Shadow Of The Past.

Elena couldn't stop smiling as she got ready for work the next morning. Her thoughts were consumed by the wonderful night she had with James and the promise of something beautiful between them. She decided to focus on her day, but her mind kept wandering back to James and their magical evening.

Meanwhile, James was dealing with a different kind of morning. As he tried to avoid his mother's persistent matchmaking attempts, he found himself face-to-face with Clara, his childhood friend. Clara had always been a part of his life, but recently, her behavior had changed, becoming more obsessive and intrusive.

"James, darling!" Clara exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she saw him. "I've been looking for you everywhere. We need to talk."

James forced a smile. "Good morning, Clara. What's up?"

Clara stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I heard about your little date with that girl, Elena. Don't you think you're moving a bit too fast?"

James frowned. "Clara, Elena, and I are just getting to know each other. Besides, that's none of your concern."

Clara's smile turned icy. "Oh, but it is my concern, James. You see, we've known each other forever. We belong together. I won't let some newcomer interfere with that."

James felt a chill run down his spine. "Clara, you're my friend. But this is crossing a line."

Clara's eyes darkened with determination. "We'll see about that, James. We'll see."

James was doing his best to avoid his mother's latest matchmaking attempt. He knew she was searching for him to introduce him to Jane, the third princess of Scotland. Determined to avoid another awkward encounter, he sneaked through the palace hallways.

"Wow, that was a close one," James muttered as he dodged behind a large curtain. "I can't let mom see me. Damn, why does she insist on me getting married? I need to avoid Mom at all costs."

As he made his escape, his thoughts drifted back to Elena. "Anyway, I shouldn't think about my problems right now. I need to focus on my day."

Elena was at her desk, trying to concentrate on her work, but her mind kept drifting back to James. Her phone buzzed with a message, and she smiled when she saw it was from him.

"Hey, how's your day going?" the message read.

"Pretty good. Missing you though," she replied.

"Me too. Want to meet up for lunch?"

"Sure, I'd love that."

As Elena prepared to meet James, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. She glanced around the office but saw nothing unusual. Shaking off her unease, she grabbed her purse and headed out.

James was waiting for Elena at a quaint café. He stood up and smiled as she approached. "You look beautiful," He said.

"Thank you. You look great too," Elena replied, blushing.

They ordered their food and started chatting about their day. But as they talked, Elena noticed a woman sitting a few tables away, glaring at her.

"James, who is that?" Elena whispered, nodding toward Clara.

James followed her gaze and sighed. "That's Clara, a childhood friend. She's been acting strange lately. Don't worry about her."

Elena nodded, but the feeling of unease grew stronger. Clara's presence felt threatening, and she couldn't help but feel that the woman had ill intentions.

As their lunch date came to an end, James walked Elena back to her office. They said their goodbyes, and James headed back to his car. As he was about to get in, Clara appeared beside him.

"James, we need to talk," she said, her voice cold and demanding.

James sighed. "Clara, not now."

"Oh, but it's important," Clara insisted, stepping closer. "You see, James, I've been patient long enough. It's time you understand that we belong together. And Elena... well, she needs to understand her place."

Before James could respond, his phone rang. It was his mother. "James, where are you? I need to introduce you to someone."

James groaned inwardly. "Mom, I'm busy. I'll call you back."

"No, James. This is important. Jane, the third princess of Scotland, is here to meet you."

James felt a headache coming on. "Mom, please, not now."

But before he could argue further, Clara snatched his phone. "Mrs. Anderson, this is Clara. I'll make sure James meets Jane. Don't worry."

James grabbed his phone back, glaring at Clara. "What are you doing?"

Clara smirked. "Helping you, James. Trust me, you'll thank me later."

James stormed away from Clara, his mind racing. As he drove home, he couldn't stop thinking about Elena and the growing complications with Clara and his mother's matchmaking.

That evening, as he tried to relax, he received a message from an unknown number. "James, meet me at the old pier tonight. We need to talk. -C"

Feeling a mix of anger and curiosity, James decided to go. When he arrived at the pier, he saw Clara standing there, looking out at the water.

"What do you want, Clara?" James asked, his voice tense.

Clara turned to him, her eyes filled with a dangerous glint. "It's time we settle this, James. You and I are meant to be. And if Elena gets in the way, she'll regret it."

James felt a shiver run down his spine. "Clara, you're crossing a line."

Clara stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "We'll see about that, James. We'll see."

As James drove home, he couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get a lot more complicated. And dangerous.