Chapter Twenty

                                    

                                          
Anton's POV: 
I was sitting on the police station's couch, feeling uncomfortable when Jake arrived with the lawyer. Jake has always been by my side, a steadfast presence in my life. He never left me in any situation, and I never abandoned him during the hardest of times. We've faced countless challenges together, and our bond is unbreakable.
Alex has been after me for years, trying to extract the one secret I vowed never to share. The pressure has been relentless, but I remained determined. Let them do whatever they can, no one in the whole damn world could convince me to reveal that secret. I will never betray my promise.
My lawyer caught my subtle gesture, a silent cue that only he understood, and swiftly approached the police desk. With a calm demeanor, he skillfully managed the situation, negotiating with the officers on my behalf.
An officer entered the room accompanied by Alex, the very person who had been a source of trouble for me. My gaze hardened as I glared at him, my blood boils up whenever I see him.
The officer's accusatory tone cut through the tense atmosphere. "You were with him in the car. You were his friend? How do you not know where he has been?" 
"As I've told you before, and I'm telling you for the last time, I was just with him. I didn't do anything. I don't know about his whereabouts."
"Back then, you denied being with him. Now, we have the CCTV footage. You have no option but to be honest. Tell us everything clearly, or we'll have to take action against you," the officer said sternly.
"Couldn't you see in CCTV footage that he ran away? How could I possibly know where he might be?" I retorted. "He was your friend, your best friend in fact. How could you not know?" The officer's voice was strained as he gritted his teeth.
With a furrowed brow, I narrowed my eyes at him with a steely glare. Anger burned within me, evident in the tight clench of my jaw. "As I've said," my voice was laced with frustration, "I know nothing. It means I know nothing." With a sudden burst of emotion, I forcefully slammed my hands onto the table, the sound reverberating through the room like a thunderclap. Rising to my full height, I stood tall,
"You have no evidence against me," I declared, my voice firm, as I leaned forward, meeting the officer's gaze, "Let me be on my way."
My voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, barely audible yet laden with threat. "You lack any shred of evidence to tie me to this. You can't just hold me here against my will." The words dripped with a cold confidence, emphasizing the lack of power they held over me. "And you know exactly what I'm capable of."
Leaving a quiet yet chilling warning lingering in the air, I turned on my heel and exited the station, Jake and the lawyer falling into step behind me. My strides were purposeful, each step a declaration of my resolve as we left the building behind.
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As I entered the office, just two hours after the incident, I was met with a mixture of shock and relief from everyone, who hadn't expected me so soon. I instructed Olivia not to close the office and to let everyone continue their work, so she had been managing everything in my absence. 
Jake, Olivia, and I have been inseparable since our childhood days. From building forts in the backyard to exploring the neighborhood, we've shared countless memories together. Whether it was celebrating birthdays or weathering storms, our bond has only grown stronger over the years.
Ascending to the top floor, I found Jennifer lost in thoughts, her hair cascading around her shoulders in an enchanting display. She appeared mesmerizingly beautiful. Pausing outside her office, when she raised her eyes our gazes locked and a rush of emotions flickered across her face, tears brimmed in her eyes.
Without hesitation, she rose from her seat and hastened toward me, she wrapped her arms around me tightly, the force of her hug caught me off guard, causing me to stumble backward slightly. Yet, in that moment, as her warmth enveloped me, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. It was as if the chaos of the world melted away, leaving only the two of us in our own little sanctuary of peace.
"I was so worried about you," she whispered, her voice quivering with concern. Her arms tightened around me even more, indicating how much she was concerned about my safety and wellbeing.
As I raised my hands, the instinct to return her embrace tugged at me, a familiar warmth welling within. But as my fingertips hovered in the air, the weight of memory descended upon me like a heavy shroud, which flooded my mind in a torrent of emotions. With a heavy sigh, I let my arms fall to my sides.
I extricate myself from her and abruptly departed for my office without saying anything.
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Until then.....