Tempetation Of Shadows |18+

CHAPTER 3: Awakening

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room. I lay in bed, the events of last night replaying in my mind like a broken record. The man's lifeless eyes, the blood... I shivered. It felt unreal, yet the dried blood on my clothes told a different story.

I forced myself out of bed, hoping that a hot shower would wash away the lingering fear. As the water cascaded over me, I felt a mix of relief and dread. Who was that man?

Why did he die right in front of me?Wrapping a towel around myself, I walked back to my room, my mind still clouded. I needed to talk to Sofia, to make sense of what happened. But first, I needed to see my aunt Maria. Her calming presence always made things better.

Downstairs, the smell of freshly baked bread greeted me. Aunt Maria was bustling around the kitchen, her face lighting up when she saw me."Good morning, Elena! How did you sleep?

"I forced a smile. "Morning, Aunt Maria. I... I had a rough night."Her brow furrowed with concern. "What happened, dear?"

I hesitated, not wanting to worry her, but I needed to talk about it. "Last night at the club... a man was shot. Right in front of me."She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh, my! Are you okay? Were you hurt?""No, I wasn't hurt. But it was terrifying."

I took a deep breath. "And I can't shake the feeling that someone is watching me.

It's been like this for a while."Aunt Maria's expression softened. "Oh, Elena. We'll figure this out.

But first, let's get you some breakfast. You need to keep your strength up."I nodded, grateful for her support. As I ate, my thoughts drifted to the man who had saved me. Who was he? And why did I feel like he was always near, protecting me from the shadows?After breakfast, I decided to clear my head with a walk. I told Aunt Maria I needed some fresh air and headed out.

The sun was shining, but I couldn't shake the chill from last night. My mind kept going back to the hooded figure. Could it be him? As I walked through the bustling streets, I felt that familiar sensation again—the feeling of being watched.

I turned my head quickly, scanning the crowd, but saw no one suspicious. Just the usual faces of people going about their day.I reached the park and sat on a bench, trying to gather my thoughts. Sofia texted me, asking how I was doing. I replied that I was fine, but I knew I needed to talk to her in person.

She was the only one who could help me make sense of this mess.Later that afternoon, Sofia and I met up at our favorite café. As soon as she saw me, her eyes widened with concern.

"Elena, you look exhausted. Are you sure you're okay?"I sighed. "I don't know, Sofia. Last night was... it was terrifying. And I keep feeling like someone is watching me."She leaned in closer, her voice lowering.

"Do you think it's the same person from before? The one you keep feeling is following you?

"I nodded. "I think so. But I don't understand why. And then there was the man who was shot. Who was he? And why did he have to die right in front of me?"

Sofia reached out and squeezed my hand. "We'll figure this out, Elena. Maybe we should go to the police."

I shook my head. "I don't know. What if it's dangerous? What if getting the police involved makes things worse?"We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing down on us.

Finally, Sofia spoke. "Let's be careful, okay? Keep your phone with you at all times and let me know if anything else happens."I agreed, feeling a little better knowing Sofia was by my side.

As we parted ways, I couldn't help but look over my shoulder one last time. The feeling of being watched never left me, and I knew I had to stay vigilant.

As I reached home, I saw Aunt Maria bustling around the bakery, her usual warm smile in place as she tended to customers. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, momentarily easing the tension in my shoulders. I considered stopping to talk to her, but decided against it. I needed some time alone to process everything that had happened.

I headed straight to my room, eager for a moment of solitude. As I pushed open the door, I froze. On my bed lay a large bouquet of flowers, a few wrapped gifts, and a note. My heart pounded as I approached the bed, a mix of curiosity and apprehension swirling within me.

The flowers were a beautiful array of roses, their fragrance filling the room. I picked up the note, my fingers trembling slightly as I unfolded it.

*"To my Tesoro,*

*I hope these flowers bring a smile to your face, as your presence does to mine. The gifts are just a small token of my appreciation for the light you bring into my life.*

*Yours,*

*E"*

I stared at the note, my mind racing. Tesoro?  But why? And how did he know where I lived? A shiver ran down my spine.

I turned to the gifts, carefully unwrapping them. Inside were a delicate silver bracelet, a book I had been wanting to read, and a small, intricately carved wooden box. Each item was thoughtful, personal, as if he knew exactly what I needed.

Who was this person? And why was he doing this? I felt a strange mix of emotions—fear, curiosity, and an odd sense of being cared for. It didn't make sense, but something in me couldn't help but feel a small spark of warmth at the thought that someone was looking out for me.

I needed to talk to Sofia. She would know what to do. Grabbing my phone, I sent her a quick text, asking if she could come over. While I waited for her reply, I sat on my bed, the note still in my hand, my mind swirling with questions.

A soft knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. "Elena, are you okay?" Aunt Maria's voice was filled with concern.

I quickly hid the note and gifts in my bedside drawer. "Yeah, Aunt Maria. Just a lot on my mind."

She stepped into the room, her eyes scanning my face. "Are you sure you're alright?"

I forced a smile. "I'm fine. It was just... a lot to take in."

She came over and wrapped me in a warm hug. "If you need to talk, I'm here for you."

"Thanks, Aunt Maria. I appreciate it."

As she left the room, my phone buzzed. It was Sofia. *On my way, be there in 10.*

I sighed in relief. I needed to talk this through with someone. The fear of being watched, the mysterious gifts, the note—everything was too much to handle on my own.

When Sofia arrived, she took one look at my face and knew something was up. "What happened?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

I handed her the note and showed her the gifts. "These were on my bed when I got home."

She read the note, her eyes widening. "Tessro? That's creepy. Do you think it's the same guy who's been watching you?"

I nodded. "I don't know, Sofia. But it feels like it. And the fact that he knows where I live... it scares me."

She placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "We'll figure this out. You're not alone in this, okay?"

I nodded, grateful for her support. But as we sat there, going over the events of the past few days, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to change in ways I couldn't even imagine. And somehow, I knew that the man behind the note, the gifts, and the watchful eyes was at the center of it all.