i-Spy | A Stalker Romance

Chapter 12: The Uninvited Guest

Stella's P.O.V.

I peered through the curtain of my window, heart pounding as I saw him standing there. My stalker. His hood shrouded most of his face, but those feral blue eyes pierced through the darkness, locking onto mine.

I contemplated my options, fingers trembling as I debated whether to confront him or call Luca. But before I could decide, I saw him take out his phone. A moment later, my own phone buzzed with a text.

"Missed me?"

I scoffed at the message, my fingers flying over the screen. "You must have a death wish to be standing here."

From my vantage point, I couldn't see his expressions clearly, but I could feel his smirk— the same one that haunted my dreams.

"You think you and your little agent can hunt me down, darling?"

Shock coursed through me. How did he know about Luca? My mind raced with questions, but I couldn't let him see my fear. I needed to stay composed.

"What do you mean?" I typed back, my hands shaking.

He looked up at me from the ground before replying, "You know exactly what I am talking about, Mia Cara."

I gritted my teeth, frustration boiling within me. How was he always one step ahead?

"What do you want from me?" I demanded.

"Aww, don't be like that, darling... you hurt me. You're not happy to see or hear from me, Sanguinata?"

His mocking tone stoked my anger further. "Is this some kind of a joke?" I snapped.

Another ping. "Oh no... I'm very serious, darling..."

I hissed, typing furiously. "What game are you playing?"

"No game... I'm just here to torment you a bit, Mia Sanguinata... after all, I finally found you... after years..."

I froze. Years? Just who was this guy? My mind reeled.

"Who are you?" I asked, my pulse quickening.

"That's for me to know and you to figure out, little star."

I glanced out the window again, but he was gone. Vanished into the shadows from which he had emerged. I sank onto my bed, overwhelmed by the realization that he had been watching me, learning about me, and somehow staying one step ahead.

I felt like I was drowning in questions with no answers. How did he know about Luca? What did he mean by 'years'? And most terrifying of all—why me?

For the next few minutes, I sat there, my phone clutched in my hand, trying to piece together the puzzle. But the more I thought about it, the more elusive the answers became. My life, which I had fought so hard to keep normal and safe, was shattering, shrouded in danger and uncertainty.

I needed to talk to Luca. He had to know about this new development. Maybe he could make sense of it all. With a deep breath, I composed myself and picked up my phone to call him.

As I waited for Luca to answer, I couldn't shake the feeling that the walls were closing in on me. The safety I had tried to build around myself was crumbling, and the shadows of my past were catching up with me faster than I could run.

"Luca, it's Stella," I said as soon as he picked up. "We need to meet. He knows about you. He was just outside my apartment."

Luca's voice was calm, but I could sense the underlying tension. "Stay put. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "Okay. I'll be waiting."

I hung up and glanced around my apartment, feeling more exposed than ever. The shadows seemed deeper, the silence more oppressive. I walked over to the window and closed the curtains tightly, blocking out the world outside. For now, all I could do was wait and hope that Luca had the answers I desperately needed.