Chapter 55: Sudden Plans
The bright bathroom light highlighted the thin line on Agatha's waist. She stood in front of the large mirror, pulling her black t-shirt up just below her chest. The scar was now a pale pink, fully dried and no longer stinging when she pressed the edges with her fingertips. A month had passed since that bloody night. A month spent entirely within the mansion walls, without being allowed to set a single foot past the main gate.
"That wound is completely closed now," Xavier's voice came from the doorway.
Agatha immediately pulled her shirt down, covering her skin. She turned around to see Xavier standing there. He was still in his work clothes, but his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing the steady strength in his arms.
"I’ve been moving around just fine for two weeks, Xavier. You’re just overthinking it," Agatha said as she straightened her shirt.
Xavier walked closer without a sound. He placed his hands on Agatha's waist, right over where the wound used to be. His palms were warm, sending a familiar spark through her. "I just don't want the stitches to tear open again. You know how deep that knife went into your body."
"I know because it’s my body, not yours," Agatha countered. She looked directly into Xavier’s eyes, which looked tired but sharp. "How much longer are you going to keep me here? I need some air that hasn't been through this mansion’s filtration system, Xavier. I’m starting to feel suffocated."
"Until things are truly safe. Vargo hasn't been found, and I’m not taking even the slightest risk when it comes to you," Xavier replied in a low, protective tone.
Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open roughly. The sound of it hitting the wall made Agatha instinctively tense up. Melynda strode in with sunglasses perched on top of her head. She was wearing a casual floral dress and carrying a large bag over her shoulder.
"You two look absolutely miserable stuck in this closed room every day," Melynda exclaimed without any greeting. She tossed a glossy brochure onto the neatly made bed.
Xavier let out a long sigh, letting go of Agatha's waist. "Mom, could you at least try knocking before you walk in?"
"No time for boring manners, Xavier. We're going to the beach tomorrow morning," Melynda said. She sat down at Agatha's vanity, starting to touch the rows of perfume bottles as if they were her own.
Xavier frowned, stepping toward his mother. "The beach? We aren't going anywhere. Agatha hasn't fully recovered yet."
"A month is more than enough for a little scratch like that," Melynda shot back as she spun the chair to face him. "I've already rented a private villa on the south coast. The area is completely closed to the public. You can bring your entire army if you're really that scared."
"This isn't about being scared, Mom. It's about security that we can't easily control in an open space," Xavier protested.
Agatha picked up the brochure from the bed. She saw pictures of calm white sand and crystal-clear water. A sudden longing hit her chest. "I want to go."
Xavier turned quickly to his wife. "Agatha, you can't be serious."
"I’m very serious, Xavier. I’m starting to feel like I’m losing my mind just staring at walls and monitor screens every day," Agatha said with a demanding gaze. "I need to see the horizon."
"See? Your own wife agrees with me," Melynda smiled triumphantly. "I've prepared three cars. One for me, one for you two, and one for those lapdogs you’ll inevitably want to bring. You can even add more if it makes you feel better, Xavier."
"I still don't like it. The beach is an easy target for snipers if our position gets leaked," Xavier said, starting to pace back and forth in the middle of the room.
"The villa is tucked under a cliff. There’s only one land entrance that you can guard tightly. Out front, there’s nothing but the open sea. You can put coast guards or whatever you want out there," Melynda explained, dismissing his concerns.
Agatha walked up to Xavier and held his arm, stopping his restless pacing. "Let me out of here for just three days, Xavier. If you don't allow it, I'll walk out on my own without any of your guards tomorrow morning. You know I can do it, even right now."
Xavier stopped. He stared at Agatha for a long time, looking for any sign of doubt, but he found nothing but resolve. He knew that if Agatha made a threat like that, she would actually follow through.
"You’ll stay within my sight every single second we’re there?" Xavier asked, his voice heavy.
"Every second," Agatha answered firmly.
"And you won't go chasing after anyone if something happens?" Xavier asked again.
"I’ll listen to your instructions," Agatha said, though she mentally crossed her fingers behind her back.
Xavier let out a long breath. He turned to Melynda, who was now busy trying on one of Agatha's lipsticks. "Make sure that villa is completely clear of strangers. If I find even one suspicious person there, I’m dragging both of you back home immediately."
