Beneath the Veil of Shadows

Chapter 21

The clock struck midnight, its chime echoing through the penthouse. Sapphire, wrapped in her soft, oversized pajamas, glanced at the kitchen clock, feeling a rush of adrenaline. She had been curled up with a book earlier, but now she craved something different—something that would send chills down her spine.

With a determined glint in her eye, she grabbed her laptop and plopped down on the plush sofa in the living room. The penthouse was eerily quiet, the city lights twinkling outside the floor-to-ceiling windows like a blanket of stars. Sapphire navigated through the streaming service, her heart racing with excitement as she searched for the perfect horror film.

“Ah, there it is,” she whispered to herself, clicking on a particularly gruesome-looking title. As the opening credits rolled, she settled back into the cushions, ready for the thrill.

As the movie began, a chilling soundtrack filled the room, and Sapphire’s pulse quickened. She loved horror films for their ability to make her feel alive, but they also had a knack for creeping her out. The screen flickered ominously, and shadows danced around the room, heightening her anticipation.

The plot unfolded—a group of friends trapped in an abandoned house, sinister figures lurking in the dark. Sapphire was entranced, leaning forward in her seat, eyes wide. Then, just as the tension reached a peak, a sudden loud noise erupted from the speakers, and Sapphire jumped, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Oh, come on!” she gasped, gripping the side of the sofa. She couldn’t help but laugh at her own reaction. The atmosphere was electric, and she was thoroughly invested. But as the horrifying scenes continued, her laughter turned into nervous giggles, and she found herself inching closer to the armrest, instinctively seeking comfort.

In a moment of pure fright, a character screamed on-screen, and Sapphire let out a shriek that echoed through the penthouse.

“Ah!” she yelled, half-terrified, half-amused at her own dramatic flair.

Her shout pierced the stillness of the night, and within seconds, the sound of heavy footsteps thundered down the hallway. The door to the living room burst open, and Elias appeared, gun drawn, eyes scanning the room with a fierce intensity. His expression was a mix of confusion and alarm, and the guards stationed outside the penthouse had rushed in behind him, their expressions equally tense.

“What happened?!” Elias demanded, his voice low and urgent. He looked every bit the formidable figure in his fitted black shirt, a stark contrast to Sapphire’s comfy pajamas.

Sapphire blinked, her fear quickly morphing into bemusement as she took in the scene. There stood Elias, gun in hand, surrounded by his guards, all seemingly ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. She couldn’t help but stifle a laugh at the absurdity of it all.

“Uh, sorry to interrupt your evening, but there is no need to take out a gun,” she said sarcastically, raising her hands in mock surrender, a grin spreading across her face.

Elias shot her a look that mixed annoyance and disbelief, but the corners of his lips twitched as he realized how ridiculous he must have looked. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed his guards, who exchanged confused glances before stepping back toward the hallway, leaving the two of them alone.

“What are you doing, Sapphire?” Elias asked, lowering his gun but still holding it in a way that suggested he was ready for anything.

“I am watching a horror movie,” she replied, her voice light and teasing, as if she hadn’t just screamed loud enough to rouse half the building. “Want to join me?”

Elias hesitated, his brow furrowing slightly as he considered the invitation. He wasn’t exactly known for enjoying horror films. But something about her playfulness intrigued him, and against his better judgment, he found himself moving to sit down next to her on the sofa.