FALLING INTO ILLUSIONS

Hidden Agendas

As Brian and Lisa drove through the quiet streets, the tension between them had somewhat eased. After dropping Lisa off at her apartment, Brian offered a reassuring smile.

"Thanks for letting me drop you off. I'm going to head back to the company now," Brian said, his tone casual but tinged with unspoken concern.

Lisa nodded, appreciating the gesture. "Thanks. Don't forget to check your hand," she replied, trying to keep things light.

Brian gave a brief nod, watching as she walked up to her front door. He saw her insert the key and push it open, a momentary relief washing over him as she stepped inside. With one last glance, he drove away.

Inside the apartment, Lisa felt an unsettling chill wrap around her like a shroud. She glanced around, her instincts prickling with unease. ripping a vase tightly in her hand for protection, she took cautious steps further into the dimly lit room, her heart racing.

Every sound seemed amplified, echoing in the silence. She strained to hear anything out of the ordinary, her senses heightened. Suddenly, a hand gripped her from behind, and she froze. She recognized, though his presence was unsettling. The familiarity of his touch sent a wave of disquiet through her.

"What are you doing here, Ryan?" She questioned, trying to keep her voice steady. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming? What if Brian had been with me?"

His expressions hardened, frustration evident in the tightness of his jaw. "You're jeopardizing everything! This wasn't the part of a plan."

With a rough push, he shoved her away. The vase nearly slipped from her grasp, but she managed to steady it. She watched as Ryan's anger simmered, his eyes blazing like embers.

"I didn't mean it to happen," Lisa stammered, her voice trembling. "I just wanted to—"

"Wanted to what?" Ryan's eyes flashed with irritation as he cut her off. "You think this is just about you sorting things out? To play at being an artist? To ignore the consequences?"

She took a step back, swallowed hard, heart pounding. The memory of the gallery scene—the argument with Brian, the kiss—was still fresh, and now Ryan's anger was like a cold slap. "You were there, at the gallery, weren't you?" she asked, struggling to keep her voice steady.

Ryan's jaw tightened: "Yeah, I was there. I saw everything. The argument, the... It's not just about what you two did; it's about how reckless you've been with everything we've worked for."

Lisa's eyes dropped to the floor. The gallery had been a chaotic mix of unresolved feelings and the bitterness she held towards Brian which fueled her desire for revenge.

"It's not what you think," Lisa said, her voice rising defensively. "It's all part of the plan, It's all a game. I'm going to make Brian pay for what he did to David. I need him to be completely dependent on me so when I walk away, it will hit him hard. Only then it will be justice for my brother's suffering."

Ryan's frustration was evident, but there was also a flicker of something else—hurt, confusion and a flicker of doubt. "I understand your revenge, but seeing you with him... I'm not so sure. You're in over your head, Lisa."

Lisa looked at him, defiance and vulnerability in her eyes. "What are you saying, Ryan? I hate him..."

Ryan nodded, though his eyes were filled with sadness and concern. "Just be careful, Lisa. I don't want to see you hurt, Brian is cold-blooded."

Lisa met his gaze with gratitude. "Thank you for standing by me." She got overwhelmed and hugged him.

Ryan's heart ached with the realization that, despite their mutual feelings and his support, the path Lisa was on might lead to unintended consequences for them both.

Meantime, Sophia received flowers from Brian with a note wishing her a speedy recovery.

Caroline, looking concerned, asked, "What does this even mean? This man... What is he after?"

Sophia, feeling defensive, replied, "Relax. I had a meeting with him that got canceled. My secretary would have come up with this excuse. This is about business, I'm sure."

Caroline then suggested, "You should meet him. Invite him to your birthday party."

Sophia hesitated, "Is that really appropriate?"

Caroline reassured her. "Don't worry. Leave everything to me. Just get dressed and go meet your Mr. Perfect." She added, "What are you waiting for? Text him that you appreciate his well-wishes, and you are feeling much better."

Sophia nodded, still feeling unsure. "Alright, I'll do it."

Caroline smiled encouragingly. "Perfect. Trust me, this will be good for both you and your career."

Sophia took out her phone and started typing a message to Brian. She wrote, "Hi Brian, thank you so much for the flowers and the thoughtful note. I'm feeling much better now. I'd love to catch up soon. How about coming to same café? It would be great to see you there."

She hesitated for a moment before hitting a send button. "Done," she said, looking up at Caroline.

Caroline clapped in joy, "Great! Now, go get ready. You deserve to have a fantastic time and not stress about anything when I'm here."

Sophia smiled, feeling a bit more confident. "Thanks, Caro. I really appreciate your support."

Caroline gave her a reassuring hug. "Anytime. Now go on, get dressed, and have a great time. I'll handle the rest."

As Sophia went off to prepare, Caroline watched her with a satisfied smile, confident that things would turn out just as planned.

As Brian stormed into the company's lobby, the weight of his recent argument with Lisa was hanging heavy on his mind. He had been reflecting on his behavior. Without noticing Sophia had reached to him, sent a text. He approached his office, lost in thought. Alex, his secretary, looked up from his desk.

"Mr. Brian," Alex greeted him, rising from his chair. "I have an update for you. Ms. Sophia has scheduled a meeting. She wants to see you at the café you both use to meet. She directly reached out to you but haven't get any response."

Alex got worried when noticed his hand wrapped in bandage, "Are you okay? Your hand... Shall we go to hospital?"

Brian calmly said, "No, I'm fine, no need to make a fuss. Sophia? When did she set this up?"

Alex consulted his notes before responding, "She scheduled it for this evening."

Brian's mind raced. The café was not just a place of business. He also held personal significance, a spot where he and Sophia had shared many conversations.

"Did she say why she wanted to meet there?" Brian asked.

Alex shook his head, "She didn't provide many details. She seemed quite firm on having the meeting there."

Brian sighed, feeling unsettled. Now, the thought of facing Sophia at café made him uneasy. "Alright, keep the appointment," Brian said.

As Brian turned to leave, he glanced back at Alex, "Thanks for letting me know, you can off work."

As he walked away from the desk, Brian's thoughts were consumed. He takes out his phone and replied, "I'll be there."

He hoped that the meeting would go smoothly. As he sank into his chair across the sleek table, his mind buzzed with the weight of his recent confrontation with Lisa and the unexpected request from Sophia. In that moment, Brian understood: every choice would lead him deeper into a labyrinth of emotions, where love and ambitions collided. And he was right in the thick of it.