The Mysterious Nerd

Chapter - 13: Shadows of Doubt

Alana had settled into her role at Leighton Enterprises seamlessly, her bright personality effortlessly winning over everyone in the office. It was refreshing to see how quickly she had made friends, and I was genuinely pleased—until I noticed one in particular: David.

David had a knack for showing up at Alana's office at the most inopportune times, bringing coffee, pastries, or just himself. I couldn't shake off the feeling that he was getting a little too familiar, and each time he walked through her door, a flicker of irritation flared within me. Did he really think he could just stroll in and out like he belonged there?

Today, I happened to be passing by her office when I saw David slip inside with yet another pastry in hand. Without thinking, I grabbed a file and followed him in, my mind racing with all the reasons why I shouldn't be bothered by this—but I was.

As soon as I entered, I began cleaning up Alana's desk, pushing aside the stacks of papers and stray pens. David glanced at me, clearly bewildered. "Uh, Noah, do you need help with that?"

"No," I replied a bit too sharply. "I know where everything goes. It's easier for her to find things if I handle it." I could see the confusion flicker across David's face as he processed this unusual sight—a CEO tidying up an employee's desk.

"Well, I could help, you know," he offered, though he seemed hesitant.

I shook my head, waving him off. "No need. Trust me, I'm the only one who knows how she organizes her chaos." I wanted him to feel the unspoken dominance in my tone, to realize that this wasn't just about cleaning. It was about claiming my territory.

With that, I stepped closer to Alana's side of the desk, handing her the file I'd brought in. "Here's the report you needed," I said, leaning slightly over her laptop. The way David's eyes widened at my proximity didn't go unnoticed. I could almost see the wheels turning in his mind as he tried to figure out the dynamic between Alana and me.

As I stood there, my eyes caught sight of the mango pastry David had brought her. "You know, Alana isn't really a fan of mangoes," I stated casually, letting my gaze linger on her. "But she loves the coffee cake my mother makes."

Alana shot me a glare, and I couldn't help but smirk at the hint of embarrassment that colored her cheeks. "Noah, stop," she muttered, trying to regain her composure.

David seemed puzzled, his brows furrowing. "Really? I had no idea. Maybe I'll bring something else next time."

"Oh, you should know," I added, leaning a little closer to Alana. "My mother will be bringing a cake for you personally. She's kind of obsessed with you."

Alana shot me a look that clearly said, Please, no more. But I was enjoying myself. I relished the moment, the small power play, and the flustered expressions both Alana and David wore.

"By the way," I said as I started to back away, "don't forget about the family dinner tonight. You might want to come a bit early to help me out; I'm making the food this time—around six, maybe?"

"Yeah, I'll be there," Alana replied, her voice slightly breathless, which only fueled my sense of satisfaction as I turned to leave the office.

As I stepped into the hallway, I caught a glimpse of David leaving too. I felt a wave of satisfaction wash over me. I had successfully reminded Alana of our dinner plans while subtly asserting my presence in her life.

But that sense of victory didn't last long. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see Rohan's name flashing on the screen. He was one of my closest friends, and he had a talent for digging up information that others would rather keep hidden.

"Hey, Noah," Rohan said, his tone serious. "I've got something you need to hear about Alana."

My heart dropped. "What is it?"

"The girl you know as Alana? Her real name can't be that. The actual Alana—she was an orphan who died of drug abuse when she was fifteen. I found this out through some of her old friends. Her death wasn't even registered."

My mind raced. Shock coursed through me as I processed what he was saying. "Wait, what? Are you serious?"

"Yeah," he said, his voice steady. "I'll send you a photo of her. The mystery of this girl impersonating Alana runs deep."

I sat in silence, trying to grasp the magnitude of what he was telling me. The girl I had been falling for wasn't just hiding her past—she had assumed a new identity altogether. My hands shook slightly as I looked at the picture Rohan sent me. The face staring back was a ghost from another life, and I felt an unsettling chill run down my spine.

I needed to find out more. I reached for Emily's number, knowing she had insight into Alana's life. I found it through Tristan, who occasionally crossed paths with her in the celebrity world.

"Emily?" I said when she picked up, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "I need to ask you something about Alana."

"What's going on?" she replied, concern lacing her tone.

"I've noticed she's been scared about something, and I need to know more about her past. Anything you can tell me?"

There was a long pause. "Why do you want to know?" she finally asked, a hint of wariness creeping in.

"Because something is scaring her, and I want to eliminate the threat. I like her, Emily."

Silence fell on the line, and I could almost hear her processing my words. "Do you think Alana knows this?"

"No," I admitted. "She doesn't. But if I'm going to help her, I need to understand what I'm dealing with."

Emily sighed. "I don't know much, but I can tell you she's been through a lot. If you want to know more, you'll need to talk to her directly. Just... be careful, okay?"

"Thanks, Emily," I replied, my resolve hardening. "I promise I'll take care of her, regardless of how she feels about me."

After hanging up, I sat back in my chair, staring out the window as the weight of uncertainty settled on my shoulders. I had to confront the reality that I didn't know Alana's true identity, and that uncertainty gnawed at me. But I couldn't let that stop me from being there for her. The stakes had just been raised, and I was all in.