THE SECOND LEAD

The intrigue

Ella couldn't shake the feeling. No matter how much she tried to focus on the rest of the night—enduring the endless speeches, the exaggerated cheers, the small talk—her mind kept drifting back to him. Mark Blackwood.He had appeared so suddenly and disappeared just as fast. Like a ghost. For a brief second, she wondered if she'd imagined him entirely, but the taste of whiskey still lingered on her tongue, sharp and real. She remembered the intensity in his eyes, the way his name had rolled off his lips as though he expected her to recognize it.But she didn't. As the party started to wind down, Ella excused herself quietly, slipping out the front door before anyone could stop her. The air outside was cool, a welcome relief from the crowded warmth of the restaurant. She stood on the sidewalk for a moment, staring down the busy street, the sounds of the city wrapping around her like a comforting blanket.But even here, under the night sky, she couldn't stop thinking about him. Who was Mark Blackwood? And why had his presence unsettled her so deeply?She pulled out her phone, typing his name into the search bar almost instinctively. At first, nothing came up. Just a few articles about generic businessmen with the same name. But then, as she scrolled, she stumbled upon something different.An old news article. The headline was short, simple, but it hit her like a punch to the gut.**"Mark Blackwood: Heir to the Blackwood Syndicate."**Her breath caught in her throat. Blackwood Syndicate. She'd heard the name before—whispers, rumours, stories that no one ever wanted to admit were true. The Blackwood Syndicate was more than just a powerful family. They were... dangerous. Organized crime. The kind of power that lurked in the shadows, controlling everything without ever being seen.Ella's pulse quickened as she skimmed through the article. It was dated a few years back, when Mark had taken over the family business after his father's sudden death. The details were scarce—deliberately vague, she guessed—but it was clear that Mark Blackwood was not just some charming CEO. He was the kind of man people feared.She stared at the screen, her mind racing. Why would someone like him approach her? And what did he want?A honk from a passing cab startled her out of her thoughts, and she quickly locked her phone, stuffing it back into her bag as if it might burn her. She needed to calm down. Breathe. Maybe it was all just coincidence. Just because Mark was tied to the Blackwood Syndicate didn't mean he had anything to do with that life. Right?But even as she told herself that, she knew she didn't believe it. Not entirely.Her walk back to her apartment was quiet, the city buzzing around her but never touching her. She felt like she was in a daze, her mind still reeling from what she'd discovered. When she finally reached her front door, she was grateful for the familiar creak of the hinges, the soft click of the lock behind her as she closed herself off from the world outside.For a long moment, she just stood there, leaning against the door, trying to sort through her thoughts. Everything about tonight felt surreal. Like she'd stepped into a different version of her life, where nothing was quite as it seemed.She kicked off her shoes and wandered into the kitchen, the quiet of her small apartment comforting in its normalcy. She poured herself a glass of water, hoping to calm her nerves, but the uneasy feeling still gnawed at her. The silence, usually soothing, felt too loud tonight.She couldn't stop thinking about him.As she sipped her water, her phone buzzed on the counter, startling her. She nearly dropped the glass. Her heart raced as she reached for the phone, half expecting some cryptic message from an unknown number. But when she looked at the screen, it was just Sophie.**"Hope you got home safe! Can't wait for brunch tomorrow. Love you! 😘"**Ella exhaled, a shaky laugh escaping her lips. She was being ridiculous. Just because Mark Blackwood had ties to the mafia didn't mean she was suddenly in danger. She was nobody. No one important enough for someone like him to care about.Right?Still, as she made her way to bed, her mind refused to settle. Her thoughts kept circling back to him, to the way he'd looked at her, the weight of his presence. She tossed and turned, the image of his face haunting her even as sleep tugged at her.And when she finally drifted off, her dreams were filled with shadows and whispers, with dark alleys and glinting eyes. And always, at the centre of it all, was Mark. Watching. Waiting.---### **End of Chapter 2**In this chapter, the mystery around Mark deepens as Ella begins to uncover pieces of his dangerous background. Her discovery of his mafia ties adds tension and sets up the internal conflict she will face—being drawn to him while knowing the risks.  Hope ya'll enjoyed it, please comment