Chapter Five - The Man In The Shadows
4224 Words
Elena stared at the message until the words began to blur.
Not every man who wants to marry you wants to keep you alive.
Her fingers were cold.
She read it again.
Then again.
She looked toward the window.
The black car was gone.
Maybe it had never been there.
Maybe she had imagined it.
But she knew she hadn't imagined the messages.
Someone had sent them.
Someone who knew about her marriage.
Someone who knew enough to warn her.
Or frighten her.
Elena's phone vibrated again.
She nearly dropped it.
Another message.
You still have time to change your mind.
Her heart pounded.
She immediately typed a response.
Who is this?
She waited.
Nothing.
She sent another message.
What do you want from me?
Still nothing.
Elena stared at the screen.
She didn't know what to do.
The first person that came to her mind was Noah.
She called him.
He answered almost immediately.
“Hey.”
“Noah.”
Something in her voice changed his tone.
“What happened?”
“Someone sent me a message.”
“What kind of message?”
Elena hesitated.
She didn't want to scare him.
But she also didn't want to hide anything.
“I don't know who it is.”
“What did they say?”
She read the messages to him.
Silence followed.
“Are you still there?”
“Yes.”
“What do you think?”
“I think you need to leave your apartment.”
Elena frowned.
“What?”
“Come to the café.”
“Noah—”
“Now, Elena.”
His voice was serious.
She looked around the apartment.
“Why?”
“Because I don't know who sent those messages.”
“I don't know either.”
“Exactly.”
Elena's stomach tightened.
“Do you think it's Alexander?”
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
“Why not?”
“Because if Alexander wanted to threaten you, he wouldn't hide behind an unknown number.”
Elena frowned.
That was true.
Alexander had never been the kind of man who hid his intentions.
He was direct.
Cold.
Arrogant.
But direct.
“Come to the café,” Noah repeated.
Elena looked at the clock.
She had to work in less than an hour.
“I have work.”
“Forget work.”
“I can't.”
“Elena.”
“I need the job.”
“I know. But your safety is more important”
She closed her eyes.
“I'm coming.”
The café was already busy when Elena arrived.
Noah had opened it several years ago with money he had saved and a small loan from his uncle.
It wasn't a fancy place.
There were no expensive chandeliers or overly decorated walls.
Just warm lighting, wooden tables, comfortable chairs and the smell of freshly brewed coffee.
Elena had always loved the place.
It felt like Noah.
Simple.
Warm.
Comfortable.
Safe.
But today, she didn't feel safe anywhere.
Noah was standing behind the counter when she walked in.
The moment he saw her, he came around.
“Are you okay?”
Elena nodded.
“I'm fine.”
“No, you're not.”
She looked at him.
“I'm scared.”
The admission seemed to hurt him.
He took her hand.
“Come with me.”
He led her to a table at the back of the café.
It was away from the other customers.
Elena sat down.
Noah took the seat opposite her.
“Show me.”
She handed him her phone.
He read the messages.
His expression became more serious with every line.
“Did you send a reply?”
“Yes.”
“Did they respond?”
“No.”
“Have you received anything else?”
“No.”
Noah looked up.
“Did you notice anything strange before this?”
Elena hesitated.
“The car.”
“What car?”
“A black car.”
“Where?”
“Outside my apartment.”
“How long was it there?”
“I don't know.”
“Did you see who was inside?”
“No.”
“Did you take a picture?”
“No.”
Noah sighed.
“Okay.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Noah.”
“I just wish you had.”
“I didn't know I was being watched.”
“I know.”
He reached for her hand.
“Did you tell Alexander?”
Elena immediately pulled her hand away.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't want to involve him.”
“He's your fiancé.”
“He's not my fiancé.”
“You're going to marry him.”
“That's different.”
Noah looked at her.
“Is it?”
Elena didn't answer.
He sighed.
“Maybe you should tell him.”
“I don't want to.”
“Why?”
