"Boss, why are you calling this late at night? I hope nothing bad happened."
Collins’s surprised voice ca through the speaker, slightly muffled by what sounded like rapid keyboard typing in the background.
Axel did not answer imdiately.
He rose from his chair and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window.
Outside, the house was quiet. Garden lights cast soft golden pools across the land, and the full moon hung high above, watching like a silent witness. The world looked peaceful. As if danger preferred hiding in silence.
From the phone, Collins muttered, "Huh!? Did he dial my number and forget to talk?"
Axel exhaled faintly through his nose. "Looks like you’re still working."
"Of course I am," Collins replied proudly. "I have many thoughts that need to be settled before you fly tomorrow."
"I won’t fly tomorrow. Dylan and Archy will cover for ."
There was a brief pause. The clicking of keyboards stopped.
"I see," Collins said, his playful tone fading into professional alertness. "When you suddenly cancel a business trip, it usually ans sothing serious involving Madam or the young master. Any instructions for , Boss?"
Axel rested one hand against the cool glass of the window.
"Yes," he said slowly. "My wife suddenly feels worried about ."
Collins stayed quiet. He knew better than to interrupt when Axel’s voice carried that particular weight.
"This is the first ti she has pleaded with to be careful," Axel continued. "As if she knows sothing I don’t."
The silence on the other end grew thoughtful.
"Have you asked her? Why does she suddenly feel that way?" Collins finally said.
"I did. She only gave an ambiguous answer." Axel paused, his jaw tightening slightly. "That’s why I’m calling you. I want you to investigate sothing we don’t yet know will happen in the future."
There was a beat of silence.
Then Collins chuckled.
But Axel’s sudden cough—sharp and deliberate—drowned out the laughter instantly.
"Boss, sorry, sorry," Collins said quickly, trying to smother his amusent. "I just... found your instruction funny. How exactly am I supposed to investigate the future? Should I download a crystal ball app?"
Axel rubbed his forehead, already regretting giving Collins an opening for jokes.
"I know you can’t see the future," Axel replied dryly. "You are not God, after all. But you notice patterns. Movents. Unfamiliar activity. Anything strange around , my family, or my circle. Check again. You might have missed sothing."
On the other end, Collins laughed openly this ti.
"Hahaha! Understood, Boss. I shall beco your all-seeing digital guardian angel."
"Please don’t put that on your résumé," Axel muttered.
"Yes, Boss. No wings in the profile picture," Collins promised solemnly.
Axel can’t help but feel a faint curve touch his lips. Collins had always been like this, annoying, brilliant, and indispensable.
"I will wait for good news from you," Axel said.
"Anything else, Boss?" Collins asked, already typing again.
Axel turned from the window. His eyes landed on the brown envelope resting on his desk. The forgotten file. The boy’s photograph. The questions with no answers.
"Yes," Axel said. "Tomorrow, Liam will deliver a docunt to you. I need you to investigate a person. Find him. Or any clue about him."
"Ah," Collins humd. "A mystery file. You know how much I love those."
"Don’t fall in love with it. Just solve it."
"No promises," Collins teased. "But yes, Boss. I will."
The call ended.
Axel lowered the phone and returned to his desk. He stared at the envelope, then at the photograph still lying on the polished surface. The boy’s smile looked almost alive under the lamp’s warm glow.
Sothing about him still tugged at Axel’s mory. Sothing important. Sothing buried, but as much as he tries to rember, he can’t.
Outside, the wind brushed softly against the window, and Axel felt a rare unease settle in his chest.
Threats in the dark. Secrets in old files. A wife who suddenly feared for him. A past that refused to stay buried.
He picked up the photograph again.
"Don’t worry, Aunty Martha," he murmured under his breath. "I’ll find the truth. No matter where it leads."
After a few more minutes, he finally left his office and returned to the bedroom. For now, he will set aside all those worries that are bothering him.
...
Axel pushed open the bedroom door quietly, expecting to find the room dark and peaceful.
Instead, his heart nearly stopped.
Evelyn was sitting on the edge of the bed, one leg shifting carefully as if she were trying to stand.
"Eve!" Axel crossed the room in two long strides, panic gripping his chest. "What’s wrong? Why are you awake? Does anything hurt?"
His hands hovered over her shoulders, her arms, her knee, his eyes scanning every visible scar as if they might suddenly reopen.
Evelyn blinked at him. Then she smiled.
A soft, amused smile.
"I’m fine, Axel," she said gently, letting him guide her back to sit properly on the mattress. "You look like you’re about to call the entire hospital staff."
He sat beside her, still tense. "I would," he muttered. "Don’t test my dedication."
Her smile widened. "Why do you think I woke up just to test you?"
"Because you’re my wife," he replied thoughtfully. "You enjoy giving heart attacks. And that’s fine with ."
She let out a quiet laugh before eting his gaze.
"I had a nightmare," she admitted. "I woke up, and you weren’t here. I got worried."
Sothing softened in Axel’s eyes instantly. The panic faded, replaced by guilt.
"I’m sorry," he said, wrapping his arms around her carefully. "I finished a call. I didn’t an to leave you alone when you’re still recovering."
Evelyn leaned into his chest, warm and safe. "You’re forgiven," she murmured. "But if you disappear again, I’ll start charging you emotional damage fees."
Axel huffed a laugh. "Noted. I’ll pay in kisses. Unlimited plan."
She shook her head, still smiling as he helped her lie back down. He arranged the blankets, adjusted her pillow, and gently placed her hand in his.
"Alright," he whispered. "Sleep again. I’m here."
Evelyn didn’t resist. Her eyes closed, her grip on his hand tightening slightly, as if afraid he might vanish again. Within minutes, her breathing slowed into a peaceful rhythm.
Axel finally lay beside her, one hand still held in hers.
He closed his eyes, too.
But sleep refused to co.
His mind stayed loud with unfinished thoughts, hidden threats, and promises he intended to keep. Still, he didn’t move. Didn’t pull away.
Because if holding her hand was what kept her safe, he would stay awake forever.
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