I have a test after an hour and here I am publishing the next chapter.

Okay, anyhoo, let me know in the comments what you think of this chapter and see you this Tuesday.

Him

As Arjun, Tara, and I walked out of the building, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. My senses were on high alert, my instincts kicking in before I even realized why. I slowed my pace slightly, scanning the parking lot out of the corner of my eye.

Nothing seemed out of place. Cars were lined up as usual, a few people scattered across the lot heading to their vehicles. But the feeling persisted-a prickling at the back of my neck, a sensation I'd learned to trust. Something was wrong.

I let my gaze roam, subtly watching for any unusual movement. That's when I saw it.

A man, standing too still, his posture too casual to be normal. He was leaning against a car a few rows back, his eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses despite the fading daylight. And that's when I saw. The logo of the car behind him.

It hit me like a punch to the gut. I was being followed.

The pieces clicked into place almost instantly. I didn't need to guess who had sent him. This wasn't just some random stalker. The game had started, and they were watching. They were coming.

I immediately tensed, my mind working overtime. I couldn't let Arjun or Tara get caught up in this. Not now. Not ever.

"Arjun," I said quietly but firmly, keeping my voice low so as not to alarm Tara. He shot me a questioning glance, his brow furrowed.

"Get Tara into the car. Now."

His confusion deepened, but I didn't give him time to question me. "You both need to go home. Lock the doors, don't open them for anyone. Call me if you notice anything suspicious."

I could see the questions swirling in his mind, but there was no time for explanations. Arjun wasn't a fool; he could read the urgency in my voice. He grabbed Tara's arm gently but firmly, turning her toward the car. "Come on, Tara. Let's go."

Tara, confused but trusting her brother, allowed herself to be led away, glancing back at me with a worried expression. I forced a reassuring nod her way, but my mind was already racing ahead.

Her

As soon as Bhaiya and I settled into the car, the silence between us felt suffocating. I could sense something was terribly wrong, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I shot a glance at him, but his eyes were firmly fixed on the road, his knuckles white as they gripped the steering wheel.

"Bhaiya, what was that? Why did Dante tell us to leave like that?" My voice was laced with concern, the confusion swirling inside me growing by the second.

Bhaiya didn't answer at first. His jaw was tight, and he seemed lost in thought. That wasn't like him. Usually, he'd have reassured me by now, made some sarcastic comment to lighten the mood. But this time? Nothing. Just a strained silence that seemed to stretch forever.

I couldn't take it. "Bhaiya," I pressed, "please tell me what's going on. Why was Dante acting like that? What aren't you telling me?"

He let out a long breath, still not looking at me. "Tara," he began slowly, his voice measured, "this is what I meant when I told you Dante was involved in certain things. Things I can't explain, not in detail." He glanced at me quickly, his expression softening for a moment. "Today you saw a glimpse of what Dante's life really looks like."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "What do you mean?" My voice came out quieter than I intended.

Bhaiya sighed again, gripping the steering wheel harder, his frustration palpable. "He's involved in things that aren't... simple, Tara. His world isn't simple. That's why I tried to protect you from this, from him. But I know Dante. I know what he's dealing with, and it's not something anyone should be dragged into without knowing the full story."

I frowned, my heart hammering in my chest. "So you're saying I don't know him at all?"

"That's not what I'm saying," he corrected quickly, finally turning his head to look at me. His gaze was intense, but there was an undercurrent of concern in his eyes. "You know Dante in ways no one else does. But the part of his life that he's kept from you? That part... is dangerous."

My throat felt dry, and I didn't know what to say. Dante, dangerous? It didn't make sense. The Dante I knew was protective, grumpy, sure-but dangerous?

I blinked away the confusion, my mind racing. "Why didn't he tell me anything then? Why keep me in the dark?"

"Because he didn't want to drag you into it," Bhaiya answered firmly. "He's been trying to shield you from this, trying to keep you away from the mess that surrounds him."

I stared out of the window, watching the city lights blur by as we drove. My head was spinning, my chest tightening. The Dante I knew, the Dante I loved-was he really hiding something this big? And if so, what was it?

Bhaiya's voice cut through the whirlpool of my thoughts. "It's better if Dante tells you himself. He owes you that much. But once he does..." Bhaiya paused, his voice heavy, "the decision to continue this relationship will be yours. No one else's."

My heart sank.

"That's why I've been so hesitant, Tara," he added softly. "Not because I don't trust him, but because I don't want you getting hurt."

I bit my lip, a whirlwind of emotions crashing over me. "So... what should I do?"

He glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "You have to decide if you can handle what comes with being in Dante's world. He's a good man, Tara. But his life... it's complicated. And you deserve to know the truth before you make any decision."

I sank deeper into the seat, my mind reeling from everything Bhaiya had said.

Dante had secrets-secrets that could change everything. And now, I had no idea what would happen next.

Him

As soon as they were out of sight, I scanned the parking lot again. The man was still there, locked onto me. Yeah, he knew I'd noticed him. Good.

I walked toward my car, keeping my pace normal even though my pulse was already kicking up. Once I rounded the corner, out of view from Arjun and Tara, I quickened my steps, yanked open the door, and slid inside. The engine roared to life, and I wasted no time peeling out of the lot. I made sure he saw me leaving.

His car followed almost instantly.

"Amateur," I muttered. He wasn't even trying to hide it.

I hit the gas, pulling onto the highway. He stayed on my tail, keeping enough distance to avoid suspicion, but close enough that I knew what he was doing. Fine. If he wanted a chase, I'd give him one.

I swerved off the main road, cutting down a narrow street. The traffic thinned out as the trees closed in. I floored it, the car responding with a deep growl as the speedometer climbed. The guy behind me picked up the pace too, closing the gap.

My eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. Still there. Perfect.

I slammed the wheel to the right, cutting onto a back road. It twisted through the outskirts, leading to an industrial zone I knew well. The lanes narrowed, and the buildings closed in around me. I darted around a corner, tires squealing, and shot between two warehouses.

He was gaining on me, his car's engine roaring in the distance. I could hear it getting closer. Time to end this.

I veered into a hidden alleyway, killed the engine, and held my breath. The car coasted into the shadows.

I watched as he shot past, his taillights disappearing down the road.

Silence. For a moment, nothing but the pounding of my heart filled the air. Then I exhaled, slowly.

Pulling out my phone, I dialed Natty.

"Natty, it's me. I was followed. Lost him, but we've got eyes on us. Get Brian, start tracking."

"On it," she said, her tone all business. "Stay sharp."

I hung up, my mind already on the next move. If they were sending people after me, we were running out of time.

Starting the car again, I pulled out of the alley. My pulse was still racing, but my head was clear.

This was just the beginning.

*************

Okay now I am just curious....what do you guys think is Dante's past like ? I really want to know what assumptions you have made about him till now.