Chapter 32: The Calm Before the Storm

KIANA

I met Mia at the campus café for lunch. She had so many questions, as a nosy friend would, and I spilled ~almost~ everything. I was barely able to contain myself—she was the reason I’d confessed my feelings in the first place.

After lunch, Mia offered to drop me off at the animal shelter. I hadn’t seen Cam in a while, and I missed the animals.

I thanked her, grateful for the offer, especially since I couldn’t seem to shake that nagging feeling of being followed.

Maybe it was time I took some driving lessons and got a car of my own.

***

I’d chosen a slightly less glamorous outfit for tonight since this was not a business dinner.

My royal-blue spaghetti strap dress fit my figure and ended just above the knees. I completed the ensemble with a black faux-fur jacket that Crystal had urged me to purchase to protect against the winter chill.

The restaurant exuded a tranquil ambiance, with tables separated a far distance from one another. It felt like an intimate haven, shielded from the intrusive eyes of paparazzi and other unwanted attention.

The decor featured romantic hues of red and white. Roses adorned every table. And screens provided privacy that only the waitstaff could breach.

“Wow,” I breathed absentmindedly.

“I’m glad you approve.” He smirked, pulling out my chair.

“Thank you.” I smiled.

The waitress stood beside us, a bottle of wine in hand, waiting until we were seated before pouring our glasses. She placed the bottle in the center of the table before taking her leave.

“She may be the only waitress I’ve encountered who hasn’t ogled you or tried to openly flirt,” I said, sounding impressed.

“I think she was more interested in checking out my date.” Chase’s dimple graced his face with a smug smirk.

“What…?” I looked toward the waitress and saw she had been staring at me. Her cheeks flushed a light rosy hue before she turned and busied herself with other guests.

“Oh,” I mumbled, taking a hearty sip of wine. I hadn’t had a woman crush on me before, so this was definitely new.

“Unfortunately for her, you’re taken.” He chuckled, scanning the menu.

I rolled my eyes before doing the same.

The night seemed to go by quicker than I had hoped, but it gave truth to the saying that time flies when you’re having fun.

I was in bits as he told me a story of this one woman who stalked him for months. I couldn’t help but laugh so hard that my stomach ached and my jaw felt numb.

“It’s not ~that~ funny!” He chuckled.

“It kind of is. I mean, photoshopping your face next to pictures of her is creepy enough as is, but making a life-sized doll is next level. That takes determination and a lot of material.” I cackled.

“She had my measurements scarily on point, even down to the size of my foot.” He visibly shivered at the memory. “In the end, she was admitted to a hospital. There was something not right with her.”

“Well, I’m glad she’s getting the help she needs,” I added.

My mirth faded quickly as my mind drifted to the nagging feeling of someone following me over these last few days.

I wasn’t well-known enough to have a celebrity stalker of my own, and the only other person I could think of was Cooper. But he was never one to hide in the shadows. He would want me to know he was keeping a watchful eye over me.

“What’s the matter?” Chase leaned forward, taking my hands in his and looking at me with seriousness.

“I…um…” I sighed. “I didn’t want to say anything before. It felt like a trivial matter, and you were so busy with work.” I bit my lip.

“Tell me what?” he asked, reaching out, his thumb softly pulling my lips from between my nibbling teeth.

“It’s stupid, but I keep feeling like I’m being followed. I can’t shake the sense that I have these eyes on me constantly—unless I’m with you.”

“Shit,” Chase groaned. He took a breath before adding, “I had a guard tailing you to ensure your safety. I just wanted to make sure ~he~ couldn’t get anywhere near you. And after this last week…”

“Chase—” I began.

“I know, I should have told you sooner. Honestly, I thought you might have fought me on it, so I decided to keep it secret for now.”

“You need to tell me these things. No secrets between us. Okay?” I asked, giving him a soft, forgiving smile.

“Sorry. You’re right.”

“I’m not happy about it, but I get what you’re getting at.” He looked relieved until I said, “But this isn’t a permanent solution. I like my privacy.”

