The call from home

Maeve's eyes blazed with defiance as they led her to the most secluded part of the casino. Her eyes burnt the pathway to memory, paying attention to any mark she would need later. This was strange because it had never occurred the entire time she had come. But why now? 

Had she caught the attention of someone dangerous? she thought.

The staff stopped at the room entrance; Maeve tilted her head in confusion as to what next.

"You may enter; he awaits you," the staff said, then left down the hallway they had come from. Two other bodyguards had guarded the door; their figures towered above her with the most intimidating, stoic expression. She gulped; a trickle of fear crept within her.

If she were to make a run for it, there was no way she would make it that far before getting caught. So she summoned the courage and entered the room. 

The armchair, situated across the office space, faced the skyline window. It slowly rotated, turning to her, and her heart sank to see who sat behind them.

Maeve narrowed her gaze, shock, then anger. "Christian?" she said in disbelief. 

In that instant, Christian's expression changed. Seeing her, Christian was shocked, too. His eyes widened, and he sat up straight, his voice calm with a tinge of shock. "Maeve?" He whispered. The doors had closed behind her. 

Maeve's eyes narrowed sceptically at him, her mind racing. What was he doing here at this office? Why did it feel as if wherever she went he was there, like he was watching her? This was starting to look like a noncoincidence.

"Are you keeping tabs on my whereabouts now?" she asked defensively. 

"That's very unlikely, since it would be a hassle. I have far too much on my plate to spare a moment on your rather... mundane activities." His words stretched out provocatively.

Maeve's eyes flashed, her voice low and even, but with a hint of suppressed heat. "And what exactly is it that you want from me that you brought me here?"

Christian leaned forward, his eyes glinting with seriousness. "You've made yourself quite popular with my casino."

Her eyes widened, realising she had stepped into his domain without knowing.

Oh, he owned the establishment. 

"The issue can be rather hectic, but I'll make it simple enough. Who are you working for?" He asked. More like he demanded. Maeve felt a shiver run down her spine under his gaze.

"Why would you think I am working for someone? This is who I am. You were right about me finding it hard to give up my formal life." She said meekly.

His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in scepticism. "Don't play coy with me, Maeve. I'm not buying it. You're hiding something, and I aim to find out what that is." His voice was firm, with a hint of warning.

Maeve stood tall, her eyes locked on her interrogator as she responded, "If that is why you brought me here, then I tell you there's nothing I can give you. I take pleasure from this. Besides, it is not against the peace of the casino for one to play as much as they wish."

Christian's gaze narrowed, his voice laced with scepticism as he speculated, "You won every game; you've never had a loss. You're making quite some enemies here. At this rate, your reputation won't be so clean on the tabloids." He paused, studying Maeve's reaction.

Maeve's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as she proposed, "If you doubt my game, how about we have a game and bet here?" Her voice was laced with a subtle challenge, hoping to earn her escape and keep him off her tail.

Christian's expression transformed, a hint of amusement dancing on his lips. "Quite the contrary. I'm willing to let you go."

Maeve's eyes narrowed, her instincts screaming at her to be cautious. She hesitated, unsure of what to make of Christian's sudden change of heart. Her grip on her purse tightened, her mind racing with possibilities.

"What do you want in return?" She asked, her voice low and guarded, her teeth gritting in anticipation of his response.

Christian's smile grew wider, but his eyes remained cold and calculating. "That will be till when it is needed," he answered, his voice dripping with an air of mystery.

Before Maeve could press him further, Christian alerted the guards, who stepped forward to escort her out of the casino. "Just remember, you owe me," he called after her, his voice echoing in her mind like a warning.

The guard, once stationed at the door, entered abruptly, his presence slicing through the air like a knife. Maeve's eyes locked onto Christian, a spark of unease igniting within her. She didn't like the sound of that. Not one bit.

A shiver ran down her spine as she realised she was walking a thin line. She knew better than to push her luck. With a sense of foreboding, she followed the guards, who escorted her away from Christian's menacing gaze.

The weight of his words settled upon her shoulders like a physical burden, their unbearable weight threatening to crush her. Maeve left for home.

Christian was left with some minor accomplishments. "She didn't give away the person." He stated. It was better to investigate her more. Maybe she was more than she made herself out to be. He couldn't stop the slow curl of lips in amusement at the turn of events. Someone was trying to mess with him.

Maeve stepped into her apartment, the soft glow of the evening lights enveloping her like a warm hug. She closed the door behind her, her eyes scanning the familiar space as if searching for comfort.

As she slipped off her shoes, her mind began to replay the events of the evening. Christian's words echoed in her thoughts, sending a shiver down her spine. "You owe me." What did he mean by that? And what did he want from her?

Maeve's eyes wandered to the window, where the city lights twinkled like stars. She felt a sense of unease settling in, like a whisper in the darkness. She knew she had to be careful, that Christian's words were more than just an empty threat. 

She reached out to her phone. A text to an unknown number. 'Done', she typed and sent. Her hands crashed to her side. Just then, her phone buzzed. It was no words. Just a checked mark that indicated a satisfactory response.

Another message had come, one she was unfamiliar with. She opened the message. Feeling a slight unease, especially after the evening encounters. Who could it be? 

'Pay a visit home. Important' was all that was said in the text. Was it her father?