Chapter 78 - Followed

Few Months Earlier (End of November 2017)

It had been three weeks since the whole Tyler incident had happened. As per Shadrach's promise, his driver had dropped me home before the sun had risen, and my parents were delighted to see me safe. I told them everything that had happened, but for some reason, instead of appreciating Shadrach for saving their daughter, they blamed him for getting me into this mess in the first place. I wanted to argue with them, but I didn't know what exactly to say. Rachael did appreciate him, though.

The next few days went by, and I would talk to Shadrach everyday over text and phone calls. I would ask him whether or not he took his medicines, how the pain was, and he would flirt in reply to my concerns. I even lied to my family and went to see him once, although he was still bed ridden. Even in that state he kept making jokes and trying to be romantic. I would enjoy his company, forgetting everything else, all other worries, even who he was. In those moments, it was just us, two people, potentially lovers, spending time together and taking care of each other.

Everything felt so good, that I had almost completely forgotten about the stalkers Tyler had told me about. The ones he said spent their day spying on me.

I had forgotten about them up until that day.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked Shadrach, examining the red pencil heels.

"Hey Butterfly," his deep voice sounded from the phone, the nickname giving me goosebumps as usual. "I'm at home, obviously."

"Oh good," I smiled, putting the heels back on the shelf. "I'm shopping."

"For what?"

"Shoes," I replied. "I also need crop tops, since my favorite one was ripped apart by an asshole."

"Don't remind me of him," Shadrach replied, and I could tell he had his jaw clenched.

"Okay, sorry," I chuckled. I went out of the shop, and decided to get something to eat first.

"Find any good shoes?" Shadrach asked. "You buying flats or heels?"

"Probably heels," I replied, stepping onto the escalator. "I already have too many flats."

"You look good in both anyway," he replied, making me smile.

"Yeah, right. I'm like, 5"2, I'm pretty sure I do not look good while wearing flats," I replied.

"You're like my little baby butterfly," he replied. "Small and delicate."

"Are you calling me a caterpillar?" I narrowed my eyes, even though he couldn't see me.

"Nah, those are ugly. I mean the small butterflies. The beautiful, small ones," he replied, making me blush.

"Oh," I replied, trying my best to not make my blush obvious.

"It's good to know," he said.

"What?" I frowned.

"That you still blush when I compliment you," he replied softly, and I felt heat creep up my cheeks once again.

"I'm not blushing," I lied.

"Oh I think you are," he replied.

I bit my lip, as I got off the last escalator. My bag mistakenly fell from my hands as I walked into the food court, and I turned around to pick it up, my eyes meeting with someone I knew I had seen earlier in the mall. He quickly looked away, and I frowned, picking my bag up. I turned around and started walking again, but briskly turned around again, to see him looking again.

"Aliza??" Shadrach said in a sing song voice.

I walked up to the nearest table and sat down, and the man took a table far away from mine, but somewhere he could still look at me.

"Shadrach," I said softly.

"Yeah?"

"Someone is following me," I replied, a chill running down my spine.

"What? What does he look like?" He asked.

"He looks a little sketchy, bushy eye brows, brown eyes, light brown hair. Clean shaven," I replied.

"Clean shaven?" He asked, sounding a little shocked.

"Yeah, why?" I frowned.

"I'll call you back," he said before abruptly hanging up.

I frowned, staring at the screen. My gaze went to the guy who had been following me, and he placed his phone against his ear. He looked like he was talking to someone, after which he placed his phone back in his pocket. Suddenly, he was looking anywhere but me. Was he even following me? Was I thinking too much? Being paranoid?

Two seconds later, my phone rang. I checked the caller ID and picked the call up, my gaze again shifting to the dude. But he was gone. I frowned and looked around, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"Hello?" I said, still frowning.

"Hey Aliza," Elijah greeted me.

"Hi Elijah," I replied, deciding to forget about the brunette dude and focus on my conversation.

"How are you?"

"I'm good. You?"

"Great, now that I heard your voice," he replied, his tone mischievous.

Instead of blushing, or smiling, I felt guilt prick me.

"Nice," I replied, trying to sound cheerful, but miserably feeling.

"Is everything okay?" He asked dubiously.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm just a little busy. Can I call you back later?" I asked.

"Oh sure," he replied, his tone now slightly off. "Take care."

"You too," I replied, and hung up.

Just as I did that, my phone rang with Shadrach's call this time. I picked it up.

"Who were you talking to?" He asked instantly.

"No one," I said instantly, before cursing myself for it.

"I called you and the line was busy," he replied.

"I mean no one important," I replied.

"I would still like to know who it was," he replied, making me gulp.

"You know the dude disappeared," I said changing the topic.

"What dude?" He asked, sounding annoyed.

"The guy? Following me?"

"Oh yeah, I'm sure he did. Now who were you talking to?" He asked, determined.

"Why did you hang up? What did you wanna do?" I asked.

"Nothing," his tone was dismissive. "You tell me who you were -"

"Elijah," I replied before he could finish his sentence.

"What?" He snapped.

"Yeah," I replied, feeling annoyed myself now. "So?"

"Why were you talking to him?"

"He called me," I shrugged.

"So? You're going to talk to anyone who calls you?"

"Elijah isn't anyone, Shadrach. He's a friend. A good friend," I replied.

