Chapter 149 High Alert
~Hermes~
I step outside, letting the night air wash over me, and finally exhale.
Just minutes ago, I almost pushed Natalya off my lap when she had the audacity to sit there, smiling like she owned every inch of me. I still can’t believe how close I came to losing control — and exposing everything.
I pull out my phone, hands steady despite the adrenaline, and save the recording I made of our conversation at the dining table.
This is my life now — capturing the crucial moments before they vanish from my mind again.
I can’t believe how close I came to the truth slipping away in seconds. I almost forgot everything — the part that could unravel Natalya’s involvement with my father's scandal.
I glance at the house behind me, its windows dark except for the faint glow from the living room.
I have to stay careful, because every move I make now matters. If Natalya senses even a fraction of what I know… she’ll tighten her grip on June.
So I keep the act. Forgetting, stumbling, and feigning ignorance.
Everything… is going well.
My phone buzzes, cutting through the night’s quiet. I glance at the screen — Ted. I swipe to answer immediately.
"Hermes buddy… why did you ask me to tell Natalya about—?" His voice stumbles, urgent, almost panicked.
"I’ll explain later," I cut in, my tone sharp, leaving no room for argument. "For now… just follow my instructions. Keep the act intact. Everything depends on it."
There’s a pause, then a resigned sigh from the other side. "Alright… I just hope you know what you’re doing."
I hang up, pressing the phone against my chest for a moment. My mind is already elsewhere.
A light flickers in the study. My father’s study.
My eyes narrow. Someone is there.
Instinct takes over. I move slowly, crouching in the shadows as I approach the study window.
Natalya.
I can feel it before I even confirm — her figure is unmistakable. She’s there, alone, rifling through something.
My pulse quickens, but I force calm over my body. I have to see what she’s after… but I cannot give her even the slightest hint that I’m onto her.
I step into the study, flipping on the light. The glow falls across Natalya’s figure. She’s standing there, hands empty, frozen in place.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, my tone sharp, controlled.
Her eyes dart nervously, and she stammers, "I… I thought you had left to meet the boys."
I don’t answer immediately. Instead, my gaze sweeps the room — the desk, the drawers, the shelves. My mind churns. How did she even get the code? Even I don't have any knowledge of it.
A thought flickers in my mind — back to when I first learned about my father’s scandal. Back then, I had considered breaking the security door myself, searching for evidence to clear his name while he was still unconscious. But I didn’t.
I didn’t because I was suddenly tangled in something else. June. Her presence, her grip on my mind and heart. That push and pull had caught me in its web, and I had let the moment pass.
Now, with Natalya standing here, bold and unguarded, I realize how fragile this house of secrets really is.
I take a measured step forward, keeping my voice neutral, even casual.
"You’re not supposed to be here," I say.
Her eyes flicker, searching for some excuse, some lie to hide her intentions. But I can see through the act.
She moves toward me with that slow, deliberate sway, her fingers brushing mine as she wraps her arms around me.
"Have you forgotten, honey?" she murmurs, voice soft, almost intoxicating.
For a split second, I consider pushing her away, cutting this game short. But I don’t. Not yet. Not until I have enough evidence against her.
"Oh… I did?" I reply, keeping my tone light, as if the thought barely registers.
"Of course, honey," she purrs, a sly smile tugging at her lips. Then she releases me, her hands sliding down my arms. "I didn’t find it though. I’ll check back tomorrow."
And just like that, she grabs my arm, dragging me with her as if I’m complicit in this little charade.
I let her, my expression neutral as I carefully observe the study. She doesn’t know how close I am to unraveling her.
Before stepping out fully, I cast one last glance at the study. My mind already calculating,
And I make a mental note — the moment she steps away, I will install a security camera. Every movement she makes in this study, every secret she’s after, I will know.
As we step outside, she tilts her head, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Are you going back to meet the boys?"
I shake my head, lying smoothly. "I… forgot my car keys," I mutter. "Now, I don’t think I want to go anymore."
Inwardly, I tell myself I’m not leaving her alone for even a second—not when I don’t know the security code to my father’s study and can’t ask where she got it without raising suspicion. Later, I’ll ask my father discreetly, because Uncle Dominic is always with him and I don’t trust him—or her.
"I need to sleep. It’s late," I add, already preparing to write down everything I’ve observed, every piece of information before it slips away from me.
She stops me with a pout, voice soft, teasing. "Hermes, have you forgotten again? We’re sleeping in the same room now."
I almost scoff at her shameless bluffing. She’s audacious, lying without hesitation.
"Oh… I almost forgot," I mutter through clenched teeth. I want privacy to document my findings, but I can’t let her out of my sight—not until I’ve installed hidden cameras everywhere and planted a tracking device on her phone.
She steps closer, purring, tracing the curve of her body along mine. "You shouldn’t forget… because I’ve got something planned for you." Her hand slides down my cock possessively, boldly, and my stomach tightens.
I shut my eyes, teeth sinking into my lower lip as I silently pray she doesn’t actually ask me to sleep with her. I can’t—won’t—lose control now.
My nerves are on high alert and my instinct screams to stay in command, to let her think she’s leading, while I’m mapping her move, her word, and intent.
This is a game. And I refuse to be caught unprepared.