Against the Clock

Episode 02.

The next day at the call center felt heavier, like the air had thickened with unspoken tension. The chatter around me buzzed like white noise, a constant reminder of the chaos brewing beneath the surface. I settled into my seat, fingers poised over the keyboard, but my mind was miles away—haunted by the name Alessandra Vito and the shadows of my past.

As the clock ticked toward another day of mundane calls, I could feel Marco's presence lingering. I caught glimpses of him through the glass wall of his office, pacing with purpose, a man driven by the hunt. Each time I saw him, I was reminded of the chasm between us—between his world of justice and my descent into darkness.

Mid-morning, I received another call. "Althea Support, this is Hana. How can I help you?" My voice was steady, but beneath it simmered a tempest of anxiety.

"Hana, it's Luca," my best friend's familiar voice broke through. "You okay? I heard about Alessandra. Are you sure you're all right?"

I sighed, pushing my chair back slightly to look out the window. "I'm fine. Just... busy with work."

"Busy? Or hiding something?" he pressed gently. I could hear the concern in his voice.

"It's just a tough case for my stepdad. That's all."

"Right. Listen, do you want to grab lunch later? I could use some Hana time. We haven't hung out in forever."

I hesitated. The last thing I wanted was to face scrutiny from someone who knew me too well. "Sure. Just... not at our usual spot."

"Deal. How about the café on Via San Giovanni?"

"Perfect," I said, forcing a lightness I didn't feel.

After the call ended, I focused on my work, trying to block out the rising anxiety. My mind was a battlefield, torn between the desire to confess and the instinct to hide. I had walked through the shadows of my past, and every step felt like a tightrope act, balancing on the brink of discovery.

A few hours later, my shift ended, and I slipped out into the bustling streets of San Gimignano. The sun cast a golden hue over the ancient towers, but the beauty felt hollow. I met Luca at the café, where the aroma of fresh pastries wafted through the air, a deceptive comfort.

"Hana!" he called, waving as he spotted me. "You look a little pale. Are you sure everything's okay?"

I plastered on a smile, though it felt like a mask. "I'm fine, really. Just stressed about work."

As we settled into a corner booth, I tried to steer the conversation toward lighter topics, but Luca wasn't easily deterred. "You know I'm here for you, right? If something's bothering you, just tell me."

The words hung in the air like a challenge, and I felt the weight of my secret pressing against my chest. "It's just... this job is more intense than I expected. I keep hearing about Alessandra's disappearance, and it's hard not to feel... affected."

Luca nodded, his brow furrowing. "It's tragic. I've been following the news, and it seems like they're not making any progress. They haven't even found her yet."

"Right," I murmured, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's all very mysterious."

His gaze sharpened. "Do you think they'll find her?"

"Honestly?" I hesitated. "I'm not sure they want to." The words slipped out before I could catch them, and I saw the spark of concern in Luca's eyes.

"Hana, what do you mean by that?"

I forced a laugh, but it sounded brittle. "I mean... sometimes people don't want to be found. They want to disappear."

The conversation shifted as Luca shared stories from our university days, but I couldn't shake the feeling that the walls were closing in around me. I excused myself to the restroom, splashing cold water on my face to quell the rising panic.

As I stared into the mirror, my reflection looked foreign—haunted and hollowed. What had I become?

When I returned to the table, I found Luca deep in thought. "Hana, I've been meaning to ask. You ever thought about your past? You know, before you moved in with Marco?"

The question hung heavily between us. "What do you mean?" I tried to keep my tone casual, but my heart raced.

"I just... you've never talked much about your life before. It's like there's this big chapter that's missing."

A knot twisted in my stomach. "There's nothing to tell, really. Just... a lot of changes."

"Right, but sometimes change can be traumatic," he pressed, his concern palpable. "I just want you to know you can trust me."

I met his gaze, the unspoken understanding lingering like smoke in the air. But trust was a luxury I couldn't afford.

"Thanks, Luca. I appreciate it," I said, forcing a smile. "But really, it's just work stress."

After lunch, I walked back toward the call center, the sun dipping low in the sky. As I approached the building, a shadow caught my eye—Eliana, leaning against the wall, her expression unreadable.

"Nice lunch?" she asked, her voice smooth yet laced with a hint of mockery.

"What do you want?" I snapped, my pulse quickening.

"Just checking in on you, Hana. You seem a little... frazzled."

"Why do you care?"

"Because we have unfinished business," she replied, her eyes narrowing. "And you're not the only one with a past."

A chill raced down my spine as I stepped back, realizing the precarious balance I was maintaining. "I don't know what you're talking about."

She smiled, a sharp edge to her lips. "Oh, I think you do. Just remember, secrets have a way of coming to light."

With that, she vanished into the shadows, leaving me reeling. As I stepped inside the call center, the familiar fluorescent lights felt suffocating. I glanced at Marco's office; he was still inside, oblivious to the storm brewing around us.

I needed to stay ahead, to control the narrative before it unraveled completely.

The clock ticked louder in my ears, a relentless reminder that time was running out.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the days ahead. This game was just beginning, and I was determined to come out on top, no matter the cost.