CHAPTER SIX

After Emma got home, she couldn't stop thinking about what had happened earlier. How did Alexander show up just in time? Why had her face been covered? What was that piercing sound she'd heard? And where had that strange creature gone?

"How was he still standing like nothing happened?" she wondered to herself. Letting out a deep sigh, she whispered, "Mr. Blackwood, who are you?"

Moments later, she drifted off to sleep.

While sleeping, she had a dream. .

.

.

.

Emma slowly opened her eyes, and the sunlight shining directly on her face made her hazel eyes glimmer. A smile tugged at her lips, but it quickly disappeared when she heard the clashing of swords and people shouting.

She looked around and realized she wasn't standing. She was in the arms of a stranger. Frowning, she glanced behind her and saw a massive army of warriors charging toward her. Fear gripped her as she turned to look at the man carrying her, but his long black hair covered his face, making him unrecognizable.

Emma noticed she was dressed in pure white, but half of her dress was stained with blood. Panicking, she thought the blood was hers. Then, a drop of liquid landed on her cheek. She touched it and saw it was blood. Tracing the source, she realized it was coming from the man carrying her. His face was badly bruised, and he was running as fast as he could, panting heavily.

Emma's heart raced as the sound of clashing swords grew louder, echoing in her ears. She could feel the stranger's heavy breaths, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he sprinted through the chaos. His grip was firm, protective, as though he'd stop at nothing to keep her safe.

She tried to speak, but her voice was weak and barely audible over the deafening noise around them. "Who are you? What's happening?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

The stranger didn't answer. Instead, he tightened his hold on her and glanced back briefly, his hair parting just enough to reveal a piercing gaze—a fiery red glow in his eyes. It sent a chill down Emma's spine.

Before she could process what she'd seen,

Emma jolted awake, her body drenched in sweat. Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. The vivid images of the dream lingered in her mind—the blood, the stranger, the warriors.

"What was that?" she muttered to herself, her hands trembling. She looked at the sky and saw the full moon. It was past 2am.

She went to the kitchen and took a chilled glass of water to cool her body. The dream felt so real. It felt so familiar also.

And the stranger....

The eyes....

She felt she had seen both before. Emma could not understand why everything felt so familiar. She went back to her room to get some sleep

It was a new week. The bell above the door jingled softly as Emma stepped into the bookstore. Alexander was going to be at the company much later than usual. She used the opportunity to stop by the bookstore on her way to work. Her eyes full of curiosity. Shelves lined with books surrounded her.

In a quiet aisle, Emma got lost in a book, completely absorbed in its pages. She didn't notice someone approaching until a gentle voice broke the silence.

"Excuse me," the voice said softly. Emma looked up and saw a woman with a kind smile. Her name was Hannah, and her calm presence felt strangely familiar.

"Hello," Emma replied, curious about the friendly stranger.

Hannah's warm smile grew. "Enjoying a good book? There's something magical about getting lost in a story, don't you think?"

Emma nodded, smiling. "Absolutely. Books have a way of taking us to new places."

They started chatting about their favorite genres and book recommendations.

In that small moment, a bond formed between them, built on their shared love for reading.

"It's rare to find someone who still loves books," Hannah said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "There's something special about the way stories can transport us to other worlds."

Emma smiled warmly. "I agree. It feels like going on adventures without leaving home. Books have always been a source of comfort for me."

Hannah laughed softly, her voice filled with joy. "I feel the same. Books have been my companions for so many years, each one showing me something new about life and people."

Emma's curiosity grew. "You seem to really love books. Have you always been a reader?"

Hannah's expression softened. "In a way, yes. I've had the chance to see how stories have changed over time. It's amazing how, even after centuries, the heart of a story stays the same."

As they talked, Emma felt drawn to Hannah's warmth and wisdom. There was something mysterious about her, something that made Emma want to know more.

"Thank you for the conversation," Emma said sincerely. "It's been lovely talking to you."

"The pleasure is mine, Emma," Hannah replied with a smile. "Maybe we'll meet again in this city. Remember, the world is a small place."

Emma bade Hannah goodbye and hurried to work to avoid Alexander getting to work before her.

The start of a new weekbrought a mix of excitement and curiosity as Emma walked to work. The office buzzed with energy—busy footsteps and soft conversations filling the space.

When Emma arrived, she saw Mr. Harris focused on his work, his desk covered in scattered papers. She knocked politely before entering, greeted by his warm smile.

"Good morning, Emma," Mr. Harris said kindly. "Did you have a good week?"

"Yes, thank you. I hope you did too," Emma replied politely.

They chatted briefly, mixing light conversation with work updates. Mr. Harris's approachable nature always made Emma feel at ease.

Afterward, Emma got to work. Armed with her cleaning supplies, she moved through the office, tidying up and leaving everything spotless.

As she worked, her thoughts wandered to the strange events of the past week and today—the mysterious figure on the rooftop, her run-in with Hannah, and the intriguing yet puzzling behavior of her boss, Alexander Blackwood. These questions filled her mind, but her routine gave her a sense of calm.

Later, Emma decided to visit Alexander's office. She had cleaned it earlier but wanted to thank him for saving her the other night. She knocked but got no response. Slowly, she opened the door, and what she saw stopped her in her tracks.

Inside Alexander's office, lit softly by the desk lamp, he was with a woman. They were close, sharing an intimate moment that felt like a shock to Emma's understanding of her mysterious boss.

Her chest tightened as a flood of emotions overwhelmed her—confusion, hurt, and disbelief swirled together. The woman with Alexander was a stranger, hidden partly in the dim light, but the sight felt like an intrusion into a side of Alexander she wasn't prepared to see.

Emma stepped back quietly and shut the door. She left with a heavy heart, the scene replaying in her mind and leaving her uneasy, like a shadow she couldn't shake.