Marked By The Alpha's Cursed Blue Moon
Chapter 20. Tangled Hearts

Chapter 20: 20. Tangled Hearts

Beta Gilbert drove himself to a restaurant for a meeting with a friend to discuss some pressing business matters.

The air was calm, but a subtle tension followed him, literally.

The moment he parked his car in the restaurant’s lot, something felt off. His instincts sharpened, and he quickly noticed the unmistakable sound of footsteps—matching his own, just a few paces behind.

Someone was tailing him.

To test his suspicion, Beta Gilbert began walking in an irregular pattern, altering his pace and direction unpredictably. The footsteps mirrored him at first. Then, he stopped abruptly.

Silence.

He turned sharply to look behind him, no one. The parking lot appeared empty.

He reached into his pocket for his phone, ready to call someone—anyone—but just as he tapped the screen, his phone rang.

Sandro.

He answered immediately.

"Run! Head to the restaurant’s security area—now!" Sandro’s voice was rushed, urgent. "My men are there waiting for you. I’ll deal with the one following you."

Before Beta Gilbert could ask questions, the call ended. Without hesitation, Gilbert took off, sprinting toward the designated area.

As soon as he arrived at the restaurant’s security wing, he spotted three men in black suits. One stepped forward.

"We’re Sandro’s men," the man said quickly.

Beta Gilbert exhaled, partly relieved. He nodded and followed them without question. They led him into a waiting car and drove him away from the restaurant.

Gilbert, still catching his breath, stared out the window. ’Who was following me? How did Sandro know? What’s going on?’

"I need to speak with Sandro immediately," he muttered under his breath, the knot of anxiety tightening in his chest.

Meanwhile, Sandro had already arrived at the restaurant’s parking lot. He didn’t waste time.

His sharp instincts and step-mapping skills led him through the lot, carefully observing where the suspicious figure might have gone.

His tracking brought him to the CCTV control room of the mall where the restaurant was located.

The door was ajar. Sandro entered through the back and stopped short.

Inside, the control room operator was slumped over the desk, completely unconscious. From his posture and the stillness of his breathing, it was obvious, he’d been drugged or injected with something.

Sandro rushed in and checked the man’s pulse... thankfully, he was still alive.

That’s when he noticed it. A white placard on the floor. He picked it up, reading the bold, black words with a rising chill:

"Sandro, stop chasing a shadow that can kill you!"

His hand trembled slightly as he read the words again. ’They’re watching me. They’re always one step ahead.’

He knew what he had to do. Step back. Regroup. Come up with a new plan... this enemy isn’t ordinary.

Sandro dropped the placard, turned around, and walked out of the control room, his mind already racing with strategies. He headed back toward the parking lot where Beta Gilbert’s car was parked.

With no time to waste, he found a way to unlock the car and quickly hotwired it. The engine roared to life. He glanced around warily before driving off, alert to every sound and shadow.

***

Elsewhere, in the quiet tension of morning light, Bernard sat in his room, still stunned by what his mother had said.

"Mother, what do you mean?" he asked, his voice unsure.

"I meant what I said," Victoria replied, eyes bright with a surprising gleam of excitement. "At first, I was concerned she might have been playing you... but now, I believe she truly loves you. You two finally settled things."

"Huh?" Bernard blinked. "Why would you think that?"

"No woman gives a man her virginity unless she has strong feelings for him," she explained gently. "She must’ve kept it for someone special—and that someone is clearly you. This proves how deeply she feels about you."

She stood to leave, smoothing her dress.

"Don’t worry, son. Your secret is safe with me," she said warmly, and walked out.

Bernard remained still for a while, lost in thought.

’Could Mom be right? Was Maria truly in love with me? Or did she just give up something that meant the world to her... for nothing?’

He exhaled deeply. "I need to find out if she ever wanted me... or if this was a mistake for her," he whispered.

With that, he walked into the bathroom to shower, his thoughts still spiraling.

The Next Morning...

Maria sat quietly in the car, dressed and ready for college. Bernard was already seated beside her when she entered, and the tension between them was undeniable.

She couldn’t bring herself to look at him. Guilt and regret hung over her like a storm cloud.

’I don’t love him. I know I don’t,’ she thought, her heart heavy. ’I don’t want him to think I do. I just want to forget all of it.’

Neither of them spoke the entire ride.

When they finally reached the campus and got out of the car, Maria turned to head to her class.

But then, he touched her hand... Softly, gently and Maria froze.

"Please, Maria..." Bernard’s voice was low, sincere. "My everlasting friend... we need to talk."

She didn’t move. She just stared at his hand holding hers... unsure whether to pull away or hold on.

