Dirty Little Secret

Traveling a distance of approximately 211 miles or the equivalent of 350 kilometers, Fabio Saramossa finally arrived in Yorkshire, an area located in the northwest of England.

Of course, it was not without reason that the big man had stepped his foot all the way there. He came on a mission to find Julio Gray, who used to work as Alfonso's driver. The man was allegedly a key witness to the single accident that killed Andrew John Quartararo in the past.

At first, Fabio was suspicious when Raphael asked him to investigate this case. He has searched for information in various directions and found something odd about Julio, who was said to be dead but whose grave was unknown to anyone.

After six full months of searching, with the help of informants and private detectives, Fabio finally found a light. One of his partners managed to find the middle-aged man's hideout, located in a remote area.

"Since living in York, he has not used the name, Julio. People know him better by the name Benjamin. After I investigated, it turned out that Benjamin was taken from the name of his eldest son, who had died long ago. Maybe he deliberately changed his identity so people wouldn't find out where he was." Said Dimitri, a detective who helps Fabio uncover the case.

"Do you know who that man lives here with?" asked Fabio then.

"According to the information I got, the man lives alone. As for the cost of food and daily needs, he gets from the results as a wheat farmer in this village."

Fabio nodded. As soon as the car they were traveling in reached one of the plantations, and he hurriedly got off. Guided by Dimitri, they searched for the whereabouts of Julio, who was suspected of being at the location.

"Excuse me," said Dimitri when he passed two residents who were working. "Is anyone here named Benjamin?" They both looked up and then stared at each other for a moment. Act as if you are hesitant to answer.

"What are you looking for Benjamin for?" one of them asked.

"I'm a detective," answered Dimitri as he showed his identity cards to the two residents. "We are investigating an important case, and Mr. Benjamin is considered a key witness who can help the Police team uncover this case."

Again, the two stared at each other for a moment. He seemed to be thinking simultaneously, considering that one of them returned to answer not long after.

"Benjamin's at the mill," he pointed to the large wooden building at the end of the garden. "You guys look for him there. Maybe Ben weighs up with the other friends."

Dimitri nodded in understanding. Before actually leaving, the man spoke again.

"Thank you very much for the information. We appreciate your help."

Dimitri and Fabio then hurriedly walked towards the warehouse in question. When they arrived, they both looked around the corner—trying to find the whereabouts of Julio among the other workers. Until not long, from the corner of his eye, Dimitri caught the presence of the figure he was looking for.

"Mr. Benjamin," he called, deliberately not mentioning his real name. The caller immediately turned around. As soon as he saw a stranger walking toward him, Julio immediately stopped what he was doing.

Without thinking, the man walked away and soon ran out of the warehouse. Fabio, who can read Julio's movements, hastily chased after him—struggling to catch up with the position of the man in front of him. Until his efforts succeed, Julio, he can catch and then secure.

"I didn't do it. Please don't kill me," Julio rambled, confused Fabio and Dimitri.

"Hey, what do you mean?" Fabio asked curiously. "What do you mean by the perpetrator? Then who also wants to kill you?"

Meanwhile, Julio, who finally realized that the two strangers in front of him were not bad people, immediately chose to sit down. Holding his breath, the man attempted to speak.

"You weren't the ones sent to kill me?" he asked timidly.

"Of course not," said Dimitri. "We came here to ask for your help explaining the accident that happened several years ago. There is no other purpose."

Hearing Dimitri's explanation, Julio's face returned to fear. I don't know what was going on in the man's mind to act strange like this.

"I wasn't the cause of the accident. Everything just happened. I didn't even know that the car I was driving had the brakes broken and failed," he said with so much fear. It was as if Dimitri and Fabio would harm him after this.

Fabio, excited to see Julio's behavior, immediately pulled the man to sit down. He handed him the mineral water he had brought and then asked the man in front of him to be calm.

"Drink. After this, please control your breathing. We won't kill or hurt anyone here. So please don't worry like this."

Julio caught his breath. Rubbing his face angrily, the man slowly tried to act calmer. "What is the real purpose of you meeting me? What information do you need from me?" he asked carefully.

"As I previously said, this is related to the accident that befell Alfonso Adelaide and Andrew Quartararo. Until now there is no clear point whether the unfortunate event was purely an accident or there was sabotage in it," explained Dimitri.

