The Crimson Silence

Ghost from the Past

"Bonjour, Jacob... nous devons parler."

The words echoed in Jake's mind, freezing him in place. His breath caught in his throat as memories flooded back. It had been years since he'd last heard Alexandra's voice-years since they'd parted ways, leaving behind a whirlwind of emotions and unfinished business.

"Jacob, es-tu là?" Alexandra's voice broke through again, her tone laced with a gentle insistence.

Jake struggled to speak, his heart pounding in his chest as if he were face to face with a ghost. "Alexandra..."

"Yes, Jacob, it's me," she replied softly, her voice a familiar blend of warmth and mystery. "I need to see you... today."

"Why?" His voice was shaky, barely more than a whisper, a mix of hesitation and confusion hanging over him like a cloud.

"You know why, mon chéri," she responded, her voice playful yet menacing, like a dangerous game she knew too well. "Meet me in our old spot... 5:30."

Jake's heart sank. He knew exactly where she meant. "Bethesda Fountain..."

"Oui, ma chère. Oui," she said, her tone filled with a strange excitement before the line went dead.

Jake stood there, staring at his phone, the gravity of the call sinking in. It was like being pulled into a past he had long buried-a time when everything seemed clear and uncomplicated, but now, it all felt ominous. The ghost of Alexandra was back, and she wanted something from him.

Before he could dwell on it further, his phone buzzed with a new message.

Sam: Jake... Cynthia's dad is here. Come soon.

The tension within him tightened further, like a noose around his neck. Nothing made sense, and everything was happening too fast.

The ride to The C Spot was a blur. Jake barely registered the streets or the city's familiar bustle. By the time he arrived, he spotted David Roscoe's sleek car parked outside, flanked by his usual security detail. Jake felt that unsettling sensation again-the feeling of being watched. He paused, scanning his surroundings, eyes darting from building to building, but saw nothing. Shaking it off, he stepped inside the café.

"There he is! The man of the hour!" David's booming voice greeted Jake the moment he crossed the threshold.

The café was alive with chatter and smiles, but Jake could barely focus. His eyes drifted from David to Lisa and Sam, both beaming with excitement.

"Jacob, Jacob, Jacob!" David continued, approaching with his arms wide open. "Those photos you took for the Trust-absolute hits! My board wants to showcase them at the Gala next week!"

Lisa rushed toward her brother, wrapping him in a tight hug. "Jake! This is amazing! I'm so happy for you!"

Sam cheered from behind the counter. "You're killing it, man! Congrats!"

The kitchen crew and even a few customers joined in, their energy infectious. Still, Jake felt distant, his thoughts elsewhere, the words from Alexandra's call lingering at the back of his mind like a shadow creeping ever closer.

"Thanks, Mr. Roscoe... that's, uh, fantastic news," Jake finally managed, offering a polite smile.

The café buzzed with celebration as Lisa handed out free muffins to customers, but Jake felt like he was on autopilot, unable to fully embrace the moment. The tension between the joy in the café and the storm brewing in his mind was almost unbearable.

David clapped Jake on the shoulder. "Walk with me, Jacob. Let's chat."

They stepped outside, the cool autumn air hitting Jake's face like a slap. He welcomed it-it was grounding in a way that the café's warmth couldn't be.

David turned to him, his expression more serious now. "Listen, Jacob. The Gala is going to be packed with the city's elite, and I was thinking-this could be an opportunity for you to auction some of your work. You could make quite a bit of money."

Jake blinked, caught off guard. "Auction my work?"

David nodded, his gaze steady. "Think about it, Jake. The kind of money you could make... it could help Rob and Hellen retire early. Just imagine what that could do for them."

Jake's throat tightened. His parents had worked their entire lives as teachers, often struggling to make ends meet. The idea of giving them a chance to rest, to live comfortably, tugged at him.

"Okay," Jake said, his voice steady but his heart conflicted. "I'll put up a few pieces."

David smiled, satisfied. "Good. I'll have my secretary contact you with the details."

As David's car pulled away, Jake stood on the sidewalk, staring after it. His thoughts swirled in a chaotic storm-Alexandra's reappearance, the upcoming Gala, the café, his parents. Everything felt like it was pressing down on him, suffocating him.

When he stepped back into The C Spot, Lisa was practically glowing with excitement. "Mom and Dad are going to be so happy, Jake!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah... I guess," Jake muttered, trying to muster up some enthusiasm, but the weight of everything kept him subdued.

Lisa took a seat across from him at the counter, her eyes narrowing as she observed her brother's distant demeanor. "So, you're coming to dinner tonight, right?"

Jake hesitated. "Dinner?"

"Yeah, Jake! We need to tell Mom and Dad the news. This is huge!" She smiled, but the way she looked at him told him she sensed something was off.

Jake forced a smile. "Sure, Lisa. I'll be there."

Lisa tilted her head, unconvinced. "Okay... then we'll meet at my place at 7, and we can go together."

"No, no," Jake quickly replied, his mind racing. He didn't want to be around anyone before seeing Alexandra. "I'll meet you directly at Mom and Dad's house at 8."

Lisa's eyes narrowed. "You sure? You're not going to pull one of your disappearing acts, right?"

"I promise I'll be there," Jake said, his voice firm but lacking its usual warmth.

Lisa wasn't fully convinced, but she let it go. "Fine. Don't be late." She paused for a moment, then added softly, "You seem... distracted. Are you okay?"

Jake opened his mouth to respond but then shut it, not sure how to explain what he was feeling. "I'm fine, Lis. Really."

Lisa gave him a lingering look before nodding. "Alright. I'll see you at 8."

The café felt quieter once Lisa left. Jake and Sam talked about the usual business matters-inventory, upcoming orders, the steady flow of customers. But Jake's mind was miles away, trapped in a loop of memories and unanswered questions.

Suddenly, Sam's phone buzzed on the counter. Jake glanced at it and saw Katie's name flashing on the screen. He picked it up and answered. "Katie?"

"Jacob!" Katie's voice came through, full of relief. "Hi! I finally got my phone back. I'll be leaving HQ in a few hours-an officer will drop me off."

"That's great, Katie. We've missed you here," Jake replied, but his tone was distant, distracted.

Before he could say anything more, Katie interrupted. "Gotta go, Jake! We're heading into a briefing. See you soon!" She hung up quickly.

Jake put the phone down, feeling more adrift than ever. Even the good news of Katie's return couldn't pull him out of his spiral.

As the hours ticked by, Jake found himself drifting deeper into his thoughts. Alexandra's call, her voice so familiar yet so distant, played on repeat in his mind. The memories of their time together, the laughter, the shared moments, now felt tainted by the uncertainty of her sudden reappearance.

The weight of everything-the Gala, the café, Alexandra-wrapped around him like a vise, tightening with every breath. He was drowning, and he didn't know how to swim back to the surface.

By 5:00 PM, Jake found himself standing in front of his bike again. The meeting with Alexandra loomed large, and his heart raced with anticipation, dread, and a strange sense of inevitability.

At 5:30, he would face the ghost of his past, but what would she reveal when they meet at Bethesda Fountain?