Zoey's phone buzzed suddenly, lighting up the dark screen. She glanced down and saw it three missed calls from Matt, her first boyfriend. A cold shiver ran down her spine. Matt wasn't just any ex; he was obsessed, controlling, the kind of man who clawed his way under her skin and refused to let go.
She remembered why she had ended things with him. His suffocating control felt like a cage, and his jealousy was a poison she couldn't drink anymore.
(flashback)
One night, Matt saw her talking to a guy just a casual conversation but in his eyes, it was betrayal
Suddenly, her phone buzzed with a notification Matt was outside the café. She looked up just in time to see him glare at a guy talking to her.
Later, Matt called her.
Matt:
"I saw you with that guy today. What was that?"
Zoey:
"It was nothing. Just a friend."
Matt:
"Don't lie to me, Zoey. I know you're cheating."
Zoey (firmly):
"I'm not cheating. If you trusted me even a little, you wouldn't have to spy."
The words cut through his heart like a sharp blade, leaving a sting that lingered long after they were spoken.
The next day, Zoey's phone buzzed with a new message. The number was unknown, but the words caught her off guard.
"I got your number from school. Thought I'd say hi."
Her heart skipped a beat as curiosity and caution battled inside her.
Zoey replied quickly, her fingers trembling slightly as she typed, "I don't remember giving you my number. I barely talk to anyone at school."
The boy was persistent. Moments later, a photo appeared on her screen a clear picture of a fair-skinned, tall, handsome young man.
Her eyes widened. The face matched the vague description she had in her mind, the one she hadn't thought much about before.
They kept texting back and forth, the conversation flowing easily. The guy introduced himself as Obi, saying he was curious to see her. He casually mentioned a cafe spot nearby right close to where Matt lived.
Zoey's heart skipped a beat. She knew immediately what this meant. Matt had set her up again. But instead of anger or fear, she just smiled to herself. This wasn't the first time Matt had tried to control her this way.
She thought, If this leads to another break up, so be it. At least this time, he won't be able to crawl back under my skin like before.
Her smile grew a little fiercer, feeling more in control than ever.
The day they were supposed to meet, Zoey's phone buzzed with a message from Obi confirming their plans. But she hesitated. Her mind raced this was another trap set by Matt, no doubt.
Quickly, she typed back, "Hey, something came up. I have to cook for a client side hustle stuff. Can we reschedule?"
Obi replied almost instantly, "Sure, no problem. Just let me know when you're free."
Zoey felt a rush of relief. She wasn't ready to face whatever Matt had planned through Obi, so postponing was her way to keep control.
She knew this dance was far from over, but for now, she had bought herself some space.
After a week of hesitation and careful planning, Zoey finally decided to meet Obi.
As Zoey tied her shoelaces and grabbed her small crossbody bag, her roommate, Amara, glanced up from her bed where she was scrolling through TikTok.
"You going out again?" Amara asked, raising an eyebrow.
Zoey sighed, checking herself in the mirror. "Yeah. Remember that guy I told you about? Obi?"
Amara blinked. "The one that messaged you out of nowhere?"
Zoey nodded. "It's Matt. I'm almost sure he's behind it. The place Obi picked? It's close to Matt's street. I can feel it's one of his sick games."
Amara sat up, her expression wary. "And you're still going to meet him?"
"I am," Zoey said, her voice calm but laced with determination. "I'm going to play along. Let's see how far he wants to go this time. But I'm done being his puppet. This might be the last time he ever gets to crawl under my skin."
Amara gave a slow nod. "Just be careful."
"I will," Zoey said with a small smirk. "He's playing chess, but I'm already ten moves ahead."
She walked out the door, her head held high, knowing this wasn't about fear anymore it was about ending Matt's twisted obsession, once and for all.
He chose a cozy café just a few blocks from Matt's place, close enough to keep an eye on things but far enough to avoid suspicion.
As she walked into the café, her heart pounded with a mix of nerves and determination. This time, she was ready to face whatever came her way, knowing full well Matt's games, but also curious about Obi himself.
She found a quiet corner and settled in, scanning the entrance for any sign of him.
When Obi finally arrived, his easy smile and relaxed demeanor instantly put Zoey at ease. Unlike Matt's tense, possessive energy, Obi was playful and lighthearted, effortlessly holding the conversation.
They talked about everything music, dreams, life goals and the little things that made Zoey laugh. At one point, she hesitated but decided to open up.
"I have a boyfriend," she said quietly, "but he was… controlling. Always checking up on me, acting like I couldn't breathe without him."
Obi looked at her with genuine warmth in his eyes. "I don't know him," he said softly, "but you deserve better. You deserve someone who sees you, not owns you."
Zoey felt a flicker of hope, she smiled.
After the café, they strolled down the softly lit street, the hum of the city around them fading into the background. Obi looked at Zoey with a spark in his eyes. "Come with me," he said gently, "I want you to hear something I wrote."
