Chapter 4: (Scarlet's pov)

As I walked into my house, the familiar creak of the door echoing in the silent corridor, I quickly locked the door behind me, ensuring all the deadbolts were securely in place. The rain continued to patter softly against the windows, a soothing contrast to the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind.

I made my way and placed the bags on the dining table one by one. The dim light above flickered slightly, casting dancing shadows over the walls. I was still trying to shake off the creepy vibes from the store encounter with Kim Taehyung, when suddenly, the phone in the living room rang.

Startled, I straightened up, squinting at the door that led to the living room. Who would be calling at this hour?

I walked towards the phone, the sound of my own footsteps eerily loud in the silence of the house. Picking up the receiver, I hesitated for a second before pressing it to my ear.

Scarlet:
Hello?

A smooth, almost playful voice answered on the other end.

???:
Good evening, who am I talking to ?

Scarlet:
Who did you dial ?

???:
Well, I don't know, isn't it Miss Stark?

Scarlet:
No, it's not.

The other person groaned.

Scarlet:
Uh, I think you might have dialed the wrong number.

???:
Oh, I'm terribly sorry about that. I must have misdialed.

Scarlet:
It's okay, it happens. Goodnight.

I hung up the call and turned to head back to the kitchen. But before I could take more than a few steps, as I was closer to the door, the phone rang again, I squinted my brows for one more time, before looking back towards the loud phone. Before taking a sign I picked up the phone.

Scarlet:
Yes?

???:
I guess I dialed the wrong number again.

Scarlet:
Yes, you did. Why would you redial?

???:
I was hoping for a chance to chat.

Scarlet:
If you need to talk, call someone else then.

???:
But I'm already talking to you. Don't you enjoy a little conversation?

Scarlet:
Not particularly with strangers.

???:
Strangers can be quite interesting, though. Don't you think?

Scarlet:
I really don't have time for this. Who is this?

???:
Let's just say I'm someone who appreciates good company. And speaking of which, what's your name?

Scarlet:
I'm not sharing my name with a random caller.

???:
Oh, come on. We're having such a lovely chat. It's only fair I get to know who I'm talking to.

Scarlet:
No thanks.

???:
Why not? I promise I'm quite charming. You might even enjoy talking to me.

Scarlet:
I doubt it.

???:
I think you're selling yourself short. Why not give me a chance? We could have a really interesting conversation.

Scarlet:
I'm hanging up now.

Before I could end the call, he spoke again, his voice softer but still playful.

???:
Oh, don't be like that. You'll miss out on a delightful evening.

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

Scarlet:
I'm not interested. Goodbye.

I finally hung up the call, my hand shaking slightly as I placed the receiver back. I stood in the silence of the kitchen, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling from the conversation. The rain outside seemed to grow heavier, the sound of it merging with my racing thoughts.

I was about to pick up the grocery bag again, but again I heard a ring tone, it was the same phone again, I went towards the living room once again. A chill ran down my spine, I looked at my phone screen, another anonymous number.

Scarlet:
Hello ?

???:
Hello Scarlet.

The same voice again, I froze, how does he know my name ? I didn't recognize this voice at all, but something about the way they said my name set off alarm bells in my head.

Scarlet:
Stop calling me!

I quickly hung up, my heart racing. I stared at the phone for a moment, waiting, hoping that would be the end of it, I threw the phone back at it's place. But no sooner had I stepped back into the kitchen than the phone in there rang.

My pulse quickened. I stared at it, willing it to stop ringing. But it didn't. With shaking hands, I picked up the receiver again.

Scarlet:
Who is this, why do you keep calling me ?

The same voice chuckled softly, the sound sending a jolt of fear through me.

???:
Come on now, Scarlet. We both know I didn't dial the wrong number.

My blood turned cold. The voice was so calm, so casual, like we were old friends having a late-night chat. But there was an edge to it, something dark lurking beneath the surface.

Scarlet:
What do you want?

???:
Now, that's the question, isn't it? What do I want? Maybe I just enjoy a little conversation. What about you, Scarlet? Do you enjoy a good chat?

I gritted my teeth, fighting to keep the fear from my voice. I accidentally drop the receiver from my hand. My breathes got caught.

???:
Are you there sweetheart?

I picked up the receiver again before warning him.

Scarlet:
I'm hanging up.

???:
Don't do that, sweetheart. You wouldn't want me to get... upset.

I froze. The playful tone in his voice had shifted, becoming more menacing.

???:
Besides, don't you want to know how I got your number? Or why did I call you specifically?

