The soft hum of the AC filled Elle's walk-in closet as she moved from hanger to hanger, gently sliding dresses aside. Her fingers paused on a soft peach sundress, then drifted to a white one-piece swimsuit with subtle gold embroidery. She blinked, then sighed. No matter how many summer outfits she packed, the heaviness in her chest refused to lift.
She reached for a beach hat and placed it neatly into her suitcase. Her mood was still soured — a bitter aftertaste from letting the stalker slip through her grasp. The trail had gone cold, and that silence only deepened her frustration.
She shook her head.
No.
She had made her decision. She'd use this vacation to clear her mind, breathe, maybe even pretend to be just a normal girl with college friends and silly conversations. Just for a while.
Her mind wandered back to the day the trip was planned.
Two days ago, in Kai's living room
"So," Noah said, sprawled across the floor cushion, arms behind his head, "we've got ten full days off. TEN. What are we doing? We better not waste this break just rotting in our beds."
Kai leaned against the windowsill, sipping from a cold can of soda. "I wouldn't mind rotting a little."
Amara rolled her eyes. "Speak for yourself, sloth. I vote vacation. Somewhere sunny. Sand, swimsuits, sunsets. Boom."
Noah perked up. "Yes! That's what I'm talking about. Something fun. Relaxing. Wild, even."
Elle, seated on the edge of the couch with her usual quiet grace, looked up. "An island, maybe?"
All eyes turned to her.
Kai smiled. "You into islands, Elle?"
She gave a small shrug. "I just think... being surrounded by the ocean feels peaceful."
Noah's phone was already out. "Say less. I know just the place. It's a hot tourist destination — private beaches, amazing views. People say it's paradise."
Elle's eyes flickered with recognition.
That island.
She knew it well.
Because it wasn't just a tourist destination — it belonged to her family. It had always been kept under strict confidentiality. No one outside the family or the property's legal network knew who owned it.
She kept her expression unreadable.
"That sounds perfect," Amara said.
"I'll book our tickets," Noah grinned. "And… hey, do you mind if I invite a few others? People I trust — girls too. It'll be more fun with a bigger group."
Amara looked at Elle. "I'm fine with that if you are."
Elle nodded softly. "As long as you trust them."
Noah fist-pumped. "Awesome. I'll make a group chat. Swimsuits, here we come."
Back to Present — Elle's Garden, Late Afternoon
"Amara, hurry up!" Elle called from the entrance of the boutique.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Amara emerged holding two shopping bags and a large floppy hat balanced on her head. "I couldn't decide between sunscreen gel and cream — so I got both."
Elle gave a small laugh. "I got three shades of the same lipstick. We're even."
They loaded their shopping into the car and made their way back to Elle's house. The late afternoon sun drenched the garden in gold, casting long shadows across the hedges and fountains. The place was blooming, fragrant — beautiful, as always.
"You really live in a palace," Amara said, sipping the iced tea that Martha had served them.
"It's just home," Elle replied, sitting beside her on the garden swing.
After a few moments of lazy conversation and laughter, Elle stood up. "I need to go get the gift bags I prepared for the trip. I'll be back in five. Don't wander too far, okay?"
"Where would I even go?" Amara teased.
Elle paused, then said with an oddly casual tone, "Just don't go near the flower bushes at the far end. Edric found a few poisonous snakes there a few days ago."
Amara blinked. "Seriously?"
Elle's voice was still light. "Dead serious. I'd rather not have you bitten before we even get to the beach."
Amara laughed, assuming Elle was joking — her usual eerie deadpan humor. "Noted, your highness."
Elle disappeared inside.
A breeze rustled the garden.
Amara sat sipping her tea for a few more minutes, then her curiosity got the better of her. She wandered toward the edge of the garden where the old flower bushes grew — large, tangled, some of them unusually tall. Something about the section felt… untouched.
A strange feeling brushed her spine, but she shook it off.
She reached out to touch one of the petals. "These flowers are kinda creepy. They look like they're guarding something…"
She took another step forward.
The air felt denser here. Colder. She knelt, brushing away a few dry leaves from the edge of the stone path. Beneath them, the soil was dark and compact — undisturbed, yet oddly heavy in presence. The flowers here grew thicker, like they were feeding off something deep below.
Amara's brows furrowed.
She didn't know why, but something about this spot made her chest tighten. She stood slowly, brushing her hands on her skirt, a nervous energy building in her limbs.
Then—
She felt it.
A chill slithered down her spine, sharp and sudden. The sensation of being watched — not just watched, but studied. Hunted.
Her breath caught.
Sweat gathered at her temples.
Amara turned around slowly.
And there she was.
Elle.
Standing silently a few feet away — half-shadowed, unmoving, her grey eyes locked onto Amara's back like a predator tracking its prey.
Amara's throat went dry. Her heart beat loud in her ears. She tried to speak, but no words came.
Elle's gaze didn't waver.
Amara felt her fear crawl inward, deep and cold.
To be continued...