Theressa wasn't comfortable knowing that she could be caught by someone; she was certain someone would recognize her. The bustling environment of the bar did little to ease her nerves. Her eyes darted around, scanning each face for any sign of recognition, her heart pounding with anxiety.
"Hey, chill. You look like you are hiding from the police," Justin said from beside her. He tried to sound casual, but there was a hint of concern in his voice.
Theressa couldn't respond. He wouldn't understand anyways. The stakes were too high for her to relax, and the possibility of being discovered gnawed at her incessantly. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, swirling with fear and determination. She glanced around, tugging her hat lower over her eyes and pulling her scarf tighter around her neck. Disguises like these always felt flimsy in situations where the risk of exposure was so great.
The bar was dimly lit, filled with the low hum of conversations and the occasional burst of laughter. Waiters weaved through the crowd, balancing trays laden with drinks. Theressa's senses were on high alert, her mind replaying every cautionary step she had taken. She couldn't afford a single mistake.
"That must be him," Justin stated, breaking her reverie. He was looking intently at a man serving drinks, then back at the picture of the man they were searching for. The man looked to be in his late thirties, with a rugged appearance and a tired demeanor.
Theressa followed Justin's gaze. The man, who could be their only lead in unraveling the mystery behind the body in her father's grave, moved with a purposeful efficiency. He was clearly accustomed to the chaotic rhythm of the bar, navigating through the crowd with practiced ease. She studied him carefully, noting the lines of weariness etched into his face and the way his eyes flicked around, always watchful, always wary.
Theressa snatched the picture from Justin's grip, her resolve hardening as she prepared to follow her plan: march straight to the man, get the information she needed, and leave this den before Marcelo's men found her. Her heart pounded with a mixture of fear and determination. She couldn't afford any more delays.
But just as she was about to step forward, Justin's fingers wrapped tightly around her wrist, pulling her back. "What do you think you are doing?" Justin's voice was low but intense, barely masking his frustration and concern.
Theressa's brow furrowed in annoyance. "What else does it look like? I'm going to get the truth out of him," she retorted, her voice edged with impatience. She had been on edge all night, the anxiety gnawing at her insides like a relentless beast.
Justin sighed, his grip on her wrist loosening but not releasing entirely. "You can't just rush in there. We need to be smart about this. If we spook him, we'll lose our chance."
Theressa bit back a sharp reply, knowing he was right but hating the delay nonetheless. She glanced at the man they had been observing, who was still serving drinks and moving through the crowd with the ease of someone accustomed to blending in.
Justin massaged his temples before pulling Theressa aside. "And you think he's going to tell you so quickly, so easily?" he questioned in disbelief.
Theressa took a moment to consider Justin's words. As much as she hated to admit it, he had a point. She tapped her foot on the ground anxiously. They didn't have much time; it was only a matter of time before someone recognized her, and that would spell disaster.
"Seriously, what's wrong with you? You seem a bit more anxious than yesterday," Justin asked, his voice filled with concern and worry.
Theressa lifted her gaze to his, staring into her ex's eyes. She swallowed hard. If Marcelo caught them together, the consequences would be dire.
"Nothing," she muttered, but her voice lacked conviction.
Justin took a step, then another, until he was so close that Theressa could feel his warmth. She only noticed how close he was when his arms wrapped around her in a hug. Instinctively, she wanted to push him away-not because of Marcelo or anyone else, but because she still hadn't forgotten what had happened between them. Justin had betrayed her, shattered her heart without a hint of remorse. She had forgiven him, but forgetting was another matter entirely.
Yet, despite her inner turmoil, she didn't push him away. Instead, she leaned into the hug, letting herself be enveloped by the comfort Justin was providing. For now, she needed that comfort more than she wanted to admit, and Justin was offering it.
Neither of them noticed the pair of dark eyes watching them from the shadows.
Theressa cleared her throat, breaking the moment. "We should get going," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Justin pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes with a mixture of concern and something else she couldn't quite place. "Yeah, we should"
Theressa nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. The moment of comfort had been brief, but it was enough to help her regain some composure.
They made their way to Justin's car, the tension between them palpable. Justin started the engine and they pulled out onto the street, the city lights casting eerie shadows as they drove in silence.
Time had passed, and darkness had begun to settle over the city, but it wasn't yet late enough for Marcelo to return. Theressa made her way back to Marcelo's mansion, her mind consumed with determination. She was convinced that she was getting somewhere-that she was close to uncovering the truth.
Navigating past the bodyguards and CCTV cameras, she slipped into the mansion undetected. Her heart raced with adrenaline as she made her way to the living room, her steps silent on the marble floors.
She tried to compose herself, to act as if she belonged there-as if she had just taken a leisurely stroll through the compound. But her facade crumbled the moment her gaze met Marcelo's.
His expression was unreadable, his dark eyes fixed on her with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. She couldn't shake the feeling that he knew-knew where she had been, knew what she had been up to.
Theressa swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. She had been caught, that much was certain. And now, she could only wait to see what Marcelo would do next.