ShadowWatch92

CHAPTER THREE

ELENA’S POV

After getting off the phone with Jade, we met up and eventually drove four miles out of town to the given address. The apartment building was nicer than I expected.

Jade and I stepped out of the elevator onto the tenth floor, and I immediately felt the difference.

It was wide with well-lit hallways and pretty beige walls. It had this calm and expensive kind of serenity that could instantly convince you it was secure. The unit itself was even better, an open-plan living room with huge windows letting in natural light, a decent kitchen, and a bedroom that actually felt peaceful.

“Elena, this place is perfect,” Jade whispered, spinning slowly in the middle of the living room. “Look at the view! And the rent? It’s ridiculously low for this area.”

I nodded, running my fingers along the smooth kitchen counter. It was indeed beautiful. Modern, safe, and far enough from Mike’s usual circles. But that was exactly what made me hesitate.

“It’s too good,” I said quietly. “Places like this don’t drop in price suddenly, it feels weird.”

Jade waved my concern away. “Or maybe the universe is finally throwing you a bone after all the bullshit you’ve been through. Just think about it, okay?”

I was still turning the idea over in my head when the door of the apartment directly opposite opened.

And a man stepped out.

He was tall and broad shouldered, with dark hair that was perfectly messy in an effortless way. His jawline looked like it was carved by God himself.

His eyes had an intensity I hadn't seen in anyone for a long time, he carried an aura that made the air feel thicker. Also, he looked…familiar. Not in an “I know him or I've seen him before” way, but something deeper. Like a half-remembered dream, just thinking about it made my stomach do a weird flip.

Jade didn’t waste a second and marched straight over with her brightest smile.

“Hi! We’re just viewing the apartment across from yours. I’m Jade, this is Elena. Are you a neighbor?”

He glanced at me first, his gaze lingered over me for a second longer than necessary, before offering Jade a small, polite smile.

“Marcus,” he said in an insanely smooth voice. “And yes, I live right here. The building is extremely secure. It has good cameras, private parking, and 24-hour concierge. You won’t have to worry about unwanted visitors.”

His eyes returned to me as he spoke that last part, it felt like he was subtly speaking to me, or I was just being delusional.

But inside, I felt settled with the way he carried himself. He was calm and quietly confident, and somehow it made the building feel safer.

Though something small nagged at me as he spoke. He hadn't asked why I was worried about unwanted visitors. Most neighbors would have.

A stranger moving in across the hall mentions security and a normal person asks questions, but he didn't. He just answered something I hadn't said out loud yet, like he already knew what I needed to hear.

I filed it away at the back of my mind and before I could overthink it, I turned to Jade. “I’ll take it.”

I did the necessary paperwork and on our way out Jade kept yapping about how divine Marcus looked, and how happy she was for me to get a fresh start, I just kept nodding silently, but deep down my mind kept drifting back to Marcus.

We stopped at a mini cafe for a cup of coffee, and I told her about Mike's underling. “Mike sent someone to come get me today.”

Jade almost spat out her coffee. “What? That man has got a lot of nerve. When was this?”

“Right before you called me.” I responded, stirring my cup lightly.

“Are you kidding me? This is all the more reason why you'll be moving out asap.” She looked at me with concern, and squeezed my hand gently. “You'll be fine my love. The sooner you move the better. A new life and a new you. Mike, well he can suck it.”

I smiled faintly and rested my head on her shoulder.

Moving day came faster than expected.

I barely had any furniture, but I could get that later. Right now it was just my suitcases, camera equipment, and a few boxes. Marcus appeared in the hallway the moment the elevator doors opened, like he had been waiting.

“Do you need a hand?” he asked, already reaching for the heaviest box before I could protest.

“You don’t have to—”

“I want to,” he said simply, flashing a smile that made my cheeks fluster..

He helped me carry everything inside without breaking a sweat. Once we were done, I felt bad letting him leave just like that.

“Let me treat you to dinner,” I offered. “As a thank you. There’s a small Italian place nearby.”

He accepted.

We sat across from each other at a quiet corner table. Marcus was surprisingly easy to talk to. He listened more than he spoke, watching me with those dark eyes that seemed to see too much.

At one point, I caught him glancing at the camera bag I had placed carefully beside me, my hand kept resting on it protectively.

“You guard that like it’s gold,” he said, amused. “You’re a photographer?”

I smiled and nodded. “Yeah. A professional photographer, I do mostly fashion and editorial work. But during my free time I love to do more of wildlife and calm scenery.”

He leaned back, studying me. “That explains the eye for detail.”

My cheeks heated again and I felt like I should compliment him too.“Actually… you would make an excellent model. You’ve got the presence. The lines. The intensity.”

Marcus laughed, a dreamy rich sound that did unfair things to my heart. “Careful. I might take you up on that. You can ask me anytime.”

The conversation flowed easily after that. For the first time in weeks, I wasn’t constantly checking my phone or glancing over my shoulder.

But walking home, one thing kept replaying in my head. At some point during dinner Marcus had mentioned the Italian place had the best tiramisu in the area. It was a small, offhand comment.

Except I had never told him I wanted Italian food when I suggested the restaurant. I had just said there was a small place nearby.

He already knew what kind of restaurant it was.

I told myself it was nothing. He probably just lived near it and knew the area well. That was all. I pushed the thought away and focused on the good feeling still sitting in my chest.

When we finally said goodnight outside my door, I stepped inside, locked it, and leaned against the wood, exhaling slowly.

Only then did it hit me.

I pulled out my phone and opened my DMs.

No new messages from ShadowWatch92.

For the first time in thirty days, nothing. Not a single one the entire day.