Paragon

Chapter 24

"We were being watched. I left with my family."

"Oh- oh god, you should have told me. I would have-"

"Listen, Iris, I'll get in touch with you again after the verdict. But the video- I wanted you to know that they knew I had breeched the system which is why I left. I haven't been able to call sooner. The drive the video was on I left hidden so that if they caught up with me, they wouldn't get it. It's on top of the cabinet in your office."

"Tell me where you are, Charles. I'll send you mo-"

The line goes dead. He's already hung up... I stare at the picture of Stellan and I that I set as my screensaver, taken months ago curled up in bed, in shock. I'm stuck for a total of two seconds before I reach out, switching off the stove and sprint for my purse.

...

"Yeah, I've got a conference call I forgot I had," I lie to Oli, shutting the door to my office behind me. After shutting the blinds, I throw my car keys down on the desk and grab the sturdy chair, pushing it towards the cabinet. Stepping onto it with difficulty, I feel around the dusty top and almost cry when I find something there.

I grab ahold of the case and wipe off the dust.

The video.

I have the video- in my hands.

Oh my god. No one will ever be able to see this.

Stellan...

I stuff the case into my purse and grab my keys off the desk, opening the door.

"Oli, has Stellan left?"

"I think so. I talked to him thirty minutes ago and he was leaving."

I dial his extension anyways to see and when it picks up to voicemail, I shut the door to my office. "Alright, I- postponed the conference call until tomorrow."

"Slacker," she hums, typing away on her computer. I smile wide, unable to stop it.

"Go home!"

...

"STELLAN?!" I call out, grinning ear to ear, slamming the front door shut. "Stellan?"

"In the kitchen, babe."

I hurry towards it, clutching my stomach, not used to sweating this much for just walking fast.

"You do know the spaghetti was uncooked, right?" he calls out amusedly, not knowing I'm behind him. Reaching into the bag, I pull out the disc case.

"Stellan."

He turns at the stove, knife in hand, dish towel on his shoulder. I notice bell peppers on the cutting board behind him. He looks at me quizzically and then looks down at my hand. He removes the towel from his shoulder and wipes his hands with it. "What's that?"

"It's the video," I get out weakly, placing it down onto the counter top, scooting it towards him. I watch his hands stop moving. "The only copy of it."

He stares at it for a moment, swallowing before his sky-colored eyes flicker to my face. "H-how? How do you have it?"

"Charles called me today. He told me he hasn't had it since he left. It's been hidden in my office- on top of the cabinet. I ran there to see if he was telling the truth."

"And he was..."

"Yes!"

"Jesus, that's- that's..." He clears his throat, emotion evident on his face as he turns back to the stove fast. "... Is he alright?"