The next morning, sunlight spilled across the hardwood floors of Avery's studio, painting the sketches she had left scattered on the table in golden streaks. The city outside was already alive with noise: taxi horns, the chatter of morning commuters, and the faint scent of coffee wafting in from the street below.
Avery rubbed her eyes and stretched, thinking about the note from the gallery the night before. Her pulse still quickened at the memory of the shadow. Who could have left it? And what did they mean by "watch closely tonight"?
Chloe arrived first, arms full of sketchbooks and fabric swatches. "Morning, genius," she teased, dropping a stack onto the table with a thump. "You look like someone just stole your coffee… or your soul."
"Both, maybe," Avery replied with a weak smile. Chloe's energy was infectious, though it only highlighted Avery's anxiety.
Daniel strolled in moments later, a box of pastries in hand. "To fuel our collective brilliance," he announced, grinning. He set the box down and immediately plopped onto the floor, legs stretched. "By the way, Avery, you owe me a proper explanation about that note last night."
Before Avery could answer, Ethan appeared in the doorway, casual yet commanding presence as always. "Morning," he said simply, but his eyes immediately found hers. "We need to talk about last night."
Her stomach tightened. "About the note?"
"Yes," Ethan said, stepping inside. "And about what it implies. Whoever did that knows something about you… or someone close to you."
*********
Avery's mind raced. The thought of someone following her, watching her, made her chest ache with a mix of fear and frustration. "I don't understand," she whispered. "I don't know who would—"
Daniel cut in, teasing, "Don't worry, Avery. If it's anyone with a bad sense of timing, I've got your back. And if it's a stalker… I hope he likes granola bars, because I'm not sharing mine."
Chloe rolled her eyes but offered a soft smile. "Let's not joke, Daniel. Avery, we'll figure this out. We always do."
Ethan's gaze never left Avery. "We need to be careful," he said again. "I don't think this is random."
Her fingers tightened around a pencil. The gallery had felt safe once, a world of colors and possibilities, but now… shadows seemed to linger in corners, and every familiar street felt unpredictable.
Despite the anxiety, Avery noticed the calm steadiness Ethan brought. It was like a protective bubble she could lean on. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and in that glance, she felt unspoken understanding, comfort, and something deeper she hadn't allowed herself to acknowledge.
Her pulse fluttered. Could she trust this feeling? Was it safe to let herself care while danger was so close?
*********
Chloe went to set up her tablet to continue her freelance fashion designs. She was juggling three clients at once — a testament to her ambition and her way of coping with stress. Meanwhile, Daniel called a few gallery contacts, trying to find any information about suspicious visitors from the night before. Each of them had their own small battles, yet they all converged here, supporting Avery without hesitation.
Ethan moved closer to Avery, lowering his voice. "We'll stay vigilant. But you're not facing this alone."
Avery nodded, heart racing from more than just fear. The subtle closeness of Ethan, the warmth of friendship from Chloe and Daniel — it grounded her.
Just as Avery was beginning to calm herself, her phone buzzed. A text message appeared on the screen — no sender, just a single line:
> "Tonight, the truth unfolds. Don't ignore what's hidden."
Her fingers froze over the screen.
Daniel peered over her shoulder. "Seriously? Another note? This is turning into some creepy mystery novel."
Chloe gasped softly. "This isn't a coincidence. Someone is deliberately sending these messages."
Avery's stomach twisted. Ethan's hand found hers instinctively, a quiet anchor. "We'll figure it out," he whispered, though his jaw tightened with unease.
*********
As the group discussed plans for the evening, a figure moved past the studio window outside — tall, dark, fleeting. Avery's breath caught, heart racing. She blinked, and it was gone.
"We're not alone," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.
Ethan's grip tightened. "I know," he said, eyes scanning the street. "And whoever it is… they're closer than we think."
Avery swallowed hard. The calm of the morning had vanished. Shadows had found her, friends and romance were her only shields, and the night promised revelations — ones she couldn't yet imagine.
Her hand trembled as she picked up a pencil, staring at a blank canvas. Tonight, everything could change.