As soon as Bernard uttered those soft, heartfelt words, Maria felt a strange calmness wash over her.

She was about to turn and face him, perhaps even respond, when suddenly, everything they’d been through flooded her mind.

The pain. The confusion. The choices. A wave of anger bubbled up inside her.

"Bernard, please... let go of my hand," she said quietly but firmly. "I don’t feel like talking about anything this morning."

He let go immediately. His expression was unreadable, his silence deafening as Maria walked away and made her way to class.

Walking into the classroom, Maria knew she had to wear a smile, especially in front of her friends. Her heart was heavy, but her face couldn’t show it.

She couldn’t afford for anyone, especially Cassandra and Laura, to suspect what had transpired between her and Bernard.

To her surprise, both girls were already seated and smiling at her in a strange way.

Cassandra had returned from the seminar she attended with her mom, and now she and Laura stared at Maria with beaming faces, as if waiting for something to happen.

The silent smiles made Maria uneasy.

"Cassandra? Laura? Why are you both staring at me like that?" she asked cautiously, unsure if they knew anything.

Just then, Cassandra stood up and brought out a small, gold-colored wrapped box and held it out to her.

Maria didn’t reach for it. Her eyes narrowed, switching from Cassandra to Laura. "What’s this? And where did it come from?"

The girls exchanged a look before bursting into laughter.

"Why don’t you open it and find out yourself?" Laura teased, watching Maria lose her patience.

With a reluctant sigh, Maria finally took the box and opened it.

Her eyes widened.

Inside was a gleaming golden wristwatch... elegant and radiant. She gently lifted a folded piece of paper that accompanied it and read the message aloud.

"This is from me to you, beautiful one, because you shine brighter than the gold. You are my sunshine and everything... From James."

Her voice softened as she read the last part, the words lingering in her mind even after she finished.

She looked up, only to find Cassandra and Laura still smiling.

"So... why didn’t you both tell me this was from James?" Maria asked, a hint of irritation in her voice.

"We didn’t know either," Cassandra answered, locking eyes with her. "Another guy brought it in. We were smiling earlier because we thought you had another secret admirer besides James."

"We were waiting for you to show up so we could figure out who it was," Laura added. "But now we know, it was James who sent him."

Maria stood speechless for a moment, unsure what to say. She walked quietly to her seat and sat down, still staring at the wristwatch.

"Maria, what exactly is going on between you and James?" Cassandra asked, curiosity thick in her voice.

"Nothing... we’re just friends," Maria said quietly. "I guess he sent this as a friend too."

Her eyes stayed fixed on the watch as her thoughts raced.

’I know what I feel for James is real. I believe he feels the same. But Bernard... I don’t know what his intentions are. All I know is, I don’t love him.’

Lost in her thoughts, Maria didn’t notice when Laura tapped her shoulder from behind.

"It’s obvious you really like James," Laura said seriously. "But if you had to choose him over Bernard... how would you even do it?"

Maria sighed. "I won’t lie to you. I do have feelings for James, and I’m convinced he loves me too. But I just don’t know how to sort everything out..."

"You need to stay focused," Laura advised calmly. "Your priority right now is to get those files. Remember, they hold the key to your freedom... and to openly loving James."

Her words struck something deep in Maria. She nodded slowly, knowing Laura was right.

’I need to get those files. Only then will I truly be free.’

---

Back at the company, Beta Gilbert sat in his office when a knock came at the door.

"Come in," he said and Sandro stepped inside.

"Good morning, boss."

"Good morning, Sandro. Have a seat," Gilbert gestured to the chair in front of him, and Sandro sat down.

"I’ve been meaning to ask... how did you know I was in danger yesterday?" Gilbert asked, eyes narrowed in curiosity.

Sandro hesitated for a second, then spoke honestly.

"I bugged your car and most of your clothes, boss. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to get too comfortable... I’m sorry, but it was for your safety."

Gilbert was quiet, his expression calm.

"The device works by detecting your heart rate," Sandro continued. "Once it spikes due to fear or distress, it sends a signal to my master watch. That’s how I knew something was wrong."

Gilbert leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.

"That’s why I always say I need you close, Sandro. You’re smart. So, what’s the update on the person following me? Did you find anything useful?"

"Not much," Sandro shook his head. "I underestimated this person. Whoever it is... they’re far more prepared than I expected."

He paused, his brows furrowing.

"This person could’ve taken your life if they wanted to. But they didn’t. That’s what makes it even more dangerous... I don’t know what they’re after."

Gilbert’s face grew tense.

"I think it’s time I return to Italy," Sandro declared. "I need to come back fully equipped with my machines, tools, and team. We’re dealing with someone who doesn’t just play games, they design them."

There was fire in his voice, heavy with determination...