"I can't say much," said Julio in response. "What is certain at that time was that I was taking Mr. Alfonso to meet his business relations at a restaurant. As soon as everything was finished, suddenly Mr. Alfonso invited Mr. Andrew to come ride in the car I was driving. Then after that, the accident just happened. "

Fabio listened intently. After a while, the man asked.

"Are you sure there's nothing odd or something out of the ordinary?"

Julio shook his head. "Nothing. Everything just happened. Even along the way, Mr. Alfonso and Mr Andrew were just discussing work."

"Then about the memory from the cctv camera in the car. Did you bring it? Because the repair shop did not find the object in its place. In fact, we were able to find out the exact incident in the car from the camera recording installed," Fabio asked later.

"Nothing," said Julio, shaking his head. "I didn't even know anything about that memory. As soon as I woke up from the accident, I was already in the hospital in a pretty bad state. And suddenly, the next day I was transferred to another hospital."

"Another hospital?" This time Fabio was surprised by Julio's story. "Do you know who moved you?"

"Not." Again Julio shook his head regretfully. "I once asked one of the doctors on duty who transferred and paid for my medical expenses during my stay, but they only said there were generous donors."

Hearing Julio's explanation, Fabio immediately pulled Dimitri away for a moment. In his brain, he felt an oddity and even the impression of being made up of Julio's explanation.

"It seems the man wasn't completely honest with what he was telling."

Dimitri nodded in agreement. "Then let's continue this investigation tomorrow. Besides, we can't force him to open his mouth right away. I think he's still feeling scared. So, it's best if we take a slow approach. Give him comfort first so he can trust us. together." "You just manage how good it is," said Fabio resignedly.

He is indeed quite confused when dealing with this one case. Dimitri then turned back to Julio. Talk for a while, and arrange an appointment for a meeting the next day. After reaching an agreement, the two said goodbye to leave.

***

Many newlyweds usually go on a honeymoon or vacation after holding a wedding party. But that did not apply to Sophia. On the second day of the wedding, there were no special activities.

Tristan, even today, is getting ready to go to the office as usual. Silently eating her breakfast, Sophia glanced left and right. He paid close attention to his husband, who was busy talking to Uncle Raphael and Aurora.

They seemed to be late discussing some of the work that needed to be done immediately. In her mind, Sophia naturally wondered. What kind of charade is her husband making. Everything looks perfect. It was as if nothing bad had happened to the two of them.

"Then we'll continue later at the office, Uncle," Tristan said, taking a sip of the milk in his glass.

"Okay. If you find a problem, immediately discuss it with several departments directly related," Raphael replied. The man reached for his briefcase. Then get ready to get up.

It's the same with Tristan. After eating the food and drinks served, he got up and prepared to leave.

"Aurora, do you want to go with me?" bargained the man as usual. "No thanks in advance." Aurora immediately shook her head.

"I have to go to BlackHorse first. There is some work on the Mall construction that has reached the finals."

Tristan nodded in understanding. The man's gaze then turned to Sophia, who was standing next to him.

"I'm going to work first. If you want to go anywhere, a driver will take you. Remember, I don't let you go alone."

The man then kissed Sophia's lips affectionately. Then after that, he went as if he had no sin. Last night Sophia clearly remembered how Tristan had treated her like a pet.

After making sure Tristan and the other residents left for work, Sophia hurriedly changed clothes. She thought, rather than being alone at home and confused about what to do, she chose to go to the agency where he worked.

As soon as she entered the car, Sophia was taken aback. One foreign man seemed to have been specially assigned by Tristan to escort him.

"Good morning, madam. Introducing, I am Alexius. I am a bodyguard specially assigned by Mr. Tristan to oversee all activities and also escort you wherever you go."

"Guards?" Sophia repeated, confused. She wondered why her husband ordered bodyguards to oversee all of his activities. "Isn't this an exaggeration?"

"No, madam. This is an order and I must carry it out."

Sophia rolled her eyes in exasperation. Lazy to argue and not wanting to bother, she chose silence and asked the driver to take her to the agency immediately. Sophia spent a long time there. When all her activities were finished, she hurriedly walked to the car.

