The private jet hummed softly as it soared above the
clouds, carrying Mandy and Nathan back home. The glow of Paris still lingered
in her heart—the grandeur of the ball, the way his hands had held her waist as
they danced, and, most of all, the kiss that had shattered every wall she had
tried to keep up. She was hopelessly in love with him, a realization both
thrilling and terrifying.
Nathan sat across from her, reviewing documents with
his usual focus, but she caught him stealing glances at her more than once.
There was something different now—an unspoken acknowledgment between them. A
shift that neither dared put into words.
Yet, even in her happiness, a strange unease clung
to her. The feeling of being watched hadn't faded. Back in Paris, she had
dismissed it as paranoia, but now, as the plane descended toward home, it crept
back into her thoughts.
Someone was still lurking in the shadows.
As the plane touched down at Murtala
Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, Mandy felt a
shiver crawl down her spine. She told herself it was just the exhaustion from
the long flight, but deep down, she knew better. The feeling of being watched
had never left her—it had only grown stronger.
With every step she took off the jet, her senses
sharpened, attuned to the weight of unseen eyes. Was it paranoia? Or was
someone really there, lurking in the crowd, waiting?
She took a deep breath, smoothing down her blazer as
she fell into step beside Nathan. She couldn't let him notice. Not now. Not
after everything that had happened between them in Paris. If he sensed even a
hint of fear in her, he would ask questions she wasn't ready to answer.
So, she smiled, keeping her pace steady as they
walked through the terminal. But inside, her heart pounded.
Because somehow, she knew… her
fear had only just begun.
A Love That Consumes
Mandy had never felt this way before.
Paris had changed everything. What started as
admiration had spiraled into something deeper, something she couldn't control.
She was hopelessly in love with Nathan. Every glance he stole, every lingering
touch, every time he said her name—it all left her breathless.
Back in Lagos, their relationship continued to
evolve in unspoken ways. At work, they kept things professional, but when they
were alone, the air between them crackled with tension. His presence filled her
thoughts, making it impossible to focus on anything else.
And yet, beneath the happiness, something dark
lurked in the background.
Mandy was determined to uncover the person behind
the fingerprints on the previous threat letters.
As she stepped into her office one morning, she
settled into her chair, exhaling as she prepared for the day ahead. But then
her eyes landed on something unusual—a single envelope resting on her desk.
Her stomach twisted.
Slowly, she reached for it, her fingers trembling
slightly as she tore it open. A single sheet of paper slipped out.
Bold, capitalized letters stared back at her.
"I HOPE YOU ENJOYED PARIS."
A cold shiver ran down her spine. Her grip on the
letter tightened as her pulse pounded in her ears. This wasn't just another
warning. It was a message—one that confirmed what she had feared all along.
They were watching.
Mandy scanned the envelope, looking for anything—an
address, a smudge, a clue. But just like the others, it was meticulously clean.
Whoever was behind this knew exactly what they were doing.
She forced herself to take a steadying breath. Stay calm. Think.
The timing was too precise. The kiss with Nathan in
Paris had made headlines. Was this a taunt? A warning? Or something far more
dangerous?
Hazel's words echoed in her mind—gather evidence before making a move. This
wasn't just a vague threat anymore. It was personal.
Reaching for her phone, Mandy knew one thing for
sure.
It was time to act.
Mandy scanned the letter again, her eyes narrowing
as she noticed something she hadn't before—a faint fingerprint smudged in the
corner. Just like the others.
But something else caught her attention.
A sequence of numbers printed at the bottom.
Her mind raced. This looks
like a code… maybe a lock code to a place.
Before she could analyze it further, a sudden knock
on her door made her jolt. Instinctively, she folded the letter and slipped it
into her bag.
She straightened herself, schooling her expression
into one of calm.
"Come in," she uttered.
The door creaked open, and a young girl in a uniform
stepped inside, holding a trash bin.
"Ma'am, I just need to clear the trash," she said
politely.
Mandy nodded, watching as the girl quickly did her
job before leaving.
As soon as the door closed, Mandy exhaled. I need to move fast.
