Chapter 4 — Drawing Lines
570 Words
Ethan didn't sleep.
He sat at the edge of his bed. Eyes on nothing. The city outside was quiet. Just the last drops of rain falling from the window ledge.
One name kept circling in his head.
Max.
He got up and walked to the window.
Max never goes anywhere without a reason. Every move has a purpose. So coming here, showing up in front of Aria — that was no accident.
That was a message.
I'm here. And I'm watching everything you're doing.
One question remained.
How much does he know?
Morning.
Aria hadn't slept either.
She made tea. Didn't drink it. Stood at the window and watched the street. Everything looked normal. People walking. Cars passing.
But since last night she knew —
Looking normal and being normal aren't the same thing.
A message came through.
"Don't go out today."
She typed back —
"Who are you to tell me that?"
Silence. Then —
"Someone who wants you to stay alive."
Aria put the phone down.
Picked up her bag.
And walked out the door.
The moment she stepped outside — that feeling.
Someone was watching.
She stopped. Turned around.
The street was empty.
But across the road — a shadow shifted behind a doorway.
She walked straight toward it.
She stopped just outside the door and said —
"I know you're there."
He stepped out.
Tall. Black coat. Strong jaw.
Aria looked at him for one second.
"You're E."
He said nothing.
"Go to your office."
"You know my name."
"Yes."
"Then you also know — I'm not moving until you talk to me."
He studied her. Then said —
"Ethan."
Aria lifted her chin slightly.
"Aria. But you already knew that."
They sat down in a nearby café.
Ethan ordered nothing. Aria ordered coffee.
"How long have you been watching me?"
"Long enough."
"That's not an answer."
"It's all you're getting for now."
Aria held the cup with both hands.
"The alley. The letter. The phone call. That was all you?"
Ethan stayed quiet.
"Why?"
"Wrong place. Wrong time." His voice was flat. "You got pulled into something that wasn't yours."
"And now?"
"Now it is."
Small words. Heavy weight.
"Max?" Aria asked.
Ethan's eyes hardened.
"Stay away from him."
"He's my friend."
"He's using you." He leaned forward slightly. "Think about everything he's told you. The way he came back. Does any of it actually add up?"
Aria's grip tightened on the cup.
Because the honest truth was —
She'd already been thinking exactly that.
"What does he want?" she said quietly.
"To get something — through you." Ethan held her gaze. "That's all I can tell you right now."
Aria went quiet.
Then —
"Why are you telling me any of this?"
Ethan paused.
"Because someone should have told you sooner."
Outside. Half a block away.
Max sat in his car. Eyes fixed on the café door.
His phone rang.
"She found Ethan."
"I know." Max didn't look away. "I'm watching."
"This wasn't supposed to happen."
"Nothing with Ethan ever goes to plan." He paused. "We need to move faster now."
"And if the girl gets caught in the middle?"
Silence.
"She already is."
He hung up.
Kept watching the door.
Inside — two people were sitting across from each other.
Neither of them knew yet — they were about to change each other's lives completely.
But the city knew.
It always does. 🖤
- Writer
