Annie didn't sleep well.She turned on her bed more times than she could count, every position uncomfortable, every thought louder than the last. That call stayed with her. Not the silence… but the feeling behind it. Like someone was there watching and waiting. She finally gave up trying to sleep around 4 a.m., staring at the ceiling with tired eyes.
"You're allowing this get in to your head," she whispered. But even she didn't believe it.
*** *** *** *** ***
Soon it was Morning. Annie didn't get enough sleep. Her body felt heavy as she got ready, her movements were slower than usual. She skipped breakfast, barely touched her coffee, and left earlier than necessary. She didn't want to think.
She just wanted to get to work.
She can't wait for her salary to drop so she can renew her car rent. There were already prying eyes noticing she's been boarding taxis. She stepped into the building as soon as she paid the taxi driver.
The leople greeting each other as usual, she heard a soft laughter, keyboards clicking, phones ringing. Nothing looked out of place.
But Annie noticed something.
Security! There were more guards than usual.
At first, she tried to ignore it. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe she was overthinking again.
But as she walked further in, she saw one of them speaking urgently into a walkie-talkie.
Her steps slowed slightly. A strange feeling settled in her chest.
"Good morning, Annie."
She turned. Mr Leighton was walking briskly towards her. He had that same easy smile on his face. But his eyes… they looked a lil bit different today... they were observant.
"Morning," she replied.
He tilted his head slightly. "You look like you didn't sleep."
She gave a small, tired smile. "I didn't." Mr Leighton always tend to observe every aspect of Annie whenever he sees her. He studied her for a second longer.
"Everything okay?"
Annie hesitated for a brief moment, she almost told him about the call, about the feeling. But then... She just shrugged it off.
"I'm fine," she said instead.
Leighton didn't look convinced. But he nodded anyway.
"If you say so."
A short silence passed between them. Then he leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice.
"There's something going on downstairs," he said.
Her brows pulled together. "What do you mean?"
"Security's been tense since morning. Someone showed up… refusing to leave."
Annie's stomach dropped slightly. She knew her mind wasn't definitely playing mind games with her when she saw how tight the security was when she stepped in.
"Who?" She finally asked sounding impatient.
Leighton shook his head. "No idea. They're not saying much."
Something in her chest tightened. It was the same feeling again. Sharp, and unsettling.
*** *** ***
"Miss Annie?"
They both turned. One of the security staff stood a few steps away.
"Sir asked to see you."
Annie frowned. "Which sir?"
"Mr. Adrian."
Of course.
*** *** ***
The walk to his office felt different today. Heavier, like something was waiting.
She knocked gently.
"Come in."
She entered slowly. When she got in, She saw Adrian was standing this time. He doesn't look relaxed. He was standing by the window, hands in his pockets. He didn't turn immediately when she walked in.
"Close the door," he said.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the handle as she did.
Something was off.
"Did you call for me?" she asked.
"Yes."
He was still not looking at her.
Silence stretched between them
Then... He heaved a sigh.
"There's someone downstairs asking for you."
Her heart dropped, just for a second.
"What?"
Adrian turned now. His eyes locked on hers instantly. His eyes were sharp and reading.
"He refused to give a name," Adrian continued. "But he insists he knows you."
Annie felt her throat go dry.
"That doesn't mean anything," she said quickly.
"Doesn't it?"
His gaze didn't move, neither did it soften. He didn't blink.
Annie swallowed.
"I don't know who that could be."
Adrian took a step closer.
"Then you won't mind confirming that."
Her chest tightened.
"Confirming what?"
"That you don't know him."
Silence.
"I don't think it's necessary," she said carefully.
Adrian's jaw tightened slightly.
"It is."
"No, it's not. Security can handle it."
"This involves you."
"I said I don't know..."
"Then prove it."
The words landed hard, too hard.
Annie stared at him.
"You don't trust me?" she asked quietly.
Adrian didn't hesitate.
"I trust what I can verify."
That stung. More than she expected.
*** *** ***
Before she could respond, they heard a knock on the door. It sounded quick and urgent.
"Sir."
Adrian didn't break eye contact with Annie.
"Yes?"
"He's refusing to leave. He says he'll wait… no matter how long it takes."
Annie's heart started racing fast.....
Adrian's gaze flickered for just a second. Then moved back to her.
"Bring him up."
Annie's eyes widened.
"What? No...."
But it was already done.
"Yes, sir," the guard said.
The guards footsteps was heard fading in the background.
Silence filled the room again. Then Annie shook her head slightly.
"Why would you do that?"
Adrian's expression didn't change.
"Because I want to see who has that much confidence."
"This isn't necessary," she insisted.
"Relax," he said calmly. "If you don't know him, there's nothing to worry about."
