Chapter 17: Chapter Seventeen.

Elsewhere, in a room cloaked in darkness, the atmosphere was thick with foreboding. The faint glow from a single window barely illuminated the space.

A figure sat on a sleek leather sofa, shirtless, his chiseled torso catching what little light seeped in.

His face remained obscured, hidden in the shadows, but the power and dominance radiating from him were palpable. 

His head was tilted back, his eyes closed as though deep in thought—or perhaps savoring some dark triumph. Slowly, his eyes opened, glinting like steel in the dim room. 

The man leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his muscular frame tense yet controlled.

A smirk played on his lips as he spoke, his voice a gravelly murmur filled with a dangerous promise. 

“Finally... I’ve found you, Xena.” he whispered, the name rolling off his tongue with a mixture of possession and malice. 

He let out a low chuckle, the sound echoing ominously in the silent room. “They thought they could hide you from me... but they failed.” 

The chuckle grew darker, more menacing, as if he were reveling in the game he’d been playing—and the fact that he was so close to victory. 

With a deliberate slowness, he leaned back into the shadows, the smirk never leaving his face. He spoke again, his voice like a predator relishing the hunt. 

“You’re mine, Xena. You’ve always been mine.” 

The room descended into silence once more, but the tension lingered—a storm brewing in the darkness, ready to unleash its fury.

♧♧♧

The soft hum of the bustling city night filled the air as Xena stepped out of the restaurant, stretching her arms after a long shift. She turned back briefly, waving to her colleagues who were locking up behind her. 

"Goodnight, guys. Be careful on your way home." she called out, her voice warm yet tinged with exhaustion. 

Though Xena didn’t carry the keys herself—only the most trusted staff did—she felt comfortable knowing the restaurant was in capable hands. Nana, as per Xena’s insistence, had left hours earlier.

It was a rule Xena had enforced to make sure her grandmother got enough rest after long days at the bustling eatery. 

As Xena strolled along the cobblestone walkway, she passed a few scattered pedestrians.

The streets weren’t entirely deserted, but there was an eerie quietness settling over the night. 

After a few minutes, she felt it—an unsettling sensation prickling at the back of her neck, as though she was being watched. She halted mid-step, turning her head quickly to glance behind her.

The dimly lit street was empty, save for the occasional shadow cast by flickering lampposts. 

"You're just being paranoid." Xena muttered under her breath, shaking her head. She tried to laugh off the nerves and resumed walking, her boots clicking softly against the stones. 

But then she heard it—the unmistakable sound of footsteps.

They were faint at first, almost drowned out by her own. But they grew louder, quicker, and undeniably closer. 

Her heart raced as she glanced over her shoulder again.

This time, she caught sight of a figure in a light vanilla-colored coat trailing behind her. He was tall and moved with purpose, his face obscured by the shadow of his coat’s collar. 

Xena’s instincts screamed at her to run. She picked up her pace, her speed increasing with each step until she was practically power walking.

The footsteps behind her quickened in response, matching her pace with unnerving precision. 

Her breath hitched as she reached the corner of the street.

Thinking fast, she darted into a narrow, dark alleyway, pressing her back against the cold brick wall. She held her breath, listening intently as the sound of footsteps stopped abruptly at the alley’s entrance. 

The man paused, his silhouette looming ominously as he peered into the darkness. After a moment, he stepped forward, venturing cautiously into the alley. 

Xena’s heart pounded as she gripped the lid of a trash can nearby. She waited until he was within reach, then swung it with all her might, striking him hard on the head. 

"*Ah, fuck*!" the man cursed in Italian, stumbling to the ground and clutching his head in pain. 

"Why the hell are you following me?" Xena demanded, her voice sharp and trembling as she raised the trash lid again, ready to strike. 

"Xena, stop! It’s me!" the man cried out, holding up a hand to shield himself. 

She froze, lowering the makeshift weapon as she recognized his voice. 

"Leonardo?" she gasped, dropping the lid with a metallic clang. She crouched down to get a better look, her eyes wide with shock and guilt. 

Sure enough, it was Leonardo. His handsome face—sharp jawline, full lips, hazel eyes, and messy brown hair—was contorted in pain as he rubbed the spot where she’d hit him. 

"What are you doing? You scared me half to death!" Xena scolded, standing and extending a hand to help him up. 

Leonardo groaned as he took her hand, rising to his feet with a wince. They walked out of the alley together, his steps slightly unsteady. 

"You hit harder than most men." he muttered, rubbing the back of his head and giving her a pained smile. 

"Sorry." Xena said, her tone softening. "You really scared me." 

"Well, you scared me too." Leonardo shot back, his hazel eyes narrowing at her. "Why were you running like that? I was calling your name, but you kept speeding up. I thought something was wrong." 

Xena blinked in surprise, guilt washing over her. "I... I didn’t hear you. I thought—well, I thought you were some creep following me." 

Leonardo sighed and gave her a crooked smile. "I guess I can’t blame you for being cautious. But next time, maybe check before swinging a trash can lid at someone’s head?" 

Xena laughed nervously, her cheeks flushing. "Noted. Still, what were you doing out here, Leo?" 

"I was heading home when I spotted you. I figured I’d walk with you for a bit." he explained, his smile growing warmer. 

Xena studied his face, her tension easing. Leonardo, with his easy charm and boyish good looks, had always been a comforting presence in her life.

His grin was infectious, and his kind heart was one of the reasons they’d remained close friends. 

"Well, you could’ve just said so instead of sneaking up on me like that." she teased, though her voice was light now. 

"Noted." Leonardo said, mimicking her earlier tone.

As they walked together under the glow of streetlights, Xena couldn’t help but feel a little more at ease. But deep down, the lingering unease from earlier remained, gnawing at the edges of her thoughts. Something about tonight still felt... off.