Chapter 4: He Is Back

Anna's phone buzzed again, jolting her from her thoughts. The same unknown number that has been texting her for a while now

Her stomach churned as she stared at the text, her mind racing. Who was this? What did they want with her? A wave of unease washed over her, and for a moment, she felt like she couldn't breathe.

Before she could think too much about the unsettling message, her phone rang. It was from Alex.

"Anna," his voice came through coldly. "My office. Now."

Anna quickly stood up and made her way to Alex's office. Her heart was racing with anxiety. She had been dreading this moment, but she couldn't avoid it forever.

As she walked into the room, Alex didn't look up at first. He was busy flipping through some papers on his desk. Anna stood awkwardly in front of his desk, waiting for him to acknowledge her.

"Sit down, Anna," Alex finally said, his voice tight and controlled.

She hesitated for a moment before sitting down across from him. The silence between them was deafening, and Anna couldn't bring herself to speak. She was sure she knew what this meeting was about, and she wasn't sure she was ready to face it.

Alex set down the papers and looked at her, his gaze cold and unyielding. "I've been patient with you, Anna. But I need to be clear with you. This is your last warning. You can either shape up and start showing some responsibility, or you can pack your things and leave. I won't tolerate incompetence here."

Anna's heart sank. She had known this moment was coming, but hearing it out loud made her stomach twist in knots. She had tried to be good enough, to prove herself, but no matter what she did, it never seemed to be enough for Alex. His words stung, and she struggled to hold back the tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"I—" Anna started to speak, but Alex held up his hand, silencing her.

"I don't want excuses, Anna. I want results," he said, his voice sharp and final. "If you can't deliver, then there's no place for you here. Do you understand?"

Anna nodded, her throat tight. "Yes, Alex. I understand."

He leaned back in his chair, his expression softening just slightly. "Good. Now get back to work. We're not done here yet."

Anna stood up quickly, grateful for the chance to leave the suffocating atmosphere of the office. She didn't say another word as she left his office, feeling a mixture of frustration, disappointment, and fear. She had tried her best, but it never seemed to be enough for him.

Back at her desk, Anna tried to focus on the task at hand, but her mind kept wandering. She was still shaken by the conversation with Alex. She couldn't understand why he was always so harsh with her, why it felt like nothing she did was ever good enough. Was she really that bad? Was there no place for her here?

Her phone buzzed again. The same unknown number had sent another message.

"I know you're thinking about me. I'll make sure you're ready for what's coming."

Her heart pounded as she stared at the text. A sudden chill ran down her spine. Who was this? And why was this happening now, after everything she had just dealt with?

She couldn't take it anymore. She stood up abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor, catching the attention of her coworkers. The sudden movement shocked them, and they glanced at her with furrowed brows, but Anna didn't care. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she couldn't sit still any longer. She needed to get away.

Without a word, she hurried toward the door, ignoring the curious stares following her. Her steps were quick, her pulse racing with each step she took. She needed a break. She needed to breathe.

She headed for the rooftop, needing space to clear her mind. As soon as she stepped outside, the cool air hit her face, and she felt the tension in her body loosen just a little. The height of the building gave her a moment of clarity, but the unease still gnawed at her.

She pulled out her phone and dialed Suzy's number, her hands shaking slightly as she waited for the call to connect. After a few rings, Suzy answered.

"Hello?" Suzy's voice sounded normal, but Anna could hear the concern in it.

"Suzy," Anna said, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's back."

There was a long pause on the other end before Suzy responded, her voice now laced with caution. "Who? Your ex?"

Anna nodded, though Suzy couldn't see her. "Yeah. He's back. He's the one who's been sending me these messages." The realization hit Anna harder than she thought it would, and her words came out shaky. She was still processing it herself.

Suzy's tone shifted. "Anna, are you okay? Do you need me to come over?"

Anna let out a shaky breath, glancing around the rooftop. "I don't know… I just don't know what he wants. But I have a feeling things are about to get complicated."

Unbeknownst to Anna, she wasn't alone. From the rooftop door, hidden in the shadows, Alex stood just out of view, listening intently to the conversation. His expression remained unreadable, his focus sharp as he took in every word.

He felt a knot tighten in his chest as Anna's words echoed in the quiet space. He's back. The cryptic messages, the fear in her voice—it all clicked, and Alex couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Something deeper than just office politics.

As Anna finished her call with Suzy, Alex remained still, hidden, his thoughts swirling. He knew he couldn't stay hidden for long, but for now, he remained in the shadows, processing what he'd overheard.