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Eva’s heart skipped a beat as her gaze lingered on the black Bentley. The eerie sense of being watched hadn’t left her, and now it was only growing stronger. She tried to convince herself it was just a coincidence—perhaps someone was simply inside the car, waiting for someone else—but the feeling gnawed at her. The car looked so out of place, parked so still and observant, as if its presence was more than just a random encounter.
She quickly turned her attention back to her phone, though her fingers felt a little unsteady. Get it together, Eva. It’s nothing, she told herself. But even as she scrolled through her work, she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that someone’s eyes were fixed on her. It was almost as if the car itself had some kind of sinister energy, like it was there for more than just parking.
Seconds turned into minutes, and Eva tried her best to ignore it, but her anxiety was building. She took a slow breath, looking around again, more cautiously this time. The streets were bustling, the usual midday noise filled the air, but that car—the Bentley—seemed to stand out too much.
Eva’s mind raced. Could it be someone Adrian knew? Or perhaps someone connected to Vivian? The thought unsettled her. Her hand instinctively reached for her phone, half-tempted to message Adrian, but she hesitated. What could she even say?
Before she could make up her mind, a figure emerged from the car. It was too far to make out clearly, but the way they moved—a confident, purposeful stride—struck a chord of unease in Eva. The person approached slowly, clearly walking in her direction.
Eva’s breath caught in her throat, and she took a step back. No. I’m just overthinking this. They might just be going to the building next to mine. Still, she couldn’t quite shake the feeling that the person was heading straight toward her.
The figure stopped a few feet away from her, and Eva’s heart skipped. He was tall, dressed in an expensive suit that matched the aura of the car, and his eyes seemed fixed on her as though he had been watching her for much longer than she had realized.
“Excuse me,” the man’s voice was smooth, almost too calm. “You’re Eva Blackwood, aren’t you?”
Eva froze. There was something about him—his controlled demeanor, his piercing gaze—that made her uneasy.
“Who are you?” she asked, keeping her voice steady despite the rising tension in her chest.
The man didn’t immediately answer. Instead, he looked her over with a mixture of curiosity and amusement, as though her confusion amused him. Then, finally, he spoke again, his tone more serious this time.
“My name is Lucas Darnell. I believe we have some business to discuss.”
Eva’s heart skipped. Lucas Darnell? She’d never heard of him, but the name sounded like it carried weight. Business? Her mind quickly began sorting through potential connections, but nothing came to mind that was immediate or obvious.
“I’m afraid I don’t know you,” she said, her voice firm, even as the unease bubbled up inside her. “What kind of business are we talking about?”
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Lucas’s lips, but there was no warmth in it. He stepped a little closer, his presence somehow more imposing now that he was nearer.
“Let’s just say I have some… interests that intersect with yours,” he said cryptically. “I think you’ll find it beneficial to talk to me. Preferably somewhere more private.”
Eva’s instincts flared. She took a step back, her mind racing. Was this a threat? Was this someone from Adrian’s past? The way he spoke—calm but calculated—made her uneasy, and yet, something about the situation felt familiar, like a scene she had experienced before.
“Sorry, but I don’t meet with strangers in the street,” she said quickly, her voice clipped.
Lucas’s smile didn’t falter, but the sharpness in his gaze intensified. “Perhaps you should reconsider, Eva. I assure you, I’m not a man you want to ignore.”
Eva couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t a chance encounter. There was something more beneath the surface, something he wasn’t telling her, and she was starting to realize that the presence of the Bentley wasn’t a coincidence either.
She took another step back, her pulse quickening. “I don’t know what you’re trying to imply, but I’m not interested in whatever you have to offer.”
At that moment, the street seemed to grow even quieter, the world narrowing in on the exchange between them. The man studied her for a long, drawn-out moment, and though his expression remained neutral, Eva could feel the intensity of the silence.
“Very well,” Lucas said, his voice a little softer, but still carrying a threat. “But remember, Eva—there are consequences for ignoring someone like me.”
Before she could respond, Lucas turned and walked back toward the Bentley, the tension in the air still palpable. He slid into the car without another word, and the vehicle slowly pulled away, disappearing into the traffic.
Eva stood frozen for a moment, still processing what had just happened. Who was Lucas Darnell, and why had he approached her so abruptly?
She felt a chill crawl up her spine. Whatever the man had meant by “interests” was not something she could ignore. Something told her that this was far from over.
Sighing heavily, Eva made her way back to the office, trying to push the encounter to the back of her mind. But she couldn’t escape the feeling that trouble was on its way.