Intrigued, Zoey nodded, following him to a cozy apartment just a few blocks away. Inside, the room was dim, the soft glow of fairy lights casting a warm ambiance. Obi cued up his new song on his phone, and as the first notes played, Zoey felt the melody wash over her like a soothing breeze. The lyrics were heartfelt, raw and perfectly in tune with her emotions. She smiled, caught off guard by how much the song resonated.
When the song ended, Obi reached over and turned on a romance movie, something slow and sensuous. They settled close on the couch, the warmth of his presence next to her stirring a new kind of excitement. As the screen flickered with scenes of longing and desire, their eyes met, the unspoken tension palpable.
Obi hand brushed against hers, sending a thrill up her spine. Slowly, almost hesitantly, their faces drew nearer until their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss. The kiss deepened, filled with a mix of tenderness and hunger. They lost themselves in each other, the outside world dissolving as they explored the promise of something new and electric.
Clothes slipped away as passion took over, every touch and caress igniting a fire between them. Their bodies moved together in harmony, as their bodies intertwined, skin against skin and breath mingling in the dim warmth of the room, Zoey took the lead with a confidence that stunned Obi. He followed her rhythm, losing himself in the moment until she leaned in close, her lips brushing his ear.
"Tell Matt…" she whispered, voice low and sultry, "…I said hi."
Obi froze for a second, confusion flickering in his eyes, but Zoey didn't flinch. She didn't explain.
She just smirked, pressed a slow kiss to his lips, and pulled him back into the moment.
For her, this wasn't just intimacy it was a statement. A closing chapter. A burn mark left where Matt thought he had control.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the half-open curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Obi was still fast asleep, his breathing slow and steady. Zoey sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, watching the rise and fall of his chest, her face unreadable.
No regret. No second thoughts.
She quietly got up, picked up her jeans from the floor, slipped them on, and reached for her crossing bag without making a sound. Her phone buzzed three missed calls from Matt, as expected. She rolled her eyes and shoved it in her bag.
Without looking back, she slipped out the door and into the morning air, her heels clicking softly on the pavement. The streets were just waking up, but her mind was already ten steps ahead. Whatever trap Matt had set, she had flipped it. She didn't owe him a thing anymore.
She inhaled deeply, the cool breeze brushing her face like a fresh start.
Whatever came next, it was on her terms.
Zoey stepped into her apartment ,She dropped her keys on the table and sat at the edge of the bed, phone in hand. The screen lit up. Five missed calls and an two unread message from Matt
Matt: where did you go last night ??
Matt: You really are a hoe. I hope it was worth it. You think you're smart, huh?
Her heart skipped but not in fear. Not this time.
She stared at the message for a long second, letting the words sink in like ink on fragile paper. The old her might've crumbled. Might've doubted herself. Might've cried.
But now?
Now she felt strangely calm.
She tapped the message, fingers hovering, then simply typed back:
Zoey: If you trusted me even a little, none of this would've happened. This isn't about what I did. This is about what you made me become to escape you.
She hit send.
No more explanations. No more guilt.
She set her phone down, stood tall, and exhaled.
Matt's control had officially ended.
Just as she was about to toss her phone aside, another message popped up this time from Obi.
Obi: You left so early… didn't even say goodbye. I really wanted to see you again.
Zoey stared at the screen, emotionless.
His message was soft. Almost sincere. But she didn't flinch. She knew why he came into her life—and it wasn't by accident.
She sighed, heart steady.
With a few taps, she blocked the number.
She wasn't going to be anyone's pawn again.
Not Matt's. Not Obi's. Not anyone.
It had been two years since Zoey walked away from Matt. Two years of trying to piece her life back together, to feel like herself again. The emotional wounds were still healing, but at least now she could breathe without feeling like someone was pressing their thumb into her chest.
Matt, however, hadn't let go.
He found ways to creep back in burner numbers, DMs from fake accounts, even sending people like friends to get close. She thought she had seen the last of his manipulative tricks, but obsession never dies easily. The worst part wasn't the messages. It was the moments she'd feel her phone buzz and her heart would sink, already knowing it was him before even checking.
That morning, it was a text from a number she didn't recognize. Again.
"Zoey I know you still feel something for me. Let's talk. Just one more time."
She didn't reply. She never did. But her fingers hovered over the delete button longer than they should have. Not because she wanted him back God, no but because she was tired. Tired of fighting off memories, of explaining to new friends why she flinched when her phone rang.
She blocked the number, again.
Tonia walked into the room just then, holding two steaming mugs of tea. "More ghost messages?" she asked knowingly.
Zoey gave her a tired smile. "He's like a bad season of a show I never subscribed to."
That night, Zoey tried to sleep, but her mind was restless.
After a hot shower, she slipped into her favorite red lingerie a lacey piece that hugged her curves and usually gave her a sense of comfort. But tonight, even the soft fabric couldn't wash away the unease that clung to her skin.