Fortunately, she had already cleared her schedule
for the day, giving her the perfect opportunity to follow this new lead.
Her first stop—the hospital.
Walking through the automatic doors, she was greeted
by the sterile scent of antiseptic and the quiet hum of medical machines.
Nurses bustled around, doctors moved with purpose, and the air carried a mix of
urgency and calm.
After speaking with the receptionists and explaining
her request, she was eventually led down a hallway to a doctor's office.
The door opened, revealing an older man with graying
hair and a kind but professional demeanor. He glanced up from his desk,
adjusting his glasses as he studied her.
"Good day, young lady," he greeted.
Mandy nodded, stepping forward.
"Good day to you, doctor," she replied, her voice steady.
The doctor gestured toward the chair across from his
desk. "Please, have a seat."
Mandy sat down, gripping her bag tightly. She had no
idea if this visit would lead anywhere, but she had to try.
"What brings you here today?" the doctor asked,
folding his hands on the desk.
She hesitated for a moment before choosing her words
carefully. "I'm looking for information regarding a fingerprint I found on a
letter. I believe it could belong to someone, but I don't know whom.
"May I see it?" the doctor asked, stretching his
hands toward Mandy.
"Oh, gladly," she replied.
Mandy pulled out the letter from her bag and
carefully unfolded it, revealing the section containing the fingerprint. The
doctor adjusted his glasses and leaned in, his brow furrowing as he examined
the smudged ridges under the bright desk lamp.
"Hmm…" he murmured, tilting the paper. His fingers
traced the outline of the print, his expression unreadable.
Mandy watched him closely. "What is it?"
The doctor hesitated for a moment before looking
up. "This is… interesting."
Her stomach tightened. "Interesting how?"
He exhaled and placed the letter down gently. "It's
clearer than I expected. Almost too clear. Like someone wanted you to find it."
A chill ran through her. "You mean it wasn't
accidental?"
He shook his head. "I can't say for sure, but most
fingerprints we find on paper are partial or faint. This one stands out—like it
was pressed there on purpose."
Mandy swallowed. "So what do I do?"
"I'd suggest taking this to a forensic laboratory,"
he said, his voice lowering slightly. "They have the tools to analyze it
properly. That's where I think they'd help you the most."
She nodded, gripping the letter a little tighter.
"Alright… thanks for your time, Doctor."
As she stood up to leave, she noticed something—the
way his eyes lingered on the fingerprint for just a second longer, like he knew
something he wasn't saying.
She walked down the hallway, her heels clicking
softly against the polished floor. The air smelled faintly of antiseptic, and
the dim overhead lights cast long shadows along the walls. With each step, her
pulse quickened.
At the end of the corridor, she spotted a frosted
glass door with "Forensic Department" etched into it. The weight of the letter in her hand felt heavier
now. This was it—the moment she might finally get some answers.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and
knocked firmly.
A brief silence followed. Then, a voice from the
other side of the room called out, "Please, come in."
She hesitated for just a second before twisting the
doorknob and stepping inside.
As she stepped inside, the scent of chemicals and
paper filled the air. The room was dimly lit, with shelves stacked high with
case files and forensic equipment neatly arranged on cold metal tables.
A man in his early thirties stood near one of the
tables, dressed in a crisp white lab coat. His dark eyes flickered with
curiosity as he turned to face her.
"Young lady, how may I help you?" he asked, his
voice calm but professional.
Mandy cleared her throat, steadying herself. "I'm
here for an important reason," she said, reaching into her handbag. She
carefully pulled out the letter and handed it to him.
He took it, his gaze shifting from her to the paper.
"I'm trying to locate the person behind these
fingerprints," she continued, her voice firm, determined.
The man arched an eyebrow, glancing at the letter
with newfound interest. "Fingerprints?" he repeated, turning it slightly under
the light.
His fingers hovered over the smudged print as if
assessing its clarity. Then, his expression shifted—just for a second. A
flicker of something. Surprise? Recognition?
Mandy caught it.
"Can you help me?" she pressed, watching him
closely.
"Well, yes, I can," the man said, adjusting his grip
on the letter. "But I need to see other papers that contain the fingerprints
too. One sample isn't always enough to get a clear match."
