Beneath Possession

*Stella's POV:*

As soon as we were dismissed from the first round, I couldn't help but check my phone obsessively. The first fifty contestants to qualify would receive a notification, but I knew the results wouldn't be released for another hour. Still, I found myself glancing at the screen every few minutes.

To distract myself, I decided to take a short walk outside. The morning sun cast a warm glow over the urban landscape, and the sounds of the city provided a familiar hum of activity. I strolled around the block, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling metropolis. The competition venue was located in a modern high-rise building, surrounded by sleek glass towers and trendy cafes. I checked my watch. 9:15 AM. I still had 45 minutes before the next round.

I walked to a small park nearby, which was nestled between two large skyscrapers. The park was a tranquil oasis amidst the urban chaos, with a few benches and some neatly manicured trees. I pulled out my phone and tried calling Fiona, but she didn't pick up. I felt a pang of worry, wondering how her date was going. But she called back just a few minutes later, reassuring me that everything was going smoothly. The guy had fallen for her trick, and she'd keep him busy until the end of the competition. I breathed a sigh of relief, smiling as she joked about the cookies I owed her for this favor...

Just as I was about to head back inside, I noticed a guy walking towards me. He flashed a charming smile and introduced himself as Gratin – or Grant, as his friends called him. We were standing near a street vendor, who was selling freshly brewed coffee and pastries.

"Hi, pretty," he said, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. "I'm Gratin. My friends call me Grant because I grant wishes. Maybe I'll even grant yours."

I felt a surge of irritation at his condescending tone and the way he looked at me like I was some kind of prize. I forced a platonic smile and replied, "That's an interesting name."

Gratin's grin widened. "And you are...?" he asked, his eyes expectant.

"I'm Stella," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant...

Gratin's face lit up. "Stella, wow. That's beautiful. I'm sure you came for the competition to look for a suitor for a right?, Nice plan,Well, you're in luck because you've found me".…

His arrogance was staggering, and I couldn't help but call him out. "Even if you were being auctioned off as a free suitor, I still wouldn't pick you."

Gratin's face contorted with anger, and before I knew it, he grabbed my arm, his grip tightening. "Who do you think you are, talking back to me like that?" he snarled..

I tried to wriggle free, but he only held me tighter. Panic began to set in, but just as I thought things might escalate further, a handsome stranger intervened, pushing Gratin away.

"Hey, are you okay?" the stranger asked, his eyes locked on mine with concern.

I nodded, still shaken. "Y-yes, thank you." ...

Just then, Gratin's phone rang. He answered it, his eyes narrowing as he listened to the person on the other end. His expression darkened, and he glanced at me with a menacing glare.

"This isn't over," he growled, before turning and storming off.

I watched him go, feeling a shiver run down my spine. Shawn noticed my concern and placed a reassuring hand on my arm.

"Hey, don't worry about him," he said softly. "You're safe now."

I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Shawn. "Thanks again for intervening," I said.

Shawn smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime," he said.

The stranger smiled and introduced himself as Shawn. We chatted for a bit, waiting for the notification to pop up on our phones. It was a nice distraction from the drama with Gratin, and I found myself feeling drawn to Shawn's kind and gentle nature.

As we walked back towards the competition venue, I couldn't help but notice the bustling activity around us. People were rushing to and fro, and the sounds of car horns and chatter filled the air...