Chapter 5 The Message

The building was quiet when he pulled up. Too quiet. The drive to Leah's apartment was quick and a blur of red lights. His stomach sank. He'd wanted to believe she'd leaked the photo. A reason to despise her and blame her. He wanted to blame her for her youthful recklessness. But this felt like the work of someone with a grudge.

Julian didn't bother going through the elevator. He took the steps two at a time. His cot was already damp from the light drizzle. He reached her floor and knocked hard on the door. Then again, louder.

She opened the door slowly, like she was expecting a ghost. When she saw it was him, she froze.

"Julian," she whispered. Her eyes were wide open with faint puffiness around them.

"I came as fast as I could," he said, his voice low. "Can I come in?"

She stepped back without a word and shut the door behind them. Leah walked ahead, curling her hands around herself. The envelope was siting on the table, with the photograph too.

He examined both of them on the table closely without touching them.

"Did anyone see you today? Anyone suspicious hanging around?" he asked.

"No. Not that I noticed." She paused. "It was here when I came home."

Julian's eyes scanned the room but nothing looked out of place.

"You were right to send this to me," he said finally.

"Do you believe me now?" Her voice was soft.

"Yes. I think someone wants us both to suffer."

She sat down slowly at the edge of the couch, like her knees could barely hold her. Julian walked towards her but kept a safe distance.

She looked up at him, exhausted. "I didn't do this," she whispered. "And I didn't leak that photo. I thought you hated me."

"I wanted to," he admitted. "It would've made this easier."

She blinked at him then stood. They both stood in silence and awkwardness, the rain now tapping against the windows. Then slowly Leah stepped forward.

"I don't want to be afraid"

Julian looked at her, "then don't be"

She was close now. So close he could see the freckles beneath her eyes, the rise and fall of her chest. There was something electric between them again, tension.

"We'll figure this out. Together".

They'd been silent for a while, he sat on the edge of her armchair while Leah curled up under a blanket on the couch.

Julian stood slowly and stretched, glancing at the time. "I should let you get some sleep," he said gently. "You've had a rough day."

Leah's eyes flicked up to his, wide and uncertain. Then she said, barely above a whisper, "Do you have to go?"

He paused, he had noticed the way she looked toward the door every few minutes. The way she kept checking her phone as if expecting another message. She was still afraid.

"No, but..." Julian let out a breath. He moved towards the couch, "You want me to stay?

She nodded briefly.

He didn't say anything more. Just pulled off his coat and draped it over the chair. "I'll take the couch."

"I can get you a pillow," she offered, already moving.

He watched her go, her bare feet quiet on the wooden floor, her oversized T-shirt brushing her thighs, her long hair tied up messily. She wasn't the girl from the club and she wasn't the student from class either. She was just her. Leah.

She returned with the pillow and a folded blanket, handing them to him silently. Their fingers brushed in the exchange.

"Thank you," he said softly.

She hesitated. "For what?"

"For trusting me," he replied.

She gave a faint, tired smile, then turned back toward her bedroom.

He watched her disappear down the hall. Listened for the soft click of her door.

And then, finally, Julian sat down on the couch, leaning back into the cushions.

The scent of coffee reached her before her eyes even opened. Leah blinked against the morning light pouring through the crack in her curtains, the blanket tangled around her legs, her heart still oddly heavy in her chest. For a moment, she forgot where she was.

Then it all came rushing back, the envelope, the photograph, the message. And Julian, sleeping on her couch. She sat up quickly and tiptoed to the living room.

Julian stood in her kitchen, back to her, shirt rumpled from sleep, sleeves pushed up. He looked completely out of place among her mismatched mugs and tiny countertop.

"You didn't have to make coffee," she said, her voice still groggy.

He turned, startled. But then he smiled faintly. "You were tossing and turning all night. Figured we could both use it."

She rubbed her eyes. "Sorry. I didn't mean to keep you up."

"You didn't," he said gently. "I couldn't sleep anyway."

She took the mug he offered and cradled it, letting the warmth seep into her fingers. For a while, neither of them spoke.

Leah glanced at the drawer. "Do you think it's over? That... whoever sent it got what they wanted?"

Julian shook his head. "No. If anything, I think this was just the beginning."

A chill rippled down her spine. "Why us? What do they want?"

"I don't know," he said, and the honesty in his voice was both comforting and terrifying.

She leaned back against the counter. "It could be someone from school. A student. A staff member. Someone who saw us that night."

Julian stiffened. "You said you didn't tell anyone."

"I didn't," she snapped, offended.

She looked around her apartment, suddenly noticing every unlocked window, every open shadow. She hated this. Hated being afraid in her own space. But then Julian did something unexpected, he stepped closer and gently brushed a hand against her arm.

"You're safe," he said. "I'm not going anywhere until I know you are."

It wasn't a promise she'd asked for. But she clung to it anyway. Just then, her phone buzzed on the counter. She picked it up with expecting a text from Ava or another friend. Instead, it was a private number: "You shouldn't have let him stay the night"

Leah dropped the phone immediately like it burned. Julian's eyes widened as he took the phone and read the message in one glance. His shoulders tensed. He was getting scared too.

Without much deliberation, Julian faces Leah and says, "Pack a bag, You're not staying here"

"Julia.."

He stepped closer. "I mean it, Leah. This isn't just a scare tactic anymore. They knew I stayed over. They're watching. And I'm not going to wait around for them to escalate."

She opened her mouth, then closed it. Her pulse pounded in her ears. He calms down from his panic and faces Leah squarely.

"Do you mind moving in with me?"

Leah stared at him, stunned. "You... you want me to what?"

"Not permanently," he added quickly. "Just for now. Until we figure this out. My place has security. Doormen. Cameras. No one's getting in without going through layers of people."

"Julian, we barely-"

"I know," he said. "But I don't care. I can't protect you from here."

She couldn't look away. A part of her wanted to go. But she barely knew Julian to move in with him.

"I don't want to drag you deeper into this," she whispered.

"Trust me, you're not dragging me"

She exhaled shakily. "What about people finding out?"

"We'll be careful," he said. "We don't have a choice anymore."

A silence fell between them. And then she gave the smallest nod.

"Okay."

"I'll wait out here while you pack."