only HIS

Chapter 18 : Shadows and Swings

**Sofia's POV**

Sofia woke up to the soft glow of morning light filtering through her curtains, her thoughts immediately drifting to the previous night. The memory of her time with Abhishek brought a faint smile to her lips, but it was quickly replaced by a wave of guilt. She had suspected him, questioned his intentions, and even doubted his character—yet, he had been nothing but kind and caring towards her.

She sighed, running a hand through her hair as she pushed the covers off. *Maybe I was wrong about him,* she thought, the guilt gnawing at her. *How could I have doubted someone who's shown me nothing but kindness?*

Determined to shake off the uneasy feelings, Sofia decided to hit the gym. A good workout always helped clear her mind. She quickly slipped into her gym clothes—a simple sports bra and trousers—and tied her hair into a high ponytail. As she laced up her shoes, she made a mental note to stop letting her thoughts get the best of her.

Grabbing her keys, she stepped out of her apartment, locking the door behind her. The gym was only a 10-15 minute walk away, so she decided to take in the morning air and enjoy a leisurely stroll. The neighborhood was quiet and peaceful, the kind of place where everyone knew each other. As she walked, she greeted her neighbors with a warm smile, exchanging pleasantries with those who were out and about.

A golden retriever came bounding up to her, wagging its tail excitedly. "Hey there, buddy," Sofia cooed, kneeling down to pet the dog. Its owner, an elderly woman named Mrs. Thompson, smiled at her from across the yard.

"Morning, Sofia! Max seems to have taken quite a liking to you," Mrs. Thompson called out.

Sofia chuckled, scratching behind the dog's ears. "He's a sweetheart. I might just have to steal him from you one day."

"Better watch out then," Mrs. Thompson teased. "He might just follow you home one of these days."

With a final pat on Max's head, Sofia waved goodbye and continued on her way. The morning sun was warm on her skin, and she allowed herself to relax, focusing on the pleasant rhythm of her footsteps.

But about 5-7 minutes into her walk, Sofia felt a slight unease creeping up on her. There was something off—something she couldn't quite put her finger on. Her senses were on high alert, and she subtly glanced over her shoulder. That's when she noticed it: a man on a bike, a Ducati Superleggera V4 she remembers from the commercials, keeping a consistent distance behind her. His face was obscured by a helmet, making it impossible to see who he was.

*Has he been following me this whole time?* she wondered, her heart beginning to race. The man's behavior was too suspicious to ignore. He made no move to pass her, no indication that he was simply a passerby. Instead, he seemed to be matching her pace, keeping her in his line of sight.

Sofia's mind raced as she considered her options. She could keep walking and hope he was just a harmless commuter—or she could confront the situation head-on. The latter was more in line with her nature; she wasn't one to shy away from danger.

Her eyes darted around, searching for a way to gain the upper hand. That's when she spotted an alley up ahead. Without breaking her stride, she formulated a plan. She would slip into the alley, hide, and wait for him to pass by. If he was truly following her, he would reveal himself by stopping to look for her. And if that happened, she would make sure he regretted it.

As she approached the alley, Sofia slowed her pace, pretending to check her phone. Then, in one smooth motion, she darted into the narrow passage, pressing herself against the wall. Her heart pounded in her chest as she listened for the sound of the bike.