Julius’s phone rang just as he stepped out of his office. He glanced at the screen. Helen. For a second, he thought about ignoring it. Then he answered. "What is it?"
Her voice ca soft, but there was tension in it. "My parents want to see you tonight." Julius didn’t answer imdiately. "They said it’s important," she added. "About the wedding."
A short silence followed. Julius looked down slightly. "Tonight?" "Yes. Dinner." Another pause. Julius let out a slow breath. "I’ll be there."
The call ended. For a mont, he stood there, not moving. And he put the phone back into his pocket. "Prepare the car," he said.
The house was already bright when Julius arrived. Warm lights. Perfect outside. Everything looked calm. Too calm. The door opened before he could knock. Helen stood there. "You’re here."
Julius gave a small nod. "I said I would." She stepped aside. "Co in." The mont he walked in, he felt it. Pressure. Not the sa as before. Not the kind that made his instincts react. But still there. Still heavy.
Her parents were already seated. Waiting. Helen’s father didn’t smile. "You’re late." Julius walked in calmly. "I had work." "Of course you did." That tone again. Cold. Controlled. Annoyed.
Julius sat down. The food was there. But no one was eating. They were waiting. Then it started. "We should set the date." Helen’s father leaned forward slightly. "There is no reason to delay anymore."
Helen stayed quiet. Her mother watched Julius closely. "We can finish everything tonight," her father continued. "The wedding can happen in two months."
Two months. Julius heard the words. But they didn’t feel right. He felt nothing. No excitent. No agreent. Only resistance. "We should postpone it."
Silence filled the room. Helen looked at him. "What?" Her father’s eyes went cold. "Postpone?" "My schedule is unstable right now," Julius said. "That’s not a reason," the older man replied. "It is."
Helen’s mother placed her glass down slowly. "This was not the agreent." Julius turned to her. "No. But this is my decision."
Helen spoke again. "Julius... what’s going on?" Her voice was soft. But it felt heavy. Because it sounded real. Julius looked at her. He could lie. He could make this easier. But sothing inside him refused.
"I said postpone it." Her father leaned back slowly. "You gave your word." "I know." "Then act like it." Julius’s patience started to break. "I am." "No, you’re not."
The tension grew stronger. Helen looked between them. Her mother’s face turned cold. "You’re making a mistake." Julius stood up. "Excuse ." "We’re not done," her father said quickly. Julius didn’t stop. "I am." He walked out before anyone could stop him.
The air outside felt cold. Cleaner. He needed that. The house behind him felt too tight. Too controlled. Too heavy. His driver was already waiting by the car. The door was open. "Sir?"
Julius slowly raised his hand. "Not yet." The driver stopped. Julius took out a cigarette and lit it. The small fla moved in the dark. He took a slow drag. The smoke filled his lungs. It burned. Good. He needed to feel sothing real.
He leaned lightly against the car. He kept his eyes forward. Why did I say that? The thought ca suddenly. He should have agreed. Everything was already planned. Everything was ready. That was the right move. But he had done the opposite. Again.
Julius let out the smoke slowly.
It disappeared into the night. "What is wrong with ?"
His voice was low. Almost lost in the air. This marriage was never a problem. It was stable. It was planned. It made sense.
So why now? Why did it feel wrong? Not uncomfortable. Not stressful. Wrong. His hand tightened a little. Another thought ca. Clear. Sharp. End the engagent.
Julius clenched his jaw. "Why am I listening to him?" That was the real question. Why did his body react before his mind? Why did he act without thinking? Like sothing inside him had already decided. And he was only following.
That feeling irritated him. More than anything. Julius dropped the cigarette and crushed it. He opened the car door. "Let’s go." The driver nodded quickly. The car moved.
The road was quiet. City lights passed by. Julius leaned back. But his mind was not at peace. Then— "Sir." Julius opened his eyes. "What?" "I think soone is following us."
Julius turned slightly. A car behind them. Too steady. Too close. His eyes sharpened. "Lose them." The driver stepped harder on the gas. The car moved faster. A sharp turn. Then another.
The car behind stayed. Closer now. "Still there," the driver said. Julius stayed calm. "Don’t let them block us." "Yes, sir." The engine pushed harder. Another turn.
For a mont— The car behind disappeared. "I think I lost them—" A loud crash cut him off. Another car hit them from the side. Hard. Sudden. The car body crushed. Glass broke.
Julius’s body jerked forward. Pain shot through his arm. Sharp. Fast. Everything turned. Then stopped. Silence. Heavy.
Then— "Sir! Sir!" The driver’s voice ca back. Julius opened his eyes slowly. His breathing was rough. His hand burned. He looked down. Blood. Not much. But there. A thin cut across his palm. From the glass.
Julius moved his fingers slightly. Pain followed. Good. He was still in control. "I’m fine." The driver looked shaken. The front of the car was damaged. The road was empty. Too empty.
Julius pushed the door open. He stepped out. Cold air hit his face. His hand hurt more now. Blood moved slowly down his wrist. He looked at it. Then at the road. Then where the other car had co from.
Gone. Already gone. Julius’s eyes darkened. This was not random. This was planned. And it failed. He lifted his hand slightly. Watched the blood. His voice ca low. "Find out who did it."
The driver nodded quickly. "Yes, sir." Julius stood there for a mont longer. The night felt quiet again. But sothing had already changed. And whoever did this— Had just made the worst mistake of their life.
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