Love Unspoken

As dusk descended, the solar-powered lamps encircling the farmhouse flickered to life, casting a warm glow over the secluded property.

Returning from the house, Kyle carried two sandwiches and a bottle of water, which he handed to Quinn.

She accepted them with a grateful nod, taking small bites of the bread, her mind swirling with Kyle's words.Suddenly, the flash of headlights pierced the darkness outside the yard. Quinn ceased her chewing, her eyes fixated on the quivering light beyond the gate. Moments later, a Maybach rolled into view.Quinn froze, the bread slipping from her grasp onto the ground.She stared at the car, as if attempting to see through it.

Kyle Astor was equally taken aback, disbelief etched on his face as he watched the vehicle and the figure emerging from it.Alexander stepped out of the car, forcefully slammed the door shut, and strode towards the house without sparing Quinn a glance.

Not even as he passed her by. The breeze stirred by his coat carried the scent of gardenia to her nostrils, and that's when Quinn realized this was no illusion, no dream.

a resounding "bang," obstructing the view for everyone in the yard.Quinn remained crouched there, an inexplicable warmth

causing the room's temperature to plummet several degrees."So it's true, Alexander is a man of

from the bed. "First thing tomorrow morning," he demanded, "defuse the bomb on her ankle."Gasping for breath,

my word."Alexander responded with a cold, disdainful sneer before taking a seat across from Walter. ---Meanwhile, outside the room, Kyle Astor was pressing his ear against the door, straining to eavesdrop on

If this delays us all night, Alexander will miss the shareholders' meeting."Quinn, standing nearby, gazed at the firmly shut door, her lips pressed together in a tight

door. ---A whirlwind of emotions churned within Quinn as she glanced down

that Quinn should return and get some rest. Quinn tugged at Kyle's sleeve, squatted down, and with her finger dipped in water, she wrote on the ground: I need to use the bathroom."Uh... do you want me to come with you?" he asked, understanding her message. It made sense to him; Quinn was revealing her bathroom needs in the middle of nowhere clearly, she was frightened, so it would be okay for him to accompany her.Quinn shook

beyond the yard, a nagging feeling of unease settling in his gut. Ten minutes passed, and Quinn hadn't returned. Twenty minutes ticked by, and still,

into full-blown panic. He sprinted out the door, checking the backyard vegetable garden twice, but found no trace of anyone. He ventured further, searching all the likely places someone might go for a bathroom break, but Quinn was nowhere to be found."Damn!" Kyle smacked his forehead and yelled down