Mandy nodded and carefully reached into her bag, her
fingers brushing against the crisp edges of the other letters. She hesitated
for a second, a small knot tightening in her chest. Each of these notes had
been a warning—each one meant to shake her, to make her feel watched.
She inhaled, steadying herself, then pulled them out
and handed them over.
The forensic examiner took the stack, flipping
through them slowly. His eyes narrowed as he examined each page under the
overhead light, tilting them at different angles.
"These are… interesting," he murmured, his brows
knitting together.
Mandy crossed her arms. "What do you mean?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he placed the
papers on the table, reached for a pair of gloves, and carefully smoothed out
the top letter. "I'll have to run tests, but at first glance… it looks like
more than one person might be involved."
Mandy's stomach dropped. "More than one?"
He nodded. "It's possible. Some of these
fingerprints look different—subtle variations in ridge detail and pressure
points. If that's the case, this isn't just one person sending you these
letters."
Mandy's fingers curled into her palm. The thought
sent a chill down her spine.
Someone was watching her.
And now, it might not be just one person.
"What can be done?" Mandy asked, her face laced with
curiosity and unease.
The examiner exhaled, his fingers tapping against
the desk. "Well… for now, you'll need to take these letters with you," he said,
carefully stacking them together. "But I need you to send me high-quality
screenshots of each one later."
Mandy frowned. "Why not just keep them here and
examine them now?"
He hesitated, then leaned in slightly. "I will, but
I have a feeling this isn't just about threats," he said, lowering his voice.
"Something about these prints feels off. I need more time to analyze them
properly. If I'm right… this might be bigger than you realize."
A chill crawled up Mandy's spine. "Bigger how?"
The examiner glanced toward the door, as if making
sure they were alone, before turning back to her. His expression was
unreadable, but his tone was clear—this wasn't just a routine analysis.
"I don't want to jump to conclusions," he admitted,
"but if these fingerprints belong to who I think they do… you may not just be
dealing with a stalker." He exhaled sharply. "Mandy, whoever left these
prints—they might already know you're looking for them."
Mandy's grip tightened on her bag. Suddenly, it felt
like the walls of the forensic lab were closing in.
"Alright then," Mandy said as she left the
laboratory, her mind racing with unanswered questions.
Hours later, she finally arrived at her office,
exhaustion settling into her bones. The day had drained her—physically,
mentally. She dropped her bag onto the desk and sank onto the sofa, closing her
eyes for just a moment.
But the moment didn't last.
The sharp ring of the telephone shattered the quiet.
With a sigh, she pushed herself up and walked toward
her desk, picking up the receiver.
Nathan's voice came through immediately—firm,
urgent. "Mandy, come here now."
A cold shiver ran down her spine. His tone wasn't
his usual commanding authority—it was something else. Something edged with
concern.
Before she could even respond, the line went dead.
Mandy exhaled slowly, steeling herself. Whatever
this was, it wasn't going to be a simple conversation. She straightened her
posture, grabbed her bag, and stepped out of her office.
When she reached Nathan's door, she knocked.
His voice came through almost instantly. "The door is open. Come in."
She pushed it open and stepped inside, her gaze
locking with his.
Nathan stood behind his desk, his expression
unreadable, his eyes sharp with unspoken questions. The air between them
crackled with tension.
He didn't waste time. "Mandy,
where were you today?" His voice was controlled, but she
could hear the edge underneath.
She met his gaze, keeping her expression calm. "I went out for something important."
Nathan didn't move, but his eyes never left hers.
"Mandy… is everything okay?"
His voice softened, layered with something deeper—something more than just
curiosity. He could sense it. Something was wrong.
For a moment, she hesitated. Should she tell him?
Should she lie?
Because for the first time, she wasn't sure if
knowing the truth would help him—or put him in danger too.
Alright then," Nathan finally said, stepping back.
"I'll leave you to continue your work."
Mandy nodded, forcing another smile before turning
to leave. As she stepped into her office, a jolt of shock coursed through her.
A letter.
Sitting on her desk.
Her breath caught in her throat. She had only been
gone a few minutes. How was this possible?