"Please take me to Mayfair first, I want to pick up something at my parents' house," Sophia ordered the driver. However, not the driver, even Alexius, who answered the woman's request.

"Sorry, we're going straight home, madam. Mr. Tristan has already told you that when you're done with your activities you must go home and not go anywhere without his permission."

"But this is my own parents' house. Besides, I have things to pick up!" the debate is not accepted. Alexius didn't care. He remains firm in his position.

"Let the driver help pick it up later. For now, we can't stop anywhere. You have to get home before Mr. Tristan comes home from work."

Sophia pursed her lips tightly. I wanted to protest but couldn't seem to. If you pay attention, Alexius is a typical bodyguard who only obeys the employer who pays him.

As soon as she got home, Sophia went straight to her room in annoyance. I chose to clean up and waited for Tristan to come home in the dining room.

Sure enough, the man immediately followed him to the dining table when he came home from work. As before, they had spent dinner without the slightest drama.

However, the atmosphere changed again when Sophia entered the room. After finishing bathing, Tristan returned to acting. The man deliberately threw Sophia's pillow and blanket on the floor. He acts like someone who doesn't want to sleep in the same bed.

"Please sleep on the sofa," he said coldly.

"What? Sleeping on the couch? Seriously, Tristan. You're not kidding, are you?"

Tristan raised his eyebrows, throwing a scornful look at Sophia.

"You think I'm kidding? Of course I'm serious. Besides, I wouldn't sleep in the same bed with a woman like you."

Sophia's eyes widened. Her ears felt hot hearing Tristan's words that were so harsh and clear.

"What did you just say? A woman like me? Didn't you even forcefully fuck me last night?" Sophia hissed angrily. She felt insulted by what Tristan had previously said.

But Tristan ignored Sophia's anger. The man stepped forward to his wife and stood before her.

"Isn't that the job of a bitch? Used to satisfy her master? After all, I deliberately fucked you so that no other man would touch you. So that everyone would know that you are my ex."

BASTARD!

A hard slap flew across Tristan's cheek after the insults were finished. With a flushed face, Sophia tried to speak to her husband.

"You bastard! What do you really want, Tristan? What do you really want from me?"

The woman's voice trembled. Don't ask about the tears. It had already flooded her smooth cheeks. Whose heart is not hurt when openly insulted by his husband.

While Tristan looked indifferent, the man's hand reached out to wipe the temple of his lips which were bleeding from Sophia's slap. Instead of replying, he grabbed his wife's wrist and pushed her to sit on the sofa.

"Please sleep here. Don't you ever dare touch my bed. You should thank me for not telling you to sleep in the bathroom."

Before Sophia had time to protest, Tristan drew closer again. Grabbing Sophia's chin, the man chanted words that were no less striking than before.

"I'm tired and don't want to hear your unimportant ramblings or crying. I need to remind you once again, if anyone finds out that I hurt you, be prepared for the people you love to make me suffer. I'm not kidding, Sophia!"

As soon as Tristan finished his cold and threatening sentence, Sophia's body instantly froze. Terrified, she lay down on the sofa. Then pulled the blanket to cover his entire body. Silently she cried until soon, finally fell asleep by herself—seconds by the second, minute by minute, just like that.

Suddenly Sophia woke up feeling that her throat was dry and needed to be moistened. With puffy eyes, he forced herself to get up from sleep. Glancing timidly at her husband's bed, she believed that Tristan wasn't there.

At first, Sophia didn't care. He prefers to step out into the dining room to get a drink. Descending the stairs slowly, Sophia's eyes faintly saw something unusual. Sophia was sure that she was right. A figure of Tristan standing right in front of Aurora's door.

From a distance, he chose to pay attention. Of course, in my heart, I wondered what her husband would want to do at this time of night to visit another woman's room. Until not long ago, Aurora seemed to open the door.

At first, everything seemed normal, but not long after, there was one moment that made Sophia's eyes widen. With his own eyes, she saw how Tristan was without awkwardly kissing Aurora's lips affectionately. Then they both entered the room and closed the door tightly. Immediately Sophia started crying. Ignoring her thirst, ahe stepped back into the room with a broken heart. Keep cursing the fate of why you must be a Tristan Quartararo's wife.