Chapter: Three Feet Away
(Jay's POV — New York)
New York mornings were never quiet.
Horns.
Sirens.
People rushing like the city was running on a clock no one could stop.
I had lived here for three years now, though my main base was still my father's house whenever I returned to the Philippines. But ELVIOLN Corporation's biggest international branch operated here in New York, and I spent most of my time managing things personally.
From the backseat of the cab, I watched the towering glass buildings pass by while scrolling through reports on my tablet.
Stock updates.
Shipment confirmations.
Three meetings scheduled.
Normal day.
The driver suddenly cursed under his breath.
The cab jerked.
Then slowed.
Then stopped completely.
I looked up.
"What happened?"
The driver sighed in frustration.
"Engine problem, ma'am. I'm really sorry."
I glanced outside.
My office tower stood right across the street.
Literally three feet away from the curb.
Of course.
I closed my tablet.
"It's fine."
I paid the driver and stepped out of the cab.
Cold New York wind brushed against my face as traffic rushed past.
Cars moved fast.
People walked quickly.
Typical Manhattan chaos.
I adjusted my coat and walked toward the road.
My office entrance was right there.
Three steps.
That's all it would take.
One step.
Two.
Then—
A loud HONK exploded through the air.
My head turned.
A black car was speeding straight toward me.
Too fast.
For a second…
Everything froze.
My mind calculated the distance.
Too close.
I was about to move—
But suddenly—
Two hands grabbed my arms.
Strong.
Fast.
And I was yanked backward.
My body crashed against someone as the car sped past where I had been standing just a second ago.
The wind from it brushed against my coat.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
For a moment I just stood there, breathing.
Then a calm voice spoke near my ear.
"Careful."
I turned.
A woman stood beside me, still holding my arm lightly.
She had long dark hair and sharp eyes, the kind that looked like they noticed everything.
Next to her stood a tall man.
Quiet.
Observant.
His hand was still slightly extended like he had helped pull me back too.
The woman released my arm.
"You almost got yourself killed."
Her tone wasn't rude.
Just… factual.
I straightened slightly.
"I noticed."
The man glanced at the road briefly before looking back at me.
"You should pay more attention when crossing."
I brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.
"Thanks for the save."
The woman studied my face carefully.
"You look pale."
"I'm fine."
"You almost got hit by a car."
"I've had worse mornings."
That actually made her smile slightly.
The man looked at my office building across the street.
"You work there?"
"Yes."
But before I could move again, the woman spoke.
"You should sit down first."
"I'm really fine."
"You're shaking."
I looked at my hand.
She wasn't wrong.
Adrenaline.
The man gestured toward the nearby street.
"Our place is just around the corner."
The woman nodded.
"Come. Just for a few minutes."
Normally…
I wouldn't go anywhere with strangers.
But something about them felt strangely calm.
Controlled.
Not random.
So I followed them.
Five minutes later we entered a modern apartment building just two blocks away.
Their apartment was simple but elegant.
Clean.
Quiet.
The woman handed me a glass of water.
"Drink."
I took it.
"Thanks."
The man leaned against the counter watching quietly.
After a moment I looked at them.
"You two saved my life."
The woman shrugged.
"Just good timing."
I tilted my head slightly.
"What are your names?"
The woman answered first.
"Serina."
She pointed at the man beside her.
"And that's Kaizer."
I waited a second.
They didn't say anything else.
"No last name?" I asked.
Serina smiled slightly.
"No."
Kaizer crossed his arms calmly.
"Just Serina and Kaizer."
That was unusual.
People almost always introduced themselves fully.
But they seemed completely unconcerned about it.
I finished the water and stood.
"Well… Serina. Kaizer."
I nodded slightly.
"Thanks for saving me."
Serina studied me again.
"You're Jay, right?"
My eyes narrowed slightly.
"How do you know that?"
Serina and Kaizer exchanged a quick glance.
Then Serina smiled again.
"Let's just say…"
Her voice was calm.
"…you're not exactly a small name in this city."
Interesting.
I slipped my hands into my coat pockets.
"Fair enough."
But something in my instincts told me one thing.
Meeting these two…
Was not an accident.