I walked into Luna's villa, expecting her usual warm greeting, but only the butler was there to et .
Normally, just standing at the door would trigger the surveillance caras, and Luna would be there to welco inside.
"Is Luna around?" I asked the butler.
"Miss hasn't been back for several days now. She left shortly after you last visited and hasn't returned..." The butler stood there, his deanor restrained as he spoke.
"I'll give her a call then..." Despite my reluctance, I knew I needed her help.
I pulled out my phone and dialed Luna's number, only to be greeted by the sound of a powered-off phone.
Was Luna deliberately avoiding ?
"Does Miss have any other contact numbers?" I asked, setting the phone down with a sigh.
"No, sir. Miss left a ssage before she departed. She asked you not to look for her. She said she would contact you when the ti is right. Also, she left sothing for you; just a mont..." The butler walked over to a cabinet, retrieved a box, and handed it to .
Taking the box, I left the villa, feeling suddenly helpless.
It was the first ti I truly felt how much I needed Luna.
What was going on with Luna?
Why wouldn't she et ?
In the past, she always seed thrilled when I visited, but this ti, why the cold shoulder and the powered-off phone?
Was I about to be abandoned by both Betty and Luna?
Back at the office, I placed the box on my desk, feeling as if I had lost my soul.
After calming down a bit, I reassured myself that perhaps Luna had so important matters to attend to and needed to disappear for a while.
It wasn't unusual for a woman of her stature.
Curious, I slowly opened the box.
Inside, I found sothing the size of a USB drive, a manual, and a letter.
I opened the letter first, revealing elegant handwriting: "Justin, I had to leave for a while. Don't worry, and wait for my return. Also, this USB drive contains many important files, and the manual has a lot of information. But I urge you, do not look into it unless absolutely necessary, as I fear it might hurt you again. I promise you, I haven't seen any of its contents.
This USB drive is not only a storage device but also a key to activate a surveillance system I installed at your place without your consent. I apologize for not asking you first. No one has seen the footage yet; it's ant for your eyes only.
Don't be mad, I'll make it up to you with a gift when we et again.
...Love, Luna."
So, Luna had installed a surveillance system in my house.
I picked up the USB drive.
Had Luna discovered my own surveillance setup?
Holding the drive, I felt a mix of anticipation and gratitude.
Could I finally find the answers I was looking for?
I plugged the USB-shaped device into my laptop, taking advantage of the quiet before the workday began...
Before I could explore the contents of the USB drive, my boss called, demanding I co to the office imdiately.
After hanging up, I sighed, unplugged the USB drive, and placed it back in its box, locking it in my desk drawer.
For so reason, I felt a bit relieved.
Maybe I was truly afraid of seeing sothing I didn't want to see.
I headed to my boss's office, where he handed a task that consud all my attention back at my desk, pushing the USB drive out of my mind.
The work was urgent, and as ti passed, I beca deeply engrossed in it.
By the ti I finished, it was past the usual quitting ti, and I was just five minutes away from my usual ti to head ho.
After sending the spreadsheets to my boss's OA system, I stretched, exhausted.
Glancing at the clock, my thoughts drifted back to the USB drive.
I considered lying to Betty about working late so I could watch the contents of the drive.
Curiosity was getting the better of .
As I hesitated over calling Betty, my phone rang—it was her.
I had been indecisive for several minutes already.
"Honey, co ho for dinner. Michael is leaving tomorrow morning, and tonight is our last al together. I've made lots of food, and we're both waiting for you..." Betty chattered away before I could even speak.
"Okay, I got held up with work. I'll be ho in twenty minutes..." Her words caught off guard.
I had been so distracted lately that I'd forgotten Michael was leaving tomorrow.
After hanging up, I sighed and glanced at the locked drawer.
There would be no chance to view the USB drive today.
I got dressed and walked to the office door, taking one last look back—not sure if I was looking at the office or at the drawer.
The walk ho was filled with mixed emotions.
When I opened the door to the familiar sight of my ho, it suddenly felt strange.
The table was set with a feast, and Betty and Michael sat quietly waiting for .
"Sorry, I'm late..." I muttered, unsure of what else to say.
I usually didn't apologize when coming ho; after all, Betty wasn't a stranger.
Maybe the apology was more for Michael.
It was an instinctive apology, perhaps because I felt Michael was a stranger?
"Hurry and wash up; the food's still warm..." Betty quickly handed my clothes and urged on, her face showing a hint of concern, sensing sothing was off with tonight.
"Dad, let's have a drink tonight..." Michael suggested at the dinner table, where I noticed a bottle of expensive-looking liquor among the dishes.
"Michael insisted on buying it. He said he's never had a drink with you, and since he's leaving tomorrow, he wants to make sure you guys celebrate properly tonight..." Betty explained, perhaps noticing my puzzled expression.
"Alright, I don't usually drink, but I'll make an exception tonight..." Given Michael and Betty's insistence, it seed I had no excuse to refuse.
I rarely drank, as being a journalist, drinking was frowned upon—loose lips sink ships, and confidentiality is a crucial instinct for a journalist.
But I actually had a high tolerance for alcohol, perhaps a natural ability, possibly linked to the tough environnt I grew up in, which gave a strong resistance to alcohol.
At the dinner table, Michael and I clinked glasses frequently.
The liquor was strong, likely vodka, judging by its potent taste.
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