She lay on her side, staring into the darkness, her thoughts racing.
How had it gotten this far? How had Matt sunk so deep into obsession that he could track her movements?
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She flinched.
A message. From an unknown number again.
"Red always suited you."
Her heart dropped. A chill crawled up her spine.
Zoey's breath caught in her throat. Her fingers trembled as she dropped the phone like it burned her. The message replayed in her mind 'Red always suited you'.
How could he know?
The windows were shut. The blinds drawn. She hadn't posted anything. How?
Her heartbeat quickened. Her skin prickled. Then, without thinking, she jumped from the bed.
"Tonia!" she shouted, her voice slicing through the quiet of the night. "Tonia!"
Footsteps padded quickly down the hall. Tonia, in oversized pajamas, burst into Zoey's room, wide-eyed and half-asleep. "What? What happened? Are you okay?"
Zoey pointed at the phone. "He texted me. Again. Matt. He said..he said red always suited me."
Tonia's eyes darkened. "What the hell?"
"He's watching me, Tonia. I don't know how, but he knows. He saw me, tonight." Her voice cracked with panic, her chest heaving.
Tonia walked over, picked up the phone, and read the message. A tense silence followed.
"That's it," Tonia said sharply. "Tomorrow, we're going to the police. You're getting a restraining order. This… this is not okay anymore. He's crossed the line."
Far away in Seoul…
Jae Hyun sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The city was just waking up, but his mind was already exhausted. His ex, Kyu-hee, had been blowing up his phone again with long, desperate messages begging him to reconsider their relationship.
"Let's fix us, Jae. We were perfect before the stress. I'll do better. I promise."
He sighed, deleting her message without replying. This had become a routine. She didn't miss him. She missed the lifestyle , the luxury cars, private dinners, and his bank account.
He tossed his phone on the bed and got up to prepare for work.
But just as he was about to head into the bathroom, his phone buzzed again.
A message.
Unknown Number.
He frowned and picked it up.
"You're next."
He froze.
The air in the room felt colder suddenly. He looked around, then at the message again.
No name. No context. Just two words that tightened the muscles in his chest.
His thoughts ran wild.
Was it a joke?
Kyu-hee?
Or… something darker?
He locked the phone and tried to steady his breathing. He wouldn't show fear — not yet. But deep down, he knew…
This wasn't just about his ex anymore. Something was coming.
Jae Hyun sat in his sleek, minimalist kitchen, a mug of untouched black coffee in his hand. He stared at the phone screen, the message still there like a dark whisper.
"You're next."
He had tried everything. He forwarded the number to his tech security team. Nothing. It wasn't traceable — no country code, no messaging platform ID, nothing. Just pure static. Like it came from… nowhere.
"It's like a ghost sent it," he murmured under his breath, clenching the phone until his knuckles turned white.
He wasn't a superstitious man. But this felt different. Off. Wrong.
He glanced toward the framed photo on the shelf near the window. His brother's smile stared back at him bright, full of life frozen in time.
Gone.
Just like that.
And no one had been able to explain it.. No warning. No closure.
A chill ran down his spine.
His voice cracked, just a whisper to himself.
"Does someone want me dead too?"
The thought sank into his gut like a stone. The message the timing it couldn't be random.
His brother's death still haunted him. If he had just paid more attention… stepped in earlier… helped out in the company when his brother begged for it… maybe things would be different. Maybe he wouldn't have to wonder if he was next.
He didn't believe in coincidences anymore.
He picked up the photo and stared into his brother's eyes, almost as if searching for answers.
"Who did this to you?" he whispered. "And are they coming for me too?"
A vibration startled him.
Another message.
His heart skipped.
But this time, it was from soo hun.
"Boss, meeting in 30. Should I bring the new marketing files?"
Jae Hyun quickly locked his phone and exhaled. The illusion of normalcy creeping in again — but the fear remained.
He dressed quietly and moved with practiced grace, but something in his eyes had changed.
Someone was playing a game.
And he wasn't going to wait to lose.
He tried to laugh it off at first, but something twisted in his gut. It wasn't just a prank. It felt real.
Jae Hyun's eyes scanned the message again "You're next." His breath hitched. The text was sent from a number that didn't exist anymore. No contact, no trace, not even the usual digital footprint his security team could follow. Just… gone.
Later that day, a coffee cup was left on his car. No name. Just sitting there on the hood of his black sedan—same brand, same caramel blend his late brother used to love.
His assistant found him staring at the cup for too long.
"Sir, are you alright?"
He blinked. "Yeah… just tired."
But he wasn't tired. He was spiraling. What if someone really was after him? What if his brother's death wasn't just a business accident?
Now he was seeing things shadows that moved, footsteps when he was alone. Even at night, he kept his lights on. A strange car parked down the street too many times. His paranoia grew like a vine, creeping, choking until he started sleeping with a knife under his pillow.