31 – The Shadow Following

As Olivia stepped out of her apartment building and onto the busy street, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following her. The weather was chilly, the wind whipping through the buildings, making her pull her coat tighter around her body. The sky was gray and gloomy, matching her mood perfectly. She glanced over her shoulder and caught sight of a man in her peripheral vision. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a serious expression, dressed in a black leather jacket, dark jeans and boots. He looked like he could handle himself in a fight.

"Ma'am," he said, catching up to her.

Olivia's heart began to race. She had heard stories of women being followed and attacked on the street before. She quickened her pace, but the man kept pace with her.

"Miss Marsha," he said, in a calm and measured tone.

Olivia stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess as she wondered what this stranger wanted with her. "Who are you? Why are you following me?"

The man's expression softened. "I'm Kevin, your security. Your employer, Cody McCarthy, hired me to keep an eye on you."

Olivia's mind raced as she tried to make sense of what he was saying. "Cody hired you to be my security? Why would he do that?"

"I'm not privy to the details of your relationship with Mr. McCarthy, but it seems that you have a habit of wandering, and your old neighborhood wasn't exactly the safest. He wants to make sure you're safe."

Olivia felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her as she took in the busy street and the crowded sidewalk. People were going about their day, completely unaware of the drama unfolding before her. She knew that her wandering had gotten her into trouble before, and she couldn't help but feel like she had failed in some way by needing a bodyguard. But at the same time, she couldn't deny the relief she felt knowing that someone was watching over her.

"I understand," she said, finally.

Kevin smiled. "I'm glad we're on the same page. Now, would you like to grab a coffee or something before we head to the office? I'm starving."

Olivia laughed in spite of herself. "Sure, why not?"

As they walked to a nearby café, Olivia couldn't help but notice how Kevin's presence seemed to make people move out of their way. They walked past a florist, the sweet scent of blooming flowers filling the air. They passed a small park with a group of children laughing and playing on the swings.

As they sat down to their coffee, Olivia remembered something. "I didn't even ask if Cody is mad that I'm late for work."

Kevin smiled. "He knows you have a tendency to wander, and he didn't have any meetings today that would require you."

Olivia was a little surprised by this, but also relieved. "Thanks for letting me know," she said.

"No problem. That's what I'm here for," Kevin replied.

They finish their coffee and made their way to the office, Kevin walking slightly ahead of her, scanning the area for potential threats. Olivia couldn't help but think that having Kevin by her side made her feel safe, secure, and comfortable in a way that she had never felt before. As they walked, Olivia took in the sights and sounds of the city, the hustle and bustle of the people, the vendors selling their wares, the honking of cars and the chatter of people. The sun was slowly starting to peek through the clouds, casting a warm golden glow on everything in its path.

As they approached the office building, Olivia's heart began to race with a mix of excitement and anxiety. This was her first day on the job and she didn't want to disappoint Cody. She glanced at Kevin, who gave her an encouraging nod and a reassuring smile.

As they walked into the office building, Olivia turned to Kevin and asked, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course," Kevin replied.

"When did you start following me? I mean, how long were you waiting outside my building before I came out?"

"Mr. McCarthy called me around 5 in the morning," Kevin said.

"5 in the morning?" Olivia repeated, surprised. "That means you've been following me for hours."

Kevin nodded. "I wanted to make sure I was in place before you left the building."

Olivia couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, she appreciated Cody's concern for her safety. But on the other hand, the idea of being watched and followed made her feel uneasy.

"I see," Olivia said, trying to process this new information.

"Is something bothering you?" Kevin asked, noticing her change in demeanor.

"It's just... I feel like my privacy has been invaded," Olivia said, her thoughts racing.

Kevin understood her concerns. "I understand how you feel, but I assure you, my only goal is to keep you safe. I will always let you know when I am following you, and I will always respect your boundaries."

Olivia thought about his words, and she knew he was right. Cody had only hired Kevin to protect her, and he had made the decision because he cared about her.

"You're right," Olivia said, her expression softening. "I appreciate everything you're doing for me."

"I'm just doing my job, ma'am," Kevin said with a small smile.

They stepped into the elevator and Kevin hit the button for their floor. Olivia took a deep breath and tried to steady her nerves.

The elevator doors opened and they stepped out onto their floor. Olivia's coworkers were already there, typing away on their computers and shuffling papers. They glanced up as she walked in, but didn't say anything. Olivia couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious as she made her way to her desk.

Kevin took a seat at the reception area and pulled out a book. Olivia tried to focus on her work, but her mind kept drifting back to Kevin. She couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude and appreciation for him being there for her.

As the day went on, Olivia found that having Kevin there made her feel more confident and secure. His presence was a reminder that she wasn't alone and that someone had her back. She felt a sense of belonging and camaraderie that she had never felt before.

The day went by quickly and before she knew it, it was time to go home. As they left the office, Olivia turned to Kevin, "Thank you for coming with me today. It really helped."

"Anytime," Kevin replied with a smile.

Olivia walked back to her apartment building, her heart feeling full, and she couldn't help but wonder what adventures the day would bring.