Page 73 of Mine To Hunt

I dive into the work, but soon notice Mike looking at me from across the room with that unsettling stare. His gaze makes unease settle in my stomach like a heavy stone, stirring up discomfort that I try to ignore but cannot fully shake because it feels too pointed and invasive.

‘Why is he watching me like that?’I think to myself, glancing away quickly to avoid meeting his eyes and encouraging him.

I focus on the screen in front of me, but the unease lingers persistently, making it hard to concentrate fully on the article and adding to my anxiety.

During lunch, Sarah approaches my desk with a friendly smile that lifts my spirits a little. "Iris, a few of us are heading to the cafe down the street for lunch. Want to join us? It’d be nice to have you there."

Thankfulness warms me deeply because it means not everyone is treating me differently. "Sure, Sarah. I’d love to join."

In the cafe, we sit at a large table. The group chats casually about work and weekend plans, the normalcy helping to ease some of my tension. "How's your latest article coming along?" Sarah asks me with genuine interest.

I smile. "It’s going well. A bit challenging with the details, but interesting to piece together and research."

Tom joins in from across the table. "Crime stuff is always intense. Glad you are handling it so well."

Suddenly Mike arrives and sits right beside me, his chair scraping closer than necessary, which immediately stirs discomfort inside me like a warning bell. "Mind if I squeeze in here next to you, Iris? The other seats are taken."

I shift uncomfortably in my seat but nod politely to avoid a scene.

He gets cozy immediately, his hand brushing my thigh "accidentally" under the table as he adjusts his position, sending a wave of unease through me. "Sorry about that." He says with a grin that feels insincere and calculated.

It happens again moments later, his elbow grazing my chest as he reaches across for the menu on the table, the contact making panic build in my chest. "Oops, my bad." He laughs casually, as if it was nothing intentional.

I jolt up from my seat abruptly, my heart racing with unease and a surge of fear that makes my hands shake. "I just remembered I have some work left to finish back at the office. Hazel will have my head for it."

Sarah looks concerned, her brow furrowing with worry. "You okay, Iris? You look upset."

I nod quickly, forcing a smile that feels strained. "Yeah, I’m fine. Just need to get back and wrap things up. See you all back there soon."

I hurry out of the cafe, the discomfort lingering like a bad taste in my mouth that I cannot shake, leaving me feeling violated and angry.

Back in the office, I sit at my desk and take out a notepad I bought after visiting Dr. Nathaniel, starting to write about what Mike did.

I start it with the rumors then his inappropriate touches in the cafe that made me feel unsafe and objectified. Anger and fear pour out onto the page, the words helping to release some of the pent-up emotions that have been building inside me.

I take deep breaths as Dr. Nathaniel suggested, inhaling for four counts slowly, holding for four counts, exhaling for six counts gradually. Calmness settles slowly over me, the exercise helping to relax my tensed muscles and clear my mind a bit from the immediate panic.

I feel a little more in control now, the emotions less overwhelming and chaotic, allowing me to think more clearly.

I go to Hazel's desk, gathering my courage to ask for what I need. "Hazel, can I take tomorrow off? I need a day to recharge and sort through some personal things that have been weighing on me."

Hazel agrees without hesitation, her expression kind and understanding. "Of course. Iris. Rest up and come back refreshed."

I thank her sincerely, relief washing over me. "I appreciate it more than you know."

I finish the rest of the day at work, pushing through the lingering emotions, and head home, relieved that there is no sight of thestalker following me this time. Anxiety still clings to me, making my eyes search every shadow along the way, but for the first time in days, the feeling of being watched isn’t there.

No weight pressing between my shoulder blades. No sense of eyes prying from the dark corners or tracking my every step.

Chapter 24

Her

The next morning, I wake up with a strange mix of relief and restlessness churning inside me because it is my day off from work, and for once, I do not have to face the endless whispers or Mike's unsettling stares that have been making me feel so isolated and judged lately.

The emotional weight from the rumors at the office still lingers heavily, but I decide that staying cooped up in this old flat all day will only amplify the anxiety inside me like a storm ready to break.

I need something to pull me out of this spiral, so I grab my phone from the nightstand and dial Maddie's number first, my fingers trembling slightly as I hope she is free to meet because talking to her always helps ground me when everything feels like it is falling apart.