The cool morning air brushed against my skin as I stood outside, a cigarette dangling between my fingers. I didn't smoke often—it was a rare habit—but today felt like one of those mornings where I needed something, anything, to calm the storm in my mind. 

A week had passed since my argument with Fernando, but the weight of it hadn't lifted.

I tossed a stone, and Kain bolted after it, his tail wagging as he eagerly brought it back, dropping it at my feet. 

I sighed, flicking ash from the cigarette before tossing the stone again. Kain sprinted after it without hesitation, but my thoughts lingered on that night.

Had I overreacted? Was my anger really justified? The questions clawed at me, circling endlessly in my head. 

Maybe I'd taken his words the wrong way and jumped to conclusions without letting him explain. He was just trying to protect me. I knew that. But in the heat of the moment, all I could think about was how much I'd already lost, and how much more I was risking. 

Elijah. Everything I did was for him. But now, I wondered if my fear had clouded everything else.

I took a drag of the cigarette, the smoke swirling around me as Kain returned, dropping the stone at my feet again. "Good boy," I muttered absently, tossing it once more.

The truth was, I'd let my fear and frustration get the best of me. I'd pushed Fernando away when he was only trying to help, never giving him a chance to explain himself. And now, I was stuck here with nothing but the heavy weight of guilt, wondering if I'd been too harsh.

Maybe I should've listened. Maybe I should've trusted him.

Kain nudged my leg again with the stone, and I tossed it without much thought. The morning sun crept higher, but the knot in my chest only tightened. 

Fernando didn't deserve the way I lashed out at him. I'd let my suspicions and anger control me, and in doing so, I'd driven away someone who cared.

I flicked the cigarette into the grass, exhaling the last drag of smoke as the morning sun rose higher, casting a golden glow over the backyard. 

Kain trotted back with the stone again, his tail wagging, but this time I didn't throw it. My mind was too preoccupied with everything swirling inside me.

I was about to light another cigarette when I heard the back door slide open. Freya's voice followed, her tone low as she called out, "Elora?"

I turned to see her strolling across the deck, her head down, scanning through a stack of mail in her hands. She looked tired, probably just got back from her late-night shift at the hospital. She didn't even glance up as she ripped open one of the envelopes.

"Morning," I called back, watching her approach.

She paused at the end of the deck, still focused on her mail, and held out a few envelopes toward me. "This one's for you," she muttered, distracted, as she continued to read whatever was on her letter.

I walked over, taking the mail from her hand. "Thanks," I said, glancing at the envelope with my name on it. I rarely got mail, and I'd already paid all my bills for the month. It wasn't like I had many people sending me anything.

Freya didn't say anything as she tore open her letter, her brow furrowed in concentration. I stepped back and peeled open mine, curious as to what it could be.

My eyes widened as I pulled out a short note, the familiar handwriting making my heart skip. It was from Fernando.

I blinked, eyebrows knitting together as I unfolded the paper. Confusion washed over me as I read the brief but heartfelt apology.

Elora, I'm sorry for how things ended. I know I was wrong, and I want to make it right. There's a small, discrete party happening tomorrow, I'd like you to come, and I would love it if you would give me the opportunity to talk with you. Consider it a peace offering. I'll send a chauffeur to pick you up at 7 pm. I really hope you'll come.

Beneath that, another slip of paper detailed the address, date, and time—along with the dress code instructions. Casual yet dressy.

Before I could process it all, Freya looked up from her letter, noticing the look on my face. "What is it?" she asked, her curiosity piqued as she folded her mail back into the envelope.

I shook my head, still slightly stunned. "It's from Fernando. He's invited me to a party tomorrow night. Sent a whole chauffeur and everything."

Freya arched an eyebrow, now fully interested. "A party? Fancy that. What kind of party?"

I handed her the note, letting her read for herself. She skimmed through it before her eyes darted back to me, her lips twitching into a knowing smile. "Sounds like someone's trying to make up for being an ass."

"Yeah, maybe," I muttered, glancing back down at the invitation. "But that's not all. He's also invited you and Davina."

Freya's grin widened. "Oh, really now? Guess this just got more interesting." She folded the note and tucked it back in the envelope, tossing it back at me. "I think you should go. It sounds like he's trying to make amends. Besides, it's been a while since we've had a proper night out."

I sighed, unsure of how to feel. The apology felt genuine, but after everything that happened, part of me still hesitated. "I don't know. I mean, the argument was bad, Frey. Maybe I overreacted, but..."

"You're overthinking it," Freya said, waving her hand dismissively. "You two need to talk things out. And what better way than at a party? Plus, we'll be there too, so it's not like you'll be alone."

