CHAPTER 506: GUESS WHO’S STALKING?

Micah sat across from Nora in an upscale restaurant, the kind with crystal chandeliers and velvet seats that muffled every sound. A soft piano melody drifted through the air while servers glided between tables, carrying plates that looked more like artwork than food. The two of them had been eating and chatting for a while when, halfway through the main course, Micah noticed Nora’s attention start to wander. Her fork paused mid-air as her gaze flicked toward the corners of the room, then the entrance, then back to her plate. She shifted uneasily in her chair, her shoulders tensing as if she could feel something prickling at her skin.

"What’s the matter?" Micah asked, frowning.

"It’s weird. From earlier, I kept getting this feeling, like someone’s glaring holes through me," Nora mumbled, annoyed. "Ah... It’s the same feeling I get during exams, when the teacher’s suspicious and staring at me like I’m cheating."

Micah’s lips twitched, trying not to laugh. "How many times have you been caught, exactly?"

"Hey!" Nora snapped, her face heating. "Not everyone is a top scorer like my big brother!"

That earned a full laugh from Micah. "I get it, though! I was always the black sheep of my family. The one who was always at the bottom of the class. I was sick of being compared to my two genius older sisters. But now... I think the problem was with them, not me!"

Nora chuckled at that, resting her chin in her hand. "Yeah, that sounds about right. We Edwoods are not cut out to be studious." Then she paused. "But seriously, someone is watching me! I can feel it."

Nora tried to turn around, but Micah reached out and took her wrist. "Don’t worry about it. I’m here, aren’t I?"

Nora met his hazel eyes, doubtful.

"Hey! What’s with that look?" Micah said, feigning offence. He flexed his biceps exaggeratedly and gave them a small squeeze, puffing out his chest a little. "You know how strong I am, don’t you?"

Nora blinked, then burst out laughing loud enough to make a few nearby diners glance their way. "You are so full of yourself. You do realise the last time you tried to play the hero, you ended up injured, right?"

Micah pouted, turning his head away dramatically. "That was... a one-time accident."

"I know, I know...I’m just joking," Nora said, her expression softening. "But really...Thank you. If you hadn’t been there that day, I don’t know what would have happened to me. Still, I don’t want to see my brother hurt like that ever again."

Micah’s expression gentled. He looked at her warmly for a moment. "Mmm," he hummed quietly. "Alright. I’ll be careful next time."

Then he glanced at her clean plate. "You’re done already? I ordered dessert. But if you’re uncomfortable here, I’ll ask them to pack it up for us."

Nora happily stood up, ready to go. "Yeah, let’s do that."

Micah guided his sister out of the dining area, keeping his hand lightly on her wrist. They took the elevator to the fourth floor.

"Why are we here?" Nora asked, glancing around in confusion as they stopped in front of a hotel room.

"Let’s rest a little," Micah said, fishing out a key card and sliding it into the lock. "The event won’t start for another hour."

"What? Seriously?" she asked, surprised.

"Yeah," he replied with an easy shrug, pushing the door open. "I got a text that he is running late."

Nora didn’t think twice about it and stepped inside, looking around the cozy room with curiosity. "Wow, it’s nice."

Micah smiled faintly but didn’t follow her in.

"Huh? Are you not coming inside?"

He shook his head. "Nah. You rest here for a bit. I am going to get our desserts."

"Oh, okay!" she said cheerfully, walking further inside.

Micah closed the door quietly and turned on his heel. As he walked down the hall, the faint feeling of being followed returned. That faint, pricking sensation at the back of his neck had followed him all through the restaurant to here. It was starting to get on his nerves.

Micah quickened his steps, turning at the next corner and slipping quietly through the staircase door. He leaned against the cool walls, arms crossed, waiting.

Moments later, the door opened in a hurry.

A figure stumbled inside, slightly out of breath, cursing. "What the fuck. He’s bringing a teenage girl into a hotel room? Seriously? What a piece of shit..." he muttered under his breath.

Then the young man’s eyes widened when he saw Micah standing behind the door, smirking faintly.

"Got business with me?" Micah asked coolly.

The young man froze like a wallaby in headlights, colour rushing to his cheeks as he was caught red-handed in stalking.

"I... I’m...sorry..." he stammered.

Micah raised an eyebrow, taking in his appearance and reaction. The man had dark hair and wore casual clothes. He was obviously nimble on his feet, but his posture lacked the sharpness of a trained fighter or professional. Not a private detective or special force. "Why are you following me?" Micah asked again, his voice calm but firm.

The young man scratched his neck awkwardly, avoiding eye contact. "I don’t mean any harm. I just wanted to talk to you..."

"Talk to me?" Micah repeated, his tone sceptical. "You know me?"

"Yeah," the man said quickly. "You are Micah Ramsy, aren’t you?"

"So, what if I am?" Micah’s expression hardened instantly. He stepped forward, tension sharpening the air around him. He had thought this guy was just some creep at best. But the fact that he knew his name...

The young man seemed frustrated. "I need to talk to you... about my brother."

"Your brother? I don’t even know who you are." Micah retorted, frowning.

"Well, I am Luca McKay," the man said, straightening his posture. "You know my other two brothers. Seth and Leo."

Micah’s eyes widened before narrowing again. "You’ve got to be kidding me." A dull ache started in his temples.

What was with the McKay family? What was next? Was Leo’s father showing up at his door?