Her hands trembled slightly as she picked it up and
unfolded the paper. The words, written in the same ominous handwriting as
before, sent a chill down her spine.
"Mandy, I know you're trying to track me. I'll be
watching you."
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Instinctively,
her eyes darted around the office, scanning every corner as if someone might
still be there, hiding in the shadows. But there was no one.
Panic creeping in, she turned on her heels and
rushed out, looking up and down the hallway, searching for anyone suspicious.
But the corridor was empty.
She spotted Natalie at her desk and hurried over.
"Natalie, did you see anyone go into my office just now?"
Natalie frowned, shaking her head. "No, I've been
here the whole time. Why?"
Mandy hesitated before nodding. "No reason," she
muttered, retreating back inside. But deep down, she knew this wasn't normal.
Whoever was behind this was playing with her, proving that they could get to
her anytime they wanted.
She couldn't take it anymore. She pulled out her
phone and dialed Hazel's number.
The line barely rang before Hazel picked up, her
voice sharp, almost like she had been expecting the call. "Hey, Mandy. What's up? Any clue?"
Mandy exhaled shakily. "Hazel,
not yet… but I found another letter. It was on my desk when I came back from
Nathan's office."
Silence. Then Hazel's voice, low and serious. "What did it say?"
Mandy swallowed hard. "It
says, 'I know you're trying to track me. I'll be watching you.'"
A pause. Then Hazel spoke again, her tone edged with
urgency.
"Mandy… I think this person knows our plan. He or
she might be one step ahead of us."
Hazel's words settled in the pit of Mandy's stomach
like a heavy weight.
"We have to act fast," Hazel
added. "Before it's too late."
Mandy took a shaky breath. "I know. That's why I
need to tell Nathan. I can't keep this from him anymore."
Hazel hesitated. "Are you sure? You know how he gets
when it comes to you."
Mandy closed her eyes for a moment, then nodded,
determination settling in. "Yes. He needs to know everything."
Without another word, she ended the call, grabbed
the letter, and marched straight to Nathan's office.
She didn't knock this time—just pushed the door
open.
Nathan looked up from his desk, surprised at first,
but the moment he saw her face, his expression darkened. "Mandy? What's wrong?"
She stepped forward, placing the letter on his desk
with a slight tremor in her hands. "This was on my desk when I came back from
seeing you."
Nathan's jaw tightened as he picked up the letter,
his eyes scanning the words. His grip on the paper turned rigid, his entire
body going still.
When he finally looked at her, his gaze was sharp,
his voice dangerously low. "How long has this been happening?"
Mandy swallowed hard. "For weeks. I kept finding
letters, and—"
"You didn't tell me?" His voice was controlled, but
the anger simmering beneath it was unmistakable.
"I didn't want to worry you," she admitted. "I
thought I could handle it."
Nathan shot up from his chair, his expression
unreadable, but his energy radiated something raw, something possessive. "You
thought—" He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Damn it,
Mandy."
He pressed the intercom button on his desk. "Ethan,
in my office. Now."
Within seconds, the door swung open, and his head of
security stepped inside. "Sir?"
Nathan's voice was clipped, decisive. "From now on,
Mandy is under full protection. I want a guard outside her office, another at
her apartment, and a full security detail shadowing her movements. No
exceptions."
Mandy's eyes widened. "Nathan, that's not
necessary—"
He turned to her, his gaze firm, unyielding. "Yes,
it is. Whoever this is, they're escalating. And I'm not taking any chances with
you."
His voice softened just slightly, but the intensity
in his eyes didn't waver.
"I won't let anything happen to you, Mandy."
Her breath hitched, emotions swirling inside her.
For the first time in weeks, she wasn't just afraid—she felt safe.
Because Nathan wasn't just protecting her.
He was preparing for war.
Nathan wasted no time.
As soon as Mandy left his office, he turned to
Ethan. "I want everything on this. Any security footage near her office, logs
of who entered the building, and a full background check on anyone who's been
near her desk today."
Ethan nodded. "Understood, sir. I'll have my team on
it immediately."