"I hope that is all he is, because if I find out anything-"

"How will you find out?" I asked, cutting him off. Suddenly it clicked. "Oh you mean through the stalker you have sent after me? The brunette dude who keeps following me around? Is that the one?"

"What... What are you talking about?" He asked, and I could tell from his tone that all his confidence had suddenly dissolved into nervousness.

"Why Shadrach?" I asked, my jaw clenched. "When the fuck will you leave all these things alone? Why are you invading my privacy?"

"I'm not invading your privacy," he retorted. "He's for your safety. I sent him to follow you around after Tyler kidnapped you."

"You're lying!" I replied. "Tyler already told me about the goons you have posted outside my house at all times!"

"Are you serious? You're gonna believe his words over what I'm saying?"

"Swear on me," I said simply.

"What?"

"Swear on me, that you sent this dude after Tyler kidnapped me," I replied.

"Are you kidding me right now?" He sighed.

"No. I'm serious. Do it," I replied.

"You're acting like a baby, Aliza," he replied.

"Just say it. You're not doing that because you're lying. Tell me the damned truth, Shadrach!" I slammed my fist on the table, unintentionally attracting attention.

"Fine! I'll tell you if you tell me what Elijah said," he replied, and my mouth parted in disbelief.

"Shadrach," I said softly. "Good bye."

"Aliza, wait. Please."

"If you're going to keep invading my privacy this way, I do not want to talk to you. Bye," I said and hung up before he had the chance to answer.

- - - -

December 2017

The next few days, he kept calling me, texting me, but thankfully he did not show up to my house. He kept trying to talk to me for a whole week, but I'd give him one worded replies, and seen zone half his messages. But his audacity, I swear. I had spotted where his men would stand outside my house, and they were still there every single day, every single second, no matter what the time would be. I stopped going out, not wanting to be followed. Finally I got tired, and decided to talk to Shadrach about it.

I picked up my phone and called him, which he received on the first ring.

"Oh God, finally-" he began, but I cut him off.

"I'm gonna say this once, Shadrach. Stop making people stalk me or I'll never speak to you again. I'm serious. If you want me to talk to you, I don't want any of your men within a ten mile radius around me or my family, or my friends. Do you understand that?" I asked, my tone clear and assertive.

"Alright," he said softly, almost timidly.

"And if I ever find out that you have been stalking me again, I swear you'll never see me again. I'm not kidding Shadrach. Do not, send people after me. And most definitely you do not start following me around everywhere. Am I being clear?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied.

"Good."

"You've... You've actually changed," he pointed out.

"I have. Those few years in Paris changed me," I replied.

"But why?" He asked, and for a second, I was taken back to those painful times. Those nights of sadness and depression, those days full of tears.

"I grew up," I replied. "Anyway, before you message or call me again, make sure you have your men away from me." And with that, I hung up.

- - - -

January 2018

After Shadrach had agreed to my terms, things had been going pretty well. Mostly. We had been talking a lot, without fighting, and the only time we'd argue would be something about Elijah. I had to constantly reassure Shadrach that I didn't feel anything for him, that Elijah wad just a friend who had been there for me when I was upset. He would always say he understood, yet the next time I'd mention him, he'd flip.

I did not mind though, having to reassure him again and again. To me it just showed that he loved me, and that he didn't wanna lose me. As long as he was not hurting me or my family, and not having me watched all day, I was good with anything. My parents, however, still had their concerns. They were not at all in favour of my connection with him, and they kept me trying to convince me to go back to Paris. Rachael, on the other hand, was supportive of whatever Shadrach and I had. Her beliefs were the same as mine; as long as he was not hurting me in any way, things were good.

One thought would bother me, however, that he was not a very nice person if I was not in question. His family background, and the crimes he had probably committed throughout his life, I was afraid they'd come to haunt us in the future. If we had one. I was scared of imagining a family with him, although I knew he'd love our children, I was afraid they would grow up to be like him. Reckless, dangerous, and slightly psychotic. The funny part was, there was a huge part of me who still wanted to overlook all of this, just as long as he was being nice with me. It was stupid, irrational, and naive, but I could not help it.

I was still not a hundred percent sure that I loved him, and I kept dismissing Rachael whenever she brought the topic up. I'd tell her that I did have feelings, but five years ago, when I was stupid. She would pretend to believe me, but I knew she knew the truth. I was just too afraid to admit it. If anyone would question why I was imagining a future with him, and that why kept in touch with him, I'd tell them that he loved me. And so deeply, that I knew no one ever could. Maybe I still loved the feeling of being wanted by someone, the feeling of having someone be so crazy about you, that they'd be willing to go to crazy lengths for you.

I was starting to really like that feeling. The way people would look at us when we were together. Whether it be a club, a restaurant, anywhere. I could see not only the respect, maybe even the fear, but I saw admiration too. Maybe I was becoming a little like him, and although that scared me, I was also loving it at the same time. But deep down I knew, that what I loved the most, was the way he'd look at me. The way he would hold my hand, as if nothing else ever mattered to him. The way he would stare into my eyes. The way he would respect me. And not just me, my family too. Despite everything that had happened.

However, all that changed on the last day of January, and I felt like everything had been destroyed once again. To the point that it would never be the same again.

- - - - - -

A/N: I know this chapter wasn't that eventful, but I promise the next one is spicy AF. Drama is coming *smiles wickedly*

Stay tuned! <3

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