Chapter Eleven.

Amara sat frozen at her desk, her heart pounding. The messages on her phone felt like a weight pressing against her chest.

You don't belong there.

Leave before it's too late.

Who would send something like that?

Her eyes darted around the office, scanning the faces of her coworkers. No one seemed to be looking at her. They were all busy, talking, typing, moving about as if nothing was wrong. But someone had sent that message. Someone in this building, maybe even in this office, was watching her.

She swallowed hard and pressed the power button on her phone, shutting off the screen.

Calm down, Amara. It was probably a prank. Some office gossip trying to scare her. Maybe it had nothing to do with Gregory at all.

But deep down, she wasn't sure.

For the rest of the day, she tried to focus on her work, but the words haunted her. Every time someone walked past her desk, her skin prickled with awareness. Every time her phone buzzed, she hesitated before looking at it. But no more messages came.

By the time five o'clock rolled around, she was exhausted—mentally, emotionally. She grabbed her bag and hurried out of the office, eager to put some distance between herself and whatever was going on.

The moment she stepped outside, the cold Chicago air hit her like a slap. She pulled her coat tighter around her body and started walking toward the train station.

Her phone buzzed again.

She almost didn't look. But her fingers moved on their own, unlocking the screen.

Unknown Number: You didn't listen. Don't say you weren't warned.

Amara's breath hitched.

This wasn't just a prank.

Her steps faltered as she turned around, scanning the street. People rushed past her, wrapped up in their own worlds. Cars honked, headlights flashing as the evening traffic thickened.

Was someone watching her?

Panic gripped her, and she forced herself to move. She needed to get home. Now.

---

A Chilling Discovery

By the time she reached her apartment, her hands were shaking. She double-checked the lock before leaning against the door, exhaling shakily.

She needed to talk to someone. Zara.

Amara pulled out her phone and dialed her best friend's number.

"Hey, babe! What's up?" Zara's voice was light, cheerful, a stark contrast to the dread curling in Amara's stomach.

"I got a weird message today," Amara admitted. "Actually… more than one."

Zara hummed. "Weird how?"

"Like… a warning. Someone told me I don't belong at work. That I should leave before it's too late."

There was a pause. Then, "That's creepy as hell. Do you think it's from someone at the office?"

"I don't know." Amara ran a hand through her hair, frustration bubbling beneath her fear. "I don't even know why someone would send it. It's not like I've done anything wrong."

Zara was silent for a moment before speaking carefully. "Except, you did sleep with your boss."

Amara stiffened. "You think this is about Gregory?"

"I don't know, babe. But if someone found out… maybe they're trying to scare you off."

Amara swallowed hard. The idea made sense, but how would anyone know? Gregory had shut her down so fast, refused to even acknowledge what happened. And she had barely spoken to anyone at work.

Could it be one of the women he was involved with? Someone who saw her as competition?

Or… was there something else going on?

"I just don't get it," Amara murmured. "Why send me warnings instead of just firing me?"

"Maybe it's not the company," Zara said. "Maybe it's someone else. Someone who wants you to leave for their own reasons."

Amara shivered.

She didn't know which possibility was worse.

---

The Shadow Outside

That night, sleep didn't come easily. Every noise outside her apartment made her jump. Every creak, every passing car, every gust of wind against the window sent her nerves on edge.

She kept her phone on her nightstand, within reach. But no more messages came.

Eventually, exhaustion won. Her body gave in, her eyes fluttering shut.

But hours later, something pulled her from sleep.

A sound.

A faint rustling, like movement outside her window.

Amara's breath caught in her throat. Slowly, she turned her head, her heart hammering.

The curtains were drawn, but the streetlight outside cast a faint glow into the room. Shadows danced across the fabric.

And then—

A silhouette.

Someone was standing outside.

Watching her.

Amara's blood turned to ice.

She scrambled for her phone, her hands trembling as she dialed Zara's number.

It rang once. Twice.

"Hello?" Zara's groggy voice came through.

"Zara." Amara's voice was barely above a whisper. "There's someone outside my window."

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. "Amara, are you sure?"

"Yes." Her pulse thundered in her ears. "I don't know what to do."

"Do you have your door locked?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Stay on the phone with me. Do not open the window. Do not go near it."

Amara nodded even though Zara couldn't see her. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to control her breathing.

Minutes passed. Agonizingly slow.

Then—another noise. Footsteps.

And then… nothing.

Silence.

Amara forced herself to stand. Slowly, she crept toward the window, her body rigid with fear.

With shaking hands, she pulled the curtain back just a sliver.

Nothing.

The sidewalk below was empty. The street quiet.

But the fear didn't fade.

Because someone had been there.

And whoever it was....

They were not done with her yet.