“I want to show you who I really am,”

Five everyday things brought Essy happiness.
The smell of coffee just before sunrise.
The crisp feel of clean bedsheets.
Her favorite book with folded pages from years ago.
The warmth of her cat, Paws, curling up on her chest.
And the sound of rain tapping gently on her window at night.

She didn’t need grand gestures. Just peace, and a bit of predictability.

So when a stranger named Edd emailed her with the subject line “Let’s talk”, she almost ignored it. But something in his tone—confident yet calm—made her click.

Hi Essy,
Saw your portfolio. Impressive work. I have a project I’d like you to join. Coffee?
—Edd

She Googled him. Clean-cut. Quietly successful. Founder of a boutique tech firm. A few press mentions. Nothing alarming.

Their first meeting was easy. He had that rare kind of presence—attentive, grounded, almost too good to be true. They spoke for two hours, drifting from business to books, and then to her favorite rain-soaked memories.

“Start Monday,” he said with a smile. “I think we’ll make a good team.”

The job felt like a breath of fresh air. Flexible hours. Respect. Space to be creative.

And Edd? He wasn’t just her boss. He was thoughtful, texting her playlists for focus, sharing articles he thought she’d love, sometimes just messaging “Thinking of you. Hope you’re smiling today.”

She was. A lot.

They started having coffee breaks together. Then dinner after long meetings. One night, walking her to a cab, he whispered:
“You’re becoming my favorite part of the day.”

Her heart flipped.

Then came the subtle changes.

A late salary. “Just a technical glitch.”
A meeting canceled last-minute. “Family emergency.”
An uncomfortable silence when she asked about her contract.
A phone call he ignored when he thought she wasn’t looking.

She brushed it off. Maybe she was overthinking. He was kind. Supportive. Almost… perfect.

Then came Thursday.

He asked her to meet at his apartment. Said he had something “big” to share.

Candles. Wine. Soft music.

He cooked her favorite—pasta with too much garlic, just how she liked it. He poured the wine and leaned in.

“I want to show you who I really am,” he said.

Essy smiled. Nervous. Hopeful. She closed her eyes, as he asked.

And then—his phone buzzed on the counter.

Three messages. Same unknown number.

They’re asking questions.
Delete everything.
Now.

Her eyes opened slowly. His phone lit up again as he turned it face down.

She looked at him. The warmth in her chest turned to ice.

“Who are you, really?” she asked quietly.

He didn’t answer. Just stared.

Outside, a car engine growled. Headlights sliced through the curtains. A silhouette paused at the gate.

Essy stood, her heartbeat in her ears.

“I think I should go.”

He didn’t move. Just watched her walk out the door.

To be continued…