Between Us

Chapter 36 : In the Heart of Danger

The next morning, I pushed open the door to Sarah's office, startling her. She jumped, her pen clattering onto the desk. "Charlotte, you scared me! What's going on?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

I closed the door behind me and crossed my arms, trying to steady my racing heart. "Where's my father? I can't reach him," I demanded.

Sarah put down her pen and adjusted her glasses. "He's in a very important meeting today. He'll be unreachable all day," she explained.

I let out a frustrated sigh. "Thanks," I muttered, turning to leave.

"Wait," Sarah called after me, her tone softening. "Is something wrong?"

I hesitated, then turned back to face her. "I just wanted to ask him something about Engfa," I admitted.

Sarah's eyes filled with concern as she stood up from her desk. "I know it's been hard for you with everything that's happened between you and Engfa, but you need to focus on moving on, Charlotte. Holding onto this isn't helping you."

I shook my head, my frustration mounting. "I don't want to move on," I snapped, turning on my heel and storming out of the office, slamming the door behind me.

My heart pounded in my chest as I walked down the hallway. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more I needed to know, something that no one was telling me. The doubt gnawed at me, making it impossible to focus on anything else. I needed answers, and I wasn't going to stop until I got them.

I climbed the stairs to my father's office, my mind racing. I needed answers, something to explain the gnawing feeling that had taken residence in my chest. I closed the door behind me and looked around the room, feeling a mix of determination and anxiety. I began searching, not entirely sure what I was looking for but desperate to find anything that might shed light on the truth.

I rifled through the drawers of his desk, finding nothing but papers and office supplies. Frustrated, I sank into his chair, spinning it slightly as I stared up at the ceiling. What was I even doing? I felt lost, consumed by the conflicting emotions that had plagued me since my fight with Engfa.

Her words echoed in my mind, mingling with what Jax had hinted at. Was there really more to this story? I didn't know who to trust anymore. I wanted to believe my father, to trust in the security of my family, but the doubts were creeping in, fueled by Engfa's insistence that things weren't as they seemed.

With a deep sigh, I leaned back in the chair, closing my eyes for a moment. The spinning motion helped me think, but I still felt adrift. What if Engfa was right? What if my father wasn't as straightforward as I believed?

The office was quiet, the only sound the faint ticking of a clock on the wall. I opened my eyes and looked around once more, scanning the shelves and cabinets. There had to be something here, something that would give me a clue.

I stood up and moved to the bookshelf, running my fingers along the spines of the books. My father was meticulous, everything in its place. But maybe that was where I would find what I needed. I began pulling out books, flipping through them for any hidden notes or documents. Nothing.

Frustration mounted as I moved to the filing cabinets, opening drawer after drawer. They were filled with neatly organized files, but nothing stood out. I was about to give up when I noticed a small, locked drawer at the bottom of the desk. It looked out of place, almost as if it were meant to be overlooked. I couldn't help but think, with a bitter smile, that Engfa had taught me something useful after all. I had watched her closely, learning how she could open doors and drawers with simple paperclips or hairpins.

Kneeling down, I examined the lock. It was simple, one I could probably pick with a bit of effort. I glanced around, spotting a paperclip on the desk. Straightening it out, I carefully worked the lock, my hands steady despite my racing heart. After a few moments, I heard a satisfying click. My heart pounded as I pulled the drawer open, revealing a stack of documents.