Not long after N''s car hit the road, she sensed something was amiss. She deliberately changed directions several times, but the ck car continued to follow her. She frowned in concern. It was clear that the unmarked car was tailing her.


    After a moment of consideration, she decided to turn around and head in the opposite direction from her home.


    ...


    About ten minutester, N parked her car in front of the police station.


    The car following her finally realized something was wrong and tried to leave, but the police quickly stopped it.


    Officers swiftly detained the upant of the car.


    Only after confirming her safety did N get out of her vehicle.


    "Ms. Jayston, pleasee with us to make a statement," an officer requested.


    N nodded and nced at the person being led into the police station. He appeared to be in his early 20s, with a square face and in features-one of those faces that blended into a crowd. N was certain she had never seen him before.


    The man was visibly enraged. "Why are you arresting me? Just because you''re cops, you think you''re so great?"


    One of the officers replied coldly, "Driving an unlicensed vehicle is illegal, and you''re also suspected of stalking. You need to cooperate with the investigation."


    During the questioning, N learned that the man''s name was Steven Abney and that he worked at a car repair shop in Saintornia.


    When asked why he had been following her, he flippantly replied that he thought she was attractive and wanted to be friends.


    Since Steven had not caused N any actual harm, the police gave him a stern warning before letting him go.


    As N left the police station, she saw Steven waiting outside, his face dark with anger.


    When he noticed her, he sneered and said coldly, "You''re lucky this time. Next time, it won''t be so easy."


    N ignored him and got into her car, driving away.


    Back at home, after settling Vrie, N sent a message to Pete asking him to look into Steven. She thought Pete would be asleep, but he replied quickly. Pete: [Steven Abney... The name sounds familiar. I''ll check it out and let you know what I find.]


    N responded with a simple "Okay" and put her phone down to take a shower.


    ...


    The next morning, after getting ready, N checked on Vrie in the guest bedroom.


    Vrie was still asleep, so N gently closed the door and went to the kitchen to make breakfast.


    Halfway through preparing the meal, Vrie woke up.


    "N..." she called out.


    N turned around to see Vrie standing at the kitchen door, her hair a mess and looking a bit


    embarrassed. Clearly, she still remembered some of what had happened the night before.


    "Since you''re up, go wash up. I''ve put out new toiletries for you," N said. "Okay..." Vrie replied.


    Soon, Vrie finished washing up and came out of the bathroom.


    N''s breakfast was ready, and she was pouring milk.


    Sitting across from her, Vrie looked at the eggs and bacon on her te with excitement. "Is there


    elet


    anything better than waking up from a hangover to find breakfast


    waiting? You might as well forget about dating-just the two of us can


    handle it internally."


    N gave her a sidelong nce.


    "Sorry, but I''m not interested in


    women. Also, this is my breakfa


    Your breakfast is in the kitchen. I''ll get it for you right away."


    Vrie looked touched. "You even made a special breakfast for me? I..."


    When she saw the oatmeal N was holding, her gratitude froze on her face. She hated oatmeal more than anything. N ced the oatmeal in front of her and said, "It''s specially made for you. You have to finish it-everyst drop." "I''d rather have eggs and bacon..." Vrie started.


    "No, you vomited several timesst night. Your stomach is empty, and greasy food isn''t good for it," N chided.