Deadly Affairs

Chapter 16

Vivian sat alone in her apartment, staring out the window as the city's lights glowed softly in the night. The encounter with the associate lingered in her mind, a reminder of how delicate her situation had become. She'd given him a second chance, but it was a gamble. If he slipped up again, Delgado would not only punish him but likely start looking into her actions with more scrutiny.

With a sigh, she glanced at her phone. Part of her wanted to call Dominic, to hear his voice and make sure he was safe, but she knew that any contact with him could raise suspicions. Still, the weight of keeping him at a distance was beginning to wear on her. She couldn't shake the feeling that he was in over his head and that any misstep on his part could drag them both down.

Before she could dwell too long on the thought, her phone buzzed with a text from Liam: "Meet me at the cafe. We need to talk."

She hesitated, feeling the familiar tug of apprehension. Liam rarely requested meetings outside their usual routine, and if he needed to talk face-to-face, it meant something serious had come up.

The Cafe Meeting

Vivian entered the dimly lit cafe, spotting Liam in a secluded booth near the back. She slid into the seat across from him, noting the tension in his posture as he leaned forward, his expression troubled.

"Thanks for meeting me," he began, his voice low. "We've got a problem."

Her pulse quickened as she met his gaze. "What kind of problem?"

Liam exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. "One of our sources in Black Lotus flagged some chatter. Delgado's starting to get paranoid. He's questioning the loyalty of some of his people... and your name came up."

Vivian's stomach dropped, but she forced herself to remain calm. "What exactly did he say?"

"Not much. Just that he's keeping an eye on you, making sure you're 'in line.'" Liam's expression softened with concern. "Vivian, he's watching your every move. This is more dangerous than ever."

She clenched her hands under the table, a mix of fear and frustration tightening her chest. "I knew it was risky, but I thought I had his trust."

"You did," Liam replied, his tone cautious. "But that dock incident and the associate you warned off—they've made him suspicious. He thinks you might be hiding something."

Vivian's mind raced, piecing together her next steps. If Delgado's suspicion was growing, she'd have to tread even more carefully. "What do you think I should do?"

Liam hesitated before answering. "For now, lay low. Focus on your assignments, and don't do anything that might draw attention. Delgado's testing you, waiting for you to slip up."

Vivian nodded, though a sense of dread settled in her stomach. She knew that staying out of Delgado's crosshairs would be nearly impossible, especially with Dominic and the associate's recent actions casting shadows over her.

"Vivian," Liam added softly, his tone almost pleading, "I'm worried about you. I know you want to protect Dominic, but every time you get close to him, it's another risk. If you want to survive this, you might have to let him go."

She looked down, her heart twisting at the thought. Dominic had become more than just a piece of her mission—he was someone she genuinely cared for, someone who had reminded her that there was more to life than deception and survival. But Liam's words echoed in her mind, reminding her of the harsh reality she was facing.

"I understand," she replied quietly, though a part of her wasn't ready to accept it.

The Choice

Back at her apartment, Vivian paced the floor, Liam's words replaying in her mind. Letting Dominic go would mean cutting ties, leaving him to face Black Lotus on his own. But keeping him close put them both at risk. She was trapped between loyalty to her mission and her feelings for Dominic, both pulling her in opposite directions.

After a long moment, she grabbed her phone and sent a quick message to Dominic: "We need to talk. Meet me at the usual place."

She wasn't sure what she was going to say, but she knew she couldn't keep ignoring the situation. If they were both going to survive, they needed a plan.

The Park Meeting

An hour later, Vivian waited under a streetlamp in a quiet corner of the park. The air was cold, and she wrapped her arms around herself, glancing around nervously. She'd chosen the spot carefully—far from prying eyes, but still public enough to offer some safety.

Dominic approached, his expression wary yet relieved to see her. "Vivian," he greeted, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and desperation. "What's going on? I haven't heard from you in days."

She took a steadying breath, meeting his gaze. "Dominic, we're both in danger. Delgado is getting suspicious, and if he finds out about us, he'll come after both of us."

Dominic's face paled, his eyes widening with realization. "So... what are you saying?"

"I'm saying we need to be careful," she replied, keeping her tone firm. "You need to lay low and keep your distance from Black Lotus. I'll handle Delgado, but you can't risk being seen around me."

He shook his head, a flash of frustration crossing his face. "Vivian, you can't do this alone. They'll destroy you."

Her heart ached at his words, but she forced herself to stay focused. "I've survived this long. I can keep going, but only if you stay out of the way. The more you're involved, the more danger we're both in."

Dominic reached out, grabbing her hand, his grip warm and steady. "I don't want to lose you," he murmured, his voice filled with quiet determination. "If there's a way to protect you, I'll find it."

She looked away, feeling the weight of his words settle over her. It would be so easy to give in, to let him in and face Black Lotus together. But she knew the risks were too high.

"Just promise me you'll be careful," she whispered, squeezing his hand briefly before pulling away. "And don't do anything reckless."

Dominic nodded, though a flicker of determination remained in his eyes. "I'll do what I have to."

The Decision

As Vivian left the park, a part of her wondered if she'd made the right choice. Dominic's resolve both reassured and worried her. She knew he wouldn't give up easily, that he'd fight to protect her if it came down to it. But in Black Lotus, any sign of weakness, any hint of vulnerability, was a death sentence.

Over the next few days, she threw herself into her work, staying focused on her assignments and maintaining a low profile. She kept her distance from Dominic, hoping that her silence would discourage him from taking any more risks.

But as the days passed, she felt a growing sense of unease. She could sense Delgado watching her closely, his eyes sharp and assessing whenever they crossed paths. She knew it was only a matter of time before he tested her loyalty again, before he pushed her to prove her commitment to Black Lotus in a way that would force her to make a choice.

In her heart, she knew the path ahead would be brutal, that each step deeper into Black Lotus would cost her more than she was willing to lose. But for now, all she could do was survive—one day, one choice, at a time.