Velora
YOU LOOK SO MUCH LIKE HIM. DOES THE GUILT KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT OR DO YOU SLEEP JUST FINE?
What the hell? Him? Who the hell was him? What guilt?
Her breath caught. The air in the room suddenly felt thick. Heavy, like she couldn't breathe. Beads of sweat started forming on her forehead. She looked around properly and opened the door, stepping inside. Quickly, she turned on the light and scanned the room. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, the deafening silence suffocating her.
Who wrote this? Who knew? ...Him. It had to be him. The man at the bar. He was the only one messing with her head like this. But what did it mean? Who did she look like? And what guilt?
Her hands trembled. Just a little, but enough to notice. That was unusual. She ripped the note into tiny pieces and threw them in the trash. Like that would make it go away. Like it would make her forget she had ever seen it.
She went to the bar and poured herself a drink. A strong one this time. She needed it more than ever.
Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she studied her own face. Did she look like someone? Someone who felt guilt? No. She didn't. She never felt guilty for anything.
But the words stayed with her.
That night, she tossed and turned in her sleep. The note kept flashing in her head. That question. That goddamn question.
She didn't have time for ghosts from the past. She had a new ghost to hunt. A real one.
But that note… it was a warning. She could feel it. A warning about something she didn't even understand. And it scared her.
But she wouldn't back down without a fight.
She had to go back to the rooftop bar the very next morning. She sat in front of her laptop after ensuring there was no one in the house. Taking deep breaths—inhale, exhale, inhale…she paused and picked up her phone, dialing her personal assistant.
"Hello Grace." She cleared her throat before speaking.
"Hello Ms. Velora." Her personal assistant greeted with a cheerful voice from the other end.
"Cancel all appointments for tomorrow morning. I won't be at work till noon. Move them to noon, refund for those who do not want to be rescheduled."
"But ma'am, there's a celebri—"
"It doesn't really matter, Grace. I won't be available. That's the point. Have a good night's rest and see you at work tomorrow." Velora disconnected the call and placed her phone back on the table, running a hand through her hair. Canceling work appointments was a significant move because she wasn't one to let personal matters interfere with her professional life but the note, the ghost man and Lilith. She had to take a break to restrategize. It was a whole lot happening at the same time.
She pushed herself away from the laptop and walked over to the window, looking out at the city still bustling by that time of the night. She stared at the stars, each represented a story. What was the story behind the note? What connection did she have to this mysterious "him" that would make her feel guilty?
Her day was hectic and she was worn out. But everytime she drifted off, the words would reappear in her mind. The question echoing in the silence and darkness of her bedroom. She couldn't help but toss and turn in her bed. She replayed moments from her past, searching for any instance that may have warranted guilt but there wasn't. Every decision she had taken was made by her knowing each decision had a consequence that she was ready to accept. But not guilt.
By morning, Velora was dressed in a simple outfit, something that wouldn't draw unnecessary attention. The café was already buzzing when she arrived. She immediately spotted Cassian and Lyriel in their usual corner booth. The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted past her nose as she made her way to them.
"Morning." She greeted as she slid into the booth.
"You look like you haven't slept." Cassian observed with scrutiny in his eyes.
"Understatement." Velora replied with a wry smile. "Anything new on Lilith?"
Cassian nodded. "We've put pieces of information together. We're almost certain she holds a very high position within the Syndicate and the level of access she seems to have points to someone at the top. But we don't know who exactly the person is."
"Good. Have you managed to pinpoint her specific role?" Velora asked.
"Not yet." Lyriel admitted. "But we're getting closer." We've identified a few individuals who seem to be reporting directly to her. Tracking their movements should give us the breakthrough we need."
Velora gave a nod.
"So how was your night?" Cassian asked. Velora hesitated for a moment then shook her head and reached for her purse, pulling out the piece of paper. She slid it to them. Cassian picked it up and read it, his eyebrows furrowed and he passed it to Lyriel who read it and slid it back to Velora.
"Where did you find this?" Cassian asked, his voice laced with concern.
Velora replayed the event of the previous night for them in a summarized version and her suspicion about the man at the rooftop bar.
"What does the person mean by you look so much like him. Him who? And what guilt…?" Lyriel pondered, speaking more to herself.
"I don't know…those questions kept me up all night." Velora admitted. "I have no idea who he's referring to…and the idea of guilt…it's…baffling." She said, letting out a humorless laugh. Cassian leaned back in his seat. "This is somewhat concerning. The timing of all of this is rather peculiar, don't you think? Just as we're making progress with Lilith, this happens."
Lyriel's eyes narrowed. "Could it be Lilith?"
Velora shook her head. "I don't think so. The man at the bar…there was something about him. He seemed to be working on his own, he looked like he had something personal on me. Definitely didn't feel like a typical Lilith move."
"But you only exchanged a few words." Cassian pointed out.
"I know, but my instincts are rarely wrong. His felt more…personal? And it was directed specifically at me."
"What if he's connected to someone from your past? Someone you might have…crossed?"
Velora considered it with furrowed brows. There were people she had crossed in life but none of them had ever resorted to anonymous threats. They were usually more direct and confrontational."
"I don't know. It's possible I suppose. But I can't think of anyone who would do that."
"We need to find this man ASAP. If he's behind the note, we need to find who he is and what his ordeal is."
"Exactly." Lyriel nodded in agreement.
I went back to the bar this morning," Velora told them. "But he wasn't there."
"He might be watching you, you need to be careful." Lyriel cautioned.
"I will." Velora assured her. "I have my security detail on alert. But I need to know who this is."
The conversation continued for a while longer and finally drew to a close. Velora felt a renewed sense of determination. The note had shaken her but it had also ignited a familiar fire within her. She wouldn't let an adversary with a mask intimidate her. If they were that good, they'd have come head on. But first, she needed a name. She needed to find the man from the rooftop bar and demand answers.