43

Chapter 43
As Andrianne reached her house, she quickly got out of her car and walked to the door. Her heart was still pounding from her conversation with Jackie. She was trying her best to push the conversation to the back of her mind, but it kept nagging at her.
As she opened the door to her house, she was about to ascend the stairs when her eyes caught something. Something that sent a shiver down her spine. It was a small camera, hidden in the corner of the room. Andrianne gasped and walked closer to it, trying to process what she was seeing.
Suddenly, she realized that this was not an isolated incident. She felt like she was being watched, monitored, and spied upon. Andrianne felt a wave of anger wash over her as she realized that the only person who could be responsible for this was Steve.
She walked around the room, checking every nook and cranny, and to her utter shock, she found cameras hidden in places she couldn’t have imagined. She felt violated and angry. How could someone she trusted so much do this to her?
Andrianne’s mind was racing with thoughts. She felt like she was being watched every moment of every day. She thought about all the conversations she had with Lucas and Jackie, wondering if Steve was listening in on them. The idea made her feel sick.
She knew she had to confront Steve. She picked up her phone and dialed his number, but he didn’t pick up. Andrianne felt even more frustrated. She was alone, vulnerable, and scared.
She started to pace around the room, trying to come up with a plan. Suddenly, an idea struck her. She decided to call Lucas. She knew he was the only one who could help her.
As she waited for him to pick up the phone, she started to feel nervous. She had never asked him for help before, and she wasn’t sure if he would even want to help her. But to her relief, he answered the phone.
“Lucas, I need your help,” Andrianne said, trying to keep her voice steady.
“What’s wrong, Andrianne?” Lucas asked, his voice filled with concern.
Andrianne took a deep breath and explained everything that had happened. She told him about the hidden cameras and how she felt violated and scared. Lucas listened attentively and when she was done, he spoke.
“I’ll be there in ten minutes,” Lucas said firmly.
Andrianne felt a sense of relief wash over her. She knew she could count on him. She sat down on the couch, waiting for him to arrive.
Ten minutes later, Lucas walked in, looking calm and composed. Andrianne felt grateful to see him. They sat down and started discussing what had happened. Lucas listened carefully and then started to come up with a plan.
“We need to find out where Steve is and confront him. We can’t let him get away with this,” Lucas said, his voice firm.
Andrianne felt a sense of determination wash over her. She knew that Lucas was right. They had to find Steve and put a stop to this.
But as they got up to leave the house, the phone rang. Andrianne hesitated for a moment before picking it up.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Andrianne, it’s Steve,” came the voice from the other end.
Andrianne froze. She didn’t know what to say. She knew she had to confront him, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to face him.
“Andrianne, I need to talk to you. Can we meet?” Steve asked.
Andrianne took a deep breath and said, “Yes, Steve. Let’s meet.”
As she hung up she made her way out of the house as quickly as she got in, she was fuming with anger and she could swear if Steve was in front of her at that moment, it wouldn’t go down well between the both of them… what in heaven’s name was he thinking going to plant camera in her house?
Andrianne’s hands were shaking as she pulled up to the small coffee shop where she was supposed to meet Steve. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down, but her mind was racing with a million thoughts. Who could have planted the cameras in her house? Was someone watching her every move right now?
As she stepped out of her car, she saw Steve sitting at a small table outside the coffee shop. He looked up at her and stood up, but Andrianne could see the anger in his eyes.
“What do you want, Steve?” she asked, trying to sound as calm as possible.
“I didn’t plant any cameras in your house,” Steve said, his voice low and controlled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Andrianne didn’t believe him for a second. “Don’t lie to me, Steve. You’re the only one who could have done it. Why are you doing this?”
Steve leaned forward, his eyes blazing. “I’m not doing anything, Andrianne. I came back because I care about you. I want to protect you.”
Andrianne scoffed. “Protect me? By planting cameras in my house? That’s not protection, Steve. That’s stalking.”
Steve leaned back in his chair, looking hurt. “I’m not stalking you, Andrianne. I’m just trying to keep you safe.”
Andrianne shook her head. “Safe from what, Steve? You’re not making any sense.”
Steve looked around, making sure no one was listening in on their conversation. “There are people out there who want to hurt you, Andrianne. You don’t even know the half of it. I’m just trying to help.”
Andrianne was getting more and more confused by the second. “What are you talking about? Who wants to hurt me?”
Steve leaned in closer. “I can’t say too much right now, Andrianne. But you need to trust me. I’m on your side. I’ve always been on your side.”
Andrianne’s mind was spinning. Who could Steve be talking about? And why was he acting so strange? She decided to change the subject.
“Fine, Steve. Let’s say I believe you didn’t plant the cameras in my house. Do you have any idea who did?”
Steve hesitated for a moment before answering. “No, I don’t. But I’ll help you find out.”
Andrianne wasn’t sure if she could trust Steve, but she didn’t have anyone else to turn to at the moment. “Okay, fine. But if I find out you’re lying to me, Steve, I swear to God, I’ll never forgive you.”
Steve nodded, his expression serious. “I understand, Andrianne. I’ll do everything in my power to help you.”
Andrianne wasn’t sure what to do next. She still didn’t trust Steve, but she had to admit that he seemed genuinely concerned for her safety. “Okay, let’s work together to find out who did this. But first, we need to get rid of those cameras in my house.”
Steve nodded. “Agreed. I’ll help you take care of it.”
Andrianne nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Maybe she wasn’t alone in this after all. But as she got back into her car and drove home, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right. She had a sinking feeling in her stomach that this was only the beginning of a much bigger problem.