THE FACADE

CHAPTER 5

Author's Note:

Spotify song list for this chapter:

1. Teddybears- Cobrastyle

2. Frankie Valli- Can't take my eyes off me

3. Alessie Cara- Here

4. Small Black- No stranger

Warnings:

cursing, manipulation

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Ivy's POV

Three days passed by really quickly. During that time I edited Tony's photos from our photoshoot, edited overdue photos from other little projects I had going on, mainly wedding photos and pictures for a small company selling handmade jewellery. I was able to meet with Minnie for lunch although she was having a hard time dealing with her business running and the whole Josh situation. During those lunches we talked about my photoshoot with Tony, I could tell Minnie was jealous over me meeting him. I promised her that if an opportunity of her meeting Tony will pop up, I will arrange a meeting. We also tapped on the subject of her business. Her business was running slow now, but she still had a couple of orders to complete. I suggested that maybe she should try to promote more of her work on the Internet or in local galleries. I proposed that in my spare time I will do a new portfolio for her Etsy shop with her new pieces. We talked about her dealing with the break up with Josh. She told me that Josh showed up a couple of times at her work or by her apartment building, trying to ease the situation and get back together. But Minnie was strong, every time he said some manipulative comments, she ignored him. I was so proud of her. I proposed that we should go upstate and spend a weekend just chilling and having a quality time. I definitely needed that. Since I started The Avengers Project, I was constantly working. Waking up very early, working all day, coming home very late. Sleeping only for 4-5 hours only. Even in my spare time I was taking new photos for my portfolio for my website. Keeping myself busy as much as possible.

The day of the photoshoot with Mr Rogers came and as usual I woke up early in the morning. I was feeling good and energized so I decided to take a quick run, which I don't regularly do it, only from time to time. I'm just not a big fan of running, it bores me quickly. But today I was feeling like I could run like the wind. I quickly put on shorts, t-shirt and running shoes. It was still slightly dark outside when I walked out of my building. The sun hasn't fully risen yet. Streets were almost empty, occasionally a car or a cab would drive by. I started jogging as a warm up. I ran through my neighbourhood, heading towards Central Park. When I reached my destination I did a small stretch routine all around my body and I started running. While running I passed a couple of other runners, people walking their dogs. Listening on the max volume my exercise playlist on Spotify I watched how the world wakes up. Sun slowly rises, people doing their daily activities. I stopped at the catwalk, trying to catch my breath. I looked around my surroundings, inhaling as much oxygen as I could, admiring the beauty of the nature. I took off my headphones to simply listen to nature's sounds. Water splashing over the rocks, birds chirping. It was so peaceful, so calm. And then I noticed it. Over the next catwalk, not that far away from me, there was a dark figure standing. All of my instincts immediately kicked in even though nothing from this person's behaviour and movements should have alarmed me. I took a couple of seconds to evaluate the figure. Average height and posture, wearing black clothes, hoodie covering the face. I couldn't tell if it was a man or woman. I shoved my headphones in my pocket, giving a sidelong glance to that figure in case it would shift. I looked one last time at the figure, before I started walking off. I tried my best not looking back. I had an undeniable feeling that this figure was following me, despite not seeing it.

I looked around my surroundings and I didn't see anything else or anyone suspicious. It just suddenly vanished. I knew I had to escape as quickly as possible. I knew I couldn't run back right away to my building so I took a detour. I started running and after a minute of sprinting I felt the burning sensation in my chest and in my legs but I still ran. I ran up to the local market area. Little stations were setting up, so I quickly decided to hide away in between them. I stood behind a pile of wooden boxes filled with fruits. After a while, seeing no one suspicious or this dark figure I had to make a quick decision. Stay in the hideout or run away. I decided to leave my hideout and again I sprinted off, this time straight to my apartment building. The moment until I reached the doors of the building I was running so fast that I thought my feet would fall off. I closed the doors of my apartment and locked them all the way. I collapsed on the floor trying to catch my breath. 'Well, that was a hell of a run.' I thought.