Chapter 22 – Shadows Following
742 Words
Elena finished her shift early, hoping to return to her dorm before the evening crowds gathered. But as she stepped out into the corridor, something felt wrong. The lights flickered. The hallway was too quiet. Her steps echoed too loudly.
She hugged her bag closer.
Maybe she was being paranoid.
Maybe Adrian’s warning was getting into her head.
But when she reached the exit door and pushed it open, cold air rushed in—
—and someone moved behind her.
Her heart leaped into her throat.
She spun around.
A man stood a few meters away. Not staff. Not anyone she recognized. His face was partly hidden by a cap pulled too low. He didn’t speak. Didn’t step forward. He just watched her.
Elena’s fingers tightened around her phone.
“Can I help you?” she asked, voice unsteady.
No answer.
He took one slow step toward her.
She stepped back instinctively.
Another step. Closer now.
Her breath stumbled.
“Elena.”
The voice came from behind her.
Relief crashed into her so hard her knees almost buckled.
Adrian.
He emerged from the other corridor, steps controlled but sharp, gaze immediately locking on the stranger.
And just like that—
the man froze.
Adrian’s presence was cold, lethal, and unmistakably dominant.
“What are you doing here?” Adrian asked the man, but his tone wasn’t a question. It was a warning.
The man swallowed, backing up a little. “Nothing. I was just—”
“You were following her.” Adrian didn’t blink. “Why?”
“I wasn’t—”
“Try again.”
His voice had a softness that felt more dangerous than shouting.
The stranger’s eyes darted between them, then he muttered something and hurried away, practically stumbling as he disappeared around the corner.
Elena let out a shaky breath. “Adrian… he was really—”
“Yes,” Adrian said. “And it wasn’t the first time.”
She froze. “What do you mean not the first time?”
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t want to tell you until I was sure. Two days ago, security saw the same man lingering outside the staff dorms.”
Fear crawled down her spine.
“Why me?” she whispered.
He stepped closer—close enough that she felt his warmth even without touching.
“That’s what I’m trying to find out,” he said softly. “But I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Her voice trembled. “You keep saying that… but you’re my boss.”
“I know.”
“People already talk—”
“I know.”
“Then why—why do you care this much?”
He didn’t look away.
For the first time, his barriers—the walls he always kept up—lowered just enough for her to see something raw underneath.
“Because I can’t seem to stop,” he said quietly.
Her breath hitched. “Adrian…”
His jaw clenched like he regretted letting that slip. He looked away, then back at her, as if fighting himself.
“You should go,” he finally said. “I’ll walk you to your building.”
“You don’t have to—”
“Yes,” he said, more firmly. “I do.”
They walked side by side through the dim hallways, silence stretching between them but not easing the tension. Every time their hands brushed by accident, Elena felt heat pool in her chest.
When they reached her dorm, he stopped at the steps.
“Elena,” he said softly.
She met his eyes.
“Until I figure out who that man is…” His voice lowered. “Don’t be alone. Text me. Call me. I don’t care what time it is.”
Her heartbeat fluttered painfully.
“That’s not… appropriate,” she whispered.
Adrian’s lips curved—not a smile, but something darker.
“Nothing about the way I feel about you is appropriate.”
She felt her breath leave her body.
“Elena,” he continued, voice rougher, “I don’t want distance. Not anymore.”
She didn’t know how to answer. Didn’t know how to breathe.
So she didn’t speak.
She simply nodded once, slowly—
—and walked inside with shaking hands.
Adrian didn’t move until the door closed behind her.
And even then…
she felt his gaze on the other side.
Watching.
Guarding.
Wanting.
- Writer
