WHO AM I

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

The tension in the air as Lila left Phillip was almost unbearable. She had thought this meeting would provide answers, but instead, it left her with more questions. Phillip’s cryptic warnings swirled in her mind. If Renzo was tangled in something so dangerous, how much deeper did this go?

Lila couldn’t shake the feeling that everyone was hiding something. She needed answers, but every step seemed to lead her into more shadows.

---

Later that evening, Noah, Cathy, and Zara gathered at Lila’s place. The moment Lila mentioned Phillip’s message, the room erupted in disbelief.

“You met with Phillip?” Noah’s eyes were wide with concern. “What the hell were you thinking?”

Lila raised her hands defensively. “I didn’t have a choice. He knows something—something about Renzo. He was cryptic, but it’s clear he’s connected.”

“Connected to what? The mafia? Some secret organization?” Cathy asked, half-jokingly, but the worry in her voice was evident.

“Knowing Phillip, he probably just wants attention,” Zara muttered under her breath, crossing her arms.

Noah ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “And what if he’s setting you up? This whole thing smells like a trap.”

Lila bit her lip, feeling the weight of their stares. “I don’t know… maybe. But we can’t ignore it. If Phillip knows more, he might be the key to helping Renzo.”

“Or,” Jasper cut in from the corner, slouched on the couch, “he’s just leading you into another mess we’ll have to clean up. I mean, Phillip is about as trustworthy as a politician.”

Noah shot him a look, but Jasper grinned. “What? You know I’m right.”

Lila sighed, pacing the room. “I’m not saying I trust Phillip, but we’re out of options here. We’re walking blind.”

Cathy, always the pragmatic one, leaned forward. “Okay, so let’s think this through. Phillip says he knows who Renzo’s mixed up with. If that’s true, why come to you? He could go to the cops, right?”

Lila nodded. “Exactly. Which means there’s more to this.”

Noah crossed his arms, his jaw clenched. “Whatever it is, we have to be careful. If Phillip’s involved with the people chasing Renzo, he could be dragging you right into their hands.”

Lila rubbed her temples, trying to push through the headache forming. “Then what do we do? We can’t just sit around waiting for the next disaster.”

“We’ll confront him,” Noah said firmly. “We’ll make sure he’s telling the truth—on our terms.”

---

The next day, they met Phillip again, this time with the whole group present. They chose a crowded café, the bustling background noise giving them a sense of safety, or at least anonymity.

Phillip arrived, his usual smugness replaced with an uncharacteristic tension. “I figured you’d bring backup,” he muttered, sliding into the booth beside them.

Noah didn’t waste time. “Enough games. If you know something, spill it. Now.”

Phillip glanced around, his eyes darting to the exits like he expected someone to be watching. “I told you, I’m trying to help. But this isn’t something we can just solve. Renzo’s involved with people who don’t leave loose ends.”

Lila leaned in, her patience wearing thin. “Then why are you still standing? Why come to me?”

Phillip’s eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, his usual arrogance faded. “Because I didn’t want you to end up like him. I care about you, Lila. Believe it or not.”

Jasper snickered from across the table. “Yeah, nothing says ‘I care’ like being cryptic and dragging her into a mafia war.”

Phillip shot him a glare. “This isn’t a joke, Jasper.”

Lila’s eyes narrowed. “Then stop dodging and tell us who these people are.”

Phillip sighed, clearly struggling with what to reveal. “They’re a group… an organization that’s been pulling strings behind the scenes for years. They don’t just deal in money, Lila. They deal in power. Political, social, economic—you name it.”

Cathy frowned. “And Renzo got caught up in this how?”

“He owed them a favor. A big one. And now they want to collect.”

Noah’s face darkened. “And what do they want?”

Phillip hesitated, glancing at Lila before answering. “They want you.”

The air seemed to freeze. Lila’s heart raced. “What? Why me?”

Phillip looked pained. “I don’t know exactly. But you’ve been dragged into this because of your connection to Renzo. And now, they think you’re valuable. Maybe you’re a way to control him, or maybe there’s something else.”

Cathy stared at him incredulously. “So, what? They’re going to kidnap her?”

“I don’t know,” Phillip admitted, his voice strained. “But they’ve already started watching.”

Zara shivered. “This just got real creepy, real fast.”

---

Later that evening, as the group walked back to their cars, the weight of Phillip’s revelation settled on them like a thick fog. They were no closer to understanding who these people were or what they wanted, but one thing was clear—they were in over their heads.

Jasper tried to lighten the mood, nudging Lila with his elbow. “Well, at least now we know you’re important enough to be targeted by shadowy organizations. That’s gotta count for something, right?”

Lila managed a weak smile. “Yeah, that’s just what I needed—more drama in my life.”

Noah, however, wasn’t laughing. He pulled Lila aside, his expression serious. “We’re going to get through this, okay? I don’t care how powerful these people are. We’ll figure it out.”

Lila nodded, though the fear gnawing at her stomach told her it wouldn’t be that simple.