“Because he will make it worse.”
“How?”
“He'll probably send people to follow me everywhere.”
“Maybe that's not such a bad idea.”
She glared at him.
“Noah.”
“What?”
“I don't need Alexander controlling my life.”
“I know.”
“Then don't suggest it.”
“I'm not suggesting he controls you. I'm suggesting that maybe you need protection.”
Elena looked away.
“I can protect myself.”
Noah stared at her.
“You just told me that someone is sending you threatening messages.”
“I didn't say they were threatening me.”
He took her phone.
“‘You should be careful who you trust.’”
He looked at her.
“‘Not every man who wants to marry you wants to keep you alive.’”
He placed the phone on the table.
“That sounds like a threat to me.”
Elena remained silent.
Noah reached across the table and took her hand.
“I don't want anything to happen to you.”
“Nothing will.”
“You don't know that.”
“Neither do you.”
“Exactly.”
His voice softened.
“That's what scares me.”
Elena looked at him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Noah said, “You should stay with me.”
Her eyebrows rose.
“What?”
“Stay at my place.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I can't.”
“You're afraid of staying alone.”
“I am not.”
“You are.”
She looked away.
Noah smiled faintly.
“You always look away when you're lying.”
“I do not.”
She stared at him.
“Your ego is getting worse.”
“It's because I'm right.”
Despite everything, Elena smiled.
The smile didn't last long.
Noah noticed.
“Stay with me tonight.”
She shook her head.
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I'm going to be married.”
Noah's expression changed.
She regretted the words the moment they left her mouth.
“Right.”
“Noah.”
“It's fine.”
“It isn't.”
He looked away.
She could see the hurt in his eyes.
“I'm not trying to hurt you.”
“I know.”
“But you keep doing it.”
Elena went quiet.
Noah stood.
“I need to get back to work.”
She stared at him.
“Noah.”
“I'll call you later.”
He walked away.
Elena remained at the table.
She wanted to go after him.
But she didn't.
She knew there was nothing she could say.
Not anymore.
By the time Elena arrived at work, she was already exhausted.
Her manager looked at her the moment she walked in.
“You're late.”
“I'm sorry.”
“You said you would be here early.”
“I know.”
He looked at her for a moment.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
He didn't look convinced.
“Go and change.”
Elena nodded.
She entered the small staff room and changed into her uniform.
She looked at herself in the mirror.
Her face was pale.
She had barely slept.
The anonymous messages were still in her mind.
She didn't know who had sent them.
She didn't know whether she should tell Alexander.
She didn't know whether Noah was still angry with her.
And she didn't know why she felt like her entire life was slipping out of her control.
“Elena?”
She turned.
One of her coworkers stood at the door.
“You're needed outside.”
“I'm coming.”
She took one last look at herself.
Then walked out.
The restaurant was busy.
There were customers everywhere.
Elena forced herself to focus.
She took orders.
Carried drinks.
Cleaned tables.
Smiled when she didn't feel like smiling.
For the next few hours, she managed to forget everything.
Almost.
Then a man sat at one of her tables.
Elena approached him with a notepad.
“Good afternoon. May I take your order?”
The man looked up.
Elena froze.
There was something familiar about him.
Not his face.
She had never seen him before.
But the way he looked at her made her uncomfortable.
He seemed to be studying her.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Elena frowned.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“Good.”
She looked down at her notepad.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Water.”
“Anything else?”
“No.”
She wrote it down.
Then turned away.
She felt his eyes on her.
Elena glanced back.
He was still watching her.
She quickly looked away.
Maybe she was being paranoid.
Maybe the messages had made her suspicious of everyone.
She took the water to his table.
He thanked her.
Then asked, “Do you work here every day?”
Elena stared at him.
“Why?”
“Just curious.”
She didn't answer.
The man smiled.
“Relax.”
“I am relaxed.”
“Are you?”
She looked at him.
Something about him made her uncomfortable.
