For the rest of the day, Aria tried to focus on work, but her mind kept drifting back to the note.
Every sound felt louder.
Every unfamiliar face felt suspicious.
She hated feeling watched.
By evening, she was exhausted from pretending everything was normal.
When she stepped outside the building, the air was cool and the sky was already dim.
She glanced around—nothing unusual. People walking, cars passing, the usual rush.
But she remembered Adrian's words:
"You might not see them, but they'll be close."
That thought made her feel safe… and nervous at the same time.
She had barely taken five steps when someone approached her quickly.
Aria tensed—until she saw who it was.
"Relax," Maya said, breathing heavily. "I've been calling you! Your phone is on silent."
Aria checked—Maya was right.
"What's wrong?" Aria asked.
Maya gave her a long look. "You've been off all day. I'm not letting you go home alone when you look like that."
Aria softened. "Maya… I'm fine."
"You're not fine," Maya insisted. "So I'm walking you."
Aria didn't argue. She didn't have the strength.
They started walking together, chatting about small things.
But after a few minutes, Aria felt something.
A presence.
She couldn't explain it, but she felt someone nearby… watching.
She glanced behind her.
A man in a grey hoodie stood across the street, staring in their direction.
He wasn't moving.
Just watching.
Aria felt her stomach twist.
"Aria? What is it?" Maya asked.
"Don't turn around," Aria whispered. "There's a man behind us. He's been looking this way."
Maya froze for half a second.
Then she kept walking like nothing happened.
"Do you think it's related to… you know?" Maya whispered.
Aria swallowed. "Maybe."
But just as panic started to build, a black car rolled to a slow stop near them.
The window lowered.
Adrian's driver.
Still, no words—just a quiet signal for Aria to get in.
Aria turned to Maya.
"It's okay. I'll be fine."
Maya's eyes widened. "Aria… is this safe?"
Aria nodded softly. "Yes. Trust me."
Maya hesitated, then hugged her quickly.
"Text me when you get home."
"I will."
Aria slid into the back seat.
The door shut gently, and the car pulled away.
She finally allowed herself to breathe.
The man in the hoodie got smaller and smaller in the distance.
Adrian was waiting at her apartment.
Not inside—outside, standing near the entrance like he'd been there for a while.
He wasn't dressed in a suit tonight.
Just a dark jacket, sleeves rolled up slightly, expression unreadable.
When he saw the car, his posture changed.
He walked toward her immediately.
"Are you alright?" he asked, voice low but firm.
Aria nodded, though she still felt shaken.
"There was someone… watching us. Across the street."
Adrian's expression hardened in an instant.
"Did he follow you?"
"No. But he didn't look away either."
Adrian took a slow breath, trying to stay calm.
"Good," he said quietly. "We can trace him."
Aria blinked. "Trace him? How?"
Adrian looked at her, almost apologetic.
"I have people around. Cameras. They'll find him."
Aria's breath caught.
"You already think you know who it is, don't you?"
He didn't answer directly.
But the silence told her enough.
"Adrian… if this is because of me helping you that night—"
"It's because someone thinks they can frighten you," he cut in softly.
"And that isn't going to happen."
For a moment, they stood in the quiet, streetlights casting a soft glow around them.
Aria looked at him closely.
He wasn't cold right now.
He wasn't distant or guarded.
He looked worried.
Really worried.
"Come inside," she said quietly. "You look tired."
Adrian hesitated, then nodded.
As they walked toward her door, he spoke again, voice barely above a whisper.
"Aria… you don't have to act strong all the time."
She stopped walking.
"I'm not acting," she said.
But her voice cracked a little.
He looked at her with a softness she wasn't used to seeing from him.
"You're brave," he said. "But you shouldn't face danger alone."
Aria felt something warm spread in her chest—comfort, fear, something in between.
She opened the door slowly.
"Then stay," she said quietly. "Just for a little while."
And Adrian stepped inside.
Not like a stranger.
Not like a CEO.
Like someone who had finally realized he couldn't walk away from her anymore.