“Miss? What are you doing here alone? You need anything?” she asked as soon as she noticed me.

“No, Ella. I don’t need anything. Thank you. Uh, did you see anyone going that way?” I pointed to where she just came from.

She shook her head. “No, miss. I didn’t see anyone. Why? Is everything all right?”

Nodding, I smiled. “Yeah, don’t worry. Everything is fine.”

Once she was gone, I took the left corridor, making sure not to make any noises. If he didn’t take the corridor Ella just came from, he must’ve taken this way. Ella would’ve seen him if he took right.

After walking aimlessly through the empty corridors for awhile, I finally heard something. His voice. I stopped right before the door of the balcony. Through the gap of the door, I peeked outside. And there he was, standing beside the railings, he had his phone against his ear. His hand was in a tight fist as he heard the person on the other side of the phone. The veins of his temple stood out as he gritted his teeth.

“And you’re telling me this right now?” he hissed, tone low. “That bitch!” he cursed under his breath. “Did she spill anything?”

A muscle of his jaw ticked.

“Are you sure?”

Then he nodded. “Keep an eye on her. Inform me if she tries to do anything against me.” His features turned blank as he straightened his collar with one hand. “If she doesn’t stay in her limits, make sure she loses her life just like she lost her job.”

FORTY-SIX: A CHANCE

My breath hitched in my throat. My heart hammered in my chest.

He was talking about Sierra. He must be. Did he find out I went to see her? To get information about him?

No, no. Even if he did know of my visit, how could he know I had any kind of suspicion of him? I could visit her for any reason, right? She was my friend, after all.

But that wasn’t the matter of concern right now. Sierra was in danger. He could harm her at any moment. And I couldn’t let this happen. I had to do something for her.

What secret of his did she know for him to want her dead?

When he put the phone down and put it into his pocket, I whirled around and left as fast as I could without making any noise. Thank God for the thick handcrafted carpet that covered the floor. Otherwise, my heels would announce my presence even if I took a single step.

With my heart in my throat, I ran down the empty corridor and turned to a hallway that didn’t lead outside.