The gun gleamed under the dim lights which were in the hallway.
For a moment, everything froze and everywhere was silent .
There was no movement.
No sound.
The only thing which could be heard was the pounding sound of Alice's heart.
David reacted first.
With a quick motion, he reached forward, grabbing the masked man's wrist and hitting him against the elevator door. The gun fell onto the marble floor, spinning further away. A brutal fight immediately broke out.
Fists flying.
Growling sounds in the corridor.
"Run, Alice!" David shouted.
But Alice stood there lost. Trying to breathe. She didn't know what had just happened.
David landed a hard punch to the attacker's jaw, knocking him back a step. Blood splattered on the elevator doors. But the man wasn't down; he twisted free, landing a vicious elbow to David's side.
David grunted but didn't fall.
He struck again, forcing the man backward.
The attacker hit David hard and turned for his gun, he picked it gun and headed for the stairway and then yelled:
"This is far from over ! I'll definitely be back for her!"
Then he left.
David got up, trying as hard to catch his breath and then cursed for a while under his breath. Then reached out for Alice
"Alice—"
"No," she gasped, jerking away. Her heart thundered. "I—I can't stay here."
David's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"I don't feel safe," Alice whispered, stepping back. "Not with you. Not after everything. Since you came into my life, it's been from one thing to another. First you crazy ahh girl, then your so-called brother, and now this. It's too much for me in the space of one night."
David's jaw clenched. "Common, don't—"
"I need to go," Alice cut him off, voice shaking. "I'm going back to Nora."
David looked like he wanted to argue — badly — but after a long, tense pause, he forced a rough nod.
"Fine," he rasped. "But I'll have a car follow you. I'm not leaving you unprotected."
Alice said nothing. She couldn't.
All she could do was run.
She reached for her bag, then brushed her shoulders' with him as she moved past him, looking for the fastest way to exit the building.
She had to get away from everything which involved David. She had to get away from that storm. From that night.
The taxi ride blurred by in a haze of streetlights and shadows.
Alice kept staring at the rearview mirror to see if there was anyone or any car following hers.
David? Or maybe the attacker who promised to be back for her.
But the streets stayed empty.
When she finally reached Nora's apartment, she reached for her arms. She felt her knees become weak and she collapsed in her friend's arms.
"Oh my God, My lil girl," Nora cried, hugging her tightly. "Are you okay? What happened? Where are you coming from so stressed?"
Alice could only shake her head and speak with her eyes . She was too numb, shocked and tired to speak.
Nora sat her down on the couch , brought out a thick blanket and made her some warm tea. She gave her a look that said: can you explain everything that just happened.
Slowly, words tumbled out.
About Daisy.
About Lucas.
About the attack.
David fighting the man off.
Her fear. Her confusion.
When she finished, Nora's face was grim, her eyes were filled with pity. She couldn't even imagine what Alice had to go through. Then she said the next words that came to her mind.
"You were right to leave," Nora said gently. "But Alice… you have to be careful. This isn't something that should randomly happen to anyone"
Alice stared at her. "I know."
Nora hesitated, then sat beside her.
"That's not what I'm talking about. There's more. There's something you need to know," she said carefully. "Something about David."
Alice's chest tightened. "What is it?"
Nora lowered her voice. "It's about his family. His company. There are… rumors. Ugly ones."
"Like what?"
"That David's mother didn't just die of a heart attack," Nora whispered. "That there was foul play. Power struggles. Secrets hidden inside Thompson & Co. People who would do anything to control it — even kill. David's mother had the highest shares in the company. And around the time a CEO was needed, her shares were the best weapon anyone who wanted to be on top had to use. Rumor has it, one of her children was responsible."
Alice felt like the floor was tilting under her feet.
"And David?" she croaked. "Is he involved?"
"I don't know," Nora said honestly. "But if you stay with him… you'll be dragged into it."
Alice held tightly onto the arm of her friend.
Was David hiding darker secrets than she imagined?
Did she even know who he truly was?
What had she gotten herself into?
"You have a choice to make, Alice," Nora said softly. "Trust him… or walk away."
Alice closed her eyes and reached for her front hair with her hands like she was combing it from front. She felt both her head and heart ache.
She couldn't believe anything.
It was late.
The city lights twinkled outside Nora's window as Alice sat curled up on the couch, trying to sort through the chaos in her heart.
There was a slight knock. She didn't hear the knock at first.
But then it came out again.
It was soft — almost hesitant.
A third knock.
Louder.
Alice's body tensed. She held her breath as she tip-toed to the door.
"Who is it?" she called, her voice tight.
"Alice," came a familiar voice.
Her heart stopped.
Grey.
Her ex-boyfriend.
What was he doing here?
Confused and wary, she peeped through the peephole.
It was really him.
Pale. Eyes desperate.
She didn't want to open the door, but she thought to herself: what could happen that was worse. So she unlocked the door but left the chain on.
"What do you want, Grey?" she asked through the crack.
"I need to talk to you," Grey said urgently. "Please. It's about David."
Alice's eyes rolled.
Everything was about David these days.
"I don't want to—"
"Alice, please." Grey's voice cracked. "You're in danger."
Something about the way he said it pissed her off. So she decided to open the door.
Grey stepped inside quickly, glancing around nervously.
"You shouldn't be here," Alice said sharply. "You're the last person I—"
"I know," he interrupted. "I screwed up. But listen — I've been watching, Alice. Ever since you got involved with him."
She recoiled. "You've been spying on me?"
"Protecting you," Grey corrected. "Because David Thompson isn't who he says he is."
Alice shook her head. "You don't know anything and does Chloe know you're doing this—"
"I know enough and Chloe doesn't need to know." Grey snapped. "And I can prove it."
From inside his jacket, he pulled out a small flash drive.
"What's that?" Alice asked.
"Proof," Grey said grimly. "Of everything. His crimes. His betrayals. His lies."
Alice's hands reached out for the drive but he pulled it back.
"If you want to know the truth," Grey said, voice low and urgent, "meet me tomorrow night. At the old pier. Alone."
He came closer to her , his eyes locking onto hers.
"You're running out of tim
e, Alice. Choose wisely."
Without another word, he went out through the door and vanished into the night.
Leaving Alice in deep thoughts. He left her and her entire world spinning apart.