But Annie didn't feel relaxed. Not even close. Her mind was already guessing who it was... But was he that desperate? She had cut ties with him for goodness sake.
*** ***
Minutes passed. Her heartbeat filled the silence. Every second of waiting stretched. Every thought became louder.
What if..
No.
It couldn't be.
It shouldn't be.
*** *** ***
Then...
Another knock came in. This time, it sounded heavier.
Adrian's voice was calm.
"Come in."
The door opened. Two security men stepped in first.
Then, Romans face was revealed.
Annie's breath caught instantly at the sight of him. Her body froze. Every part of her seemed to had stopped working.
Because she knew that face. Even without the hoodie.Even without the shadows.
She knew him.
*** *** ***
Roman. He looked exactly the same. He looked calm but unreadable.
But his eyes… They immediately went straight to her. Like she was the only person in the room. As if no one else existed.
Silence dropped heavily. No one spoke to the other, no one moved. After what seemed like an enternity, a slow smile curved on his lips.
"Hi, Annie."
Her chest tightened painfully. Her fingers trembled slightly at her sides.
"No…" she whispered under her breath.
Adrian didn't miss it.
Not the reaction.
Not the whisper.
Not the fear.
His gaze shifted slowly from Annie…To Roman.
"And you are?" Adrian asked with a mysterious calmness in his voice.
Roman didn't look at him. He did but not immediately. His eyes stayed on Annie. Like he had all the time in the world, like he had already won something.
Then finally...
He glanced at Adrian.
"Someone she remembers."
The room went still again. Adrian's expression darkened slightly. But his voice remained controlled.
"State your name."
There was a small pause.
Then...
"Roman."
Annie's heart dropped. Hearing it out loud made it so real.
Adrian stepped forward slightly. Positioning himself just enough to stand between them. He was subtle but intentional.
"And what exactly do you want here, Roman?"
Roman's eyes shifted back to Annie again.
"I came for her."
Annie shook her head immediately.
"No"
But her voice didn't come out strong. Not strong enough.
Roman noticed. Of course he did.
His smile deepened slightly.
"You didn't answer my calls," he said softly.
Annie's chest tightened.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You will."
His tone was certain, slightly calm but dangerous.
Adrian turned his head slightly toward Annie.
"You know him," he said. It wasn't a question, it was a statement.
Annie didn't respond. She couldn't. She just went numb.
That was enough. Adrian looked back at Roman.
"You've seen her," he said. "You can leave now."
Roman didn't move.
Didn't even blink.
"I don't think I will."
The tension became tighter. Security shifted slightly behind him. They were waiting and watching.
Adrian's voice dropped lower.
Colder.
"This is private property."
Roman shrugged lightly.
"And I was invited."
Another a filled the room. Adrian took another step forward.
"Your time here is over."
Roman smiled again.
But this time…
It didn't reach his eyes.
"I don't think Annie wants me to go," he said.
Everything stopped. Adrian turned sharply toward her.
Annie felt it, the pressure, the expectation.
"Tell him to leave," Adrian ordered.
Her throat tightened. Her voice felt stuck because her throat was so dried. But she forced it out.
"Leave, Roman."
It came out softer than she wanted. But it was there.
Roman tilted his head slightly.
Studying her.
Reading her.
Then... Calmly
"You don't mean that. I know you literally don't, or do you?"
He asked in a seductive manner which made Annie so irritated. Like what the heck is wrong with this dude? Why would he put up that kind of act in front of her overbearing boss? Annie was already raging with anger as she was interacting with herself inwardly.
Annie's heart pounded harder.
"Just go." She snapped unable to hide her irritation. This action of hers satisfied Adrian but he made sure not to show it.
There was another pause after he said that.
Then...
Roman stepped back.
Finally... She heaved a slow sigh of relief.
But his eyes never left hers. Not for a second.
"I'll go," he said.
"Not because you asked…"
A small step closer to the door.
"But because I'm not done yet."
That landed. It sounded like a threat to Annie
He stopped at the door. Then added...
"I'll see you soon, Annie."
And just like that...He left. Security escorted him downstairs to make sure he was off the premises
The door closed. Silence filled the room instantly.
Annie's legs felt weak. Her chest was tight, her mind racing.
Adrian didn't speak and didn't move for a few seconds.
Then slowly, He turned to her. His eyes darker than before, sharper and more dangerous.
"Explain."
Annie swallowed. Her voice barely steady.
"I… I didn't know he would come here."
Adrian took a step closer.
"That's not what I asked."
Her heart pounded harder.
"Who is he?"
Silence...
Heavy....
Unavoidable!
Annie looked at him.
Then away.
Then back again. And in that moment...She realized something terrifying.
This wasn't just about Roman anymore.
It was about Adrian.
And the way he was looking at her now… Like he wasn't going to let this go.
Not at all.