Mia knew something was wrong the moment she saw her door.
Nothing was broken.
Nothing was forced.
But the welcome mat was crooked.
She never left it like that.
Her heartbeat quickened as she stepped closer, every sound in the hallway suddenly too loud. The lock looked untouched, but taped neatly at eye level was a small white envelope.
No name.
No address.
Just her apartment number written in clean, careful handwriting.
Her hands trembled as she pulled it free.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
Curiosity can be dangerous.
Stay where you belong.
Mia didn't read it twice.
Once was enough.
She shut the door behind her, locking it immediately, then leaned against it as her pulse raced. Her mind screamed a hundred thoughts at once, but her fingers moved on instinct.
Andrew.
He answered on the second ring.
"Mia?" His voice was alert already. "What's wrong?"
"They were here," she said, her voice steady despite the way her chest felt tight. "At my apartment."
"What?" She heard movement—keys, a door, urgency. "I'm coming. Stay inside. Lock everything."
"Andy," she said quickly. "Hey—listen to me."
He paused. "Mia—"
"I'm okay," she said softly. "I need you calm. Please."
There was a beat of silence. Then, quieter, "I'll be there in ten."
She sank onto the couch, the note clutched in her hand.
Ten minutes later, there was a knock.
Three short taps.
She opened the door to find Andrew standing there, breathless, eyes scanning the hallway before landing on her.
"You okay?" he asked, already stepping inside. "Did they touch you? Did they—"
"I'm fine," she said firmly, closing the door behind him. "Really."
Only then did she hand him the note.
His jaw tightened as he read it.
"They crossed a line," he said.
"They wanted to scare me," she replied. "Not hurt me. Not yet."
Andrew looked at her sharply. "That doesn't make it better."
She gave him a small smile. "You're worried."
He didn't deny it.
They sat at her dining table, laptops open, notebooks spread between them. The fear slowly shifted into focus.
"If this is linked to Project Aurelia," Mia said, typing, "then there has to be a shell company. Cosmetic research needs distribution."
Andrew leaned closer, reading over her shoulder. "Try cross-checking pharmaceutical investors."
She did—and froze.
"Andy," she whispered.
He looked. "That's… that's the logo from the box."
Their shoulders brushed. Neither moved away.
Hours passed unnoticed.
At some point, Andrew leaned back and sighed. "You realize this is the least normal first investigation-date ever."
Mia laughed before she could stop herself. "Is this a date?"
He glanced at her. "Depends. Are you having fun?"
She met his gaze. "I feel strangely safe."
His expression softened. "Good."
Silence settled again—comfortable this time.
"You know," Mia said lightly, "you broke at least three traffic rules to get here, didn't you?"
Andrew smirked. "Five. But don't worry. Worth it."
She shook her head, smiling.
Outside, the city moved on like nothing had changed.
Inside, they sat closer than before—not touching, not confessing—but undeniably connected.
And somewhere, whoever had left that note was learning something important.
Mia wasn't alone.
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Here's a bonus chapter for you all as I kept you guys waiting for a long time.