Sofi stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around herself as  steam curled around the bathroom mirror. Droplets of water clung to her skin as she grabbed a smaller towel, gently drying her hair.

She stood before the mirror, lost in thought, when a strange sensation prickled at the back of her neck.

The feeling of being watched.

Her breath hitched. Slowly, she turned her head toward the window.

Nothing.

The  outside was still, the glass reflecting only her own uneasy expression. She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. You’re just being paranoid, Sofi.

She returned to drying her hair, trying to shake off the unease. But then—

There it was again.

A presence.

This time, when she turned, she saw it.

The curtain swayed, as if someone had just moved away. And just beyond the edge of the frame—a shadow slipping out of sight.

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

Without thinking, she ran toward the window, her breath shallow, hands trembling as she yanked the curtain aside.

Nothing.

Her pulse thrummed in her ears as she scanned the outside . No movement. No figure lurking outside.

Yet the feeling lingered.

Who was it? she whispered to herself, her fingers tightening around the windowsill.

And then—

Her phone rang.

She jumped, a sharp gasp leaving her lips.

Her heart pounded as she turned toward the bed. Her phone screen glowed in the dim light, the name on display making her stomach turn.

Unknown Number.

A bitter chill spread through her veins.

It must be him.

Without hesitation, she blocked the number.

A second later, her phone vibrated again. Another unknown number.

She blocked that too.

And then—a message.

Pick up the call.

A fresh wave of dread washed over her.

The phone rang again.

This time, she answered.

"What do you want?" she snapped, gripping the device tightly.

A beat of silence. Then—

"You. What else?"

The same distorted voice. The same quiet, dangerous certainty.

Her skin prickled.

"I’m hanging up."

"Don’t even think about it, Sofi," he warned, his voice dropping an octave. "Unless you want me to come inside your room right now."

A shiver ran down her spine.

Her fingers hovered over the screen. A challenge flared in her chest, fueled by frustration and fear. "Then come," she spat. "If you’re so bold, stop hiding. Show yourself."

A dark chuckle crackled through the speaker.

"Oh, Sofi… you sound so cute when you try to act tough." His voice was velvet, dripping with amusement. "It just makes me love you more."

Her stomach churned.

"Don’t worry, my love," he continued, his tone softening into something even more intimate—more possessive. "If you’re missing me this much, I’ll come to you soon. Very soon."

Her fingers clenched around the phone before she abruptly ended the call.

"Rubbish," she muttered, throwing her phone onto the bed as if it burned her.

But the words stuck to her skin like a brand.

.........

Lucifer smirked as the call disconnected.

With a slow exhale, he leaned back, his fingers idly tapping against his phone before he swiped open his gallery.

Her pictures filled his screen.

He clicked on one—Sofi caught mid-laughter, sunlight dancing in her hair. He zoomed in, his thumb grazing over her face, his eyes darkening.

I love teasing you, my Sofi, he  tilted his head as if admiring a priceless work of art. You have no idea how perfect you are.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden creak of the door.

"Lucifer."

His heart jerked.

Quickly, he locked his phone and turned, his expression smoothing into feigned irritation.

Ella stood in the doorway, watching him.

"What happened? Why did you look so startled?" she asked, stepping inside.

Lucifer exhaled, schooling his features into a mask of impatience. "Nothing. Can’t you knock before barging in?"

Ella raised a brow. "Why are you getting so defensive?"

"I’m not defensive. I’m just irritated," he shot back.

She sighed. "Fine. I’ll keep that in mind next time."

Lucifer ran a hand through his hair, forcing a casual tone. "Why are you here?"

"I was thinking… should we go back home? It’s been days."

His jaw clenched.

"And leave Sofi alone?" he asked, his voice deceptively calm.

"I know," Ella admitted. "But I was thinking maybe we should take her with us. She has two days off. She shouldn’t stay here alone, constantly thinking about that guy. We could take her shopping or something—to distract her."

Shopping.

Lucifer’s lips twitched.

"Yeah… you’re right," he said smoothly, masking the way excitement curled in his chest.

Sofi… outside, where he could be close to her. Where he could watch her .

Ella smiled. "I’ll talk to her, then."

"Sure," he replied.

As soon as she left, his smirk returned.

"Shopping… interesting."

His mind whirled with possibilities.

Perhaps he’d pick out something for her. Something white. Something delicate. Something that would remind her… she belonged to him.

.........

"Come on, Sofi," Ella urged, nudging her gently.

Sofi sighed, sinking further into the couch. "I’m not in the mood, Ella. I’m sorry."

Before Ella could respond, a familiar voice cut through the room.

"What is my doll saying?"

Lucifer.

He strolled in, his presence commanding, his gaze locking onto Sofi as he sat beside her.

"She’s saying she doesn’t want to go," Ella answered.

Lucifer tilted his head, his eyes never leaving Sofi. "Don’t you want to come home with us?" His voice was smooth, almost coaxing.

Sofi hesitated. "I’m just not feeling well."

Lucifer’s playful smirk faded instantly, replaced by concern.

"Are you alright?"

Before she could respond, he reached out, his fingers brushing against her forehead. His touch was cool against her skin, lingering longer than necessary.

"You’re a burning a bit ," he murmured, his brows furrowing. "Should I call a doctor?"

Sofi let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "I’m not burning up." She gently grabbed his wrist, pulling his hand away from her face. "I’m fine. Just not in the mood."

His gaze softened, but there was something unreadable in his eyes.

"Is something bothering you?" he asked, voice lower now—almost intimate.

Sofi’s fingers twitched.

For a moment, she wanted to tell him. About the calls. The messages. The suffocating fear curling inside her.

But she hesitated.

"Nothing," she said, forcing a small smile.

