sound convincing. "You believe me, right?"

Jester didn't answer immediately. He watched her closely, searching for cracks in her story. As someone who had known Everly for years, he could tell when she was hiding something. And right now, he was sure she wasn't telling him everything.

"If you say so," Jester finally said, though the doubt lingered in his voice.

Everly gave him a small smile, though her heart felt heavy. She knew Jester didn't fully believe her, but she also knew it was safer for both of them if she stayed silent. That big secret had to remain hidden, no matter the cost.