She wasn't paranoid.
Not anymore.
She knew someone was watching her. Protecting her. Controlling things around her without ever saying a word.
And she knew exactly who it was.
Leon.
⸻
Maya warned her to let it go.
"Whatever he's doing for you—it's better than the alternative."
But Ayla didn't want silence. She didn't want mystery.
She wanted truth.
⸻
She started small.
Asking one of the new guards a simple question.
"What's your name?"
The man stared ahead, unmoving.
"Are you following me because he told you to?"
Still no answer.
But she saw it in his eyes.
Yes.
⸻
The next day, she waited by the car.
The one that always showed up just before her shift ended.
When the window rolled down, it wasn't Leon.
It was Nico.
He looked annoyed. "You're not supposed to be here."
"Too bad," she said, crossing her arms. "I want to talk to him."
"He's busy."
"Then tell him to make time. Or I'll start asking louder."
Nico exhaled slowly, then nodded once.
⸻
That night, her phone lit up with a message.
Unknown Number: Tomorrow. 9PM. Don't be late.
She didn't reply.
Didn't need to.
Because she'd pulled back the curtain now.
And Leon was waiting on the other side.