Innocence in Chains

3. Mysterious Gift

Rafael was looking at her in the most ordinary way and yet, Amelia felt it deep in her bones.

Like he wasn't just looking at her, but through her. As if every little thought, every flicker of feeling...... he saw it all. She blinked, unsure why her chest suddenly felt so tight.

From a distance Elena's voice broke the stillness, "Amelia, are you planning to spend the whole day here? Come on!"

it snapped her out if the moment. She turned quickly, as if walking from a dream, and hurried towards her friends.

Vittoria crossed her arms. " Did you finish handing out all the cakes? Can we please go to the restaurant now? I am starving."

Before Amelia could open her mouth, Diego Came running. his breathing fast, his eyes a little too wide. "You guys coming or not?" he blurted and without waiting for an answer, he jumped on his bicycle and sped off.

The rest of them stood there, blinking.

"What's up with him now?" Amelia joked, trying to lighten the mood. "Did something possess him or what?"

"Whatever, Let's just go." Elena said, already climbing onto her bike. The others followed right after.

But just before they left the park, Amelia turned back..... just once. Rafael was still there, still sitting, still watching. He hadn't moved, not even a little. Amelia didn't smile, she didn't wave, She just turned away, quiet and pedaled off with the others toward the restaurant.

The largest table on the third floor had already been reserved. it sat near the wide glass wall..... Amelia's favourite spot. From there, the view was stunning. Around her, the restaurant buzzed with laughter, clinking glasses, and happy chatter. Amelia was absent minded, but her friends were enjoying. And she saw him....... Rafael.

He was walking out slowly, notebook in his hand. His steps were calm, too calm like he was counting them. Like each step had meaning.

In one hand, he held his pen and sketchbook, the same one he had been lost in earlier. in the other hand he carried the jar cake and the three fortune cookies. Not carelessly but carefully, like they were something rare, something sacred.

Amelia leaned slightly closer to the glass, eyes narrowing in curiosity.

Then, just as Rafael reached the edge of the street, he stopped, completely still, and lifted his head. Their eyes met, right through the glass, across the street, three floors up. He looked straight at her. Not around her, not towards the restaurant, not by chance.

STRAIGHT. AT. HER.

A jolt rushed through Amelia's spine. How...? How did he know? He hadn't scanned the building. Hadn't glanced around. As if..... as if he knew she'd be right there. Amelia's chest tightened. her throat felt dry.

Suddenly, the sunlight pouring in felt too warm, too sharp against her skin. She tore her gaze away in a panic, pretending to laugh at something someone said, but somewhere deep inside she already knew...... that moment changed everything.

When Amelia looked back again, She saw Rafael getting into a car.

it was an Audi RS7 Sportback, matte black- sleek and silent. The kind of car that didn't flash its wealth. The way Rafael was holding the food she has given him she thought maybe he was poor and didn't have much to eat...... she is worse when it comes judging people.

The car rolled out and disappeared down the street. No sound, no drama just gone like mist leaving grass.

Diego, who had been sitting right across from her, followed her gaze. he spoke,

"That guy is weird."

Amelia blinked, snapped out of her thoughts.

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"Yeah," Diego nodded. "That Rafael guy..... there's something seriously off about him."

Amelia tilted her head, she hadn't expected that tone. Diego was usually light-hearted annoying sometimes, but never nervous.

"You know, after you left, I thought maybe I could buy one of his drawings for you. As a birthday surprise, I mean you liked his art, and if he sells them why not, right? I called out to him a few times, he didn't answer so I tapped him on the shoulder - just lightly," there was a pause something flickered in Diego's eyes, he swallowed.

"And then, he turned around and looked at me like— like he wanted to eat me alive. I am not even joking, guys. His face changed, he shoved my hand off like I was something dirty. His eyes if you guys had seen that time, they were terrifying.......... He was muttering something but I swear it felt like he was cursing me."

Amelia stared at him. she didn't say anything she was speechless.... Elena asked " Is that why you left so fast?"

"Yeah."

Amelia thought Thank God they will never meet each other again. But what she didn't know was that he had other plans for her to ruin her to lock her, he would make a beautiful mess out of her, that belongs to him only.

After finishing the meal at the restaurant, Amelia returned home, still smiling from all the laughter and chaos. But the celebration wasn't over yet. She hadn't even seen her father— her real birthday hadn't started until he was there.

She headed towards the bathroom to freshen up but just then, there was a knock on the door. it was the doorman. He stood with both hands carefully supporting a large, perfectly wrapped gift box. Elegant. Immaculate.

Wrapped in deep violet paper with a silken ribbon tied with haunting vibes.

He brought it in and placed it gently on her table. "This came for you, we don't know who sent it. No name, no nite.No one saw anyone leave it. Amelia blinked.

This gift looked out of place in her bright room. it just sat there...... Still. Silent. Too beautiful. Too exact. Like it wasn't a gift at all — but a message wrapped in silk and secrets.

She stepped closer, heart thudding softly. Not with fear, Not yet at least.

Just something....... unexplainable.

No card. No handwriting. Only a small black tag tucked under the ribbon. One word.

"Mine."