The car moved quietly through the city.
Lena sat stiff in the back seat, her hands pressed together on her lap. Her heart was still racing. The doors were locked. She had heard the sound clearly.
Click.
She tried to stay calm. Maybe she was overthinking. Maybe this was normal for rich people. Still, her chest felt tight.
She looked at the man sitting across from her. He was on his phone now, his face calm, like nothing strange had just happened.
"Sir…" Lena said softly.
He didn't answer.
"Excuse me," she tried again, louder this time.
He lowered the phone and looked at her. "Yes?"
"Why did the doors lock?" she asked.
He studied her for a moment. His eyes were sharp, but not cruel. "For safety."
"Safety from what?"
He didn't reply right away. He turned to the window, watching the city pass. Tall buildings. Bright lights. A world Lena had only seen from far away.
"You ask many questions," he said.
"I'm sorry," she replied quickly. "I just… I didn't plan to get into your car."
A small smile touched his lips. "Neither did I."
That didn't make her feel better.
The car slowed and turned into a quiet street. Big gates stood ahead, tall and black. Security lights flashed as the gate opened.
Lena's eyes widened. "Where are we going?"
"My place," he said simply.
Her breath caught. "I can't go to your place. I need to go home."
"You don't look like someone who has a home waiting," he said, not unkindly.
The words hit too close. Lena looked down.
The car passed through the gate and stopped in front of a huge building. It wasn't just a house. It looked like something from a movie. Glass, steel, lights glowing softly in the night.
The door opened. A man in a dark suit stood outside. "Welcome back, sir."
The man inside the car stepped out. "You can go," he said to the driver. Then he looked at Lena. "Come."
"I don't think this is a good idea," she said.
"You already got in," he replied. "At least let me offer you food."
Food.
Her stomach betrayed her with a soft sound. She felt embarrassed.
"Just food," he added. "Then I'll take you wherever you want."
She hesitated. Then slowly, she stepped out of the car.
Inside, the place was quiet. Too quiet. Everything looked expensive. Clean. Perfect. Lena felt like she didn't belong there.
A woman appeared. "Sir, should I prepare dinner?"
"Yes," he said. "Something simple."
The woman glanced at Lena but said nothing. She left quickly.
They sat across from each other at a long table. Plates of food were placed in front of them. Lena stared at it. She hadn't eaten real food all day.
"Eat," he said.
She didn't need to be told twice. She ate slowly at first, then faster. She tried not to look desperate.
He watched her quietly.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Lena," she said.
"Last name?"
"Carter."
He nodded. "I'm Adrian Blake."
The name meant nothing to her. But the way he said it told her it meant a lot to others.
"Why did you help me?" she asked after a moment.
He leaned back in his chair. "Because you didn't look at me like I was money."
She frowned. "I spilled coffee on you."
"Exactly," he said.
That made no sense to her.
After she finished eating, she wiped her mouth carefully. "Thank you," she said. "I should go now."
"Not yet," Adrian said.
Her heart skipped. "Why?"
"Because someone is watching you."
The room felt colder. "What do you mean?"
He picked up his phone and showed her the screen. A photo stared back at her.
It was her. Standing outside the café earlier that day.
Her breath caught. "Who took this?"
"I don't know," Adrian said. "But I know why."
"Why?"
"Because you were never supposed to bump into me today."
Her head spun. "I don't understand."
"That voice you heard in the car," he continued. "It wasn't a warning for me."
Lena's hands began to shake. "Then who was it for?"
"For you."
Silence filled the room.
Adrian stood up. "Sit down," he said when she tried to move.
"I want to leave," she said, her voice breaking.
"And walk into danger?" he asked calmly.
"What danger?"
He looked at her closely. "That's what I need to find out."
She felt tears burn her eyes. "I'm just a nobody. I don't have enemies."
He shook his head. "Nobody gets followed for no reason."
Her phone buzzed suddenly.
She jumped. Slowly, she pulled it out. An unknown number.
A message popped up.
You should not be with him.
This is your last warning.
Her blood ran cold.
Adrian read it over her shoulder. His jaw tightened.
"Now," he said quietly, "you're not leaving."
"Are you protecting me," she asked, "or are you part of the problem?"
He met her eyes. "That," he said, "is the right question."
At that moment, the lights in the house went out.
Total darkness.
And somewhere in the distance, glass shattered.