My heart was pounding now, but I forced myself to respond.

Scarlet:
No, I don't. I want you to leave me alone.

Another low chuckle came through the line.

???:
So tense, Scarlet. Relax. You've had a long day. Isn't that exhausting?

My breath hitched. How did he know?

Scarlet:
Who the hell are you?

???:
Come on Im no harm. Im just getting to know you better.

Scarlet:
Stop with these games, if you're my friend show yourself!

???:
Don't you think so if I actually show myself, you'll be terrified to hell?

Scarlet:
You're such a creep, Im hanging up.

???:
Let's just say... I have to admit, you're quite interesting.

Scarlet:
You're insane.

???:
Oh well am I ?

Scarlet:
Go pass your time with someone else !

???:
Tell me is it wrong to get to know someone, to whom I'm looking at ?

The blood drained from my face. Watching me? How long has this been going on?

Scarlet:
What did you just say ?

???:
Is it wrong to get to know someone I'm talking to ?

Scarlet:
Listen, I don't know who you are, but...

???:
But I know who you are. Scarlet Rogers.

Scarlet:
What do you know about me ? Stop wasting my time !

???:
What do I know ? Well, now that you've asked me that. The pretty little daughter of Christopher and Natasha Rogers, living all alone in that big house. Isn't it lonely?

My hand tightened around the receiver. How did he know so much about me?

Scarlet:
I'm calling the police.

He laughed again, this time louder, like I'd just told him the punchline of a joke.

???:
Oh, Scarlet. You think the police can help you? They'll never get here in time. But don't worry, I'm not interested in hurting you... not yet, anyway.

That last part sent a shiver down my spine. My hand trembled as I slammed the phone down, cutting off the call. I stood there, my mind racing, my body frozen in place.

Scarlet:
Shut the fuck up, never dial this number again.

I shouted before hanging up the phone. Exhaling a shaky breath. My nerves were frayed, but I refused to let that strange caller get under my skin. Shaking off the lingering unease, I decided to make some tea to calm myself down.

Walking back into the kitchen, I flicked on the light above the stove, bathing the room in a soft, warm glow. The faint hum of the refrigerator was the only sound accompanying the steady drum of the rain against the windows.

I reached for the kettle, filling it with water from the tap, and set it on the stove. As the water began to heat, the quiet simmer of the burner somehow felt comforting, grounding me in the moment.

Ignoring the dread that still clung to the back of my mind, I busied myself with the next steps. I grabbed my favorite mug from the cupboard-white with delicate gold accents-and placed a tea bag inside.

The simple, mundane task of preparing tea brought a small sense of normalcy in the tension that had built up inside me. The water began to boil, soft bubbles forming at the surface.

I poured the steaming water over the tea bag, watching the rich amber color swirl into the cup. The aroma of the tea slowly filled the kitchen, a familiar, soothing scent that helped ease my nerves.

As I stirred the tea, I let out a slow, controlled breath, telling myself to focus on the present and not on that unsettling voice from the phone. It was just the wrong number, after all. Nothing more, nothing less.

But then, the phone rang again. This time, it wasn't the one in the living room. It was the phone in the corridor, the one I had just walked away from.

I stared at it, dread clawing at my insides. I didn't want to answer it. I didn't want to hear that voice again. But I had no choice.

I grabbed the receiver, pressing it to my ear, but before I could say anything, the voice spoke again, smooth and calm as ever.

???:
You're not as fun when you're scared, Scarlet. I was hoping for a little more... excitement.

My breath came in short, shallow gasps, fear wrapping itself around my chest like a vice.

???:
But I'm patient. I can't wait to see you.

And with that, the line went dead. I stood there, my heart thudding in my chest, my mind reeling from the conversation. Who was this person? And how much did he really know about me?

The rain outside had picked up again, pounding against the windows. I glanced around the kitchen, suddenly feeling like I was being watched.

I backed up slowly, keeping my eyes on the door, making sure all the locks were in place. As I stood there, gripping the edge of the counter, I couldn't shake the feeling that tonight was only the beginning.

I shook my head, convincing myself it was just some random person talking nonsense, nothing to be worried about. People do that, right? They get bored, dial a number, and spill whatever comes to mind.

Brushing off the unease, I turned back toward the kitchen, my gaze falling on the stove where the tea had been boiling. The soft hiss of steam reminded me I had left it on for too long.

I hurried over, closed the knob, and grabbed a glass, pouring the hot tea carefully. The warmth felt grounding, and I took a small sip, letting the heat calm my nerves, though a lingering sense of unease still buzzed in the back of my mind.