“Is there anything else you need?”
“No.”
“Then enjoy your drink.”
She walked away.
But she could still feel his eyes on her.
The man left forty minutes later.
He paid in cash.
He didn't leave a tip.
Elena watched him walk out.
Then she looked down at the table.
There was something written on the napkin.
Her heart stopped.
She picked it up.
You should have listened.
Elena's breathing became shallow.
She looked toward the door.
The man was gone.
She immediately pulled out her phone.
She took a picture of the napkin.
Then called Noah.
He didn't answer.
She called again.
Still nothing.
Her hands began to shake.
She called Alexander.
The call connected after one ring.
“What?”
Elena said nothing.
“Hello?”
She swallowed.
“Someone came to my workplace.”
Alexander's voice changed.
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“What happened?”
“He left a message.”
“What message?”
She took a picture and sent it to him.
There was silence.
Then:
“Where are you?”
“At work.”
“Stay there.”
“Alexander—”
“Do not leave.”
“I have to finish my shift.”
“No.”
“I can't just—”
“Elena.”
His voice was cold.
She stopped.
“Stay where you are.”
The call ended.
Elena stared at her phone.
She was furious.
He had no right to order her around.
But beneath the anger was something else.
Relief.
She hated that.
Alexander arrived twenty minutes later.
Elena saw him enter the restaurant.
The entire place seemed to change.
People noticed him.
Of course they did.
Alexander Blackwood did not enter a room unnoticed.
He was dressed in a dark suit.
His expression was cold.
His eyes immediately found Elena.
She walked toward him.
“What are you doing here?”
“Where is the man?”
“What man?”
“The one who left the message.”
“He's gone.”
Alexander's jaw tightened.
“Did you see him leave?”
“Yes.”
“Which way did he go?”
“I don't know.”
“Did you get his name?”
“No.”
“Did you speak to him?”
“He ordered water.”
Alexander stared at her.
“You spoke to him?”
“I was working.”
“Did he say anything?”
Elena crossed her arms.
“Are you going to interrogate me?”
“Answer the question.”
She glared at him.
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“He asked if I worked here every day.”
Alexander's face changed.
“What else?”
“He asked if I was okay.”
“Anything else?”
“No.”
“Did he touch you?”
Elena stared at him.
“No.”
“Did he threaten you?”
“Not directly.”
“Then what did he say?”
She handed him the napkin.
Alexander read it.
His expression became darker.
“Where is the photograph?”
“I sent it to you.”
“I know.”
He looked at her.
“Go home.”
“I have work.”
“You're leaving.”
“No.”
“Elena.”
“I am not leaving my job because some strange man came in and left a stupid message.”
His eyes hardened.
“You don't know if it's stupid.”
“You don't know if it's serious.”
“I know enough.”
She stared at him.
“Why do you care so much?”
The question came out before she could stop it.
Alexander went silent.
His eyes held hers.
Then he looked away.
“Because you are going to be my wife.”
Elena laughed.
“Of course.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.”
“It doesn't sound like nothing.”
She shook her head.
“Forget it.”
Alexander stepped closer.
“Elena.”
“Don't.”
“What?”
“Don't act like you care about me.”
His face became unreadable.
“I never said I cared about you.”
“Exactly.”
She turned away.
Alexander looked at her back.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then he reached for his phone.
“I'm sending someone to take you home.”
“No.”
“You're not taking a cab.”
“I can take a cab.”
“You can do no such thing.”
She turned around.
“I don't need your permission to go home.”
“No.”
“Then stop acting like I do.”
His expression hardened.
“You are impossible.”
“And you're controlling.”
“Good.”
She stared at him.
“What?”
“At least you know.”
She didn't know what to say to that.
Alexander turned to leave.
Then stopped.
“Your shift is over.”
“It isn't.”
“It is now.”
She glared at him.
“You can't fire me.”
“I didn't.”
“Then what?”
