EYES EVERYWHERE
1111 Words
The world hadn’t changed.
That was the first thing Seraphina noticed.
The streets were still alive.
Cars still moved.
People still laughed, talked, lived—
As if nothing had happened.
As if her life hadn’t nearly ended just hours ago.
Seraphina adjusted her sunglasses slightly as she stepped out of the car, her heels meeting the pavement with quiet authority.
Appearances mattered.
And today—
She needed the world to see one thing.
She was untouched.
Unbothered.
Unbreakable.
Dante stepped out beside her, his presence immediate, commanding attention without effort.
He didn’t speak.
He didn’t need to.
Because the moment they stood side by side—
People noticed.
They always did.
Power recognized power.
And together?
They were impossible to ignore.
“Remember,” Dante said quietly, his voice low enough that only she could hear, “act normal.”
Seraphina didn’t look at him.
“I am normal.”
A faint smirk touched his lips.
“Of course you are.”
They moved forward.
The building ahead stood tall—glass, steel, and influence.
Seraphina’s company.
Or rather—
What used to feel like hers.
Now?
It felt like a battlefield.
As soon as they entered—
The shift was immediate.
Whispers.
Stares.
Tension.
People noticed her.
Of course they did.
But today, it was different.
There was curiosity.
Speculation.
And something else—
Fear.
Good.
“Miss Seraphina,” a receptionist greeted quickly, standing straighter than usual.
Seraphina gave a small nod, her expression calm.
“Good morning.”
Her voice was steady.
Untouched.
Perfect.
But her eyes?
They were watching everything.
Every movement.
Every reaction.
Because Dante was right.
They were being watched.
She felt it.
That invisible pressure.
Eyes where there shouldn’t be.
Attention that lingered too long.
Dante leaned slightly closer as they walked.
“Second floor. Left corridor.”
She didn’t react outwardly.
But she understood.
He had already spotted something.
Or someone.
They stepped into the elevator.
The doors closed.
And finally—
Silence.
Seraphina exhaled slowly.
“You saw something.”
Dante didn’t deny it.
“Two men. Not staff.”
Her gaze sharpened.
“Inside my building?”
“Yes.”
Her jaw tightened slightly.
Bold.
Too bold.
The elevator dinged.
Doors opened.
Game on.
They stepped out.
Seraphina walked first.
Confident.
Elegant.
But every step now—
Was calculated.
Halfway down the corridor—
She saw them.
Standing near the end.
Pretending.
Waiting.
Seraphina didn’t slow down.
Didn’t hesitate.
She kept walking.
Straight toward them.
Dante didn’t stop her.
Didn’t pull her back.
He followed.
Close.
Always close.
As they approached—
One of the men shifted slightly.
Nervous.
The other?
More composed.
But not enough.
Seraphina stopped right in front of them.
Close enough to make it uncomfortable.
“Can I help you?” she asked calmly.
The men exchanged a glance.
“Wrong floor,” one of them muttered.
Seraphina tilted her head slightly.
“Is it?”
Her tone was soft.
But sharp underneath.
The silence stretched.
Then—
Dante stepped forward.
Just one step.
But it was enough.
The air shifted instantly.
“You should leave,” he said.
No threat.
Just fact.
The men didn’t argue.
Didn’t push.
They walked away.
Fast.
Too fast.
Seraphina watched them go, her expression unreadable.
“They’re getting careless,” she said.
“They’re getting impatient,” Dante corrected.
A pause.
Then—
Seraphina smiled.
“They’re afraid.”
Dante glanced at her.
“Of you?”
She met his gaze.
“They should be.”
The rest of the day passed—
But not quietly.
Meetings.
Calls.
Decisions.
Seraphina moved through it all like nothing had changed.
But beneath that calm surface—
Everything was sharper.
More intense.
And Dante?
He never left.
Not once.
Everywhere she went—
He was there.
Silent.
Observing.
Protecting.
By evening—
The tension had built into something heavier.
Something waiting to snap.
They were back in the car.
The city lights flickering past again.
But this time—
Seraphina wasn’t looking outside.
She was thinking.
“They didn’t attack,” she said finally.
Dante didn’t look at her.
“Not yet.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“They’re planning something bigger.”
“Yes.”
A pause.
“Soon.”
Silence settled again.
Then—
“Good,” Seraphina said.
Dante glanced at her briefly.
“You really don’t scare easily.”
She turned to him.
“I’m done being scared.”
The words were quiet.
But final.
The car slowed.
Stopped.
But neither of them moved immediately.
“You handled today well,” Dante said.
Seraphina raised a brow slightly.
“Was that a compliment?”
A faint smirk touched his lips.
“Don’t get used to it.”
She smiled slightly.
Then—
“Stay tonight,” he added.
Her expression didn’t change.
But something shifted.
“Is that another order?”
Dante’s gaze held hers.
“Yes.”
A pause.
Then—
“Fine.”
Again—
No hesitation.
They stepped out.
Back into his world.
But now—
It didn’t feel unfamiliar anymore.
Inside—
The tension returned instantly.
Stronger.
Closer.
Seraphina stopped near the stairs.
Turned to him.
“You’re waiting for something.”
Dante didn’t deny it.
“Yes.”
“What?”
A beat.
“Their next move.”
As if on cue—
A loud crash echoed from outside.
Both of them turned instantly.
Sharp.
Alert.
Then—
Another sound.
Screeching tires.
Shouting.
Seraphina’s eyes darkened.
“That doesn’t sound like nothing.”
Dante’s expression turned cold.
“Stay here.”
She didn’t move.
“Not happening.”
Another crash.
Closer this time.
Dante grabbed her wrist—
Firm.
“Seraphina.”
She met his gaze.
“I’m not hiding.”
A pause.
Then—
He let go.
“Stay close.”
They moved toward the entrance together.
Fast.
Focused.
The moment the doors opened—
Chaos.
A car—
Wrecked.
Right outside the gate.
Smoke rising.
People shouting.
Guards rushing forward.
Seraphina’s breath stilled.
Not fear.
Recognition.
“This isn’t random,” she said.
Dante’s jaw tightened.
“No.”
Then—
From the wrecked car—
A man stumbled out.
Bleeding.
Desperate.
He looked straight at Seraphina.
And pointed.
“You—”
Before he could finish—
A loud gunshot rang out.
The man dropped instantly.
Dead.
Silence.
For one second.
Then chaos exploded again.
Seraphina didn’t move.
Didn’t flinch.
But her eyes?
Dark.
Cold.
“They’ve started,” she said quietly.
Dante stepped slightly in front of her.
Shielding her.
Dangerous.
Focused.
“Yes,” he said.
“And this?”
His gaze hardened.
“Is just the beginning.”
- Writer
