in tides with the Billionaire Alpha

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 – Olivia’s POV

The world around me feels like it’s spinning, and yet, everything remains unnervingly still. My heart races as I stand in the middle of the room, staring at my phone like it’s some sort of ticking time bomb. How does he know my name?

The message he sent still flashes on the screen, as if mocking my fear. See you soon, Olivia. I stare at the words, trying to make sense of them, trying to get my breathing under control. But it’s no use. Panic floods through me. My mind races to a hundred possibilities, none of them good.

I snap out of my thoughts when I hear a knock at the door.

Security, I remind myself. They’re here. It’s fine. Everything’s fine.

I don’t wait to think any longer. I rush to the door, unlocking it quickly, and open it to find a security guard standing in front of me. He looks younger than I expected, no older than mid-twenties, but his expression is serious, like he’s ready for whatever happens. Behind him, a second guard stands in the hallway, looking equally determined.

"Miss, are you okay?" the younger guard asks. His voice is calm, but there's a hint of concern behind his words.

"I—I don’t know," I say, my voice shaking. I feel like I’m going to break down any second. "There’s someone on the ship. They—" I pause, swallowing hard. "They sent me a message. They’re watching me."

The older guard steps forward. His face is calm but stern, like someone who’s seen it all before. "What kind of message?" he asks, his tone reassuring. "Tell us everything."

I hold up my phone, showing them the message from the unknown number.

The younger guard takes it, studying the screen. His brow furrows as he reads the words. "This isn’t good," he mutters. "We’ll need to check the security cameras and run a trace on the number."

I nod, my heart still racing. “I—I don’t know how they got my number.”

The older guard looks back at me, his expression softening slightly. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure this out. Right now, I need you to stay inside your room. Lock the door. If you see anything unusual, anything at all, call us immediately.”

I nod again, but my legs feel like jelly. I can barely hold myself up. "What if—what if they come back?" I ask.

“We’ll make sure you’re safe, Miss. No one is getting to you while we’re here.”

The guards exchange a look before they step back into the hallway. "Stay inside," the older one says, closing the door behind them. “We’ll be monitoring the area.”

I lock the door and slide down against it, my body sinking to the floor as a wave of exhaustion hits me. I don’t know how long I sit there, the adrenaline finally starting to wear off. My thoughts are a mess, swirling with confusion and fear.

I need to think.

I grab my phone again, flipping through my contacts. Ethan. I could call him. He would know what to do. But then my mind flashes to the last time we spoke. The argument. The way he looked at me when I found him with that other woman. I try not to think about it, but it’s impossible. The pain is still raw, a constant reminder of the trust I’ve lost.

I can’t call him.

I’m left with nothing but silence. I try to steady my breathing, but it feels like the walls are closing in on me. My mind is too jumbled to focus. The message on my phone still lingers, mocking me. See you soon.

Suddenly, my phone vibrates again. My heart stops. I glance down at it, my fingers trembling as I open the new message.

It’s from the same unknown number.

Unknown: I told you I’d be watching.

I can’t breathe. My throat tightens, and my palms grow slick with sweat. How? How is this happening?

No. I can’t do this. I can’t stay here.

I throw the phone onto the bed, pacing the room again, back and forth. The fear has me wound so tight I can’t stand still. I need to get out of here, but I can’t leave. Not with whoever this is watching me.

The ship feels like a trap.

I move to the window and pull back the curtain just enough to peek outside. The ocean stretches out in front of me, endless and dark, but it’s calm. Too calm. It almost feels like the water is watching me, too.

I turn away, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling crawling up my spine. The room is small, but it feels enormous now. Every shadow seems to hold a secret. Every creak of the ship beneath my feet sends my heart into overdrive.

I hear a knock at the door again.

This time, it’s not the guards.

I freeze.

The knock comes again, louder this time, sharp. Someone wants in.

I slowly move toward the door, trying to keep my breathing steady. My hand hovers over the doorknob, but I don’t turn it. I don’t open it.

I wait, listening for anything. The knock comes again, persistent.

I press my ear against the door, trying to make out any sound. Could it be the guards?

“Olivia…”

My blood runs cold. The voice. It’s him.

I stumble back from the door, my heart hammering in my chest. No.

No, no, no.

I move quickly across the room, grabbing the nearest object — a lamp — and clutching it in my hands like a weapon. My mind races, trying to think of anything, any way to escape.

But there’s no way out.

I hear his voice again. This time, it’s lower, more dangerous. “I’m not leaving until you open this door.”

I can’t breathe. My legs are shaking beneath me. My body feels like it’s frozen in place.

I force myself to move, running toward the window. I try to open it, but it’s locked tight. The fear claws at my chest, choking me. There’s no way out.

The knock comes again, louder this time.

“Olivia.”

His voice is so close. It’s like he’s right outside the door, waiting.

I want to scream. I want to cry. I want to call for help. But my voice is caught in my throat. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

I feel trapped. Alone.

I turn back toward the door, clutching the lamp tightly in my hands. My knuckles are white. Every muscle in my body is tense, ready to fight.

But then I hear a faint sound.

A click.

I freeze.

The door.

The lock is turning.

My heart skips a beat. I step back, my breath shallow. This is it.

The door creaks open slowly, just a few inches.

I stand there, frozen, waiting for the figure to step inside.

But nothing happens.

The door remains slightly ajar.

My pulse is deafening in my ears. The seconds stretch into minutes as I wait for something — anything — to happen.

I move forward, cautiously, reaching out with trembling fingers to push the door shut.

But as I do, I hear a voice, low and clear.

“I’m not done with you yet, Olivia.”

I turn.

And there he is.

Standing in the doorway.

He smiles, and it chills me to the bone.