"Of course, my dear son. I'll send the location to Frans right now so he can do a preliminary sweep," Melynda said. She stood up and walked toward the door. "See you tomorrow morning at six. Don't be a minute late."
After Melynda left, the room fell silent again. Xavier looked at Agatha with a face that still showed he was far from okay with this.
"You really know how to play me when you want something," Xavier muttered softly.
"I just know I need some room to breathe, Xavier. Thank you," Agatha replied with a small smile.
"Don't thank me yet. I’m bringing a full team. This vacation is going to feel more like a military operation for the two of you," Xavier said as he walked to the closet to start packing their bags.
The next morning, the front of the mansion was bustling. Several black SUVs were parked with their engines idling, creating a consistent low hum. Frans was busy giving final instructions to six guards who were dressed in civilian clothes but still looked incredibly alert.
Melynda was already in the first car, waving enthusiastically from behind the window. Agatha got into the second car, followed by Xavier, who immediately sat beside her with a tablet displaying their live travel route.
"Everything's ready, Xav," Frans said from the front passenger seat.
"Let's move. Keep the distance between cars under ten meters the whole way," Xavier ordered.
The cars moved slowly out of the mansion. As the large gates opened, Agatha felt her heart beat a little faster. She looked at the green trees and the highway starting to fill with other cars. A strange sense of freedom began to fill her chest.
Throughout the four-hour drive, Xavier never took his eyes off the tablet or the mirrors. He scrutinized every vehicle trailing them on the highway.
"You need to relax, Xavier. You've been making the vibe in this car so tense since we left," Agatha said. She reached out and touched the back of Xavier's hand, which was gripping the tablet tightly.
"I'm working, Agatha. I don't want any surprises on the road," Xavier replied without looking up.
"Vargo isn't going to attack in the middle of a busy highway. That's not his style. He prefers the shadows," Agatha said, trying to soothe him.
"After the docks, I don't assume he has a style anymore. He’ll do whatever it takes to win," Xavier said. He only put the tablet down once they exited the highway and entered the quieter roads leading to the coast.
A little while later, they arrived at a large wooden gate guarded by two men in safari uniforms. After Frans showed his ID, the gate opened slowly. A grand villa with an open, glass-heavy architecture stood at the edge of the cliff, offering a direct view of the deep blue Indian Ocean.
Agatha stepped out of the car and immediately breathed in the sharp scent of salt carried by the sea breeze. The sound of waves crashing below the cliff was loud and constant.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Melynda appeared beside Agatha. She kicked off her high heels and let her bare feet touch the neat green grass.
"Yes. It really is beautiful, Mom," Agatha replied sincerely.
Xavier stepped out and immediately called Frans over. "Check every room on both floors right now. Install motion sensors along the cliff fence. I want status reports every hour."
"On it, Boss," Frans replied and immediately led his team.
Xavier walked over to Agatha, who was still staring at the sea. "Don't go near that ledge without me or Frans."
"I just got here, Xavier. Let me just enjoy the view for a second," Agatha said without turning around.
"You can enjoy it from the second-floor terrace. It’s higher and much safer," Xavier said, taking Agatha's arm and guiding her inside the villa.
Inside, the villa was incredibly luxurious with high ceilings. The walls were mostly large sliding glass doors that let the sea breeze flow through. Melynda headed straight for the bar and told the staff to get some cold drinks ready.
"You two have to try this. It's so refreshing in this heat," Melynda called out from across the room.
Agatha sat in a rattan chair facing the ocean. She closed her eyes, feeling the wind brush softly against her face. For a moment, she forgot about Luigi or Vargo. She felt human again.
"Drink this," Xavier handed a glass of cold juice to Agatha. He sat down in the chair next to her, but he kept himself positioned toward the main entrance.
"Can't you just sit back for one minute?" Agatha asked, opening her eyes.
"I am sitting back," Xavier said shortly. He took a sip from his water bottle.
"You're sitting like a man waiting for a bomb to go off," Agatha teased with a small smile.
Suddenly, Xavier's phone buzzed on the wooden table. The vibration sounded loud in the quiet of the terrace. Xavier snatched it up and looked at the screen. The expression that had just started to soften instantly turned to stone. He stood up and walked a few paces away to take the call, his voice dropping to a whisper.
Agatha watched Xavier’s broad back. She saw his shoulders tense up suddenly. She knew right then that the brief peace was over.