Jason's POV
After I was fully dressed, I made my way out of the room and down to the car. Violet was already seated in the front. The driver started the car as soon as I was settled in. Violet was quiet beside me and I didn’t bother to talk either, all that could be heard was the humming of the engine as we made our way to the Miller’s Construction headquarters.
My mind was swirling with different thoughts and I could not pinpoint what exactly was going on in my head, was it the meeting I had ahead or Andy or my futile attempt at watching the footage? Or Violet’s odd behaviour? I didn’t know.
We finally got to the office and the driver pulled over. Violet stepped out and opened the door for me and I stepped out of the car and made my way through the entrance of the office to the conference room with Violet on my tail.
Everyone was already sitting at the table and as I entered they all stood up to greet me. I gave them a small nod of my head as I sat down at the head of the table and they followed suit by sitting as well.
The meeting started and I could barely pay attention, my mind kept going back to the whole thing with Andy and the picture and everything. Their voices became a blur as I leaned back in my chair, pulled out my phone under the table and opened the picture that Andy had sent to me- the picture of both of us kissing. The memories of the kiss came rushing back but I had to push it aside and focus.
I looked at the picture intently, zooming into it as I took in every detail. Then something clicked, the picture didn’t look like one that was taken with a phone camera- I knew this because I was a picture enthusiast and I knew different types of camera and the picture quality. This had been taken with a professional camera.
For a moment I thought it could have been one of those paparazzi, but I pushed the thought aside, I might be popular but not so much that they followed me everywhere. No one knew about us, talk less of someone caring enough to send a photo directly to Andy. And even if it was paparazzi, how had they even gotten her number? Andy was not known around here.
No, it couldn’t have been paparazzi. But if it wasn’t, then who? And why? Whoever had followed us and taken the picture must have been watching us for a long time.
Immediately I realized that it was a professional camera, it occurred to me that I needed to go back and check on the footage and look out for people that were specifically carrying a camera. If I could spot someone with the right equipment, I might just get a lead. The thought made my pulse quicken, a sense of purpose filling me as I felt I might finally be onto something.
“Mr Miller… Mr Miller...”
The sound of my name drew me out of my thoughts and I looked up to see that it was Violet that was calling my name. It looked like she had been trying to call my name nonstop for a while but I had been so lost in my thoughts that I had not heard her calling me.
I blinked as I tried to focus on what she was saying. “Yes, Violet?”
She sighed, her usual professionalism taking over as she repeated whatever information I had missed.
“They’re asking about the terms for the next phase of the contract. Are you fine with what is written in the contract and their timelines or would you like them to give you a more specific timeframe?”
I cleared my throat as I tried to compose myself. “I hate repeating myself. My initial request stands”
“But-” The CEO of the other company started but one look from me shut him up immediately.
“Okay. We'll agree to your request” he finally said.
“Great then. The terms are fine. Let’s proceed.” I said.
The CEO of the partner company let out a relieved sigh, clearly eager to finalize things, and I gave a nod, doing my best to appear focused.
After a few more exchanges and some final paperwork, the contract was signed, and the meeting wrapped up. I muttered a few obligatory goodbyes before quickly excusing myself.
Violet followed me out of the conference room, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she matched my hurried pace. “Mr. Miller, you have another meeting in thirty minutes,” she reminded me, her voice laced with her usual efficiency. “Shall I prepare the documents?”
“Cancel it,” I said abruptly, barely glancing at her.
She hesitated, looking taken aback. “But, sir-“
“No, Violet.” I looked at her, my tone leaving no room for negotiation. “Cancel everything for the rest of the day.”
She blinked, clearly caught off guard, but she didn’t argue further.
“Understood, sir,” she replied, her voice noticeably more subdued. I could tell she was biting back whatever questions were simmering just below the surface, but she knew better than to push it.
As I left the office building, I barely registered the looks from my employees I passed. My mind was racing, my sole focus was getting home to that footage.
The drive back to the house felt like it was taking forever and my patience was slowly wearing thin. The driver had not pulled over properly when I opened the door and hurriedly got out of the car. I made my way to my study and opened the laptop again and started to rewatch the footage.
I rewound to the exact time of the date, watching each person who passed by. It didn’t take long before I found people with cameras on them. I saw a woman with a man, they were probably a couple. The man was carrying a camera around his neck and I ruled them out. They seemed like they were just tourists, taking a cute picture together- no threat there.
The next person I saw was a girl, she looked like a high schooler, she was in a uniform and was carrying a bag on her back. She was also carrying a camera over her shoulder and she looked so innocent. Just a student, likely doing some kind of project. I moved on, feeling the tension coil tighter in my stomach as I realized I was narrowing down my options.
Then, finally, I saw them. Two men, loitering a bit too close to where I had been with Andy, each of them carrying cameras. They weren’t holding hands, weren’t dressed like tourists or students, and something about their body language felt… wrong. They looked too focused, too deliberate.
I paused the footage, zooming in on their faces as best as I could, though the grainy quality made it difficult to make out their features. But this was enough for me to feel certain that these two were involved. They had to be.
I quickly took a screenshot of the men, saving the image to my phone before dialing a contact who could run a background check. I sent over the screenshot with instructions to find out who these guys were. I let out a breath of relief as I leaned back against the chair, the tension leaving my body. I hadn’t found a solution yet but I knew I was very close to finding out the answer.
Just as I was about to stop my phone, my phone buzzed and a message notification flashed across my screen. It was from Andy.
Andy: Hey, any updates?
I grinned, my fingers flying over the keyboard as I replied.
Me: I think I might have found who the person is.
A minute later, the typing bubbles appeared, followed by her response.
Andy: Really? Who is it?
I hesitated for a second, not wanting to give her half an answer. I still didn’t know who these men were or what their connection to us might be. But I didn’t want to leave her hanging either, especially not when she was already so anxious.
Me: It’s still early, but I found two people in the footage who look suspicious. I’ve sent their image to someone who can help identify them.
There was a brief pause before her reply came through.
Andy: Thank God. I was starting to think we’d never find out who was behind this.
I could feel her relief through the phone and I felt better, I had finally put her mind at ease. I had to figure things out fast not because of me not because of how worried Andy was about everything. We’d come too far, and she deserved to feel safe again.
Me: Just trust me okay? I will get to the bottom of this and I won't stop until I do. Just hang in there.
A second later, her reply came, simple but meaningful.
Andy: I know. Thank you.
I put my phone down, staring at the screenshot of the two men one last time. If they were the ones, they had gone against the wrong person and they would pay dearly for it.