Unaware Lifestyle.

Chapter 16: Beneath the surface calls out a warning.

Lyra's instincts kicked in, her senses on high alert as she gazed into the woman's eyes. The smile seemed to mask a hidden agenda, a subtle warning sign that Lyra's gift was attuned to detect. She felt a shiver run down her spine, her mind urging her to keep a safe distance.

Without breaking eye contact, Lyra slowly backed away, her hand instinctively reaching for the small charm on her necklace, a subtle gesture that brought her comfort and focus. The woman's smile never wavered, but Lyra sensed a flicker of interest, a hint that she had been recognized.

With a polite smile, Lyra turned and continued on her way to the coffee machine, her senses still on high alert. She could feel the woman's gaze following her, like a lingering shadow that refused to dissipate. Lyra's mind raced with questions: Who was this woman? What did she want? And why did Lyra's gift sense danger lurking beneath the surface?

Lyra's heart raced as she poured herself a cup of coffee, her eyes never straying far from the woman. She could feel her gaze still on her, like a lingering touch.

The woman's eyes widened in surprise, and she smiled wryly.

"Well, well, well. Looks like fate has a sense of humor,"

She said, gazing down at her coffee-stained shirt.

"First, you sense danger around me, and now you're literally pouring coffee all over me. I think we're meant to talk, Lyra."

Lyra's face flushed with embarrassment, but the woman's warm tone put her at ease.

"I'm so sorry,"

Lyra apologized again, helping the woman clean up the spill.

As they stood up, the woman handed Lyra a business card.

"My name is Ava, by the way. And I think we have a lot to discuss."

Lyra took the card, her eyes scanning it quickly. Ava Morales, Paranormal Investigator. Lyra's mind raced with questions. What did Ava want from her? And how did she know about her gift?

With a deep breath, Lyra turned and made her way back to her desk, her senses on high alert, sat down, she noticed a small piece of paper on her desk. She picked it up, and her eyes widened as she read the message scrawled on it:

"We need to talk. Meet me at the park at 5 pm. Come alone."

Lyra's mind raced as she looked around the office, wondering who could have written the note and what they wanted from her. Her eyes landed on the woman, who was now sitting at a nearby desk, typing away on her computer. Their eyes met, and Lyra felt a shiver run down her spine.

What did this mysterious message mean? And who was behind it? Lyra's gift was urging her to be cautious, but her curiosity was getting the better of her. She knew she had to go to the park and find out what this was all about.

Lyra's hand trembled slightly as she tucked the note into her pocket, her mind racing with possibilities. She tried to focus on her work, but her eyes kept drifting back to the woman, who seemed to be watching her every move.

As the day wore on, Lyra found herself checking the clock every few minutes, her anxiety growing with each passing moment. Finally, at 4:45 pm, she couldn't take it anymore. She packed up her things and made her way out of the office, her heart pounding in her chest.

The park was a short walk away, and Lyra arrived just as the sun was beginning to set. She looked around nervously, wondering if she was being watched. And then, she saw her - the woman from the office, sitting on a bench in the shadows.

"Who are you?"

Lyra demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.

The woman smiled, her eyes glinting in the fading light.