Adrian sat in his office the next day, staring at his computer screen, but his mind was elsewhere. His inbox was full of emails, each demanding his attention, yet he couldn’t focus. The image of Elena leaving the diner late at night wouldn’t leave his head. She didn’t belong in a place like that, and it made him uneasy knowing she worked there.
The faint knock on the door snapped Adrian out of his thoughts. He glanced up, his expression unreadable, as a fellow professor, Dr. Claire Lawson, poked her head through the slightly open door.
“Adrian, do you have a moment?” Claire asked cautiously, stepping in with a few papers clutched to her chest.
“What is it, Claire?” Adrian asked, his tone clipped as he leaned back in his chair.
“I wanted to confirm the agenda for tomorrow’s faculty meeting,” she began, her eyes narrowing slightly as she caught the tension in his posture. “I heard there’s a discussion about the new ethics policy, but the email wasn’t clear about who’s presenting.”
Adrian rubbed his temples, clearly frustrated. “Yes, the ethics policy is on the agenda, and no, I’m not presenting it,” he said, his voice sharper than usual.
Claire hesitated, noting his curt response. “Alright, but we also need to finalize the speaker lineup for next month’s seminar. Have you decided on who-”
“Not now, Claire,” Adrian interrupted, his patience visibly thinning. “I’ll get to it when I have time.”
Claire’s brows knit together, and she stood still for a moment, as if debating whether to push further. “Adrian, is everything okay? You seem… preoccupied.”
Adrian sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “I’m fine, Claire. Just handling some pressing issues. If you need something urgent, email me. Otherwise, I’ll address it tomorrow.”
Claire frowned but nodded, clearly unconvinced. “Alright. Just don’t forget the meeting’s at ten sharp. You know how Dr. Harris gets if anyone’s late.”
“Noted,” Adrian muttered, his eyes already drifting back to his phone.
Claire lingered for a second longer before retreating. “Take care, Adrian,” she said softly as she closed the door behind her.
Adrian exhaled, rubbing his temples again. The storm brewing in his mind made even the smallest interactions feel like distractions he couldn’t afford. His gaze returned to his phone, where Liam’s updates awaited him.
His phone vibrated. It was Liam again.
“I’ve spoken to a few people who work with Elena at the diner. Nothing seems out of place on the surface, but one waiter mentioned someone taking an unusual interest in her. They didn’t know much, but they described a man who’s been hanging around the diner recently. Could be nothing, or it could be connected to the photos.”
Adrian’s grip tightened on the phone. Someone was targeting Elena, and the thought unsettled him more than he wanted to admit.
He typed back:
“Find out who this man is. And Liam, keep a close eye on Elena without letting her know. I don’t want her to feel cornered.”
Elena stood behind the counter at the diner, tying her apron around her waist. The late-night shift wasn’t her favorite, but she needed the money. She avoided eye contact with her coworkers, keeping her head down and focusing on the task at hand.
As she delivered orders to tables, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. It wasn’t the first time she’d felt this way, but tonight, it was stronger. Her gaze darted around the room, searching for anything out of place. Most of the customers were regulars, but near the back, a man sat alone, staring at her over the rim of his coffee cup.
She didn’t recognize him, and his presence unnerved her.
When her shift ended, she quickly grabbed her bag and left through the back door. The cold night air hit her, and she wrapped her arms around herself, walking quickly to the bus stop. Her heart raced as footsteps echoed behind her. She glanced over her shoulder but saw nothing.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, startling her. It was another text from her father.
“Don’t make me come there and drag you home. You know I will.”
Her chest tightened, the weight of his threats suffocating her.
The next morning, Adrian found himself wandering the campus, his usual confidence replaced by a growing sense of frustration. He hadn’t slept well, his mind consumed by thoughts of Elena.
He spotted her near the library, her face pale and her shoulders hunched. She looked exhausted, as if the weight of the world was on her. Before he realized what he was doing, he approached her.
“Elena,” he called out.
She froze, her grip tightening on her bag. Turning slowly, she met his gaze, her eyes guarded.
“What do you want?” she asked, her tone sharp but laced with fatigue.
Adrian hesitated. He wasn’t sure what he wanted. He only knew he couldn’t stand seeing her like this.
“I just wanted to check on you,” he said finally.
Her eyes narrowed. “Why? So you can remind me of all the ways I’ve failed?”
His chest tightened at her words. He deserved that, but it still stung.
“That’s not it,” he said quietly. “I-” He stopped, unsure of how to explain himself.
Elena shook her head. “I don’t need your pity, Professor Blackwood. I’m fine.”
She turned to leave, but his next words stopped her.
“I know you work at the diner,” he said softly.
She froze again, her back to him. “What does that have to do with you?”
“Nothing,” he admitted. “But it’s not safe. If you need help-”
“I don’t,” she snapped, spinning to face him. Her eyes were blazing now, her exhaustion replaced by anger. “I don’t need your help or anyone else’s. I’m doing just fine on my own.”
Adrian took a step back, realizing he had crossed a line.
“I didn’t mean to overstep,” he said, his voice calm. “But you shouldn’t have to do this alone.”
Elena’s jaw tightened. “Maybe not, but I don’t have a choice.”
She turned and walked away before he could say anything else, leaving him standing there, feeling more helpless than ever.
Later that evening, Liam sent another update.
“I followed up on that man at the diner. He’s been hanging around for weeks, always sitting in the same spot. No clear connection to Elena yet, but I’ll keep digging.”
Adrian stared at the message, his worry growing. Whoever this man was, Adrian couldn’t ignore the possibility that he was connected to the photos or something worse.
As he sat alone in his office, he made a silent vow. No matter how much Elena pushed him away, he wouldn’t let her face this alone.