Annie slipped into the fitting room, her heart still fluttering strangely.
The dress fit her like a dream.
The deep midnight blue clung to her frame perfectly, shimmering under the soft lights.
For a moment, she barely recognized herself in the mirror.
Taking a breath, she pushed aside the curtain and stepped out.
Ophelia and Olivia gasped in unison.
You look like a queen," Olivia breathed, clasping her hands together.
You are definitely wearing that to your party," Ophelia added, her voice firm.
Annie laughed, feeling a little embarrassed until her eyes met Andrew's.
He stood a few steps away, frozen mid-sentence, as if words had abandoned him.
His green eyes widened slightly before he quickly looked away, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.
Annie felt her cheeks warm.
Well?she asked teasingly, twirling a little.
Judging me already?
Andrew grinned that crooked, boyish grin that somehow made her heart skip.
"Yeah," he said, pretending to consider it seriously.
Judging you the best-dressed person in the room.
Olivia and Ophelia exchanged a silent highfive behind Annie's back.
Annie smiled wider than she meant to.
For a few minutes, they laughed and joked, choosing shoes and jewelry, Annie slowly feeling a piece of normal life settle back into her.
But just as she turned toward a display of silver heels she felt it.
That prickling sensation at the back of her neck.
She lifted her gaze, scanning the open second floor of the mall.
There, among the slow-moving shoppers and distant luxury boutiques, she caught it:
A shadowed figure leaning against the glass railing, too still, too focused.
Watching her.
The figure wore a dark hoodie, face hidden under a cap.
And though the distance made it hard to be sure Annie felt their gaze locked on her.
Her chest tightened.
She blinked and when she looked again, the figure was gone.
"Annie?" Ophelia asked, noticing her sudden stillness.
"You okay?"
Annie forced a smile.
"Yeah," she said softly.
"Just got a little dizzy. I'm fine.
But inside, she knew:
Whoever it was they weren't done with her yet.
Annie quickly pulled herself together, not wanting to worry her friends or Andrew.
"Maybe I just need sugar," she joked, forcing a small laugh as she turned back to them.
Andrew caught the slight flicker in her expression, but didn't push.
Instead, he grinned and threw his arm lazily over Olivia's and Ophelia's shoulders.
"Emergency protocol," he said lightly.
Ice cream. Lots of it.
Olivia cheered.
Best idea you've ever had, Andrew.
"I'm always full of great ideas,he said with a wink, steering them toward the food court.
Annie hesitated for a second, glancing back over her shoulder.
The upper floor was empty now the shadowy figure completely vanished
Still, unease pricked at her.
Andrew caught her hesitation.
Quietly, just for her to hear, he leaned a little closer.
"Hey," he said, voice low and steady, "you're safe. You're with me."
Annie looked up at him really looked and for a heartbeat, the fear eased.
She gave a small, real smile.
"Okay," she said softly.
The four of them ended up at a little ice cream stand that served ridiculous towers of colorful flavors.
Andrew insisted Annie try a double scoop of sea salt caramel and dark chocolate scientifically proven to fix everything," according to him.
They laughed, joked, and for a while, the heavy clouds that had been clinging to Annie's mind lifted.
But even as she licked a drip of ice cream from her wrist and laughed at something Ophelia said,
in the deepest part of her mind,
Annie couldn't shake the feeling:
Someone was still watching.
Waiting.
After laughing over their giant ice creams and carrying a ridiculous amount of shopping bags,
Annie finally sighed, feeling tired but lighter.
Andrew helped her carry most of the bags insisting in his usual teasing way
and they made their way to the parking garage where Parker's new driver waited.
The driver was young late twenties, maybe thirty at most with neatly combed brown hair and sharp features.
His name was Jason, and he hadn't been working for the Grand family very long.
Today, though something about him felt wrong.
Jason leaned against the side of the sleek black car, arms crossed tightly.
When he spotted them, he straightened up quickly, almost too quickly, like a kid caught doing something wrong.
As Annie approached, she caught the flicker of nervousness in his eyes the way his hand fumbled slightly with the car keys.
"Good afternoon, Miss Grand," he said stiffly, avoiding direct eye contact.
Annie slowed, just a step behind Olivia and Ophelia.
Andrew shot her a questioning look.
Annie brushed it off with a small smile.
Tired. You're just tired. Stop imagining things.
Jason opened the back door a little too fast, almost slamming it by mistake.
He mumbled an apology under his breath, cheeks slightly red.
Annie hesitated a longer, her instincts whispering a quiet warning
but she pushed it aside and climbed into the car.
Andrew slid in beside her, still watching her closely.
The car pulled smoothly out of the mall parking lot, Jason's hands a little too tight around the steering wheel.
Annie stared out the window, trying to relax.
The city lights blurred against the darkening sky,
but in the reflection of the glass, she caught Jason glancing at her through the rearview mirror
just once cold and quick.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the strap of her shopping bag.
Still she said nothing.
She leaned her head against the window, pretending everything was normal.
Because after all it was almost her birthday.
And nothing bad was supposed to happen.
By the time they reached the Grand estate, the sun was setting, casting the sprawling mansion in a warm, golden glow.
The long driveway was lined with extra security cars and unfamiliar workers bustling in and out, carrying decorations, lighting, and equipment.
The house was alive almost too alive buzzing with energy.
"Looks like someone's getting a royal celebration," Olivia joked, nudging Annie lightly.
Annie smiled weakly, gathering her bags.
Andrew was already at her side, quietly taking the heavier ones without asking.
Jason the driver parked carefully, quickly stepping out to open Annie's door.
He kept his gaze low this time, professional almost too professional.
Annie hesitated, feeling that strange tightness in her chest again.
But before she could think much of it, Andrew was already leading her toward the house.
Inside, the air smelled like fresh flowers and expensive vanilla candles.
Staff members hurried past, carrying trays and stacks of wrapped boxes.
In the center of the grand hallway stood her father, Parker Grand, looking powerful and proud as ever.
Next to him, Alexa her beautiful, elegant mother was directing a florist team with precise gestures.
When Parker spotted Annie, his face lit up.
"There's my birthday girl!" he called out, opening his arms.
Annie couldn't help but laugh as she rushed into his hug, feeling safe for a moment.
"You went overboard," she teased, looking around at the hundreds of decorations being prepared.
Parker chuckled.
"For my princess? Never."
Chris came bounding down the stairs, grinning widely.
Annie! You should see the cake they're making it's bigger than our dining table.
Everyone laughed, and for a few moments, the house felt warm, bright, and full of love.
But deep down, Annie couldn't ignore the unease curling tighter in her gut.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Jason disappearing into the kitchen too fast, too quietly.
And for just a heartbeat.
Annie thought she saw someone watching her again from the shadows at the edge of the hallway.
She blinked and the figure was gone.