Chapter 3: Do Not Let Him Leave
The message appeared on Vanessa's phone.
*SHOWROOM OWNER*
For three seconds, she didn't breathe.
Marcus stood across the reception desk, watching her.
Jordan leaned toward the screen.
“What does it say?””
Vanessa didn't answer.
“Vanessa?””
She locked the phone.
“Nothing.””
Marcus gave a quiet laugh.
“That name says otherwise.””
Jordan turned toward him.
“You need to stop.””
Marcus looked at him.
“Stop what?””
“Whatever you're doing.””
Marcus's expression remained calm.
“You still haven't told me what I'm doing.””
Jordan's jaw tightened.
Vanessa slipped the phone into her pocket.
“Jordan, take care of the front.””
He stared at her.
“Why?””
“Just do it.””
“Vanessa—”
“Now.””
Jordan hesitated.
Then he walked toward the entrance.
Marcus watched him go.
Vanessa kept her eyes on Marcus.
“You've made your point.””
Marcus shook his head.
“I haven't.””
“You've caused enough disruption.””
“Then call the owner.””
“I told you he's unavailable.””
Marcus looked at her phone.
“He just texted you.””
Vanessa said nothing.
Marcus stepped closer to the desk.
“You should probably read it.””
“I already did.””
“And?””
“And what?””
“What did he say?””
Vanessa's face remained controlled.
“He asked me to handle the situation.””
Marcus nodded.
“Which situation?””
“You.””
Marcus smiled.
“Me?””
“Yes.””
Marcus glanced toward Jordan.
The salesman had stopped at the glass entrance.
He wasn't looking outside.
He was watching Marcus through the reflection.
Marcus noticed.
He turned back to Vanessa.
“Why is everyone so interested in whether I stay or leave?””
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
“Because you're interfering with business.””
“I haven't spoken to a customer.””
“You're frightening staff.””
Marcus looked around.
A few employees had gathered near the rear of the showroom.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved.
Marcus looked back at Vanessa.
“Do I look frightening?””
Vanessa didn't answer.
Marcus gave a small shrug.
“No.””
He placed the key fob on the counter again.
The red light blinked.
Vanessa stared at it.
“Turn that off.””
Marcus looked down.
“Why?””
“Because I asked you to.””
“That isn't an answer.””
“It doesn't belong here.””
Marcus raised his eyes.
“Neither, apparently, do I.””
Vanessa's mouth tightened.
“You said it yourself.””
Marcus nodded.
“I did.””
He reached for the key fob.
Vanessa suddenly grabbed his wrist.
The movement surprised everyone.
Marcus looked down at her hand.
Then up at her face.
She released him immediately.
“I'm sorry,” she said.
But she wasn't.
Her breathing had changed.
Marcus noticed.
Vanessa stepped back.
“I need you to leave.””
Marcus didn't move.
“Vanessa.””
“What?””
“Why are you afraid of that key fob?””
“I told you. I'm not.””
Marcus looked at her hand.
“Then why did you grab me?””
She glanced down.
No answer.
Jordan walked back from the entrance.
“The doors are clear.””
Vanessa nodded.
“Good.””
Marcus turned toward him.
“Clear for what?””
Jordan stopped.
“For customers.””
Marcus smiled.
“Of course.””
A Black woman in a navy blazer entered through the glass doors.
Jordan immediately walked toward her.
“Good morning, ma'am.””
She smiled.
“Good morning.””
Marcus stepped aside.
The woman glanced at the luxury cars.
Then at Marcus.
Then at Vanessa.
She sensed the tension.
“Is everything okay?””
Vanessa forced a professional smile.
“Everything is perfect.””
Marcus said nothing.
The woman walked toward a display vehicle.
Jordan followed her.
The showroom resumed its polished rhythm.
But Marcus remained beside the reception desk.
Vanessa leaned closer.
“Why are you doing this?””
Marcus looked at her.
“Doing what?””
“You know exactly what.””
“No.””
“You walk in here dressed like that, refuse to leave, put some strange device on my desk, and start asking for the owner.””
Marcus's face remained expressionless.
“You noticed my clothes.””
Vanessa frowned.
“What?””
“You noticed my clothes before you asked my name.””
She paused.
Marcus continued.
“You noticed my boots. My jeans. My shirt.””
“I noticed because you look out of place.””
Marcus nodded slowly.
“And that's what bothered you.””
Vanessa looked away.
“No.””
“Yes.””
She crossed her arms again.
“You don't know anything about me.””
Marcus looked at her.
“Neither do you.””
The words landed.
Vanessa's phone vibrated.
She pulled it out.
This time, her hands were steady.
She opened the message.
Marcus watched her eyes move across the screen.
Then her lips parted.
“What?”” Jordan called from across the showroom.
Vanessa didn't answer.
Jordan approached.
“What's wrong?””
Vanessa showed him the phone.
His face changed immediately.
Marcus couldn't see the screen yet.
But he could see both their reactions.
“What did he say?”” Marcus asked.
Vanessa looked at him.
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“He knows you're here.””
Marcus smiled faintly.
“I assumed he did.””
Jordan stared at him.
“How?””
Marcus didn't answer.
Vanessa's phone vibrated again.
Another message.
She read it.
Then looked up at Marcus.
Her face was no longer arrogant.
It was frightened.
Marcus noticed the change.
“What now?””
Vanessa swallowed.
“He said…”
She stopped.
Marcus waited.
“He said what?””
Vanessa looked toward the glass doors.
Then toward the cameras.
Then at the red light on the key fob.
Finally, she looked back at Marcus.
“He said you're not to be touched.””
Jordan stared at her.
“What?””
Vanessa didn't repeat it.
Marcus picked up the key fob.
The red light glowed steadily now.
A soft electronic chirp came from somewhere inside the showroom.
Everyone froze.
Jordan looked around.
“What was that?””
Marcus didn't react.
Vanessa did.
She looked toward the newest luxury sedan.
Its dashboard had just illuminated.
Jordan slowly turned.
“No way.””
Marcus watched the car.
Vanessa whispered, “That's impossible.””
Marcus looked at her.
“What is?””
She didn't answer.
The phone in her hand suddenly vibrated again.
Once.
Hard.
She looked down.
A new message appeared.
*SHOWROOM OWNER:*
*DO NOT LET THAT MAN LEAVE.*
Vanessa's face went completely white.
Marcus saw the message.
His faint smile returned.
He leaned slightly toward her.
“Still want me to leave?””
Vanessa froze.
Jordan stared between them.
May you like
The red light on the old key fob continued blinking.
And nobody in the showroom dared to move.
