chapter 12

Chapter Twelve: Shadows of the Past

Morning light filtered softly through the curtains as Alex slowly woke, his mind still foggy from the night before. He rubbed his eyes, stretching out on the plush bed, unaware of the turmoil brewing just beyond the room. Grey, the little cat he had rescued, was curled up beside him, purring gently. The peacefulness of the moment brought a small smile to Alex’s face as he stroked Grey’s soft fur, feeling comforted by the feline’s presence.

Meanwhile, Viktor had been awake for hours, pacing in his study, his mind occupied with the troubling information he had received. The night before, one of his trusted informants had contacted him with unsettling news—something about Alex’s father, something that tied back to one of Viktor’s most dangerous rivals. It was a connection Viktor hadn’t anticipated, and it left him feeling uneasy.

Viktor glanced at his phone, the message still displayed on the screen. The words played over and over in his mind: “His father’s debt is tied to something bigger. Be careful, Viktor.”

He needed answers, but he also needed to protect Alex. The young man had become more than just a passing interest—he had become someone Viktor felt deeply protective of, someone he was increasingly drawn to. But now, with this new information, Viktor wasn’t sure how to proceed.

When Viktor finally allowed himself to check on Alex, he found him awake, still in bed with Grey. The sight of Alex’s gentle smile as he petted the cat tugged at something deep within Viktor, softening the sharp edges of his thoughts. For a moment, Viktor stood in the doorway, watching Alex in silence.

“Good morning, Viktor,” Alex said brightly when he noticed him, his voice sweet and innocent, as if the weight of the world didn’t rest on his small shoulders.

“Good morning, Alex,” Viktor replied, stepping into the room. His voice was calm, but his mind was racing. “How are you feeling?”

“A bit tired, but I’m okay,” Alex said, his smile unwavering. He didn’t seem to notice the tension in Viktor’s posture. “Thank you for taking care of me last night. I didn’t mean to be a burden.”

“You’re never a burden,” Viktor said, his tone sincere. He sat down on the edge of the bed, his eyes locked on Alex’s. “Alex, there’s something I need to ask you. It’s important, and I need you to be completely honest with me.”

Alex’s expression shifted slightly, concern flickering in his eyes, but he nodded. “Of course, Viktor. I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

Viktor hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing his words. He didn’t want to alarm Alex, but he needed to understand what was going on. “Do you know anything about your father’s dealings? Anything at all that might be... important?”

Alex’s brow furrowed in confusion. “My father? I don’t know much, honestly. He was always so quiet about his work. I just know he had some financial troubles before he passed away, but he never told me the details. I wish I could help more, Viktor, but I really don’t know much.”

Viktor studied Alex’s face, searching for any sign that he might be hiding something. But all he saw was sincerity, mixed with a hint of sadness. Alex was so open, so trusting, that it was hard to imagine him keeping any secrets—if he even knew of them.

“It’s okay, Alex,” Viktor said, his tone gentle. “I just needed to make sure we’re not missing anything. There are people who might try to use your father’s past against us, and I want to protect you.”

Alex’s eyes softened with gratitude, and he reached out to place his hand on Viktor’s. “Thank you, Viktor. I trust you completely. I know you’ll keep us safe.”

Viktor’s heart clenched at the pure, unguarded trust in Alex’s voice. He knew he had to tread carefully. The last thing he wanted was to shatter the delicate bond they had formed. But the information about Alex’s father had changed the game, and Viktor couldn’t afford to be complacent.

As Viktor got up to leave the room, Alex’s voice stopped him.

“Viktor, if there’s anything I can do to help... anything at all, just tell me,” Alex said earnestly. “I don’t want to cause you any trouble. I just want to make things easier for you.”

Viktor turned back to face Alex, his expression unreadable. The young man’s selflessness was both endearing and concerning. Viktor knew that Alex’s naivety could make him an easy target, and that thought only fueled Viktor’s desire to protect him.

“Just take care of yourself, Alex,” Viktor said softly. “That’s all I ask.”

With a final glance, Viktor left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. But the conversation had only deepened his resolve to uncover the truth. He couldn’t ignore the growing shadow of Alex’s past, nor could he allow it to endanger what he was building with Alex.

As Viktor returned to his study, his thoughts were a tangled web of concern, strategy, and a deepening affection for the young man who had unwittingly become a central figure in his life. He needed answers, and he needed them quickly.

The phone on Viktor’s desk buzzed, breaking the silence. He picked it up, seeing a message from his informant: “I’ve got more details. Meet me in an hour.”

Viktor’s jaw tightened. Whatever was coming, he would face it head-on. He had to protect Alex at all costs, even if it meant delving into dangerous territory.

But as Viktor prepared to leave, a nagging thought tugged at the back of his mind. What if Alex’s past was more complicated than either of them realized? What if the very thing Viktor was trying to protect him from was something Alex was unknowingly tied to?

Viktor’s grip on the phone tightened as he left his study, determination etched in every step. The answers he sought were out there, and Viktor was prepared to do whatever it took to find them. But with each step, the unease in his chest grew stronger, as if warning him of an impending storm.

And as Viktor stepped out of the apartment, leaving Alex and Grey behind, a single, ominous thought echoed in his mind:

What if the storm was already here?