Shadow of Saul

Chapter 5. The unexpected Guest.

The Grand Hotel was a fortress of light and excess.

 A line of limousines snaked around the circular driveway, depositing the city’s elite onto the red carpet. 

Camera flashes popped like strobe lights, capturing every diamond, every silk tie, every fake smile.

Saul stepped out of the black Rolls Royce Phantom Veronica had arranged.

He felt strange. 

The suit Veronica had selected was a midnight blue tuxedo, tailored to perfection. 

It hid the scars of his labor and accentuated the muscle he’d built over three years of hard work. 

He looked dangerous, powerful.

But he felt so awkward.

Veronica was still in the car, barking orders into her phone about asset liquidation and portfolio transfers. "Go ahead," she had told him, waving a hand. "I’ll be two minutes. Don't look so terrified now."

Saul took a deep breath and walked toward the entrance. 

He tried to blend in, but his posture, stiff, alert, made him stand out.

"Well, well. Look what the cat dragged in."

The voice was oily and familiar.

Saul stiffened. He turned to see Ephraim Moore standing near the velvet rope, a glass of champagne in his hand. 

Daniella was beside him, looking stunning in a silver gown, but her face was pale and tight.

"Saul?" Daniella gasped. She looked him up and down, her eyes widening at the sight of the usually rough looking ex. "Where... where did you get that suit? Did you steal that too?"

"He probably rented it," Ephraim sneered, stepping closer. "Or maybe he mugged a waiter. What are you doing here, construction boy? This is a thousand-dollar-a-plate event. The soup kitchen is downtown."

"I’m here for the auction," Saul said, his voice steady despite the turmoil that swirled within him. 

He refused to let them see him weak.

"The auction?" Daniella scoffed. "Saul, stop it! Just stop! You’re embarrassing yourself. My mother told me everything. You’re stalking me, aren't you? You couldn't handle the divorce, so you followed us here to cause a scene!"

"I’m not following you, Daniella," Saul said tiredly. "Believe it or not, my world doesn't revolve around you anymore."

"Liar," Ephraim spat. He signaled to a nearby security guard. "Hey! Over here! We have a crasher. This man is harassing my fiancée."

"Saul, please," Daniella hissed, tears welling in her eyes. "Just leave. Give me the fake card, go turn yourself in, and maybe Ephraim can get you a good lawyer. Don't make them drag you out."

"You think I’m a criminal," Saul said, looking her in the eye. "Three years, Daniella. We were together for three years! And you have zero faith in me. Like I'm so stranger."

"You hit my mother!"

"I didn't."

"Security!" Ephraim shouted, grinning maliciously. "Get this trash out of here!"

Two large men in suits started moving toward Saul.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

The voice came from the darkness behind Saul. 

It was sultry, commanding, and dripped with power.

Everyone instinctively paused.

The click-clack of heels on the pavement silenced the crowd as Veronica finally stepped into the light.

In her black tuxedo dress that plunged deep, revealing daring cleavage, with a slit that went up to her hip and hair slicked back with nearly crimson lip shade, she looked like a goddess of war.

She was glorious.

Smirking at the looks of awe, she walked right past the stunned security guards and slid her arm through Saul’s. 

She pressed her body against his, her hand resting possessively on his bicep.

"Sorry I’m late, darling," she purred, looking up at Saul with adoring eyes. She reached up and adjusted his bow tie, her fingers lingering on his chest. "Business calls never end, do they?"

Saul stiffened at the contact. 

He could feel the heat radiating off her, the scent of her perfume overwhelming his senses. He felt a flutter in his stomach—not just from nerves, but from the sheer, raw magnetism of the woman clinging to him.

"I... it's fine," Saul managed to stammer, quickly playing along.

Meanwhile,Daniella’s jaw dropped as she stared at the woman clinging to the man, then at Saul, her brain unable to compute the image. This woman was... magnificent creature that shouldn't even stare twice at someone like Saul. Just her figure alone made Daniella look like a schoolgirl.

"Who... who are you?" Daniella whispered, a pang of jealousy striking her chest so hard it hurt.

Ephraim, however, looked like he had seen a ghost. 

His arrogant smirk vanished, replaced by pure terror.

"Director Hale?" Ephraim choked out.

Veronica turned her head slowly, acknowledging them for the first time. 

Her eyes were cold enough to freeze hell.

"Mr. Moore," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "I see you’ve met my... companion."

"Companion?" Ephraim squeaked. "But... he’s a laborer! He’s a nobody!"

"Careful," Veronica warned, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You are speaking about the man I am escorting. And considering your family’s business relies heavily on the credit lines my bank extends to you... I would suggest you watch your tone."

She looked at Daniella, offering a pitying smile. "And you…. Daniella. You must be the ex-wife."

Daniella flushed crimson. "I... I..."

"Come along, Saul," Veronica said, tugging on his arm. "The air out here is stagnant. Let’s go inside."

She led him past the velvet rope. The security guards bowed their heads as she passed.

As they walked away, leaving a stunned Daniella and a trembling Ephraim in their wake, Daniella grabbed Ephraim's arm.

" Who was that woman?” She asked urgently, nails digging into the flesh of her fiance's arm.

"That was Veronica Hale," he hissed, tugging himself free before wiping sweat from his forehead. "The Director of Imperial Bank. She controls half the city's capital."

"Why is she with Saul?" Daniella asked, confusion coloring her tone.

"She’s probably protecting him," Ephraim muttered, trying to rationalize it. "She must be using him for her sexual urges. Or maybe... maybe he tricked her too!."