Emma couldn't stop smiling.
Everything about the evening with Daniel had been perfect, too perfect. The way he listened to her, how he looked at her with unwavering certainty, how he treated her like she was the most important person in the room. It was surreal. Men like him weren't supposed to exist outside of romance novels.
After dinner, he had insisted on driving her home, and despite her protests, he wouldn't take no for an answer.
"I'd rather see you home safely than let you take a cab," he had said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
So she had relented, sinking into the plush leather seat of his luxury car. The ride was quiet, comfortable, filled with stolen glances and soft chuckles. She had felt herself relaxing, letting go of the walls she had carefully built around herself. For the first time in a long while, she felt safe.
When they arrived at her apartment complex, Daniel didn't just drop her off and drive away. He parked and stepped out of the car, walking her to the entrance like a true gentleman. The night air was crisp, wrapping around them as they stood in front of the building.
"I had a great time tonight," he said, his voice warm, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.
Emma swallowed, looking up at him. "Me too."
There was a moment of silence between them, she wanted to say something, to express the unfamiliar warmth blooming in her chest, but she was too afraid to ruin the moment.
Daniel took a small step forward, tilting his head slightly. "Get some rest, Emma." His voice was softer now, more intimate. "And don't overthink things."
She nodded, unable to tear her gaze away from his.
"Good night," she finally whispered.
"Good night, beautiful."
She turned and walked into the building, feeling the weight of his gaze on her until she disappeared into the hallway. When she reached her apartment, she peeked out of her window and saw that his car was still parked outside. He hadn't left. He was waiting to make sure she got in safely.
Her heart clenched. How is this even real?
Then, as if to confirm that this wasn't just some dream, her phone vibrated in her hand. She looked down.
Daniel: Sweet dreams, Emma.
Emma let out a small, breathy laugh, pressing the phone to her chest as she flopped onto her bed.
She went to sleep smiling like a fish.
***
Emma found herself back in the candy shop, the one she had wandered into weeks ago. The small, cluttered store smelled of burnt incense and something sickly sweet. The dim lighting made everything appear distorted, eerie.
And there, sitting behind the counter, was the Prophetess.
The woman's eyes gleamed unnaturally, her dark lips curling into something between a smile and a smirk. She was dressed in flowing robes, her hands adorned with multiple rings that glinted under the flickering light.
"I see you listened," the Prophetess murmured, her voice a mixture of satisfaction and warning. "It is a good thing you did not opt for abortion."
Emma's throat went dry. She tried to move, but her feet were stuck to the floor, as if the ground itself had swallowed them whole.
The Prophetess leaned forward, her piercing gaze locking onto Emma's. "Now, listen carefully."
Emma swallowed hard, fear clawing at her insides.
"You must win his heart," the Prophetess continued, her voice low and commanding. "No matter what, you must ensure Daniel chooses you. Because, my dear…"
She reached out suddenly, her fingers cold as ice as they brushed against Emma's hand.
"…huge trouble is on its way."
A loud noise crashed behind Emma, making her jolt. She turned around, but the world around her had started to blur, the shelves melting away, the walls collapsing into darkness. The Prophetess's voice echoed in her ears.
"Win his heart… or lose everything."
Then, just like that, Emma woke up.
Her body jerked upright, her chest heaving as she gasped for air. Sweat dampened her forehead, her hands trembling as she gripped the sheets.
"What the hell…" she whispered, trying to slow her breathing.
The dream was vivid. Almost too vivid.
It had felt so real. The Prophetess's words rang in her head, an eerie warning that refused to fade. Huge trouble is on its way.
Emma shook her head, trying to convince herself it was just a dream. Just a meaningless nightmare.
But as she turned toward her window to get some air, her entire body froze.
A woman stood outside, watching her.
Emma's blood ran cold.
The figure was barely visible in the dim glow of the streetlights, but there was no mistaking it—someone was there. A tall woman with long, dark hair, standing motionless, staring directly at her window.
Emma's breath hitched. Her fingers dug into the fabric of her nightshirt.
She couldn't make out the woman's face, but the way she stood, so unnervingly still, sent a violent shiver down Emma's spine.
Without thinking, she yanked the curtains shut, her heart slamming against her ribs.
But the Prophetess's words haunted her.
"Huge trouble is on its way."
Unable to stay in her room, Emma bolted out, her feet barely touching the ground as she rushed across the apartment.
"Ava," she whispered harshly as she burst into her best friend's room, slamming the door behind her.
Ava groaned and turned over in bed, rubbing her eyes. "Emma? What the hell? It's the middle of the night."
Emma's breathing was still uneven as she moved closer to the bed. "Someone was watching me."
Ava's eyes snapped open. "What?"
"There was a woman outside my window. Just… standing there. Staring at me."
Ava sat up immediately. "Are you sure? Maybe it was just…"
"I know what I saw," Emma cut in, wrapping her arms around herself. "And I had this dream. About the Prophetess. She told me that I had to win Daniel's heart. That trouble was coming."
Ava swung her legs over the bed, her face now serious. "Okay. Breathe, Em." She reached out, squeezing Emma's hands. "It's probably just some weirdo on the street. And the dream? It's just your subconscious messing with you."
Emma shook her head, her stomach twisting into knots. "It felt real."
Ava exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "Do you want me to check outside?"
Emma hesitated, then shook her head quickly. "No. Just… let me sleep here tonight."
Ava gave her a small smile, pulling back the covers. "Of course. Get in."
Emma slid into the bed, her body still tense. Ava turned off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into darkness.
But even as she closed her eyes, Emma couldn't shake the feeling that someone was still watching her.