Episode 4: Caught in the Crossfire

[Scene: The Royal Academy of Arts – A Message from the Shadows]

Elia sat by the large studio window, the golden afternoon light casting a warm glow on her sketchbook. Her charcoal pencil danced across the page, capturing a pair of sharp, intense blue eyes.

Zavier’s eyes.

She groaned, flipping the page. Why was she even thinking about him?

Ava, ever the observant friend, peeked over her shoulder and smirked.

Ava: "Ooooh, mysterious eyes. Who’s the muse? Someone special?"

Elia (flustered): "No one! Just…a random study."

Ava (teasing): "Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that, love."

Before Elia could argue, a knock on the studio door interrupted them. A staff member stood there, holding a small envelope.

Staff Member: "Elia Arif? Someone left this for you at reception."

Elia frowned, taking the envelope. It was a plain white card, her name written in elegant black ink. She hesitated before opening it.

Inside was a single sentence:

“Stay out of things you don’t understand.”

Her blood ran cold.

Who sent this? And what did they mean?

Ava noticed the change in her expression.

Ava: "Elia? What is it?"

Elia swallowed, forcing a smile.

Elia: "Nothing. Just…a mistake, probably."

But deep down, she knew it wasn’t.

Someone was watching her.

[Scene: London Underground – A Dangerous Encounter]

Later that evening, unable to shake the uneasy feeling, Elia decided to clear her mind with a walk. She took the Tube, letting the city’s hum surround her.

But as she stepped off the train, that feeling returned.

She was being followed.

Her heart pounded as she quickened her pace. The station was nearly empty, the flickering overhead lights casting eerie shadows.

A voice echoed behind her.

??? (low, threatening): "You should’ve listened."

Before she could react, a hand grabbed her arm, yanking her backward.

Elia gasped, struggling, but the man’s grip was ironclad.

Man (harshly): "You don’t belong in his world, girl. Walk away before it’s too late."

His world?

Realization hit her like a thunderbolt.

This was about Zavier.

Before she could scream, the man was ripped away from her.

Zavier.

He moved like a shadow, grabbing the man by the collar and slamming him against the cold concrete wall.

Zavier (low, deadly voice): "You must have a death wish."

The man gasped, his confidence crumbling.

Man (stammering): "I—I was just warning her! She doesn’t know what she’s getting into—"

Zavier’s grip tightened.

Zavier: "And you don’t know who you’re messing with."

Elia watched in stunned silence. There was no hesitation in Zavier’s movements, no mercy in his voice. He was dangerous.

But he had just saved her.

Zavier leaned in, whispering something to the man—something that made him pale before Zavier let him go. The man stumbled before running into the darkness.

Silence settled between them.

Elia (breathless): "Who was he?"

Zavier exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

Zavier: "No one important. But you? You should be more careful."

Elia narrowed her eyes.

Elia: "This is the second time you’ve ‘saved’ me. Why do people think I’m involved with you?"

Zavier studied her for a long moment. Then, instead of answering, he reached into his jacket and pulled out the same white card she had received earlier.

Her stomach dropped.

Zavier: "Next time, don’t ignore warnings."

Elia’s breath caught.

Zavier: "You’re stepping into something bigger than you, Elia. And I can’t always be there to pull you out."

She clenched her fists.

Elia: "I didn’t ask for your protection."

Zavier smirked, his eyes glinting.

Zavier: "Maybe not. But you seem to keep needing it."

Before she could respond, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows.

Elia’s heart pounded.

This wasn’t just a chance encounter anymore.

She was in the middle of something dangerous.