Entwined in Secrets

Chapter Seven: Beneath The Surface

The next few days were a blur of tension and uncertainty. Emii tried to focus on her studies at Hotel Management School, but her mind kept drifting back to Jax and the threat he posed. Each time she received a text from Dennis, a knot of anxiety formed in her stomach. He was protective, but the shadows of his past loomed larger than ever.

On a Thursday afternoon, Emii and Michell met at their favorite café in Sittard. The air was filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries, but the warm atmosphere did little to ease Emii's anxiety. As they settled into a cozy corner, Michell leaned forward, her expression serious.

"Have you talked to him?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.

Emii shook her head, stirring her coffee absently. "He's been distant. I think he's trying to figure things out, but I can't help feeling like he's shutting me out."

Michell reached across the table, placing her hand over Emii's. "You need to remind him that you're in this together. Don't let him carry this burden alone."

Emii nodded, grateful for her friend's support. "You're right. I need to talk to him."

As they sipped their cocktail drinks, Emii's mind raced with thoughts of how to reach Dennis. She knew he needed her strength now more than ever, but the last encounter with Jax lingered in her mind like a dark cloud. The possibility of danger always hung in the air, suffocating her hope.

Later that evening, Emii decided to pay Dennis a surprise visit at his apartment in Amsterdam. She wanted to confront the tension between them head-on and show him that she wouldn't be pushed away. As she drove, the familiar streets blurred past her, but her heart raced with anticipation and fear.

When she arrived at his apartment, the lights were dim, and a sense of foreboding hung in the air. She knocked softly, her stomach twisting as she waited. After a moment, Dennis opened the door, his expression shifting from surprise to concern.

"Emii," he breathed, stepping aside to let her in. "What are you doing here?"

"I needed to see you, am I not allowed to see my man?" she said, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest.

Dennis nodded, leading her to the living room where shadows danced against the walls. The space felt cold and unwelcoming, and Emii felt a shiver run down her spine. He sat down on the couch, and she perched on the edge, her heart pounding.

"What's going on, Dennis?" she asked, searching his eyes for answers.

He hesitated, his gaze drifting to the floor. "I'm just trying to handle things. Jax is... complicated."

Emii leaned closer, urgency in her voice. "You can't just shut me out. I care about you, and I want to help. But you have to let me in."

His eyes darkened, a storm brewing behind them. "I don't want to put you in danger, Emii. This isn't a game. Jax is dangerous, and he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants."

Emii felt frustration bubbling inside her. "I'm not a damsel in distress, Dude! I can handle things. I just need to know what's going on."

For a moment, they were locked in a tense silence, both wrestling with their emotions. Then Dennis sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Okay. But you have to promise to stay away from this. I don't want nor need you getting involved."

"Okay," she said, leaning forward, her heart racing.

He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "Jax is an old associate of mine. We used to run in the same circles, mostly music and art, but things turned sour. He got involved in some darker stuff, and I cut ties. Now he's back, and he's not playing, oh so nice."