Closer
646 Words
The rumors didn't die.
They multiplied.
By Monday morning, Lia had discovered at least twelve different versions of her life online.
In one version, she was Ethan Blackwood's secret girlfriend.
In another, she was his fiancée.
One article somehow claimed they had been dating for two years.
Lia didn't even know him two months ago.
"This one says we're engaged."
Ethan glanced at her phone.
"Interesting."
"Interesting?"
"They misspelled my middle name."
Lia stared.
That was his concern?
She dropped into the chair across from his desk.
"I think my life is over."
"It isn't."
"You say that because nobody's writing articles about you."
Ethan looked up.
A pause.
Then—
"People write articles about me every day."
"...Right."
She hated when he had a point.
The week only got worse.
Students at her university had started recognizing her.
People whispered when she walked through campus.
Some took photos.
Others openly stared.
Lia had never wanted invisibility more.
Tuesday afternoon, she left a lecture later than usual.
The campus was quieter than normal.
Most students had already gone home.
For the first time all day, she relaxed.
Finally.
Peace.
"Miss Santos?"
Her shoulders immediately tensed.
A man stood near the gate.
Expensive suit.
Expensive watch.
Expensive smile.
The dangerous kind.
"Can I help you?"
The stranger smiled.
"I was hoping we could talk."
Every alarm bell in her head started ringing.
The man stepped closer.
"I'm a journalist."
Lia nearly groaned.
Of course he was.
"I'm not giving interviews."
"Just a few questions."
"No."
"About Mr. Blackwood."
"No."
"Five minutes."
"No."
The smile disappeared.
Only slightly.
But enough.
"You should be careful, Miss Santos."
Lia's stomach tightened.
The man's tone had changed.
Not threatening.
Not exactly.
But close enough.
Before she could answer, a black car suddenly stopped beside the sidewalk.
The rear door opened.
Sophia stepped out.
Relief hit instantly.
Actual relief.
"Miss Santos."
Sophia's voice remained perfectly calm.
As always.
"Mr. Blackwood asked me to pick you up."
The journalist stepped back immediately.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
A few moments later, Lia sat inside the car.
Sophia closed the door.
The vehicle pulled away.
"How did you know I was there?"
Sophia looked out the window.
"Mr. Blackwood told me to keep an eye on the situation."
Lia blinked.
"What situation?"
Sophia looked at her.
"The situation involving you becoming internet-famous."
Lia groaned.
When she arrived at Blackwood Tower, she marched directly into Ethan's office.
Naturally.
"Why am I being followed?"
Ethan barely looked up.
"You're not."
"Then why did Sophia magically appear?"
"I asked her to."
Lia threw her hands into the air.
"That's following me."
"It's protecting you."
"No, it's not."
"Yes, it is."
The argument lasted exactly four minutes before Ethan finally put down his pen.
A rare event.
A dangerous event.
"Lia."
Her name sounded different when he said it.
Softer.
More serious.
"There are people interested in you right now."
His gaze locked onto hers.
Steady.
Focused.
"Not because of who you are."
The words stung slightly.
"But because of who they think you are."
The room fell silent.
Ethan continued.
"Some of them are harmless."
"And the others?"
His expression hardened.
Immediately.
"The others are why Sophia picked you up."
A chill ran down her spine.
For the first time, the rumors didn't feel annoying.
They felt dangerous.
The realization settled heavily between them.
Then Ethan stood.
Slowly.
Calmly.
He walked around the desk and stopped in front of her.
Close.
Too close.
"You don't need to worry."
His voice was low.
Certain.
The voice of someone who never doubted his own ability to solve a problem.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
Lia's heart forgot how to function.
Again.
Because the worst part wasn't what he said.
The worst part was that she believed him.
Completely.
Without hesitation.
And that was far more dangerous than any rumor.
- Writer
