Cecilia’s pov
I froze when the footsteps got closer.
Could it be Sawyer? No. He wears leather shoes, and he walks fast and straight.
This person was moving slow and quiet, like they were sneaking around.
It couldn’t be one of the maintenance crew either; they’d left earlier in a clattering group, their tools clanging like a construction site.
Then the fear ca back.
The sa cold panic I’d felt days ago when I knew soone was watching .
The kind that makes every little sound feel louder.
Every breath feels like too much.
Was it him again? The guy who followed before?
The footsteps were close now. Just around the corner. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might break through my chest.
I reached for my phone. It wasn’t there. I’d left it on the kitchen counter.
All I could hear was my heartbeat and those slow, steady steps. I had nowhere to go. If he turned the corner, he’d see .
I didn’t think. I just yelled, like I was talking on the phone.
"Yeah, I’m in the hallway! So crazy bug just bit or sothing! Co quick!"
My voice cracked, but it sounded real enough.
The footsteps stopped. Then they turned and moved away. Fast. Like he didn’t want to get caught.
I waited a second, then peeked around the corner.
I saw a man. dium build, dressed in all black, carrying a backpack. I only saw him for a second before he ran down the ergency stairs.
Just then, the apartnt door swung open.
Sebastian stepped out, alert and scanning.
"Over here," I hissed, waving both arms like I was signaling for help.
He rushed over. I grabbed his sleeve. "There was soone out here. A guy, all in black. I think he had sothing slung over his back."
My voice shook. I wanted to reach for him, to feel his arms around . But I was sitting too low, so I just lifted my hand halfway and pulled it back awkwardly.
Sebastian crouched beside , bringing himself to eye level. "All in black? Did you see his face?"
"No. He turned and ran as soon as I shouted. He went down the stairwell. Sebastian... do you think it’s the sa guy who’s been following ? What if that thing on his back was a bomb?"
He let out a slow breath and thought for a second. Then he shook his head.
"A stalker wouldn’t get that close. Not in such an obvious way. And a bomb? Doubt it. That’s way too risky and public."
He paused and pressed his lips together.
"Honestly, it sounds more like a private investigator. But I have no idea why soone would hire one to follow you. Either way, we can’t just ignore it."
He stood and helped up. "Let’s go inside. You’re shaking."
Just as we turned, the front door creaked again.
Simon appeared, eyes wide with concern.
I caught that flicker of irritation in his expression when he saw Sebastian already beside .
"Cecilia, are you okay?" His voice was laced with worry, but the timing felt just a second too late.
"I’m fine," I said quickly. "There was a weird bug out here. Freaked out a little." I stuck to the lie with a shrug, like soone embarrassed by their own overreaction.
Sebastian put his hand on my lower back and gave a gentle push.
"Mr. Foster, dinner’s just about over. Might be a good ti to head out, before any more bugs decide to join us."
His voice was polite, but you could tell he ant it.
Before Simon could answer, Sebastian had guided back inside.
Of course, Simon followed anyway.
Once inside, Sebastian led to the couch. The rest of the dinner party gathered around, their chatter rising like a wave.
I repeated my weird bug story, cringing a little at how absurd it sounded now.
Dad sprang into action, grabbing a can of bug spray from beneath the sink like it was a fire extinguisher. "Where is it? I’ll get it."
"No!" I reached out quickly. "It probably ran off. Seriously, don’t go out there."
The last thing I needed was Dad running into a possible stalker with nothing but a can of Raid.
Dinner was done, the greenhouse floor was finally in, and Simon had no reason to stick around.
He left, and the tension left with him.
Dad, ever the gracious host, offered to show Sebastian his prized orchids, but I was too emotionally drained for any more polite conversation.
Mom and Grandma looked at each other, then motioned for to follow them into the bedroom. They didn’t say a word, but I knew better than to argue.
Once we stepped into my room, Grandma didn’t waste a second.
"Cece, just be honest. Do you really love Sebastian? Can you actually see yourself marrying him?"
She looked right in the eye, calm but focused, like she was reading my mind.
"Wow, Grandma. Coming in hot," I said, caught off guard.
She patted the spot next to her on the bed. "Co sit. No point pretending this is just casual. If you know what you want, I might be able to help you get there."
I let out a laugh. "Are you saying we should trap him or sothing? Like, tie him to a chair until he proposes?"
Grandma raised an eyebrow. It was the kind of look that said, ’Don’t tempt .’
Mom stood there with her arms crossed, all serious.
"This isn’t a joke, Cecilia. Your grandma didn’t fly across the country for fun. You and Sebastian can’t stay in this weird maybe-zone forever. If you’re serious about him, and you’re not planning to walk away, then it’s ti to start thinking long term. We’ll support you, but you have to be sure about what you want."
I bit back a smile. The way they were treating my love life made it feel like I was being called into HR.
"I’m scared to ask what kind of ’help’ you two are planning," I said. "You’re not going after Luna Regina, are you?"
Grandma’s eyes narrowed. "So she doesn’t like you?"
I let out a sigh and dropped onto the edge of the bed. "Yeah. She thinks I’m not good enough for her son. And honestly... Sebastian and I are pretty different. I get why she’d be worried."
"That doesn’t make her right," Grandma said. Her tone stayed steady, but there was steel underneath. "She’s playing by her own rulebook. That doesn’t an you have to follow it."
I nodded. "Honestly, what Sebastian and I have is more about chemistry. Mutual pull. I haven’t really thought about marriage."
As soon as I said it, Mom’s mouth tightened. She looked like I’d just said I was quitting my job to join a circus.
Grandma shot her a look. "Oh, stop. When two people care about each other, they want to be close. It’s not so scandal. It’s just being human. Let the girl breathe."
"Okay, Grandma, seriously. Chill," I muttered, my cheeks burning. "Let figure this out on my own. If I screw it up, I’ll call you. You can be my secret weapon."
She didn’t look convinced. She reached over and took my hand in hers, firm and warm. "No need to wait for a crisis, sweetheart. I’ve got my sneakers on. Just say the word."
Reviews
All reviews (0)