“I spoke to your manager.”
Elena's eyes widened.
“You did what?”
“He understands.”
“Alexander!”
She followed him.
“What did you tell him?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why did he let you leave?”
“Because I asked him to.”
“You can't just walk into my workplace and—”
“Apparently, I can.”
She stopped.
He walked away.
Elena stood there, furious.
She had never met anyone like him.
No one.
The drive home was silent.
Alexander sat beside her in the back seat.
Elena sat as far away from him as possible.
She stared out the window.
The city moved past them.
After several minutes, Alexander spoke.
“Who is Noah?”
Elena's body became tense.
She looked at him.
“What?”
“Your boyfriend.”
“What about him?”
“Does he know about the messages?”
“Yes.”
“Does he know about the man at your workplace?”
“Yes.”
Alexander looked out the window.
“Then why didn't he tell me?”
Elena laughed.
“Why would he?”
“Because I'm your fiancé.”
“You're not my fiancé.”
“Soon.”
She looked away.
“Don't get too comfortable.”
“I don't.”
“Good.”
Silence returned.
A few minutes later, Alexander spoke again.
“Does he know about the clause?”
Elena's eyes narrowed.
“What clause?”
“The one in the agreement.”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“None of your business.”
Alexander looked at her.
“It is my business.”
“No.”
“It is.”
“You don't get to ask me about Noah.”
“I just did.”
“And I don't have to answer.”
“Clearly.”
She looked at him.
“Why do you care?”
Alexander said nothing.
Elena studied him.
His jaw was tight.
His eyes were fixed on the road ahead.
She almost smiled.
“Are you jealous?”
Alexander turned his head slowly.
“What?”
“Are you jealous of Noah?”
He stared at her.
Then laughed.
It was the first time Elena had ever heard him laugh.
She hated that she noticed.
“That's funny.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because there is nothing to be jealous of.”
Her expression changed.
“What does that mean?”
Alexander looked at her.
“You love him.”
Elena froze.
He continued.
“And he loves you.”
She didn't know what to say.
“But that doesn't mean he can keep you.”
Her heart began to beat faster.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.”
“You don't get to say things like that and then say nothing.”
Alexander looked away.
“Forget it.”
Elena stared at him.
For the rest of the drive, neither of them spoke.
That night, Alexander stood in his office, looking at the photograph Elena had sent him.
The napkin.
The message.
He had seen those words before.
Not recently.
Years ago.
His eyes narrowed.
He picked up his phone.
“Find out who the man at the restaurant was.”
His assistant answered immediately.
“We're working on it.”
“Find out where he went.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And the number that sent the messages.”
“We're tracing it.”
“Whoever it belongs to, I want a name.”
“Yes, sir.”
Alexander ended the call.
He looked at the city below.
His instincts were rarely wrong.
Something was happening.
And it had something to do with Elena.
The question was why.
He had enemies.
Many of them.
Business rivals.
Former associates.
People who wanted his money.
People who wanted his company.
People who wanted him dead.
But why would any of them care about Elena?
She was nobody to them.
At least, she should have been.
Alexander's expression darkened.
Unless someone knew something he didn't.
Elena lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling.
She couldn't sleep.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the man from the restaurant.
His eyes.
His smile.
The napkin.
You should have listened.
She didn't know what he wanted.
She didn't know why he was watching her.
She didn't know what she had done to him.
Her phone vibrated.
Elena froze.
She slowly reached for it.
Another unknown number.
Her heart began to pound.
She opened the message.
He will never tell you the truth.
Elena frowned.
Who?
Alexander?
Daniel?
She typed:
Who?
The message was seen.
But there was no reply.
Elena waited.
One minute.
Two.
Five.
Nothing.
She threw the phone onto the bed.
Then immediately picked it up again.
She stared at the message.
She didn't know why, but she suddenly thought of Daniel.
He had looked frightened.
He had told her not to do anything because of him.