Nathan's jaw tightened. "And find out if any
forensic specialists can lift fingerprints from that letter. I want results
fast."
Ethan didn't question him. He simply nodded and
left.
Nathan exhaled slowly, running a hand through his
hair. His mind was a battlefield of thoughts. Whoever was behind this wasn't
just taunting Mandy anymore. They were watching her closely, staying one step
ahead.
And that made them dangerous.
He sat back down, opening his laptop and pulling up
his private investigation files. He had already begun digging into possible
threats around Mandy, but now, he needed to take it further. He started
cross-referencing employees, past business rivals, and even former
acquaintances from her life before she worked with him.
But every lead he followed ended the same
way—nowhere.
A dead end.
Nathan clenched his fists. That wasn't acceptable.
His phone buzzed, and he snatched it up immediately.
Hazel's voice came through, low and urgent. "Nathan, it's Hazel. Mandy and I
found something."
Nathan straightened. "Go on."
"It's… weird. We started piecing together small
clues from the letters, but instead of giving us answers, it's making things
even more confusing. It's like the person behind this wants us to find
something, but also wants to keep us in the dark."
Nathan's eyes darkened. "Explain."
Hazel hesitated before continuing. "The handwriting
in the letters is inconsistent, like it was meant to throw us off. But one of
them has a fingerprint. The forensic examiner is analyzing it now. The
strangest part? A partial match came up, but it's tied to someone none of us
would've suspected."
Nathan's grip on his phone tightened. "Who?"
Hazel's voice dropped lower, almost uncertain.
"That's the thing. The connection is vague. It's someone who shouldn't even be
involved in any of this."
Nathan's expression turned to stone. "Send me
everything. Now."
As he ended the call, a single thought echoed in his
mind.
Whoever was behind this wasn't just playing a game.
They were leading them somewhere.
And Nathan was going to make damn sure they didn't
win.
Nathan leaned back in his chair, gripping his phone
so tightly his knuckles turned white. A vague connection? Someone unexpected?
That wasn't good enough.
His laptop screen glowed in front of him,
illuminating his sharp features as he navigated through his private database.
Hazel had just sent him the partial match from the forensic examiner. He opened
the file, his eyes scanning the details.
The name attached to the fingerprint wasn't a
stranger. But it also wasn't someone who should have any reason to be involved.
Nathan's eyes darkened. Why
them?
His mind raced through every possibility. Could this
person be working with the stalker? Could they be a pawn, manipulated into
leaving a trace behind? Or—were they the mastermind?
His gut told him it wasn't that simple.
Nathan didn't believe in coincidences, but something
about this connection felt off—like
a piece of the puzzle was missing.
A sharp knock on his door pulled him from his
thoughts.
"Come in," he ordered.
Ethan stepped inside, his expression unreadable.
"Sir, we checked the security footage near Mandy's office."
Nathan tensed. "And?"
Ethan hesitated. "No one went in or out during the
time she was with you."
Nathan's blood ran cold. Impossible.
He leaned forward, his voice dangerously low. "Are
you telling me someone left a letter on her desk without being seen?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "That's exactly what I'm
telling you."
Nathan's fingers curled into a fist. This wasn't
just about threats anymore. Whoever was doing this had resources. Access. They were close.
Too close.
Nathan pushed back his chair and stood. "We're going
to find them. And when we do…" His voice was like steel. "They'll regret ever
setting their sights on Mandy."
Mandy sat in her office, staring at the letter in
her hands. The words burned into her mind.
"I know you're trying to track me. I'll be watching
you."
Her grip tightened. A part of her wanted to be
afraid—who wouldn't be? But another part of her, the part that had fought her
way to where she was, refused to give in to fear.
No. She wouldn't let this person win.
A sharp knock on her door broke her thoughts. Before
she could answer, Nathan stepped inside, his expression unreadable.
"I told you to wait for security before coming back
here," he said, his voice low.
Mandy sighed, setting the letter down. "Nathan, I
can't live my life trapped in fear."
His jaw clenched. "This isn't about fear, Mandy.
It's about safety."
She stood, crossing her arms. "So what? I'm supposed
to have guards following me everywhere? Watch my every move? That's not how I
want to live."
