SHORT INTRO:
Ecem leaned back in the plush chair, staring out the large window of her penthouse. The view of the city lights below seemed so far away, almost like another life. The betrayal still stung, and no matter how much she tried to move on, Alp's face lingered in her mind, haunting her every moment.
She had tried to bury it all. The love, the pain, the promises he had broken. But then came the strange messages. The strange phone calls.
"I know you, Ecem. I know your secrets." The last one had chilled her to the bone. Who would be watching her so closely?
She snapped out of her thoughts as the lights flickered. The power was going in and out, the storm outside battering the city. She had learned to ignore the little oddities that seemed to be happening since Alp left. Her life had become one long series of unanswered questions, and she wasn't sure she was prepared for more.
The sudden sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, pulling her from her seat. She froze.
Who could it be? She had no visitors, and her father was still out of town. Her fingers hovered over the phone, ready to call for help, but the footsteps stopped just outside her door.
Her heart pounded in her chest.
She could hear the faint sound of breathing on the other side.
Was someone trying to get in?
Taking a deep breath, Ecem cautiously approached the door, every sense heightened. She wasn't going to be caught off guard. Not again.
A shadow flickered under the door — someone was on the other side. Slowly, she backed away, her pulse racing. She couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just a random visitor.
Then, a soft knock.
Ecem stood motionless, trying to steady her breath. It was too quiet. Too calculated.
"Ecem…"
Her blood ran cold. It was his voice. Alp's voice.
For a moment, she couldn't move. The pain, the anger, and the confusion swirled inside her. But how could he be here? He had left her. She could never trust him again.
The voice called again, almost pleading.
"Ecem, open the door. I need to explain. Please."
Her hands shook as she reached for the door handle, but something stopped her. The last time they had spoken, Alp had hurt her more than she could bear. She couldn't let him in — not without knowing why he was really here.
She took a deep breath, then peered through the peephole.
But to her surprise, there was no one there. The hallway was completely empty.
Confused and on edge, Ecem opened the door just a crack. She stepped out into the hallway, looking in both directions. The silence was unnerving.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, her heart nearly stopping when she saw the message:
"I know you're not alone. He's watching you."
Her eyes darted around, scanning the shadows. Who was sending these messages? Who was watching her?
A shiver ran down her spine as she hurried back inside, locking the door behind her. The storm outside grew fiercer, but inside her apartment, the chill came from something far more sinister than the weather.
She couldn't escape this. The past wasn't finished with her yet.
And Alp? Was he really the one knocking on her door... or was it someone else entirely?
To Be Continued...