The Residency

Sophie couldn't help but replay Liam's words in her mind as she prepared for bed that night. *Trust your instincts. If anything ever feels off, you come to me. I'll protect you.*

His voice, smooth and steady, wrapped around her like a warm embrace, offering her a sense of security she didn't know she craved. Yet, a small voice within her cautioned against trusting too easily. The line between caution and curiosity was growing blurrier by the day, and she felt herself teetering on the edge of something new and thrilling, yet uncertain.

The morning sun streamed through her apartment window, illuminating the stacks of canvases leaning against the wall. Sophie stretched and rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling her back into reality.

It was Emily.

"Morning, Sophie! I hope you're ready for a busy day! Liam wants everyone to meet at the gallery today to start laying out the pieces. He's really excited about your latest concept."

A spark of pride ignited in Sophie's chest. *This was it.* "I'll be there. Thanks for letting me know."

After a quick breakfast, she gathered her sketchbook and a few canvases, her heart racing with a mix of nerves and excitement. Working closely with Liam at the gallery felt more personal somehow—a step deeper into his world, one she had only glimpsed at the Met Gala.

As she arrived at the gallery, she spotted Liam speaking with a few staff members. His presence was commanding yet approachable, exuding a confidence that made her pulse quicken. When he noticed her, a soft smile curved his lips, and she felt a warmth spread through her.

"Sophie," he greeted, his tone genuinely warm. "Glad you made it. I've been thinking about how your piece, *Fragments,* could be the centerpiece of the collection. It speaks to resilience, to piecing life back together."

Her cheeks flushed. "I didn't think it would stand out that much."

He stepped closer, lowering his voice as though sharing a secret. "It does. Because it's real. People can feel that."

Sophie swallowed the knot in her throat, acutely aware of how his presence seemed to eclipse everything else in the room. She wanted to ask him about his cryptic comment from their last meeting—about the past not letting go—but the words seemed to stick in her throat.

Before she could gather the courage, Emily approached, clipboard in hand. "Liam, we need your approval on the layout. Sophie, could you help with arranging your section?"

Sophie nodded, grateful for the distraction. As she moved to the designated space, she could feel Liam's gaze lingering on her, the weight of his attention both exhilarating and terrifying.

Hours passed in a flurry of activity. Sophie became absorbed in positioning her paintings, discussing color schemes, and envisioning how the pieces would flow together. The gallery buzzed with energy, and for a moment, she lost herself in the creative process. Yet, despite the productivity, a nagging sense of unease crept in. Was it just the pressure of the exhibition? Or was it Liam's enigmatic presence?

When the layout was finalized, Liam approached her again, hands in his pockets, looking uncharacteristically thoughtful. "You're making this exhibition come to life," he said, his voice softer now. "I knew I made the right choice bringing you on."

Sophie hesitated, feeling the weight of his praise. "Liam, can I ask you something?"

He looked at her intently, as if already bracing for her question. "Of course."

"The other day... you mentioned that sometimes the past doesn't let go. What did you mean by that?"

For a moment, Liam's composed expression wavered. His gaze dropped to the floor before meeting hers again, more guarded now. "Sometimes, when you've built something from nothing—when you've fought for it—there are people who will do anything to tear it down. My past... it's complicated. I just wanted you to be aware. Not afraid."

His honesty caught her off guard, and for the first time, Sophie sensed a vulnerability in him—something that felt profoundly human amid his polished exterior.

"I'm not afraid," she whispered, surprising herself.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but before he could respond, one of the staff members called him away. As he walked off, Sophie couldn't help but feel the weight of his words settling over her. *Complicated.* The kind of word that hinted at something dark and unresolved.

When the day finally wrapped up, Sophie gathered her belongings, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Outside, the crisp evening air bit at her cheeks. A shiver ran down her spine as she glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting to see someone behind her.

Nothing. Just the city moving around her. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching. She hurried to her car, locking the doors as soon as she got in. As she drove home, her phone buzzed again, making her pulse quicken. Pulling over, she checked the screen.

A new message from the same unknown number: *"You didn't listen. You're in danger now. Stay away from him before it's too late."*

Fear washed over her, colder than the night air. As she gripped the phone, her thoughts raced. Who was trying to warn her? And why did they want her to stay away from Liam so desperately?

Her first instinct was to call Liam, but doubt crept in. What if this warning wasn't about his enemies but about him? She stared at the message, torn between fear and the undeniable pull Liam had over her.

One thing was certain: she couldn't ignore this any longer.

---

The following morning, Sophie awoke with the message still echoing in her mind. She sat up, her heart pounding as she recalled Liam's words about trusting her instincts. But how could she trust her instincts when her gut was in knots?

As she prepared for the day, she tried to shake off the unease. The exhibition was just days away, and she needed to focus. Her canvas awaited her, and she had ideas to bring to life. But the thought of the unknown lingered like a shadow.

At the foundation, the atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation. Emily greeted her at the door, her enthusiasm infectious. "Sophie! You're just in time. We're doing a final run-through of the exhibition layout."