He had refused to tell her what was wrong.
He will never tell you the truth.
Elena sat up.
Her heart began beating faster.
What if the message was about Daniel?
What if he knew something?
She immediately called the prison.
The call went unanswered.
She tried again.
Nothing.
Elena looked at the clock.
It was past midnight.
She couldn't go there now.
She fell back against the bed.
Her mind was racing.
For the first time, she wondered whether Daniel had actually stolen from Alexander.
And if he hadn't...
Then what was he hiding?
The next morning, Elena went to the prison.
She had barely slept.
She waited for almost an hour before she was finally allowed to see Daniel.
When he entered the room, she immediately noticed the change in his face.
He looked worse.
More tired.
More afraid.
“Elena.”
She stood.
“Daniel.”
He sat across from her.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then he looked at her.
“You shouldn't have come.”
Her heart tightened.
“Why?”
“Just don't.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.”
She stared at him.
“Daniel.”
He looked away.
She leaned forward.
“Are you hiding something from me?”
His face changed.
It was subtle.
But Elena saw it.
He was hiding something.
Her heart began to beat faster.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
“Don't lie to me.”
“I'm not.”
“You are.”
He remained silent.
Elena reached across the table.
“Daniel, look at me.”
He didn't.
She swallowed.
“I got a message last night.”
His eyes immediately moved to hers.
“What message?”
Elena watched him carefully.
She knew that reaction.
He knew something.
“Someone told me to be careful who I trusted.”
Daniel's face went pale.
Elena froze.
“You know something.”
“No.”
“Daniel.”
“No.”
“Who is it?”
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Then why are you afraid?”
He stood abruptly.
The guard near the door immediately moved.
“Daniel.”
He looked at her.
His eyes were full of fear.
“Don't marry him.”
Elena froze.
“What?”
“Don't marry Alexander.”
“Why?”
He shook his head.
“Just don't.”
“Why?”
“I can't tell you.”
“Then tell me what you can!”
He looked at her.
“Please.”
The desperation in his voice silenced her.
Daniel sat back down.
His hands were shaking.
“Elena, I swear to you, I never wanted any of this to happen.”
“What happened?”
He looked toward the door.
Then back at her.
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because if I tell you, you'll be in danger.”
Elena stared at him.
The room suddenly felt colder.
“What are you talking about?”
Daniel said nothing.
“Daniel.”
He looked at her.
Then whispered:
“Someone is watching you.”
Elena's blood ran cold.
Before she could ask another question, the guard approached.
“Time's up.”
“No.”
Elena stood.
“Please, I need more time.”
The guard shook his head.
Daniel stood too.
“Elena.”
“What?”
“Don't trust anyone.”
She stared at him.
“Not even Alexander?”
Daniel's face changed.
He opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Elena stared at him.
That was answer enough.
She walked out of the room with her heart pounding.
Daniel knew something about Alexander.
Something terrible.
And he was afraid to tell her.
Outside the prison, Elena stood on the pavement.
The sun was bright.
Cars passed.
People walked around.
The world continued as if nothing had changed.
But everything had changed.
She pulled out her phone.
There were two missed calls from Alexander.
One from Noah.
She stared at both names.
Then her phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
Elena opened the message.
Now you understand why you should have listened.
Her breathing stopped.
She looked around.
Nobody seemed to be watching her.
But she knew better now.
Someone was.
She turned toward the road.
A black car was parked across the street.
The windows were dark.
Elena stared at it.
Then the car slowly drove away.
She stood there long after it disappeared.
She had no idea who was watching her.
But somewhere behind the dark windows of another car, a man watched her standing alone outside the prison.
His fingers rested against the steering wheel.
He had waited two years.
Two years of watching her from a distance.
Two years of waiting for the right time.
And now, she was finally close enough to reach.
He looked at the photograph on the passenger seat.
A photograph of Elena.
Then he smiled.
“Soon,” he whispered.
- Writer
