The CEO's Intern

The Man Across The Street

Kayda couldn't move.

The man stood across the street, partially hidden among the people passing along the sidewalk.

But she knew he was looking at them.

At her.

"Is that him?" Luca asked quietly.

Kayda nodded.

"I saw him earlier."

Luca's expression hardened.

"Stay behind me."

He stepped toward the glass entrance.

Kayda followed, but before they could reach the doors, two security officers moved in front of them.

"Mr. Romano, we'll handle this."

Luca didn't argue.

He watched the man carefully.

For several seconds, the stranger remained where he was.

Then a taxi stopped beside him.

He opened the door.

Before getting inside, he glanced toward the building one last time.

Their eyes met.

Kayda felt a chill run through her.

Then he disappeared into the taxi.

"Did you get the license plate?" Luca asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Good."

One of the officers immediately walked away to make a call.

Kayda turned toward Luca.

"Who is he?"

"I don't know."

"You keep saying that."

"Because it's the truth."

She folded her arms.

"You expect me to believe that?"

Luca looked at her.

"No."

That answer surprised her.

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Trust that I'm trying to keep you safe."

Kayda shook her head.

"That's becoming difficult."

"I know."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Luca's phone rang.

He answered.

"Yes."

The security officer spoke quietly.

Luca listened.

"Are you certain?"

Another pause.

"Don't approach the building until I get there."

He ended the call.

Kayda immediately noticed his expression.

"What happened?"

"Someone was seen near your apartment."

Her stomach dropped.

"Someone?"

"They left before security arrived."

Kayda looked toward the doors.

"Was it the same man?"

"We don't know."

Luca motioned to the security team.

"We're leaving."

---

The drive through Manhattan was unusually quiet.

Kayda sat in the back of the car beside Luca.

She watched the city lights pass through the window.

Normally, New York at night made her feel alive.

Tonight, every shadow seemed threatening.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"My residence."

Kayda looked at him.

"Your penthouse?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because security is already there."

She nodded.

There was no point arguing.

A few minutes later, the car entered the private underground garage beneath Luca's building.

Security checked the vehicle before allowing it through.

Kayda stepped out.

Luca immediately looked around.

"Stay close."

They entered the private elevator.

The doors closed.

Kayda leaned against the wall.

"This is insane."

Luca looked at her.

"I know."

"You said this wasn't supposed to involve me."

"It wasn't."

"Then why does it feel like I'm the center of it?"

Luca didn't answer.

Kayda stared at him.

"That's what scares me."

The elevator continued upward.

Then suddenly—

the lights went out.

Kayda gasped.

The elevator stopped.

Luca immediately reached for his phone.

"Stay calm."

"Calm?"

She could barely see him.

"The elevator just stopped!"

"I know."

He switched on the flashlight.

The small beam illuminated his face.

He pressed the emergency button.

Nothing happened.

Kayda's breathing became quicker.

"Luca..."

"I'm here."

A loud sound came from somewhere above them.

Then another.

Footsteps.

Kayda froze.

"Did you hear that?"

"Yes."

The footsteps stopped.

Silence.

Luca moved closer to the elevator doors.

"Don't say anything."

Kayda nodded.

Seconds passed.

Then the elevator lights suddenly came back on.

The elevator began moving again.

Kayda exhaled.

The doors opened.

They stepped into Luca's private floor.

Two security officers were waiting.

"Sir."

Luca looked around.

"Everything clear?"

"Yes."

Kayda slowly walked forward.

Then she stopped.

Something was lying on the floor near the entrance.

A small black envelope.

Her name was written on it.

Again.

KAYDA WILLIAMS.

She looked at Luca.

"Not again."

He didn't move.

"Nobody touch it."

One of the guards approached carefully.

Before he could reach it, Kayda's phone vibrated.

She looked down.

A message appeared.

YOU'RE LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACE.

Her heart pounded.

Then another message appeared.

HE KNOWS I'M HERE.

Kayda looked up at Luca.

"Who?"

Luca's face had gone completely still.

The security officer's radio suddenly crackled.

"Sir..."

Everyone turned.

The officer looked toward the hallway.

"We have a problem."

"What?"

The officer swallowed.

"The cameras were disabled for exactly three minutes."

Kayda stared at Luca.

"Three minutes?"

The officer nodded.

"And during those three minutes..."

He paused.

"Someone entered this floor."

Kayda's blood ran cold.

Luca stepped in front of her.

"Search every room."

The guards moved immediately.

Kayda stood frozen.

Then, from somewhere deeper inside the penthouse, came a soft sound.

A door closing.

Everyone stopped.

Luca looked toward the hallway.

His voice was low.

"Nobody move."

Another sound followed.

A single set of footsteps.

Coming toward them.