Lucifer studied her, his fingers tapping lightly against his thigh. "If it’s nothing, then let’s go."

Sofi sighed. "Fine. If you both are insisting this much, then I’ll come."

A slow smile spread across his lips. "Perfect."

Ella clapped her hands together. "Alright then! You two get ready."

Sofi blinked. "We’re going now?"

Lucifer arched a brow, his smirk returning. "What else did you think? Next year?"

Sofi shook her head, smiling despite herself.

"Get ready," he said, his tone both warm and authoritative. Then, standing up, he ran his fingers through his hair and walked toward the door.

Ella stretched. "I’ll go get ready too. Be quick, Sofi!"

"Sure," Sofi replied, watching as Ella left the room.

.......

The mall buzzed with life, people moving from store to store, lost in their own little worlds.

Sofi and Ella were no different—browsing through racks, picking out clothes, laughing over designs.

Lucifer, however, wasn’t paying attention to any of it. He simply stood there, carrying their bags, but his focus was solely on her.

Sofi.

She was smiling, her eyes bright with excitement as she sifted through dresses. The way she moved, the way she tilted her head in thought, the way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear—he watched it all.

And he loved it.

I could stare at you like this forever, he thought to himself. Without blinking. Without looking away. Just… forever."

He was lost in his thoughts, lost in her, when Ella’s voice suddenly snapped him back to reality.

"Why not try it on, Sofi?" Ella suggested, holding up a dress.

Sofi hesitated. "I think I’ll be alright."

Ella shook her head. "No, go check it out."

Lucifer’s gaze sharpened as Ella nudged Sofi toward the changing room.

"Go, Sofi," Ella insisted.

Sofi sighed, finally giving in, and disappeared behind the curtain.

Just then, Lucifer’s phone buzzed.

"Excuse me," he muttered to Ella before stepping away to take the call.

...

As he spoke, something caught his eye.

A jewelry store.

A diamond bracelet sparkled under the soft lights, its delicate design immediately making him think of her.

His lips curled into a small smile.

It would look perfect on Sofi.

Without a second thought, he gestured to the jeweler. "Show me that one."

The jeweler complied, placing the bracelet in his hands.

Lucifer traced the diamonds with his thumb, his mind already picturing it wrapped around Sofi’s wrist.

A mark of his ownership.

"Pack it," he said without hesitation.

---

"Gosh, Sofi, you look so pretty!" Ella gushed as Sofi stepped out of the fitting room.

Lucifer turned, ready to admire her—

And then, his smile disappeared.

Sofi stood there, hesitant, adjusting the hem of the dress. It was elegant, flattering—yet to him, far too revealing.

Sofi frowned. "Don’t you think it’s a bit much?"

"No, it’s perfect!" Ella assured her. "You look stunning."

"It is," Lucifer’s voice cut in, cold and sharp.

Both girls turned to him as he stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Sofi.

Then, in a low, commanding tone—

"Go change."

Sofi blinked. "What?"

Lucifer stepped closer, towering over her, his voice unwavering. "I said, go change, Sofi."

Ella scoffed. "Why? She looks beautiful!"

Lucifer didn’t take his eyes off Sofi. "You heard me." His voice was quiet but firm.

Sofi didn’t argue. She simply nodded and hurried back into the changing room.

Ella watched, frustration flickering across her face. "What was that, Lucifer?"

He exhaled slowly, but his expression was far from calm.

"Didn’t you see the way those guys were looking at her?" His jaw tightened. "Like they had the right?"

Ella frowned. "No one was staring at her."

Lucifer let out a dry laugh. "You really think that?" His voice dropped slightly.

Ella shook her head in disbelief. "Lucifer, you’re overreacting. If anyone was looking, it was probably because she looked pretty. There was nothing revealing about that dress in the first place! Since when did you start sounding like Sofi?"

Lucifer’s expression darkened. "Enough, Ella."

She flinched slightly at the sudden shift in his tone.

Then, in a voice dangerously calm, he added—

"Don’t make her wear things like that again."

Ella met his gaze, searching for something—reason, understanding—but all she found was something unreadable.

Lucifer’s hands curled into fists, his nails pressing into his palms as his mind spun.

Sofi was his. No one else had the right to look at her. No one else had the right to want her.

........

Earlier That Evening…

Sofi had felt off ever since the shopping trip.

Lucifer’s reaction to the dress. The way his eyes darkened when she wore it. The way he ordered her to change.

It wasn’t normal.

His expression—possessive, dangerous, final.

Like if she refused, he wouldn’t tolerate it.

What I'm thinking? He was just being protective of me she thought and shook her head to clear her thoughts.

She turned onto her side, sighing softly.

The room was silent. Safe.

At least, that’s what she thought.

---

Somewhere between sleep and consciousness, she felt it—

A presence.

Her brows furrowed. Her breath slowed.

Something wasn’t right.

The air felt heavy, suffocating.

And then—

A shift in the darkness.

The unmistakable feeling of someone hovering over her.

Her eyes snapped open.

A shadowed figure loomed above her.

She gasped, her scream catching in her throat—

But before she could react, a hand covered her mouth.

"Shh," a voice murmured, calm yet commanding.

Her heartbeat slammed against her ribs.

She froze, panic rising like wildfire.

"I’m going to take my hand off," he whispered. "Don’t you dare scream."

The warmth of his palm lingered against her lips. "Do you understand?"

She didn’t respond.

His grip tightened.

"I asked you something, Sofi."

Her breathing turned ragged, but she forced herself to nod.

"Good girl."

Slowly, his hand slipped away, but the air remained thick with tension.

She could barely make out his form in the darkness.

But she saw the glint of a mask covering his face.

His voice was muffled, distorted.

To be continued...