Sophie forced herself to smile, even as the warning message loomed in the back of her mind. "I'm ready."

As they moved through the gallery, Sophie felt the energy shift. The walls were adorned with vibrant pieces, each telling a story of struggle and triumph. When they reached her section, she felt a surge of pride.

"There it is," Emily said, beaming. "Your piece is going to be the highlight."

Sophie looked at *Fragments,* her heart swelling. "I hope so. It means a lot to me."

As they arranged the final details, she felt a sense of purpose wash over her. This was her moment, her chance to shine. But as she worked, her thoughts drifted back to Liam. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than he let on.

Suddenly, a voice interrupted her thoughts. "Sophie!"

She turned to see Liam striding toward her, his expression brightening as he approached. "How's the setup going?"

"Good! We're almost ready," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Liam nodded, his eyes scanning the gallery before landing on her. "I can't wait to see it all come together. Your work is going to resonate with so many people."

Sophie felt her cheeks warm under his gaze. "Thank you. That means a lot coming from you."

As they talked, the weight of the warning message faded slightly. Liam had a way of making her feel seen, appreciated. But just as quickly, her apprehension returned.

"You mentioned before that the past can be complicated," she ventured cautiously. "Is there something specific I should know?"

Liam's expression shifted, the warmth in his eyes flickering for a moment. "I appreciate your concern, but I promise I'm handling everything. Focus on your art. That's what matters right now."

His tone was reassuring, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more beneath the surface. Just then, Emily called from across the gallery. "Liam! We need you for a moment!"

As he turned to leave, Sophie felt a pang of disappointment. There was so much she wanted to understand, but the mystery surrounding him only deepened.

The day passed in a blur of activity, the gallery transforming into a vibrant showcase of art and emotion. Yet, the warning message lingered in the back of her mind, a reminder that she needed to be cautious.

When Sophie finally returned home, exhaustion washed over her. She locked the door and took a deep breath, trying to dispel the tension in her chest. But as she settled onto her couch, her phone buzzed again, and her heart raced.

Another message from the unknown number: *"You're playing with fire. You don't know what he's capable of."*

Panic surged through her. Who was this person, and why were they so intent on scaring her away from Liam? She felt a mix of anger and fear, grappling with the idea that someone might be lurking in the shadows, trying to sabotage her opportunity.

Determined to confront her fears, she decided to reach out to Liam. She needed to know if he had any idea who might be sending these messages. Her fingers hovered over the screen as she debated whether to send the text.

Finally, she typed: *"Liam, can we talk? I need to discuss something important."*

After hitting send, she paced her apartment, anxiety gnawing at her. Would he understand? Would he dismiss her concerns as irrational?

Moments later, her phone buzzed with a reply. *"Of course. Let's meet at the park in an hour."*

The park. It was a place of openness, a stark contrast to the tension that had been building inside her. She quickly got ready, her heart pounding as she made her way there.

When she arrived, the park was alive with the sounds of laughter and the rustling of leaves. Liam was already waiting, leaning against a tree, his expression serious yet welcoming.

"Sophie," he said, pushing away from the trunk as she approached. "What's on your mind?"

Taking a deep breath, she decided to be direct. "I've been getting strange messages. Warnings about you—about staying away."

Liam's expression shifted, concern etching his features. "Warnings? What do they say?"

She recounted the messages, watching as his brows furrowed deeper with each word. "I don't know who's sending them, but they seem... serious."

After a moment of silence, he ran a hand through his hair, his frustration palpable. "I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I wish I could protect you from it."

"You mentioned before that your past is complicated. Is there someone who might be trying to intimidate me because of you?" she pressed, her heart racing.

Liam looked at her intently, the weight of his gaze heavy. "There are people in my life who don't take kindly to change. But I assure you, I won't let anyone hurt you."

Sophie felt a rush of emotions—fear, anger, and a flicker of hope. "I want to believe you, but it's hard not to feel scared."

"You have every right to be," he said softly. "But together, we can face whatever comes our way. I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe."

As his words wrapped around her, Sophie felt a sense of warmth, a flicker of trust igniting within her. She wanted to believe in him, to believe in the connection they were forging. But the shadows still loomed, reminding her that uncertainty was never far away.

"Thank you, Liam," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "I just want to be prepared for whatever happens."

He nodded, his expression serious. "Stay close to me, and don't hesitate to reach out if you feel something is off. We'll navigate this together."

As they stood in the park, surrounded by the chaos of life, Sophie felt a surge of determination. She would not let fear dictate her choices. The exhibition was her moment, and she was going to embrace it fully.

With newfound resolve, she took a step back, meeting Liam's gaze. "Let's get back to the gallery. We have an exhibition to prepare for."

Liam smiled, a genuine spark lighting up his eyes. "That's the spirit."

As they walked side by side, Sophie felt the weight of the warning messages lift slightly, replaced by the hope of what was to come. Whatever lay ahead, she was ready to face it—both the challenges and the connection that was blossoming between them.