24
New York, Mia
The room felt colder than usual, as if an icy hand had reached in and clenched around our hearts. Sophia’s face, usually radiant, was now pale as chalk. She stood there, holding the bouquet of flowers that had arrived, a sense of dread in her eyes.
“What the hell?!” Sophia muttered, her voice trembling, as she grabbed the flowers and tossed them into the bin. Her trembling hand then reached for the accompanying card, and she quickly snapped a picture of it with her phone.
I couldn’t help but feel a chill go down my spine as I watched her actions. “What are you doing?” I managed to stammer, my voice equally shaky, my heart pounding like a drum.
“I’ll send it to Patrick,” Sophia replied, her voice still quivering. “He has a private investigator. And he can find out who the handwriting belongs to.”
I glanced at the card, which seemed like any ordinary piece of writing. “The handwriting looks like any ordinary handwriting,” I said, trying to downplay my unease. But deep down, I knew this situation was far from ordinary.
My life had spiraled into a chaotic whirlwind lately, and fear had become a constant companion. There were so many dramas, problems, and mysteries unfolding around me that I could barely keep track of them all. I longed for the days when life was simple and predictable, when I didn’t have to worry about anonymous cards and their ominous messages.
“He can also scan it for fingerprints,” Sophia added, her voice tinged with concern. But when she saw how awfully white I looked, she abandoned her investigative thoughts and moved closer, wrapping her arms around me in a comforting embrace.
“Hey, everything will be alright, I promise,” she whispered, her words a soothing balm for my frazzled nerves. “This is just a rough patch, and we’ll get through it together.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I could no longer contain the flood of emotions that had been building inside me. I began crying, my sobs escaping me uncontrollably. Sophia didn’t try to hush me or offer words of reassurance. She simply held me, her presence a lifeline in the storm of uncertainty that had engulfed us.
As I wept, I couldn’t help but reflect on my current situation. Everyone around me had always said that pregnancy was a blessing, a joyful time filled with hope and anticipation. But for me, it had become a nightmare, a curse that seemed to bring nothing but fear, confusion, and despair.
I thought about the struggles I had been facing, the mysterious messages, and the uncertainty of who was behind them. The weight of it all had become unbearable, and I found myself doubting whether I could continue down this path.
Sophia continued to hold me, her presence a source of strength and solace.
Amid the tumultuous sea of emotions that had engulfed me, my phone suddenly rang, jolting me from my despair. With trembling hands, I wiped away the tears that had blurred my vision and fumbled to answer the call. Through the haziness, I saw that it was Sebastian calling.
“You got a note too?” he asked urgently as I picked up the call. His voice was filled with concern and an edge of fear.
I sniffled and nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Yes,” I sobbed, my voice quivering with a mix of relief and anxiety. It was both reassuring and disconcerting to know that I wasn’t the only one facing this bizarre situation.
“What do you mean? Did you get one too?” I inquired, my curiosity overpowering my distress. I needed to understand the extent of this unfolding mystery.
Sebastian sighed on the other end of the line, his frustration palpable even through the phone. “Yes,” he admitted. “I know you got one because Patrick forwarded Sophia’s message to me. Are you with Sophia right now?”
My heart pounded as I confirmed my current location. “Yes, I am,” I replied, glancing at Sophia, who was sitting nearby, her eyes filled with worry.
“Good,” Sebastian said, his voice resolute. “Stay with Sophia until I can get someone to pick you up. You’ve got to be super careful. There’s someone out there who’d rather see you dead than alive.”
The chill returned, gnawing at the edges of my consciousness. The realization that I had a stalker, someone with malicious intent lurking in the shadows, was petrifying. I shuddered at the thought of an unknown presence observing my every move, sending cryptic messages that left me feeling exposed and vulnerable.
“Who are you going to send to pick me up?” I asked, my voice quivering with trepidation. I contemplated whether it was safer to rely on Sophia or Sebastian’s arrangements.
Sebastian hesitated for a moment, his concern evident. “Will she be able to?” he finally inquired.
I turned to Sophia and met her determined gaze. She nodded her head, her eyes conveying both her readiness to help and her concern for my safety. “Yes, she will,” I assured him, trusting in Sophia’s determination and the bond we shared.
“Well, that’s good,” Sebastian said, a hint of relief in his voice. “Be careful, okay?”
I nodded, though he couldn’t see me. “I will,” I replied, the weight of the situation settling heavily on my shoulders. As I ended the call, I couldn’t help but wonder about the identity of the mysterious person behind the notes, the one who had turned my life into a nightmarish puzzle.
Sophia’s question hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty. “Do you have any idea who it is?” she asked, her eyes searching mine for a hint of recognition, a clue that might shed light on the mystery.
I shook my head, a deep sense of frustration gnawing at me. There were too many potential adversaries in our lives, too many individuals who might harbor ill will towards both Sebastian and me. First, there was Gavin, whose vendetta against us had become painfully apparent. Then, there were the complex dynamics within our families, each fraught with their own tensions and secrets. At this point, it felt like the list of possible suspects had grown so long that it could include anyone, even a complete stranger with a grudge.
“I have no idea,” I admitted, my voice filled with helplessness. I could feel the weight of fear pressing down on my shoulders, making every step of this journey through uncertainty an arduous one.
Sophia offered a reassuring smile, her unwavering support a comforting presence in the midst of chaos. “Don’t worry,” she said, her voice soothing. “Patrick will work on it, and soon you’ll be safe and sound.”
I took a deep, steadying breath, finding solace in the knowledge that we had someone as resourceful as Patrick on our side. At least there was a glimmer of hope on the horizon, a chance that we could unravel this enigma and put an end to the tormenting notes.
I looked at Sophia, gratitude welling up within me. “What would I do without you?” I smiled, a genuine warmth spreading across my face. “Come, it’s time to do my magic on you.”
With a playful air, I led her to my back office, where I began to work my magic. The distraction of our brief session was a welcome relief from the weight of my troubles, a reminder that there were moments of normalcy even in the midst of chaos.
After I had finished with Sophia, it was time to tidy up my office and prepare to head home. Sophia waited patiently for me in the lobby, her unwavering support a constant comfort. When I was finally satisfied that everything was in its place, I closed my office door and joined her in the lobby.© NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.
As we walked together towards the building’s exit, my phone rang, causing me to furrow my eyebrows in surprise. I answered cautiously, my heart racing as I wondered who could be calling me at this moment.
“Hello,” I greeted, trying to conceal the unease in my voice.
“Did you see the interview, my love?” The voice on the other end sent a chill down my spine.
It was none other than Gavin motherfucking Campbell.