The night before had left me completely drained. My body ached, my mind felt heavy, and every muscle protested as if reminding me I had pushed it too far. The graduation celebrations had been electric, filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses, yet amidst all that joy, my thoughts kept returning to the mysterious gift—the fashion studio that had appeared out of nowhere. Who could have possibly done something so grand? It didn't make sense. The amount alone could rival some of the city's most expensive properties.
I had barely enough energy to change out of my gown and collapse into bed, but I couldn't stop thinking about the envelope. Its sudden appearance, the initial "A" scrawled at the bottom—it all felt like a riddle, one I wasn't sure I wanted to solve yet. My mother, Olivia, would have dismissed the whole thing as a prank, or worse, warned me to stay away from it. I knew I couldn't tell her. Not yet.
Morning came far too quickly. Sunlight pierced through the curtains and warmed my face, forcing me awake. I yawned, stretching lazily, rubbing the remaining sleep from my eyes. And then my gaze fell on the envelope sitting neatly on the small shelf beside my bed. My fingers trembled slightly as I reached for it, flipping through the papers inside. Everything looked real—the property documents, the receipts, the detailed list of machines and furnishings. I pinched the bridge of my nose. "This… this is insane," I whispered to myself.
Then, as I rifled through the papers, a small note slipped from between the pages. I caught it instinctively, unfolding it. My eyes scanned the neat handwriting:
"If you want to really thank me, message me through the email below so we can meet."
And again, just that single initial—A. My heart skipped. Who was this? Was this real? A prank? Or some… hidden trap?
I couldn't tell my mother. No, Olivia would never allow it. She'd call me reckless, naive, or worse, warn me away entirely. My mind raced. There was only one person I could trust to help me think this through. Maya. My sister in spirit, my confidante.
By mid-morning, I was dressed, my hair tied loosely, and I had made my way to the Benson Villa. The weekend brought a calm hush to the streets, the usual traffic subdued, as though even the city knew today demanded patience. I barely had time to appreciate it, though, because the moment I reached the door, I spotted Nathan, Maya's younger brother, coming out of his.
"Oh, Crystal! You're here? Are you looking for Maya?" he asked. His voice carried that teasing warmth I had always associated with him, though I'd never considered him more than a younger brother in my mind.
I smiled faintly, raising my hand to ruffle his hair playfully. "Yeah, but I can't seem to find her."
Nathan's grin widened, and for a moment, I felt that soft, easy energy that had always been there when he was around. His eyes softened as they lingered on me longer than usual, and I caught the faintest shadow of something… different. But I didn't think much of it, assuming it was just the familiar warmth of our easy friendship.
"She went out for a while, to attend to something for my dad. But she'll be back soon," he said.
"Oh, okay. It's no problem, I'll wait for her," I replied casually while raising both my legs to ruffle his cute hairs which brought more smile to his face . And then, as if on cue, the main door swung open, and Maya appeared.
Everything about Maya drew my attention immediately, and Nathan's gaze fell away from me, hidden disappointment flickering in the depths of his eyes which I didn't notice as I ran to her, giving her a light hug.
Inside Maya's room, the air smelled faintly of her signature perfume—something floral, soft, yet grounding. I sat on the edge of her bed as I explained the whole situation, my hands fidgeting nervously with the envelope. Maya listened intently, her brows furrowing in concern, her presence grounding me as always.
"This… this could be dangerous, Crystal," she said finally. Her voice was soft but carried weight. "Even if it seems like a gift, someone willing to spend this much on you might have intentions. We need to know who this is before you accept anything."
I nodded, my chest tight. Maya was right. I had a history of people trying to control me, manipulate me, and I wasn't about to let someone, no matter how generous, step into my life without knowing their motives.
"Okay," I whispered. "I'll send the message. I'll… see what they want, but carefully. Nothing reckless."
Maya smiled, squeezing my hand gently. "That's my girl. Be smart. Be cautious. But also… don't let fear control you."
I left her room an hour later, the envelope tucked safely in my bag, and stepped out into the warm glow of the late afternoon. Maya closed the door behind me, and I noticed him—Nathan. His little eyes had been following me the entire time but I had no idea what he was thinking but it's not like I cared. I gave him a warm smile before exiting the main door with Maya.
"Nathan?" Maya raised her voiced as soon as she closed the door behind my back
His posture straightened, his hands flexing slightly at his sides. There was a tension in him, something she had never seen before. "What?" His voice was low, almost silent, but it carried an unfamiliar edge."Why shouting my name?," he said slowly. The playful brotherly energy she had known for years had shifted into something… different. A storm hidden behind calm eyes.
Maya's voice sliced through to say more. "Nathan! That's enough. You need to banish whatever thoughts you're having. Crystal isn't that kind of person, and she won't tolerate it."
His lips twisted into a bitter, impatient smile. "Oh, come on, Maya. Don't lecture me. You think you can tell me how to feel? I've worked my whole life for what's rightfully mine, and now… if Crystal wants to be in my life, I'll fight for it. Whatever it takes."
Maya's eyes narrowed, her jaw tight, but she didn't argue further. She only shook her head and walked away, her gaze icy and piercing. "For your own good," she muttered over her shoulder.
Meanwhile I turned back toward the street, oblivious to the tension that lingered behind me, unaware that Nathan's gaze burned into my back, quiet, obsessive, and unyielding. There was a darkness there now, an undercurrent of something he had never felt before. Something dangerous, something that whispered promises and threats alike.