More Than Friends

Chapter 19: Pushin' the Limit

Nicole ain't gettin' used to the feelin' of bein' watched, and every message was like another knife twistin' in her gut. She sat in the living room, legs tucked up under her, listenin' to Devin talk on the phone in the other room. He had been doin' everything he could to figure out who was messin' with her, but it felt like they was always one step ahead.

Her phone was still in her lap, the last message flashin' across her mind over and over again. You ain't safe with him, either. It wasn't just about her anymore—they was tryna break Devin down too.

She closed her eyes, lettin' her head rest back on the couch. The fear was takin' its toll, and she didn't know how much more she could handle.

Later That Day

Nicole was tryin' to keep it together, but she could feel herself slippin'. Devin had been out all afternoon runnin' some errands, and she stayed at his place, tryin' to stay calm. But it was hard. Too hard.

The knock on the door made her jump, her heart poundin' in her chest. She wasn't expectin' nobody.

She hesitated for a second, then walked over to the door, peekin' through the peephole. It was just a delivery guy, holdin' a small package.

Nicole opened the door, confused. She hadn't ordered nothin'. "Who's it from?" she asked, her voice a little shaky.

The guy shrugged. "No name. Just got a drop-off for this address."

Nicole frowned but took the package, watchin' the guy walk away before closin' the door behind her. She stared at the plain, brown box in her hands, her stomach twistin' with dread.

Somethin' didn't feel right.

Slowly, she peeled off the tape and opened the box. Inside was a small envelope, nothin' else. She pulled it out, her hands tremblin', and opened it.

The note inside made her blood run cold.

You think you can hide from me? You're mine.

Nicole dropped the note, her breath catchin' in her throat. She stumbled back, her heart poundin' so loud she could barely think. She grabbed her phone and called Devin, her voice panicked.

"Dev, somebody just sent me somethin

"Dev, somebody just sent me somethin'. A package. No name on it, no nothin'. Just a note..." Nicole's voice was tremblin', her heart racin' as she tried to explain what happened.

Devin's voice came through the phone, tight with concern. "What it say, Nic?"

Nicole swallowed hard, pickin' up the note again with shaky hands. "It said, You think you can hide from me? You're mine."

There was a beat of silence on the other end of the line, and then Devin's voice came back, low and serious. "I'm comin' right now. Don't move, Nic. Don't open the door for nobody. Just stay inside."

Nicole nodded, even though he couldn't see her, feelin' her stomach twist up in knots. "Hurry, Dev."

"I'm already on my way," he said, and the call ended.

Nicole sat down on the couch, her eyes dartin' around the room like somebody was watchin' her. The walls felt like they were closin' in, the silence in the apartment only makin' the tension worse. She couldn't believe it had come to this—somebody stalkin' her, messin' with her mind, and leavin' threats on her doorstep. It felt like her whole world was spinnin' out of control.

Twenty Minutes Later

Devin burst through the door, his face hard with anger and worry. He found Nicole sittin' on the couch, her hands still clutchin' the note.