“Mr. Torres,” Elissa cut in, turning to face him, “I’m sorry, but this is a private issue.”

The message couldn’t have been clearer; she wasn’t willing to continue the conversation.

“Right, I understand,” Robin said, his eyes shifting away as he smiled awkwardly. “I was out of line. Please forget I brought it up.”

“It’s okay,” Elissa replied gently. Her gaze moved to the window, making it clear the topic was closed.

The car rolled forward at a steady pace. Robin gripped the steering wheel, growing increasingly certain that something was definitely wrong between Elissa and Ernest. He guessed they had probably broken up.

They pulled up near Hadley’s place on Jewel Avenue.

“Please drop me here,” Elissa said, reaching for her backpack as she opened the car door. “The guards won’t let unfamiliar cars in. Thanks for the ride back.”

“You’re welcome,” Robin replied, getting out of the car as well. “I’ll reach out when I’m back.”

“Alright.” She nodded, ever dependable when it came to work. “I’ll begin revising based on your feedback before that.” She gave a quick wave. “Alright then, bye!”

“Bye.” Robin waved back with a small smile.

As Elissa made her way forward, she could feel Robin’s eyes still on her. She frowned slightly and broke into a jog. Once she entered the complex and turned a corner, she suddenly turned around on instinct. Was someone following her? But when she looked back, there was no one. The walkway behind her was completely empty.

Letting out a soft breath, she turned forward and continued walking. Yet after a few steps, that unsettling feeling returned.

“Who’s there?” Elissa stopped again and turned sharply. “Is someone there?”

Once again, she saw no one, but the eerie feeling clung to her skin like a shadow. “Who are you? Why are you following me? Come out—show yourself!”

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She waited in silence, but there were no footsteps, no rustle, and no reply.

Resigned, Elissa continued forward, though her steps were now cautious. As she took a few more steps, the feeling crept back, stronger than before.

“Show yourself!” she yelled, louder this time, eyes wide with fear. The invisible presence pressing in on her was terrifying. This wasn’t just paranoia.

“Come out! Show yourself!” she shouted again, turning around completely, refusing to back down. “I know you’re there! Stop hiding!”

At that moment, a car crept toward her from behind and came to a slow stop at her side. Elissa froze, holding her breath. Was this it?

The car door opened, and Hadley stepped out in a hurry, making her way over. “Elissa, what’s going on? Are you okay?”

She had heard Elissa shouting and had seen the fear etched across her face from inside the car.

“Hadley?” Elissa’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, as though questioning whether what she saw was real. “Is this really you?”

“It’s me!” Hadley confirmed, reaching out to hold her. “What happened? What’s going on?”

Elissa looked pale. She trembled as she leaned in closer. “I think someone is stalking me.”

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