He started to protest until I stopped him. “How about a code word?”

“Code word?” He looked slightly puzzled.

“Yeah. If I ever use the name ‘Angela,’ that means I’m unsafe or being threatened.”

“Angela?” He began to laugh.

“You’re the one who wants to cocoon me in bubble wrap, so Angela is the best you’re getting.”

“Fine. Angela it is.” He chuckled.

***

The next few days passed by in the blink of an eye. I barely spent any time at home, but I didn’t think my absence bothered Mia too much.

“I have to go. I’m going to be late for class.”

Chase pulled me closer, nuzzling into the crook of my neck from behind. “Just a few more minutes,” he groaned.

“You’ve had an extra thirty. I need to go.” I twisted to face him.

“Ugh, fine,” he conceded. “But after today, I think we’re long overdue for an entire day in bed,” he said, hitting me with that panty-twisting smile.

I hauled myself out of bed, showered, and dressed in record time. Before I knew it, Chase had dropped me off with barely five minutes to spare and the promise of seeing him later.

I arrived at my classroom, panting, with my hair a frantic mess of curls from the sprint across campus, only to learn that the professor had called out sick for the morning.

I headed to the library to prepare for a study session when I spotted Mia pulling into the nearby parking lot. Since we both had free first periods, she offered to be my study partner.

“I call break!” she sighed, leaning back in her chair.

“Good call.” I chuckled.

“So… how are things between you and Mr. Sugar?” she asked, leaning her head on her hands in anticipation, giving me a sweet look that seemed to say, “I’m waiting.”

“We’re going out again tonight, so I’m not sure when I’ll be back,” I said, grinning like a fool.

“Don’t worry. I won’t wait up.” Her chuckle ended on a sigh. “Your love life seems to be going better than mine.”

“I’m sorry, Mia. I didn’t mean to—” I started.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Kiana. My last boyfriend was a jerk. I deserve better,” she declared, flipping her hair dramatically.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“We should get going. Class starts in ten,” I said, grabbing my books and heading toward the library exit.

“I’ll meet you at our usual spot,” Mia called after me.

My lecture ended as usual. After class, the professor pulled me aside to ask about my recent absences. I told her I hadn’t been feeling well—~not a complete lie~—but my health was now back on track. I didn’t go into detail, preferring to keep my near-death experience private.

The next period had already started by the time I left the classroom. The halls were empty as I made my way to the meeting spot to find Mia.

I eagerly counted the hours until this evening, excited about Chase’s plans.

Previously, I couldn’t imagine looking forward to anything beyond working at the animal shelter. Now, I found myself going on dates every other day with a man who treated me as if I were the most important person in his life.

I was in high spirits until I spotted none other than Joanna approaching me from a distance.

I could see my security guard coming over to intercept her. He was large, ex-military, and always had a serious, die-hard expression.

“Get a life, Joanna. Really? Coming to my campus to harass me?” I sighed.

“Don’t think so highly of yourself. I’m thinking of enrolling in a few classes,” she said with a sickening grin.

“You, study?” I scoffed. “Sure, Joanna.”

I started to walk away when she suddenly stepped in front of me, her face so close that her overpowering perfume nearly made me gag.

“You’ll get what’s coming to you soon enough. You have skeletons in your closet that I bet even Chase doesn’t know about.”

“Chase knows everything there is to know about me. We don’t keep secrets from each other,” I told her. ~No way~. There’s no way she could know anything.

“I think it’s time you left, Miss Clark.” My guard came up behind me, deciding that was his cue to intervene.

“Fine. I’ll see you around…maybe.” She shot me a smile that sent a chill down my spine and left an uncomfortable pit in my stomach.

“I’ll be a moment, please wait for me here,” my guard said, before escorting Joanna away.

I sighed.

Something about this situation didn’t sit well with me.

Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed me from behind and pushed me into an empty lecture hall. I almost tripped from the surprise—but managed to steady myself. I looked up to see who it was, and my blood ran cold.