They didn't talk much after that.
Adrian walked Aria home in silence, his steps steady, his eyes always moving. She stayed close, still shaken, still trying to calm her breathing.
When they reached her apartment building, she stopped at the door.
"This is where I live," she said quietly.
Adrian nodded but didn't step away. He studied the street one last time, then looked back at her.
"You'll stay inside tonight," he said. Not a request. "Lock your doors. Don't answer unknown numbers."
"I know," she replied. Then softer, "Thank you."
He hesitated, like he wanted to say more. Instead, he reached into his pocket and handed her his phone.
"Put your number in," he said. "If anything feels wrong—call me. Any time."
Aria blinked. "Any time?"
"Yes."
She entered her number, her fingers shaking just a little. When she handed the phone back, their hands brushed. The contact was brief, but it lingered.
"You don't have to do all this," she said. "I don't want to be a burden."
His expression changed. Not cold. Not distant. Honest.
"You're not," he said. "This isn't about obligation."
She searched his face. "Then what is it about?"
Adrian looked away for a second, jaw tight. When he looked back, his voice was lower.
"Something crossed a line the night we met," he said. "For both of us."
Her heart skipped.
"I should go," she said, suddenly aware of how close they were standing.
"Yes," he agreed. "But I'll be watching. From a distance."
That made her smile, even though fear still sat heavy in her chest.
"Goodnight, Adrian."
"Goodnight, Aria."
He waited until she was inside before leaving.
Sleep didn't come easily.
Every sound felt louder than it should. Every shadow looked suspicious. Aria lay awake, staring at the ceiling, replaying the alley, the way Adrian had stepped in front of her without hesitation.
Why him?
Why me?
Her phone buzzed.
A message from Adrian.
Are you inside?
She replied immediately.
Yes. Door locked.
A few seconds passed.
Good. Get some rest.
She stared at the screen, then typed back.
You too.
She didn't know why her chest felt tight after that.
Across the city, Adrian stood by his office window, phone in hand.
He hadn't gone home.
The lights below blurred together as he thought about the men in the alley. About how close Aria had been to danger. About how fast his control had slipped when she was threatened.
This wasn't part of his plan.
She wasn't supposed to matter.
And yet… she did.
More than he was ready to admit.
He slipped his phone back into his pocket, eyes dark.
I won't let this pull her into my world, he thought.
But deep down, he knew—it already had.
The next morning, Aria woke with a strange mix of fear and calm.
Nothing had happened overnight.
But something had changed.
As she got ready for work, her phone buzzed again.
I'll pick you up today, Adrian texted.
No arguments.
She stared at the message, then sighed.
Okay, she replied. But you owe me coffee.
A pause.
Deal.
She smiled.
She didn't know what was coming next.
She only knew this story was far from over.