The CEO's Intern

Someone Knows

Kayda couldn't breathe.

She stared at the message until the words blurred.

I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE.

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

Luca noticed immediately.

"What did they send?"

Kayda looked up.

For a moment, she couldn't speak.

Then she handed him the phone.

He read the message.

His jaw tightened.

"How long ago did you receive this?"

"Seconds."

Luca looked down the empty hallway.

"Come with me."

Kayda followed him into his office.

He closed the door behind them.

"What is happening?" she asked.

"I don't know yet."

"That's not good enough."

Luca turned toward her.

"I know."

Kayda stared at him.

"Someone has followed us from New York to Los Angeles. They knew about the airport. They knew about the HR meeting. And now they know where I live."

Luca remained silent.

"How?"

"I don't know."

"Then find out."

Her voice shook, but she refused to look away.

Luca studied her for several seconds.

"You shouldn't have been dragged into this."

Kayda frowned.

"Dragged into what?"

He stopped.

For a second, she thought he was finally going to explain everything.

Instead, he said, "I can't answer that yet."

Kayda's frustration returned.

"Of course you can't."

She turned away.

"Every time I ask you something, you give me half an answer."

"Because the other half could put you in more danger."

"Not knowing is already putting me in danger."

That silenced him.

Luca walked toward his desk and picked up his phone.

"I'm having security check your apartment."

Kayda shook her head.

"No."

He looked at her.

"Kayda—"

"I don't want someone going through my things."

"Security isn't going through your things. They're making sure no one is waiting for you."

She hesitated.

"What if someone already is?"

Luca's expression hardened.

"Then you won't be going home alone."

---

Two hours later, Kayda sat at her desk trying to work.

It was impossible.

Every person who walked past made her look up.

Every elevator bell made her heart jump.

Even the sound of footsteps behind her felt suspicious.

Maya called during lunch.

"You sound weird."

Kayda forced a laugh.

"I'm just tired."

"You've been tired for three days."

"I'm fine."

Maya went quiet.

"Kayda."

"What?"

"You're doing that thing again."

"What thing?"

"Pretending everything is fine when it isn't."

Kayda looked across the office.

Luca was standing near the windows, speaking to Victoria.

For a moment, his eyes met hers.

He immediately looked away.

Kayda lowered her voice.

"Something happened."

"I knew it."

"But I can't explain it over the phone."

Maya's tone changed.

"Are you safe?"

Kayda looked toward the security guard standing near the executive elevator.

"I think so."

"You think so?"

"I'll explain later."

"Kayda—"

"I have to go."

She ended the call.

She didn't tell Maya about the message.

She didn't want to frighten her.

But the decision didn't make her feel any better.

---

At five-thirty, Kayda packed her things.

She waited near the reception area while a security officer checked the building entrance.

Luca had insisted she wait for him.

Five minutes passed.

Then ten.

She checked her phone.

Nothing.

She looked toward the elevator.

The doors opened.

A man stepped out.

Dark suit.

Dark hair.

He walked past her without looking in her direction.

Kayda's stomach tightened.

She watched him disappear through the revolving doors.

Then her phone vibrated.

Her heart stopped.

A new message.

HE'S NOT THE ONE YOU SHOULD BE AFRAID OF.

Kayda stared at it.

Another message appeared.

LOOK BEHIND YOU.

She froze.

Slowly, she turned.

No one stood directly behind her.

Only employees leaving for the evening.

Then she noticed something.

A small envelope had been placed on the reception desk beside her bag.

Her name was written across the front.

KAYDA WILLIAMS.

She hadn't seen anyone put it there.

She picked it up carefully.

"Don't."

Luca's voice came from behind her.

Kayda turned.

He was walking toward her quickly.

"What?"

"Put it down."

She obeyed.

Luca looked at the envelope but didn't touch it.

"Who brought this?"

The receptionist shook her head.

"I didn't see anyone."

Luca's expression darkened.

He motioned for security.

Within seconds, two guards approached.

Kayda stepped back.

"What is inside?"

"We don't know," Luca said.

One of the guards carefully collected the envelope.

They opened it away from Kayda.

Inside was a single photograph.

The guard looked at it.

Then at Luca.

"Sir..."

Luca took the photograph.

His face changed.

Kayda stepped closer.

"What is it?"

He didn't answer.

She reached for it.

This time, Luca didn't stop her.

Kayda looked down.

It was a photograph of her apartment building.

Taken from across the street.

The picture had clearly been taken recently.

On the back, someone had written:

YOU KEEP LOOKING FOR ANSWERS.

Kayda's hands trembled.

Below the first sentence was another.

STOP LOOKING.

Silence filled the lobby.

Then Luca's phone rang.

He answered.

"Yes?"

He listened.

His expression became colder.

"What do you mean she's there?"

Kayda looked at him.

"Who's there?"

Luca ended the call.

He looked directly at her.

"Your apartment building's security system just reported someone entering your floor."

Kayda's blood ran cold.

"What?"

Luca stepped closer.

"You're not going home tonight."

Kayda stared at him.

"But my apartment—"

"I know."

He took his phone from his pocket.

"I'm sending security there now."

Then his phone rang again.

This time, the call came from an unknown number.

Luca answered.

Neither he nor Kayda spoke.

A few seconds passed.

Then the call ended.

Kayda looked at him.

"Who was it?"

Luca slowly lowered the phone.

"I don't know."

Kayda's eyes widened.

"Then why did you look like that?"

Luca stared toward the glass doors of Romano Enterprises.

Because standing outside, across the street, was the same man Kayda had seen leaving the building earlier.

And this time—

he was looking directly at them.