We are being followed

I watched Elena disappear into the building for her shoot, her silhouette framed perfectly by the morning sunlight.

She had a natural grace, an effortless charm that turned even mundane tasks like walking into a performance. I couldn't help but smile, even as my phone vibrated again with another message from my mother.

Not now, I thought, silencing it without even reading. Today wasn't the day to let her ruin my mood—or Elena's.

Leaning back in the driver's seat, I scrolled idly through emails, trying to distract myself from the nagging sense of unease her message had left. Time crawled, but finally, after what felt like forever, Elena texted me:

Elena: I'm done! Come pick me up?

Sliding out of the car, I made my way toward the building. Elena met me at the door, her face glowing with post-shoot energy, a little tired but undeniably radiant.

"How was it?" I asked, holding the door open for her.