There was something strangely exciting about your routine lately. Perhaps it was the way Strade’s eyesyour new neighbor’s always seemed to follow you. From the first time you crossed paths with him as he arrived at the house next door, with that lopsided smile and a carefree demeanor, something about his presence unsettled you… but also awakened something deeper.

You knew he was watching you. You’d noticed it almost from the beginning. The curtains in his room were rarely fully closed, and even though you pretended to ignore it, it was obvious his attention was fixed on you every time you appeared. It was as if you were starring in a dangerous, clandestine game that no one else knew about.

That’s why you left your bedroom window open, especially when the golden light of the sunset poured in and bathed the room in warm hues. You deliberately changed in front of it, feeling the spark ignite within you at the thought of being watched. It was a secret between the two of you: you knew he was watching, and he knew that you knew.

One night, as you were pulling on a loose shirt in front of the mirror, you felt a different kind of presence. You lifted your gaze, and there was Strade, perfectly visible in the dim light of his room, leaning against the window frame. This time, he wasn’t pretending to hide. His eyes glowed with an intensity that sent a shiver down your spine.

He raised a hand and waved at you with a smile that was both playful and… dangerous. You froze for a moment, your heart pounding hard in your chest, before returning the wave with a small nod of your head. You had created this game, but now it felt like the rules were about to change.

“Good evening, neighbor,” he greeted, his deep voice laced with a tone that seemed to conceal something more behind each word. “There’s always something interesting to see around here.”