The morning sun cast a golden glow over the city as Ethan stepped off the train, the crisp air a welcome change from the stuffy confines of the subway. He adjusted his bag on his shoulder and checked his phone, Claire had texted him the address of the café, just around the corner from the office.  

He was looking forward to the meeting. Claire had been sharp and confident during their first day, and he was curious to learn more about her. But as he walked down the bustling street, something caught his eye.  

A black sedan was idling at the corner, its windows tinted and its engine purring softly. Ethan slowed his pace, his heart rate picking up. He glanced over his shoulder, pretending to check his phone, and noticed the car creeping forward, keeping pace with him.  

“Don’t be paranoid,” he told himself, quickening his steps. But the car followed, maintaining a steady distance.  

By the time he reached the café, his pulse was racing. He pushed through the door, the bell jingling overhead, and scanned the room. Claire was seated at a corner table, her curly brown hair catching the sunlight as she laughed at something Mia was saying.  

Ethan forced a smile and walked over, sliding into the empty chair. “Hey,” he said, trying to sound casual. 

“Ethan!” Claire greeted him, her eyes bright. “You made it. Mia and I were just catching up.”  

Mia smiled, though there was something guarded in her expression. “Hey, Ethan. How’s your second day going?”  

“Fine,” he said, glancing out the window. The black sedan was still there, parked across the street. He could see the silhouette of the driver, their face obscured by the tinted glass.  

“You okay?” Claire asked, following his gaze.  

Ethan hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, just… thought I saw something.” 

Mia raised an eyebrow. “Something or someone?”  

He shrugged, trying to play it off. “Probably nothing. Just my imagination.”  

Claire leaned forward, her tone teasing but her eyes serious. “You’re not being followed, are you?”  

Ethan laughed, though it sounded forced. “What? No. That’s ridiculous.”  

But the unease lingered, gnawing at the edges of his mind. He couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching him. 

The conversation shifted to lighter topics, with Claire and Mia chatting about their plans for the day. Ethan tried to focus, but his attention kept drifting back to the car outside.  

“So,” Claire said, turning to Mia, “what’s this I hear about you leaving the internship?”  

Mia sighed, stirring her coffee. “Yeah, I’ve decided to help Khoa with the launch party for his new firm in Bangkok. It’s a huge opportunity, and I couldn’t pass it up.”  

Ethan frowned. “Khoa? That name sounds familiar.”  

Claire smirked. “You’ve never met him, have you?”  

“No,” Ethan admitted. “But I’ve heard people mention him. Who is he?”  

Mia hesitated, her expression thoughtful. “He’s… ambitious. Brilliant, really. He’s been working on this new venture for months, and it’s finally coming together. The launch party is going to be massive.”  

Claire leaned back in her chair, her tone teasing. “Sounds like you’ve got a crush.”  

Mia rolled her eyes. “It’s not like that. Khoa’s just a friend. A really good friend.”  

Ethan glanced out the window again. The car was still there, its engine idling. He felt a flicker of frustration. “Sorry, I just… I can’t shake this feeling that something’s off.”  

Claire followed his gaze, her expression softening. “Hey, it’s probably nothing. But if it’ll make you feel better, we can walk to the office together.”  

Mia nodded. “Safety in numbers, right?”  

Ethan forced a smile, grateful for their support. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”  

As they left the café, Ethan kept his eyes on the black sedan. It didn’t move, but he could feel the driver’s gaze on him as they walked away.  

Claire linked her arm through his, her tone light. “So, Ethan, what’s the deal with your family? I mean, your dad’s kind of a big deal, right?”  

He sighed, knowing this conversation was inevitable. “Yeah, he is. But I’m trying to do my own thing, you know? I don’t want to just coast on the family name.”  

Mia nodded, her expression thoughtful. “I get that. It’s hard to step out of someone’s shadow.”  

Claire smirked. “Well, for what it’s worth, I think you’re doing a pretty good job so far.”  

Ethan smiled, feeling a flicker of warmth despite the tension. “Thanks. That means a lot.”  

As they approached the office, Ethan glanced over his shoulder one last time. The black sedan was gone, but the unease remained.  

Just as they reached the entrance of the office building, the black sedan pulled up behind them, its engine purring ominously. Ethan froze, his heart pounding as the car came to a stop.  

Claire turned to him, her eyes wide. “Ethan, I think that car is following us.”  

Before he could respond, the doors of the sedan swung open. Marcus, Charles Harrington’s head of security, stepped out, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. Beside him was a younger man, tall and muscular, with a chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes. He removed his sunglasses, revealing a face that could have been sculpted by a Renaissance artist.  

Ethan’s breath caught in his throat. The man looked like he’d stepped out of an action movie, his presence commanding and slightly intimidating.  

“Ethan,” Marcus said, his tone apologetic. “Sorry for the scare. Your father thought it would be best to assign you a personal security detail, given… recent developments.”  

Ethan blinked, his mind racing. “A security detail? What recent developments?”  

Marcus glanced at the younger man, who stepped forward with a confident smile.  

“Ethan, this is Dante,” Marcus said. “He’ll be your new security guard.”  

Dante extended his hand, his grip firm and his gaze steady. “Nice to meet you, Ethan. I’ll be keeping an eye on you from now on.”  

Ethan stared at him, his mind reeling. “Wait, what? I don’t need a security guard. This is ridiculous.”  

Claire raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing. “Well, if you’re going to have a bodyguard, at least he’s easy on the eyes.”  

Mia stifled a laugh, though her expression was thoughtful. “This seems… intense. What’s going on, Ethan?”  

Ethan shook his head, his frustration mounting. “I have no idea. But I’m going to find out.”  

Marcus stepped forward, his tone firm. “Your father will explain everything. For now, just trust us. We’re here to keep you safe.”  

Ethan glanced at Dante, who was watching him with an unreadable expression. There was something about him, something intense and slightly unsettling that made Ethan’s skin prickle.  

“Fine,” Ethan said, though his tone was anything but. “But this isn’t over.”