That evening, Luisa turned off the shower and stepped out of the cubicle, feeling refreshed physically, but inside, the anxiety still lingered.

After they'd returned to the office, she had tried to talk to Thalassa again. Despite seeing moments where Thalassa was truly considering her words, it hadn't been enough to finally get her to listen. Sighing, Luisa toweled off her body and stepped into her bedroom just as her phone began ringing on the bed. She picked it up, her heart soaring when she saw the name on the screen-Alden. "Hello," she said softly, trying not to sound too excited.

"Luisa..." He breathed her name in a way that sent a shiver of sensation straight to her core.

"Alden..."

"I know I said I'd call you later, but I couldn't wait. I need to see you," he said.

Luisa's heart raced with excitement. "Me... me too."

"Really?" "Yes."

Thoughts of him had been the only thing distracting her from the worry she felt for her best friend-his enticing smell, the warmth of his body...

"If you haven't eaten already, would you like to have dinner with me?"

Luisa bit her lip, remembering that Thalassa was preparing dinner, but how could she refuse? "No, I haven't, and I would love to have dinner with you."

She could hear the smile in his voice. "Great. Give me a couple of minutes, and I'll pick you up."

"No," Luisa quickly said. "Please text me the address of the restaurant, and I'll meet you there."

There was a pause before Alden spoke again. "Are you sure? I don't mind picking you up." "I'm sure. I'll meet you there."

Despite knowing it would be more romantic for him to pick her up, after her disagreement with Thalassa earlier about Alden, she didn't want to upset her best friend any further. "Okay then. I'll text you the address, but please don't stand me up, or I'll go crazy."

Luisa chuckled. If only he knew how much she also wanted to see him. "I'll be there, don't worry. I won't stand you up." "Good," Alden said, and hung up.

"

Seconds later, her phone chimed with the name and address of the restaurant. Luisa grinned, feeling giddy as she tossed her phone back on the bed and rushed into her walk in closet. She took a good five minutes deciding which dress to wear it couldn't be too simple, but neither could it be too extravagant-she didn't want to seem like she was trying too hard to impress him.

She finally settled on a silky blue dress with a layered design and a flared skirt, just long enough. It had a V-neckline and long sleeves. She paired it with matching stilettos and a clutch.

Vastaghhing light makeup, she dressed up and stepped out of her room, phone in hand. She had a smile on her face as she made her way downstairs, until she heard her name when she reached the living room. "Lisa" Thalassa called out as she emerged from the kitchen. Her eyes scanned Luisa from head to toe. "You

*Toak you"

"You're going out? I'm almost done with dinner."

Leica swallowed. "Uh, yeah I'm sorry, I'll have to miss it. But you can store my share in the fridge, and I'll have it

"Where are you off to, if I may ask?"

Loisa fiddled with her clutch "Zeke invited me out to dinner."

Thalassa sighed. "You don't have to lie to me, Luisa. I know you're going out with Alden. I'm not against it. It'll be lonely here, but have fun."

"Thank you." Luisa smiled gratefully, wondering why she'd been so worried about Thalassa's reaction

"Should I wait up for you?" Thalassa asked, then winked. "Or expect you tomorrow?"noveldrama

"Tomorrow?" Luisa's cheeks flushed crimson. "Why would I be back tomorrow? We're just going on a date, nothing more."

Thalassa raised her hands, shrugging, "Some dates last all night. Just saying."

"Ugh, stop!" Luisa's face turned even redder as she hurried off, making Thalassa chuckle.

For someone who never minded talking about relationships, this was the first time Thalassa had seen Luisa so flustered at the mention of a man.

The smile stayed on Luisa's face as she got into her car and drove off. But after a few minutes on the road, something began to feel off. She glanced in her rearview mirror and noticed a car behind her. It wasn't unusual, but something about it made her uneasy. She tried to shake off the feeling, but when she turned onto a quiet side road, the car followed. Every curve, every turn she made, the car mirrored her moves.

Her hands gripped the steering wheel tighter. Was she being followed? The road she was on wasn't busy-hardly anyone used it, especially at night.

Her heart raced as she glanced at the car again. The headlights stayed on her, trailing her every move.

With her pulse quickening, she reached for her phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she pulled up Alden's number. He was the first contact in her call log. She hit the call button.

"Hey, beautiful," Alden answered, his voice warm and teasing on the other end. "Please tell me you're not calling to bail on our date."

"No," Luisa said, her voice tight with fear. "Alden... I think I'm being followed"

There was a brief pause. When Alden spoke again, his tone was filled with concern. "Okay, stay calm. What makes you think that?"

"This car it's been behind me for a while. Every turn I take, they follow. And the road I'm on it's not exactly busy. I don't think it's a coincidence."

Alden immediately stood up, worry in his voice. "Alright, listen to me. Stay calm, okay? Can you make it to a

busier road?"

"Okay."

She heard the sound of footsteps and a door opening as Alden spoke again. "Good. Share your location with me right now, Luisa. I'm coming to you. Just try to get to an area where there are more people or cars." Luisa quickly shared her location, her breath catching in her throat. "Alden, what if they don't stop following me?

11

"You just need to buy me some time. I'm on my way, I promise," Alden said, the sound of his engine revving in the background. "Just stall them as long as you can. Don't hang up.'

Luisa nodded, even though he couldn't see her. She kept driving, her eyes darting between the road ahead and her rearview mirror.

The car was still there. Her knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel, but she forced herself to focus. She needed to follow Alden's advice.

But just as she was about to take another turn, another car appeared out of nowhere, pulling up in front of her and blocking the road. Her heart skipped a beat.

X

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