Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Lisa’s POV

My heart stopped when I saw her name on the screen. Claudia.

For a moment, I just sat there, staring at my phone as it buzzed in my hand. My fingers felt frozen, and my chest tightened with fear. What were the chances? Claudia— the woman who had dragged me into this mess—was suddenly calling me?

“Who is it?” Damien’s sharp voice cut through my panic.

I quickly flipped the phone over, hiding the screen from his view. “N-no one,” I stammered.

Damien’s eyes narrowed, and he strode toward me. “Don’t lie to me, Lisa.”

“It’s just a spam call,” I blurted out, clutching the phone tightly. “You know, one of those annoying telemarketers.”

He didn’t look convinced. His piercing gray eyes locked onto mine, and I felt like he was reading my mind. Every instinct told me to run, but where would I go?

“Show me the phone,” Damien demanded, his voice calm but deadly.

I hesitated, my mind racing. If he saw Claudia’s name, what would he do? Would he hurt her? Would he hurt me?

Before I could decide what to do, the phone stopped buzzing. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. Damien held out his hand, his expression cold.

“The phone, Lisa.”

I swallowed hard, knowing I didn’t have a choice. Slowly, I placed the phone in his hand. My heart pounded as he unlocked it and checked the call log. When he saw the name, his jaw tightened.

“Claudia,” he said, his tone low and dangerous.

I didn’t know what to say. My mind was spinning, and my palms were sweaty.

“She just called you,” Damien said, his eyes narrowing. “Why?”

“I-I don’t know!” I stammered, shaking my head. “I haven’t spoken to her since she picked up the dress! I don’t even know why she would call me now.”

Damien stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he handed the phone back to me. “If she calls again, you answer. Do you understand?”

I nodded quickly, clutching the phone like it was a lifeline.

“And Lisa,” Damien added, his voice dropping to a chilling calmness, “don’t even think about lying to me again. You won’t like what happens if you do.”

I swallowed hard, nodding again. Damien gave me one last look before turning and leaving the room.

The moment the door closed behind him, I let out a shaky breath. My legs felt weak, and I sank into the nearest chair. My hands were still trembling as I stared at my phone.

Why had Claudia called me? What did she want? And how was I supposed to handle this without getting myself killed?

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. I couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep. My mind kept replaying the moment Damien saw Claudia’s name on my phone. The look in his eyes—cold, calculating—made it clear he wasn’t someone to mess with.

I paced the room, running my fingers through my hair. What was I supposed to do if Claudia called again? Should I tell her what was going on? Should I warn her?

Part of me wanted to protect her. After all, she’d hired me for a simple dress alteration. I had no idea she was involved in something illegal. But another part of me was angry. She’d lied to me. She’d used me. And now I was the one paying the price.

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the phone in my hand. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Come in,” I said softly, my voice hoarse.

The door opened, and the same woman from earlier walked in, carrying a tray of food. She placed it on the table and gave me a kind smile.

“You should eat,” she said gently. “You’ll feel better.”

“I’m not hungry,” I replied, shaking my head.

“Suit yourself,” she said, shrugging. “But you’ll need your strength if you want to keep up with Mr. Paulo.”

She turned to leave, but I stopped her. “Wait,” I said.

She paused, looking at me expectantly.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Maria,” she replied.

“Maria,” I said slowly, “how long have you worked for Damien?”

Her expression flickered, but she quickly masked it. “A long time,” she said.

“What’s he like?” I asked cautiously.

Maria hesitated, then gave me a small smile. “He’s… complicated. But he’s fair, as long as you don’t cross him.”

I nodded, though her words didn’t exactly put me at ease. “Thanks, Maria,” I said quietly.

She nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing again. My stomach dropped as I grabbed it off the nightstand. Claudia’s name was flashing on the screen.

I hesitated, my thumb hovering over the answer button. My heart pounded as I thought about Damien’s warning. I couldn’t ignore the call.

Taking a deep breath, I pressed the button and brought the phone to my ear. “Hello?” I said softly.

“Lisa,” Claudia’s voice came through, breathless and urgent. “You have to help me.”

I froze. “Claudia? What’s going on? Why are you calling me?”

“There’s no time to explain,” she said, her voice shaking. “I’m in trouble, Lisa. Big trouble.”

I clenched the phone tightly, glancing nervously at the door. “What kind of trouble?” I whispered.

“The kind that gets people killed,” Claudia said. “Listen to me—do not trust Damien Paulo. He’s dangerous, Lisa. He’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants.”

I bit my lip, my mind racing. “You used me, Claudia,” I said, my voice trembling. “You put me in this position. Why should I help you?”

“I didn’t have a choice,” she said, her voice breaking. “I’m sorry, Lisa. I really am. But if you don’t help me, we’re both dead.”

“Where are you?” I asked.

“I can’t tell you over the phone,” Claudia said. “It’s not safe. But I’ll send you a location. Meet me there tonight. Please, Lisa. You’re the only person I can trust.”

Before I could respond, the call ended. I stared at the phone, my heart pounding in my chest.

What was I supposed to do? If I went to meet Claudia, I’d be risking everything. But if I didn’t…

I didn’t have time to think. The door opened, and Damien walked in. His sharp eyes immediately locked onto me.

“Who were you talking to?” he asked, his voice cold.

I froze, my mind scrambling for an answer. “No one,” I said quickly. “It was just a wrong number.”

Damien’s lips curved into a dangerous smirk. “Wrong number?” he repeated, stepping closer.

I nodded, trying to keep my expression neutral. But I could tell he didn’t believe me.

Damien leaned in, his face inches from mine. “You’re a terrible liar, Lisa,” he said softly.

I swallowed hard, my hands trembling.

“Let me make something very clear,” Damien continued, his voice low and menacing. “If you’re hiding something from me, you’ll regret it.”

I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t.

Damien straightened and turned to leave. “We’re leaving in an hour,” he said over his shoulder. “Be ready.”

As the door closed behind him, my phone buzzed again. This time, it was a text message.

I opened it and felt my blood run cold. It was from Claudia.

“Come alone. 9 p.m. Don’t tell anyone.”