Nathan took a step closer, his eyes dark with
frustration. "It's not about what you want, it's about what's necessary. Someone is watching you, Mandy. They're
inside this building, moving without being seen. You think I'm just going to
sit back and let them get closer?"
She hesitated, feeling the weight of his words. She
knew he was right—this wasn't just paranoia. This was real. But she wasn't used
to feeling powerless.
"Nathan…" she said softly. "I know you want to
protect me. But I need to be able to breathe. I need to keep working, keep living."
His expression softened, but only slightly. "And I
need you to stay alive."
The words hit her harder than she expected. His
concern wasn't just possessiveness—it was fear. Real fear.
She exhaled. "We'll figure this out, okay?
Together."
Nathan studied her for a moment, then finally
nodded. "Together."
But deep down, they both knew the danger was only
getting worse.
Later that evening, Mandy sat across from Nathan in
his office, the tension between them still lingering but pushed aside for now.
The evidence was laid out in front of them—the letters, the fingerprints, the
vague lead that pointed to someone unexpected.
Nathan tapped his fingers against the desk, his
frustration evident. "Whoever this is, they're careful. They're covering their
tracks too well."
Mandy studied the documents, her mind racing. "There
has to be something we're missing. Something small, something we overlooked."
Just then, Nathan's phone buzzed. He glanced at the
screen. A message from Hazel.
Hazel: I
think I found something. Meet me at the address I'm sending you. Bring Mandy.
Nathan's eyes darkened. Hazel wouldn't have called
them unless it was important. He stood up, grabbing his coat. "Let's go."
Mandy followed, her pulse quickening. Whatever Hazel
had found, she had a feeling it would change everything.
Hazel stood in front of the old warehouse, holding
out a printed sheet. "It's not just about the fingerprints," she said, her
voice steady. "When I analyzed them together, they formed a pattern—a coded
sequence."
Mandy frowned. "A pattern?"
Hazel nodded. "It's like a puzzle. Each fingerprint
seemed random on its own, but when layered together, they created coordinates.
A location."
Nathan took the sheet from Hazel, his sharp eyes
scanning the sequence. He pulled out his phone, entered the coordinates, and
waited. A moment later, the screen displayed a map. His expression darkened.
"It leads to a house," he said, his voice
unreadable. "A private residence outside the city."
Mandy and Hazel exchanged glances.
"Someone wanted us to find this," Hazel murmured.
"But why?"
Nathan's grip on his phone tightened. "Only one way
to find out."
Without another word, they headed toward the unknown
destination, unaware of what—or who—was waiting for them.
The car rolled to a slow stop a few streets away
from the location. Nathan cut the engine, and they stepped out, approaching the
house on foot. It stood eerily silent, its worn exterior blending into the
shadows.
Nathan signaled for caution before pushing the door
open. The air inside was stale, heavy with dust, but something felt off. There
were no signs of life—no movement, no sound—just the steady hum of machines.
Hazel was the first to notice. "Over here," she
whispered, stepping toward a desk lined with monitors. The screens flickered,
displaying old drafts of the threatening letters Mandy had received. Nearby, a
machine whirred softly, a glass plate smeared with ink—the fingerprints.
Mandy felt a chill run down her spine. "He… he
created everything here," she murmured.
Hazel's eyes narrowed as she studied the setup.
"Whoever it is, they knew we were coming. They wiped what they could and ran."
Nathan's jaw tightened. "They're always one step
ahead."
Hazel exhaled, glancing around the room filled with
symbols and monitors. "At least we know one thing for sure." She turned to face
them. "He noticed we were getting too close. That's why he ran."
Mandy's heartbeat slowed just a little. The fear,
the chase—it wasn't over. But for now, for this brief moment, she could breathe
free.
Days Back…..
Hazel boarded a flight to Lagos, spending the New
Year with Mandy. But more than that, she wanted to stay close—to keep
investigating.
That night, Mandy stood by her window, staring out
at the city lights. The sense of safety was fleeting, temporary at best.
Whoever was behind this was still out there. Watching. Waiting.
But next time, she would be ready.