The Phantom's Game | 18+

Chapter 24

The silence was pronounced the moment Vincent stepped into his mansion. The grandeur of the place seemed to amplify the emptiness that had replaced the familiar hum of life. The marble floors echoed with his footsteps as he ascended the grand staircase, searching for Isadora's presence.

"Izzy?" He called out.

But what he received was another wave of silence. Something was amiss and Vincent could feel it in his bones, but he couldn't place a finger on it. He continued to call out for her, yet the only thing he could hear was the sound of his own breaths and birds chirping outside the window.

"Fuck, where is she?" Vincent asked himself, growing more worried each second.

From the basement of the mansion to the rooftop, he attempted to find the woman that he had grown fond of, and now she was nowhere to be seen without a trace.

Like a phantom.

Panic was beginning to rise within him, and he felt a sense of dread consuming him as the reality of the situation dawned upon him. The thought of something happening to Isadora sent shivers down his spine. He knew that this was not a drill, that he had to find her at all costs.

A moment later, Isadora entered the mansion casually, then raised an eyebrow when she saw Vincent trying to seek her out. "Are you alright, Vince?"

He whipped his head in her direction, a relieved sigh leaving her lips once his gaze landed on her. "I was worried... about you." He cleared his throat as he paused. "About your well-being, since you're still recovering."

"You know I'm not going to let this hindrance stop me, Vince," she replied with a soft smile. "Besides, you worry too much since I got hurt."

Vincent's gaze lingered on Isadora for a moment, nodding briefly afterwards. "Still, the doctor advised you to rest so you could recover quickly. Where did you go anyways?"

"I just went out to get some coffee... since your coffee machine wasn't working," Isadora replied with a nonchalant shrug.

"You could've just let me buy one for you instead, you know?" Vincent said with a mix of irritation and concern.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness whenever Isadora put herself in harm's way, especially given her recent injury. He knew that she was a stubborn and independent woman, but he worried that her determination to always be strong and self would simply endanger her entire being.

"I'm aware. But I can't just sit around and do nothing, Vince." Isadora insisted, her eyes never leaving his.

Vincent sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He knew she was right, but it was still hard for him to watch her push herself so hard.

"Alright, alright," he conceded. "But promise me you'll be more careful next time, Izzy."

"Hmm..." The woman pretended to be deep in thought then looked at him with a straight face, "No."

Irritation washed over his face for a moment then without another word, he picked her up bridal style and made his way back to his bedroom. Isadora couldn't help but laugh as Vincent carried her into his bedroom, her heart fluttering at the sudden burst of protectiveness. She knew he was only looking out for her, but it was a nice feeling to be doted upon too.

As soon as they entered the room, Vincent carefully set her on the bed and gently grazed his fingers over the fresh, white bandage wrapped around her left thigh. "How are you feeling?"

"As good as new," The brunette responded casually, tingles shooting throughout her leg from his gentle touch.

"Don't lie to me," He replied sternly, eyes narrowing in concern.

Isadora couldn't help but chuckle slightly as she gave him a forced, innocent look. "Alright, alright, I'll admit it. I might be a little sore, but it's nothing I can't handle."

Vincent sighed, his eyes soft as he gazed into hers. He knew she was trying to play it cool, but he could see the truth behind her words.

"Just promise me you'll take it easy for a few days, okay?" He pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper.

Isadora nodded, her eyes showing a hint of appreciation. "Fine, I will."

"Good. I'll order some breakfast, you stay in bed, got it?" Vincent warned her walking towards the door. "And Izzy?"

She looked up at him, her curious eyes searching for more.

"I'm always going to worry about you. But I'll try to be more trusting in your strength."

Isadora felt her heart warm at the genuine sentiment he shared with her. "Thank you, Vincent," she whispered, a small smile playing on her lips. "And thank you for taking care of me."

As he left the room, she couldn't help but recollect what the two had gone through two days earlier and her muscles immediately tensed from the memory.

The day had been a whirlwind of danger and adventure, and the burn of adrenaline still lingered in her veins. They had faced off against the Phantom, who turned out to be none other than Vincent's older brother. She still didn't know the motive behind his actions, perhaps it was best to ask the brother of the Phantom himself.

It had been almost five minutes since he left the room, while Isadora continued to rest on the bed. The woman took the time to study her surroundings instead.

The room was dimly lit, with a soft bluish hue casting shadows on the sleek, modern furniture. A large window looked out onto the city skyline, with clouds casting fleeting shadows against the glass. A single red rose stood in a vase on the dresser, the only object that stood out from the sea of neutral colors.

Outside the window, the sun was hidden behind fluffy gray clouds, casting an eerie silence over the usually bustling streets below. The air was crisp and cool, carrying with it the faint scent of rain on the horizon, yet she couldn't feel the cold air from the bedroom.

Despite everything that had transpired, Isadora felt herself at peace. Quite an odd feeling for someone who's a leader of a criminal organization. Her mind continued to wander in a storm of memories until she remembered about the severed hand in the box. Her stomach churned at the thought again and took a deep breath.

The question was; whose hand was that?