Chapter 33: Red Flags and Strawberry Lies.

Chapter 33: Red Flags and Strawberry Lies.
Jade.

“Jadeeee.” My name rolled out of his mouth like a slow burn, deep enough to shake the air around me.

It wasn’t just my name...it was a command, a warning, a pulse that yanked me straight out of my spiraling thoughts.

I spun around so fast I almost tripped. He was standing by the glass door, his face half-shadowed by the morning glare.

His hand gripped his coat, the other stuffed in his pocket, jaw sharp as a blade.

“Sir?” I said, breath catching.

He took a slow step toward me. “Why have you decided to act silly on a schedule that’s this important?”

I blinked fast, heart still stuttering from the way he said silly, like it tasted sour on his tongue. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled, hugging my notepad. “I just… wasn’t ready yet.”

He scoffed, that rich sound that dripped arrogance. “You’re never ready, are you? Let’s leave now.”

I followed him quietly, my heels tapping the marble, but my mind wasn’t there.

It was racing. We were going to an interrogation.

An interrogation of an officer who saw what happened last night.

My pulse thudded against my ribs like a trapped bird. Eros handled the situation, yeah...but death? No.

I didn’t know about death. And what if the other officer recognized me? What if he mentioned my name, my face, the way I screamed that night?

I’d be done for.

Finished.

“Excuse me, sir…” I said softly.

He sighed hard, head tilting like I just irritated his soul. “What now?”

“I just need to get, uh...” I stammered.

“Get what, Jade?” His voice was cutting. “Air? Permission to breathe?”

My throat tightened. “My… coat. I’m having pneumonia, sir. I need to cover up. It’s cold and...”

Before I could finish, he unbuttoned his black coat, heavy and expensive, and threw it over my shoulders. The scent of his cologne...musk, cedar, a hint of citrus wrapped around me like sin.

“Take this,” he said, eyes cold. “That’ll save your pneumonia.”

My lips parted. “Uh… no. I actually need my coat, I keep useful stuff in it...”

“Oh heavens,” he muttered. “Your boyfriend must be waiting on death.”

That hit like a slap.
He didn’t know how close to truth he was.

“Two minutes,” he said finally, voice hard but tired. “Just two. Don’t test me.”

I nodded quickly and ran.

Inside the hallway, Freda looked up from her desk. “Girl, are you okay? You look like you saw a ghost.”

“Not yet,” I breathed, forcing a laugh. “Director said I should follow him for an investigation.”

Her jaw dropped. “Oh my God. Girl, that’s big! Just make sure he touches you at least once.”

“Freda!” I groaned, rolling my eyes.

“What? Don’t act innocent. You’ve seen that man’s jawline. If he asked me to fetch hellfire in heels, I’d do it.”

I half-laughed, half-died inside. “You’re crazy. I just need to use the restroom.”

She squinted at me. “Be serious with your work, Jade.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered, rushing off.

Inside the restroom, I leaned against the sink and exhaled sharply. My reflection looked pale, eyes wide with anxiety.

Think, Jade.
You need an excuse.
Something believable.

Then my eyes fell on my hairpin.
Sharp.
Silver.

I opened my palm and pressed the edge against my skin, just enough to sting, enough for a little blood. I hissed softly as a red line formed. I smeared it on my skirt.

“Perfect,” I whispered. “Now you look like a mess.”

I flushed the sink, fixed my hair, and stepped out.

He was waiting by the elevator, tapping his watch. The sight of him made my chest tighten for reasons I didn’t want to name.

“I’m sorry, sir,” I said, walking toward him.

He turned his head, his jaw working. “You’ve got an excuse for everything, don’t you?”

His voice wasn’t just rude..mit was rough, low, magnetic. He closed the space between us in a few strides, his presence swallowing mine.

Then his hand shot out, gripping my wrist...not rough, just firm enough to make me shiver.

He pulled me closer, pushing me against the sleek black car parked outside. His body brushed mine, heat rolling off him in slow, deliberate waves.

“Do you ever stop trembling when I’m near?” he murmured.

My lips parted. “Do you ever stop talking like that, sir?”

He smirked faintly, eyes dark. Then he took off his coat again, wrapped it around my waist this time, and tied the sleeves into a knot.

“There,” he said. “Now you look less like you walked through murder and more like a woman running late.”

His fingers brushed my hips when he tied the last knot. The touch lingered...intentional or not, I couldn’t tell.

“Go in and freshen up,” he said softly, voice suddenly gentler.

“Uh… how?” I asked, dazed.

He leaned closer, the ghost of a smile on his lips. “Strawberries.”

My brow furrowed. “Straw… what?”

He tilted his head.

“Straw… red. Oh yeah.” It took me a second, then I realized he was teasing. My heart did that stupid flutter thing again.

“Go, attend to your woman issues.” he said, straightening. "Driver Junior would take you home."

I nodded, biting my lip. For a second, I wished he was always this calm, this human. When he wasn’t yelling, his arrogance felt almost… addictive.

The driver opened the door, and I slid in. The ride was silent except for the hum of the engine and the way my mind replayed everything from last night to this morning.

The way Eros’ voice cracked when he apologized.

The way Eric’s eyes burned like he knew me from somewhere.

The way I couldn’t tell which one scared me more...the man or the machine.

When the car pulled up to my place, the sun had shifted low, painting the street in gold. I stepped out, thanking the driver, and rushed up to the porch.

My key trembled in the lock as I pushed the door open.

Then I froze.

My heart fell straight into my stomach.“What the fuck…” I whispered.

The entire living room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn halfway.

My coffee table...shattered. My favorite vase, the one Eros once complimented...broken into pieces. My couch cushion ripped open, feathers scattered across the floor like snow.

And there..mstanding in the middle of the mess, was a silhouette.
Still.
Tall.

Breathing softly.

I didn’t need the light to know who it was.“Eros?” I whispered.

For a long second, we just stared at each other. My lips trembled, my body numb.“What did you do?” I finally whispered.

He didn’t answer.

He just tilted his head slightly...like he was processing whether to speak or hide the truth.

The silence was so thick I could hear my own heartbeat.

Then he took a step toward me.
And another.

I backed up slowly, my back hitting the door I just came through.“Eros,” I said again, voice barely holding together. “Talk to me.”

His lips parted.
A faint sound came out...not words, not yet. Just a low hum, almost mechanical.

My hands shook as I reached for the light switch.
Click.

The light flickered on.

And what I saw next…I couldn’t breathe.