The Pharaoh's princess

The Stalker

Renee – POV

I was just finishing checking out when I spotted Evelyn picking out her dress for the formal. I decided to mind my business and keep going about my day. Annavi and I still needed to pick out shoes for the dance, and Elena had already insisted on going to Berry Creamery afterward—so we had a time crunch. Still, I couldn’t shake the eerie sense that someone was watching me, though I never saw anyone.

Idris – POV

I knew the perfect way to take my mom’s mind off what happened this morning—let her help me pick out clothes for the fall formal. Sure enough, the second I mentioned it, her mood lifted, and she grabbed her purse and keys. But before we left, I had one important thing to do: ask the girl out.

I pulled out my phone, found Renee’s number, and hit call. She picked up, and I could hear someone making smoochy noises in the background, which made me laugh.

I asked how she was, and she said she was shopping for a dress. I asked her to be my date to the formal. She happily agreed—thank god. She told me to pick out an orange tie. We said goodbye.

Grinning from ear to ear, I told my mom she said yes. She practically danced with excitement and rushed us out the door. Just as we were leaving, my dad walked back in and glared at me. I glared right back. My mom told him what we were doing, and he didn’t even acknowledge her.

I shook my head. I wasn’t letting him ruin this day.

We went to Suits in Willowick, and my mom picked out everything: a warm orange vest, a matching bowtie, a black button-up shirt, and tailored black pants. Thank the stars she came—I had no idea what I was doing.

Afterward, I suggested we head to Berry Creamery for some fro-yo. My mom loved frozen yogurt with fruit toppings, and I figured she deserved a treat.

As we approached the shop, I saw someone—a tall man in a black hoodie—lurking behind a pillar. He was watching Renee.

The moment he noticed me, he bolted.

I almost ran after him, but Renee approached. She introduced me to her mom and little sister, and I introduced them to my mom. Our moms hit it off immediately.

While they chatted, Renee came with me to place our orders.

“I’ll help you carry it back,” she offered.

I was just happy to have her near.

I told her about the hooded man. “Tall, fit-looking, but I couldn’t make out his face. The hoodie covered everything.”

Her fingers tightened slightly around her cup. “I’ve felt like someone was watching me all day.”

I regretted saying anything, but tried to ease her nerves. “Probably just some creep who doesn’t have the nerve to tell you how pretty you are.”

She smiled and dropped her gaze, I loved how compliments made her so shy it made her even more endearing.

We placed the orders, and I handed my mom her cup with a peck on the cheek. Renee smiled at that. I could tell she and my mom would get along. My mom had always wanted a daughter, but after having me, my dad refused more kids.

We all sat down to enjoy our frozen yogurt together. For a moment, everything felt right.

Renee – POV

I just knew he’d ask. And when he did, I couldn’t stop smiling. More than I should be, probably. I glared at Annavi who had been making kissy noises during the call. I liked Idris so far, but we hadn’t known each other that long. It still felt too soon to fully open up.

We found shoes at Marcy’s in the Willowick mall, then headed to Berry Creamery. I still felt that strange sense of being watched but tried to ignore it.

We sat down after getting our yogurt, and I noticed Idris—he was with the same elegant woman I’d seen him with at Spring Lake—clearly his mom.

I walked up and introduced him to my mom and Elena. He already knew Annavi. The woman with him turned out to be his mom, and she had the kindest smile I’d ever seen.

I invited them to sit with us, and our moms clicked instantly.

While Idris ordered, I followed him to help carry back the cups. That’s when he told me about the man in the hoodie. Just hearing it confirmed what I’d felt all day.

“Probably just some creep who doesn’t have the balls to tell you how pretty you are,” Idris said, and I was relieved I couldn’t blush easily. Being a person of color had its advantages.

We returned to our table, and for once, it felt like everything in the world was just as it should be.

Unknown – POV

It had to be him. He got in my way last time too. I hated that bastard with every fiber of my being.

I wouldn’t let him ruin everything again.

I returned to my parents, who were waiting for me outside. My mom was thrilled I was going to the dance. She thought it meant I was finally acting like a normal teenager.

If only she knew the truth.

Sooner or later, Renee would be mine.

Whether she liked it or not.