Page 9 of Deadline for Love

“Don’t you dare open that door if you don’t know who’s there!”she hissed, but I took my phone and walked slowly to the door. An unpleasant feeling spread through my body. Then I stopped and held my breath. Mustering up all my courage, I went to peek out of the peephole. But there was no one to be seen. Just an empty corridor. I breathed out quietly and positioned myself usually again.

“It must have just been some of the kids in the building playing around,” I muttered.

Justin and Amara simultaneously blew out the air they must have been holding.

“That’s not cool,”Amara said.

“Especially at this hour,”Justin added.

I was just about to turn around and go back to my room, but then there was a loud knock on my door, and a letter was pushed through the mail slot. My whole body shivered. The knocking was so violent that my door shook. I didn’t know what to do. My eyes glanced through my room to find something to protect myself with, but in the middle of fear, I just couldn’t find anything.

Finally, it stopped.

My heart was racing, and my eyes looked down at the letter. This envelope was decorated with aster flowers, just like the ones I had always received in my office.

“Bella, don’t open the door!”Justin’s voice sounded serious, and I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me.

I picked up the letter and looked out of the peephole again, seeing only a shadow moving down the hall. My body began to tremble. What should I do in a situation like this? Call the police?

“We’re coming to you now!”Amara shouted.

I raised my phone and looked at the camera. “No, no... the guy’s gone. I’m sure of it.”

To be safe, I checked again, but couldn’t see anyone. “Something was left for me, though.”

I picked up the letter and presented it to Amara, who fearfully covered her mouth.

“Oh my God, that looks like those creepy letters!”

I nodded.

“The last thing you need is a stalker!”Her voice was piercing.

The thought made me swallow hard. I checked if my door was correctly locked and then anxiously went to my room, where I also closed my door.

With an uneasy feeling, I opened the letter. This time, it wasn’t as well presented or neat as the others. It didn’t have a nice font, either. There was no rhyme whatsoever. But I just knew it must’ve been the same person who sent the letters to my office. This letter was rushed, not planned, but more like a note.

“Soon, you will see my masterpieces. I’m looking forward to your opinion and your beautiful gaze.”I read the two lines aloud and put the letter on my bedside table.

“Bel, you’ve got to file a police report.”Justin seemed worried and squeezed Amara, who stared at me, eyes widened to the extent that I thought it would hurt. She seemed paralyzed. Justin tried to calm her.

“They’re not going to do anything. Nothing has actually happened. It’s getting late, guys, don’t worry. I’m going to go to sleep now,” I uttered and wanted to bid goodbye, but Amara wasn’t having it.

She made me let the video call on, so I did. After all, she didn’t want to leave me alone, and right now, I didn’t mind either because I still had this uneasy feeling.

Chapter 4

In fact, I couldn’t fall asleep; I kept my eyes closed the whole time, but I was still awake and fully aware of my surroundings. Right before my radio alarm could ring, I switched it off. Amara and Justin seemed to be asleep, but their camera was still running, pointing at their ceiling.

I ended the video chat and stretched before sighing and getting ready for work.

I tied my hair up in a ponytail, didn’t put any makeup on, and changed into a casual trouser suit that was loose and comfortable to work in.

After what had happened the previous night, I took pepper spray with me before I left my apartment.

My breathing was slow and calm, but my heart seemed to be racing. Even though there was nothing conspicuous, I walked quickly down the stairs and out of the building.

The cool morning air smacked my body, and I reacted by pulling my blazer around my belly to provide warmth. As I did, I remembered Nathan’s gesture, who had simply given me his jacket without asking... A slight smile formed on my lips;a pleasant memory that somehow made me forget everything wrong with that night.

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