Chapter 8 The Picture

This morning, I returned to the office after David let me out last night. The office lobby was bustling with people, as always, but this time it had a special energy. It's as if this building and its people are eager to welcome me and fill me in on all the exciting news about David.

It was seven o'clock in the morning and I strode purposefully down the lobby, tapping my membership card on the machine. A soft beep signalled that access had been granted and the lift doors opened to reveal a small, dimly lit room with glass walls reflecting my reflection. I stepped inside, pressed the button for the seventh floor, and felt a slight jolt as the lift began to move up.

As soon as the lift doors opened, I could see that my office was bustling as usual, and the delicious smell of coffee was a welcome sign that everything was going as planned. However, my heart began to race as I thought about Mr Bobby.

I strode purposefully towards my chair, pulled it out, and sat down.

"Hey... where have you been?" asked Jack, the journalist friend sitting next to me.

"I...I'm sorry I was sick and took a rest," I explained, trying to sound calm and reassuring.

"But why can't you reach your mobile phone?" she asked, her tone light and playful.

"I switched off my phone on purpose because I wanted to take a break."

Jack looked at me as if he was reading my face, and I felt like I was on top of the world. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am sure."

Jack looked back for a moment, before finally turning back to me. This time his voice was small, more like a whisper. "Yesterday, Mr.Bobby was looking for you."

I tried to keep a calm expression on my face. "Oh yeah? I knew it.'"

"Just that? Did you expect that?" He repeated my sentence, seems like mocking. "At least let me know if you're sick."

"I'm a bit busy at the moment."

"Oh, really? We'll think you're being kidnapped if you just disappear."

"Oh, yes. I was kidnapped once."

"Don't joke around, Hanna. It's not funny."

Jack was getting a bit annoyed. I was just about to reply when Mr. Bobby strode into the room with a calm yet authoritative expression. Everyone in the room automatically stood up and said hello.

Jack straightened up immediately, his face a picture of anticipation. "Morning, sir," He greeted, his voice filled with excitement. 'I'm so glad to see you, Jack,' Mr Bobby replied, his tone warm and welcoming.

"Good morning, Mr Bobby," I said, my voice as professional as I could make it.

Mr Bobby stopped his steps when he saw me. "You, come to my room."

I swallowed. "Yes, sir."

Without saying much, I got up and followed his lead, my mind racing with anticipation. All the way to his room, I felt a surge of excitement. About me suddenly disappearing or about David.

Once we arrived, Mr Bobby opened the door and beckoned me in. I stepped inside, then heard the door close behind me with a slightly too heavy sound.

"Sit down." His voice was firm.

I complied, sitting on the chair opposite him. "Sir, sorry for yesterday. I was...''

"Never mind. That's not what I wanted to talk about." He said calmly.

Mr Bobby looked at me for a long time before finally saying, "How far have you come?"

I held my breath, my hands shaking slightly, but I managed to cover it up. "I...''

"I heard you came to Mr Thomas' private party a few days ago," he guessed. "So, what did you get?" his sharp eyes watched my every reaction.

I tried to maintain a neutral expression, even though inside my head, thousands of possibilities were spinning rapidly. "How did you know? I haven't even reported the information to you yet."

"It's not important who I know from. What matters is, what did you get on the island?"

I clasped my hands together on my thighs, trying to keep my composure. "I didn't get anything, sir."

He gave a sigh, then pushed a brown envelope towards me. "Look at this,' Mr Bobby leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. 'There's no way you're not getting something, Hanna."

I grabbed the brown envelope, opening it slowly. I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and carefully opened the envelope.Aa few photos fell onto the table.I looked at the pictures, my eyebrows raised.

Those photos! The same photos that were sent to me a few days ago in the exact same brown envelope! The pictures of me with David on the island.I eagerly turned the photo over, eager to see the writing that might be on the back just like the one sent to me. However, this time... it was blank!

Someone must have sent these photos to me before, and now Mr Bobby has the same photo.

I lifted my chin slightly, my voice alive with excitement. "Yes, these photos are true. I'm not going to deny it."

"So?" Mr. Bobby looked at me with a meaningful expression. "Tell me, what did information you got from Mr.Thomas?"

I held my breath, "He didn't answer my question, sir."

"What?! So you did a pointless job?" Mr Bobby snorted, his tone full of impatience, his eyes narrowing as if I had just wasted his time. "You know this is no joke, Hanna."

"I know, sir. I've tried to get him to answer," I said, clenching my fists on my thighs, determined to stay calm even though my heart was beating faster. "But, there was one thing he told me,"

Mr Bobby leaned forward, as if curious. I took a deep breath, steadied my voice, and replied, "He told me about DD Club."

Mr Bobby's brow furrowed, and he was serious. "What is DD Club?"

I took a deep breath, gathered my thoughts, and replied with a grin. "I don't know what it means." I was thrilled to share, "As far as I know, DD club is the management that he built, and the island, built under DD club."

Mr Bobby leaned back in his chair, his eyes looking at me keenly. "So?"

I gripped the edge of my chair, feeling a little uneasy. "That's all I got, sir.But I'm sure, no one knows this information, but us." I said, trying to be reassuring. "I can assure you.Even on the internet, no one has written an article about DD Club."

The room went suddenly quiet.Mr Bobby tapped his chin thoughtfully. Then, in a low voice, he said, "And you're sure Mr Thomson isn't lying?"

I gave a little shrug. "We'll keep this information under wraps until we find out more."

Mr. Bobby tapped the chair with his fingertips, the rhythm slow but insistent. "Hanna, I've given you two weeks, but you haven't given me any definite information yet. I'm giving you one more week, if you fail..." He paused, then looked at me keenly. "I will have to replace you with someone else to take over this assignment."