The Unknown Caller

The Unknown Caller
Asher’s POV

The morning light spilt through the sheer curtains, brushing pale gold light across the floor. I’d been up for hours… I hadn't gotten enough sleep, not yet. Not when the world was whispering my name for all the wrong reasons. They don't care about the truth; they only believe what they're made to.

Elias sat opposite me on the long dining table, busy with his laptop. He had glasses perched on his nose like he’d aged five years overnight. Two mugs containing coffee lay across each of our sides.

“My father called last night,” I began, rubbing my temples. “He wasn’t exactly pleased about the scandal.”

Elias looked up, cautious. “What did he say?”

“‘I want it fixed immediately, Asher.’ Those were his exact words.” I exhaled. “He wants every post about it taken down. Every article erased, and if it were possible to delete them from people's minds, he would’ve included that too.”

Elias sighed, closing his laptop halfway. “That’s… ambitious. Once something’s out there—”

“Call the media heads, Start with The Daily Verdict and Elitescope." I cut in. "Offer whatever they want: money, exclusives, silence… whatever it takes.”

He nodded slowly, jotting notes.

I sipped my coffee. “And Elias,” I added, leaning back, “call Frederick’s office. Tell his secretary I’ll be there before noon. I need to handle this personally.”

He should know better than to play these kinds of games with me. This might be my last warning to him before I strike back.

Elias adjusted his tie. “Got it.” He started typing again, fingers clattering like a countdown to disaster.

I exhaled softly before leaning back on the chair… Then my eyes dragged to Elias. For all the scandals I’ve had to deal with these past few years, I’ve been lucky to have him by my side. He’s more than a right-hand man—he’s family in every way that matters.

I still remember the first time my mum's brother brought him to the estate. I had just returned from Switzerland during summertime… And there was Elias, sitting quietly in a corner, looking too fragile. He was always quiet, calm and observing. But the day we went out for a volleyball match, something changed. There was this spark I saw in him—raw, determined, alive—and I knew instantly we’d make a hell of a team.

His parents had died in a plane crash, and none of his remaining relatives wanted to take him in. My uncle, being the man he was, took responsibility and raised him as his own. Now, years later, Elias had turned into one of the sharpest minds I’ve ever met—and the only person I trust without question.

The air drifted softly through the half-open window, brushing against my skin… Heavy and still, the kind of morning where even silence had weight.

The soft sound of footsteps made me glance up.

Camila.

She walked in, still in her nightshirt, hair tousled from sleep, eyes half-lidded and warm from dreams. And just like that, my focus derailed.

My eyes went straight to her lips… soft, flushed, and far too easy to remember. The taste of them still lingered like a curse I didn’t want to lift. That kiss had been unplanned, impulsive, and wrong on every level—and yet, right in every way that mattered.

She said something, but her voice didn’t register. I just watched her mouth move, the curve of her lips forming words I couldn’t hear.

Then Elias cleared his throat and nudged me lightly. “Sir?”

I blinked, heat crawling up my neck. “Huh? Oh—yeah.” I straightened in my seat, clearing my throat. “Good morning.”

Camila’s lips tugged faintly, almost amused. “Morning,” she said softly.

I nodded, pretending I hadn’t just been caught staring. “How was your night?”

She yawned delicately. “Fine, I guess.”

I almost smiled. Almost. “We’ll stay one more night here,” I said, leaning back, a business tone sliding over the warmth that threatened to break through. “I need enough time to clear the media mess. Once everything’s settled, we’ll be free of this circus.”

She hummed in response, reaching for a glass of water on the counter. The sunlight hit her wrist, glinting against the silver bracelet she was wearing.

Then her phone buzzed on the table.

She frowned slightly, picked it up, and turned away as she answered. Her voice dropped low, soft and private.

Elias glanced at me over the rim of his laptop. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Perfect,” I lied, eyes still following her across the room.

\----

Camila's POV

The screen flashed: Unknown Number.

My brows drew together. I hesitated for a second before swiping to answer.

“Hello?”

There was no response at first—just a low hum, like someone exhaled too close to the receiver. I turned away from Asher and Elias, walking toward the balcony where the morning air felt slightly less suffocating.

“Who’s this?” I asked again, my tone sharper this time.

The voice that came through was female, but it was laced with something that made my pulse jump.

“My identity doesn’t matter, Camila. What matters is that you’ve been looking for information about former Pinnacle employees… right?”

She knows my name?

I froze. My hand tightened around the phone. “Who are you? How do you know that?”

“I told you,” she replied smoothly, “my name isn’t important. But I have something you’ll want to hear. A clue that could lead you closer to finding out what really happened to your father.”

My stomach twisted. “Where do you want to meet?”

“Ravenshade Diner. Corner of Hillcrest Avenue. We meet tonight, by seven on the dot.” Her tone dropped lower. “And come alone. Don’t tell anyone where you’re going, and make sure no one follows you. If you do, I’ll disappear. For good.”

My heart was beating too fast now. “How do I know this isn’t a setup? For all I know, you could be working with Edward.”

A faint, bitter laugh filtered through the line. “If I were, you’d already be dead, Camila. Trust me when I say I’m not the enemy here. Edward’s men have been hunting me for years. They’re getting close, and I can feel it. If you want answers, you’ll have to take a risk.”

Silence stretched between us. I could hear the faint clatter of Elias’s keyboard from the other room, the hum of Asher’s voice… It all suddenly felt a world away.

“Alright,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll meet you.”

“Good,” she replied. “And, Camila?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t be late.”

The line went dead.

I stared at my reflection in the dark screen for a long moment, my pulse still racing. Whoever that woman was… she knew something. And if what she said was true… this might be my only chance to uncover the truth about my father’s death.