Chapter Five

Chapter Title: Who Is It

Author's POV..

July in Apoliom was merciless, the sun blazing overhead as if intent on turning the city into an inferno. Waves of heat rippled off the asphalt, distorting the horizon, and the streets lay deserted, save for the occasional stray dog seeking refuge in the sparse shade of an alley. The city seemed to hold its breath, stifled by the oppressive heat.

Inside the sleek, air-conditioned car, Lia sat in silence, her focus entirely on the glowing screen of her phone. Her fingers idly scrolled through the endless stream of news articles and notifications, though none of it seemed to hold her interest for long. The silence between her and the chauffeur stretched, broken only by the hum of the engine and the faint sound of distant cicadas.

"We'll be there shortly," the chauffeur said, his voice steady, though he cast a quick glance in the rearview mirror as if checking for a response.

"Mhm," Lia murmured, her tone dismissive, her gaze never leaving the phone.

The car glided effortlessly through the near-empty streets, its glossy exterior gleaming under the relentless sun.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, the heat seemed to only amplify the tension.

"They still refuse to go inside?" Liam's voice, sharp with irritation, cut through the otherwise stagnant air. He stood near the edge of a shaded terrace, his suit immaculate despite the oppressive weather. His pale blue tie was the only concession to the sweltering summer, loosened just enough to suggest he wasn't entirely immune to the heat.

"No, sir," one of the security personnel replied, standing at attention with sweat trailing down his temple. "The media's determined to stay out there. They've set up cameras and are recording every movement near the gate."

Liam let out a long, exasperated sigh, running a hand through his dark hair. The media. Always the vultures, ready to pick apart the smallest scraps of drama. He glanced toward the street below, where a cluster of reporters stood stubbornly under the blistering sun, their microphones poised like weapons, their patience wearing thin but their resolve unshaken.

"Idiots," he muttered under his breath, his lips curling into a sneer. "Fine. Let them bake out there. Let's see how long their enthusiasm lasts."

The security officer hesitated for a moment. "Sir, they seem particularly insistent today. They're speculating about—"

"I don't care what they're speculating about," Liam interrupted, his voice cold enough to slice through the heat. "They'll get their soundbites when I decide to give them, not a moment sooner."

He turned away, his mind already elsewhere. The vultures outside were a nuisance, nothing more. His focus was on the arrival. On her.

Back in the car, Lia felt the vehicle slow slightly as it approached the company. The towering iron gates loomed ahead, their intricate design a testament to the power and wealth she held . Beyond the gates, the sprawling company shimmered in the heat, its manicured lawns and grand façade standing in stark contrast to the chaos that waited just beyond.

Lia set her phone down at last, her gaze shifting to the window. Her expression betrayed nothing, though a flicker of something—anticipation, or perhaps disdain—flashed briefly in her eyes.

The gates of the company stood tall, casting jagged shadows across the heated asphalt as the car rolled through. Lia sat in the backseat, her expression unreadable, though her fingers gripped her phone a little too tightly.

She didn't notice the reporters swarming at the gates, their shouts muffled by the tinted glass. They were irrelevant to her now. Her gaze was fixed ahead, on the towering building she was about to enter.

The car glided through the towering iron gates of the estate, their intricate design casting long, jagged shadows across the pristine driveway. The building ahead loomed, its modern, sleek architecture a reflection of untouchable power and wealth. As the car came to a halt, the hum of the engine fell into silence, but Lia didn't immediately move.

Her gaze flicked toward the chaos beyond the gates, barely visible now in the distance. Reporters and onlookers clustered like restless ants, buzzing with speculation. Even from here, the murmur of their frantic chatter seemed to echo in her mind.

"Who's that? Could it be him—the CEO?"

"I doubt it. But that's not my concern. I'm here for a story, not a glimpse of the man."

"Dammit, is that a Bugatti Voiture Noire? Shit—that's my dream car!"

The memory of their voices, laced with curiosity and envy, brought a faint smirk to her lips. They didn't understand. None of them did. While they obsessed over who might emerge from the car, over the glimmering symbol of status and power she rode in, they were blind to the storm brewing beneath the surface.

She shifted her gaze to her reflection in the tinted window, her eyes sharp and calculating. This wasn't just a visit. It wasn't just an appearance. This was the first step in her plan, and she would make sure every move counted.

The chauffeur opened the door with a crisp motion, the hot summer air rushing into the cool sanctuary of the car. Lia stepped out with deliberate poise, her heeled boots clicking against the driveway. She didn't spare a glance for the building or the gawking staff nearby. Instead, her focus remained forward, unwavering, as if the weight of her purpose alone drove her steps.

Let them stare. Let them wonder. Soon, they would all see.

Slm..