Twenty

I took a deep breath, attempting to calm my racing heart. It seemed like there was always someone watching me, and the constant surveillance was becoming suffocating. I couldn't endure it much longer.

Seeking solace and guidance, I decided to reach out to Athena, my trusted friend and confidante. She had always been a source of comfort, and I hoped she could help me unravel the mystery surrounding my situation.

As soon as I arrived at her apartment, tears welled up, and I couldn't hold them back any longer. "Athena, I don't know what to do," I sobbed. "I feel like I'm constantly being watched. The number of people after me seems to be increasing, and I'm terrified."

Athena embraced me tightly. "Shh, it's okay, Ruby. We'll figure this out together."

I took a deep breath, wiping away my tears. "Do you think it could be Lucian?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Athena hesitated. "It's possible. He possesses significant power and resources. Perhaps he's still pursuing you."

I vigorously shook my head. "No, that can't be true. Lucian wouldn't hold a grudge against me after all these years."

Athena shrugged. "You never know with Lucian. He's unpredictable."

Despite my resistance, the thought of Lucian surveilling me sent shivers down my spine. However, as I was about to leave Athena's apartment, I realized there was one thing that made me feel safe—Tyler.

As I walked along the street, I decided to take a detour to Tyler's office. When I arrived, he was in the midst of a meeting, but I barged in nonetheless.

"Tyler, I need to talk to you," I urgently stated.

He looked up, surprised by my presence. "Ruby, what are you doing here?"

"I'm frightened," I blurted out. "It feels like I'm being pursued by an increasing number of people. I don't know what to do."

Tyler's expression softened. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, Ruby. You know that."

I nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. "Thank you, Tyler."

As I turned to leave, an unfamiliar sensation stirred within my chest. It took a moment to recognize it—I was beginning to develop feelings for Tyler.

In the following days, thoughts of Tyler occupied my mind more and more. His rugged good looks, his charismatic personality, and, above all, his unwavering dedication to my safety. I couldn't deny the attraction I felt towards him.

But just as I was coming to terms with my emotions, I unexpectedly ran into Lucian at a mall.

"Ruby," he greeted with a sly smile. "What a pleasant surprise."

I struggled to maintain composure, my heart racing. "What do you want, Lucian?"

He shrugged. "Just thought I'd say hello. We used to be such good friends, after all."

I glared at him. "We were never friends. You tried to kill me."

Lucian chuckled. "Ah, memories. Those were the good times."

Against my better judgment, I found myself spending the rest of the day with him. Surprisingly, despite our constant bickering, the day turned out unexpectedly well.

As we bid farewell, Lucian wore a sly smile. "Until next time, Ruby."

The mere thought of a next encounter sent a chill down my spine. However, as I made my way home, I couldn't shake the conflicting attraction I felt for both Tyler and Lucian. I was torn between two distinct paths, unsure of which one to

choose.

Upon reaching home, I collapsed onto my bed and stared up at the ceiling. How could I have feelings for both Tyler and Lucian? They were complete opposites with divergent personalities.

But as I lay there, lost in contemplation, one thing became clear to me—Tyler was the only one who genuinely cared about me. He was the one who would go to any lengths to ensure my safety, and I knew I could trust him.

Drifting off to sleep, I made a decision—I would give Tyler a chance. I would allow myself to fall for him and see where our connection led.

The next day, I went to Tyler's office and asked him to meet me for lunch. When he arrived, I could sense the anticipation building within me.

"Ruby, what's going on?" he inquired, looking concerned.

I took a deep breath. "Tyler, I've been contemplating our relationship a lot lately. And I've come to realize that I have feelings for you."

Tyler's face lit up with a radiant smile. "Really? I've been waiting for you to say that, Ruby."

As we sat down for lunch, a profound sense of tranquility enveloped me. It was as if everything was falling into place, and I knew deep down that Tyler was the one for me.

However, even in the midst of basking in the newfound love between us, an underlying uneasiness persisted. The people surveilling me were still out there, and I understood that I had not yet escaped danger.

Yet, for the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of stability in my life—Tyler's love. With him by my side, I knew I could confront whatever challenges lay ahead.