GOLDEN HEADLINES

2: Golden Tattoo

THE UNEXPECTED VISIT

After a long, grueling day, Alessia unlocked her apartment door and stepped inside, the weight of exhaustion pressing down on her shoulders.

She tossed her bag to the floor, kicked off her shoes with a heavy sigh, and went straight to the kitchen, where Mabel was sitting at the counter with a bowl of popcorn in front of her, looking relaxed and amused.

Mabel noticed Alessia's tense expression and raised an eyebrow. "Rough day?"

Alessia poured herself a glass of water, the frustration simmering just beneath her composure. "You could say that."

She took a gulp of water, hoping it would wash away some of her irritation. "You'll never believe this, but I got a text from Zaiden."

Mabel's eyebrows lifted, and a slow smirk spread across her face. "Oh? The mysterious neighbor? And what did Mr. Tall, Dark, and Brooding have to say?"

Alessia put her glass down harder than she intended, the clang echoing in the quiet kitchen.

"That's not even the issue, Mabel. The issue is, how on earth does he have my number? I didn't give it to him, and I'm careful about who gets my personal number. I don't just hand it out."

Mabel's smirk faltered, and she shifted uncomfortably, looking away. Alessia's eyes narrowed, suspicion sparking in her gaze.

"Mabel..." Alessia began, a sinking feeling growing in her stomach. "Tell me you.... didn't."

Mabel winced, biting her lip. "Okay, okay, look," she said, raising her hands in a gesture of defense.

"He asked me for it. And I thought it was harmless. He's our neighbor, and you seemed... interested. So, I figured, why not?"

Alessia's jaw dropped in disbelief, her voice rising as she stared at her friend. "Mabel, I'm not interested in him! He's just... strange. And apparently sneaky enough to go through my best friend instead of just asking me directly."

Mabel gave a small shrug, looking sheepish. "Maybe he didn't want to seem pushy? Thought it would be easier through me?"

Alessia shook her head, rubbing her temples. The situation felt more unsettling the more she thought about it.

"This isn't just about him being pushy. It's... unnerving. He already knew my name before we'd even met. And now he has my number."

Mabel shifted uncomfortably on her stool, choosing her words carefully. "Maybe he's just... trying to sound mysterious?"

Alessia shook her head, pressing her lips together. "This doesn't feel like that. It feels like he's... testing me, almost. Like he's playing some game I don't know the rules to."

Mabel looked at her friend thoughtfully, chewing her lip. "So, what are you going to do about it?"

"If he wants to play games, I'll definitely play. I'm going to find out who Zaiden Kane really is." Alessia said.

Mabel's face broke into a supportive smile, a hint of pride in her eyes. "Now that's the Alessia I know."

"You know what's even strange, Mabel?" Alessia said.

"I saw this guy outside our building tonight. He had this cold vibe"

Mabel raised an eyebrow, leaning closer. "What, another Zaiden wannabe? Or do we have a secret club of mysterious men living here now?"

Alessia let out a short, humorless laugh. "I don't know. But he looked like he was waiting for something—or someone"

Someone.