i-Spy | A Stalker Romance

Chapter 9: The hunt begins

Third person's P.O.V.

Stella jolted awake, her heart pounding from the remnants of a nightmare that clung to her like a suffocating shroud. She scanned her hands frantically like she had something on them, and sighed in relief when she found them clean. The room was cloaked in darkness, the only sound was her ragged breathing as she struggled to shake off the haunting images that still flickered behind her eyelids. With a trembling hand, she reached for the glass of water on her nightstand, the cool liquid offering a brief reprieve from the lingering dread.

The nightmare, an unwelcome replay of a past trauma, refused to release its hold on her mind. She could still feel the chill of fear that had gripped her in sleep, the sense of helplessness that echoed through her thoughts. Closing her eyes, Stella focused on steady breaths, each inhale a desperate attempt to anchor herself in the present and banish the shadows of the nightmare.

But the unease persisted, fueled by the escalating turmoil in her life—the mysterious disappearance of Leo Alvarez, the unnerving encounters with Marco, and the ever-present threat of the stalker. With a sigh, she knew she couldn't face this alone anymore. She needed help, guidance, and a way out of the tightening web of danger.

Her mother's words echoed in her mind, and Stella reached for the card she had tucked away in her drawer.

If you ever find yourself in an emergency, call this number. He can help you when no one else can.

It was a lifeline—a contact that could potentially offer a path forward, a chance to navigate the treacherous waters closing in around her.

Carefully, she dialed the number, her finger hovering over the screen as uncertainty gnawed at her resolve. The phone rang once, twice, and then a deep, somewhat familiar voice answered on the other end. "Finally. I've been expecting your call," the voice said with a firmness that cut through the darkness, though its underlying seriousness offered a strange comfort to Stella's frayed nerves.

Stella's throat tightened, unsure of what lay ahead. "Meet me tomorrow after your shift at the trattoria. I'll text you the address," the agent continued, his instructions clear and authoritative.

"Okay," Stella managed to reply, her voice a whisper against the weight of impending decisions and unknown dangers.

Before she could utter another word, the line went dead, leaving Stella staring at her phone in the silence of the night. Tomorrow promised solutions, perhaps even a lifeline amidst the chaos. Yet, it also carried the weight of uncertainty, a journey into the unknown that could shape her fate in ways she couldn't yet fathom.

~~~

Stella's P.O.V.

The next morning at work, I couldn't shake off the thoughts of my encounter with the stalker. His eyes, the sound of his voice, and that distinct fragrance lingered in my mind like an unsolved puzzle. I was so distracted during my shift at the Zitti that I barely noticed Matteo standing next to me, a concerned look on his face.

"Stella, are you okay? You've been zoning out all morning," Matteo asked, his brow furrowed with worry.

I shrugged, trying to play it off. "Yeah, just a lot on my mind. Nothing serious."

Matteo gave me a skeptical look but then grinned. "Well, if you need to talk, you know I'm here. Plus, I could always use a good distraction from this place."

I managed a small smile. "Thanks, Matteo. I'll keep that in mind."

He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Speaking of distractions, I've been thinking about starting my investigation into that secret society again."