I chewed on my bottom lip, still feeling torn. "Maybe..."

Freya gave me a playful nudge. "Just go, Elora. Have a good time. What's the worst that could happen?"

I glanced down at the note again, my mind swirling with uncertainty. But maybe Freya was right. Maybe it was time to hear him out.

••☆••

After stepping out of the bathroom, my body was wrapped in a towel and my hair was damp from the shower. I walked over to my phone on the nightstand, picked it up, and checked the time—5:58 p.m. Only a couple of hours left until the party. 

Sighing, I placed the phone back down and began drying off, the towel gliding over my skin as I tried to shake off the slight nervousness creeping in.

Once I was done, I slipped into a matching black bra and underwear, then headed back to the bathroom to tackle my hair. 

I plugged in the blow dryer, standing in front of the mirror as I worked the heat through my thick curls. Slowly, they dried into their natural, voluminous pattern. When I finished, I admired my afro—big, healthy, and full of life.

I couldn't quite decide how I wanted to style it, so I left it for the time being and walked back to the bedroom to get dressed. 

I slipped into the outfit I had set out—a short, fitted, red-and-black plaid skirt that sat snug on my hips, the hem falling just three inches above my knees, paired with a long-sleeved black crop top that left a sliver of skin exposed. Finally, I slid into a pair of sleek black stilettos, giving myself a bit of extra height.

Feeling a little more put together, I returned to the bathroom, still undecided on what to do with my hair. Instead of overthinking it, I grabbed some gel and worked it through my curls, enhancing their natural kink without losing the volume. It was simple but chic, and that's all I needed.

Once I was done with my hair, I went back into the bedroom and grabbed my purse from the chair by the window. It was a smooth, black leather crossbody bag with silver accents—simple but elegant enough to pair with my outfit. 

I opened it to make sure I had everything I needed: A little change with a few loose coins rattling around at the bottom, and I double-checked that all my cards were tucked neatly into the wallet inside. Satisfied, I slung the strap over my shoulder, unplugged my phone from the charger, and headed out of the room.

I made my way downstairs to find Freya and Davina. Freya was lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone, while Davina stood in the kitchen, fixing herself a quick drink. They both looked up when I walked in, and Freya gave me an approving nod.

"You look good," she said, standing up to join me. "You ready for this little mystery party Fernando has planned?"

"I guess so," I replied, smoothing out my skirt. "What about you guys? You all set?"

Davina glanced up from her glass, her lips curling into a small smile. "I just need to change. I'll be quick, though."

Freya, on the other hand, was already dressed in a satiny black jumpsuit, paired with chunky heels. "Been ready," she said with a smirk. "You know I'm not the last-minute type."

We hung around for a bit, chatting while Davina hurried upstairs to get changed. By the time she returned, dressed in a deep green dress that hugged her curves, the sound of a car pulling up outside caught our attention.

"The chauffeur's here," I said, glancing at my phone again. It was almost 7:00 p.m., right on time.

We grabbed our things and headed out the door, excitement buzzing in the air as we piled into the car, ready to see what Fernando had in store for us.

The moment the chauffeur arrived, Freya was already halfway out the door, her excitement noticeable. 

She flashed a grin over her shoulder as she walked ahead, heels clicking confidently against the ground. Davina followed close behind, adjusting her dress with a quick glance in the mirror by the door. 

I trailed after them, a mix of emotions swirling inside me—uncertainty, anticipation, and something else I couldn't quite pin down.

Freya practically bounced toward the tinted black car parked outside, her eyes lighting up as the driver held the door open. 

"Well, ladies, let's go," she chimed, easily slipping into the backseat. Davina slid in next, both of them already chatting about what the night might bring.

I hesitated for just a moment before stepping in after them. As the door closed behind me and the car started moving, I glanced out the window, trying to focus on the city lights flickering by, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Fernando.

"Elora," Freya's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, "you okay? You've been quiet ever since we left."

I nodded, offering a half-smile. "Yeah, just... thinking about tonight."

Freya gave me a playful nudge. "Well, stop overthinking. It's a party, not an interrogation. Besides, it's Fernando. What's the worst that could happen?"

I forced a chuckle, but the knot in my stomach only tightened. Fernando wasn't the problem, not really. It was everything that came with seeing him tonight. The apology, the tension that still hung in the air between us, the fact that I wasn't sure what I would say when I finally faced him. Did he even know how much that argument had weighed on me?

As the car weaved through the streets, Davina joined in. "Look, Elora, if tonight's really about making things right, it'll be fine. Fernando cares about you. He wouldn't have invited us if he didn't want to smooth things over."

"I know," I said softly, but it didn't ease the feeling in my gut.

Freya leaned back in her seat, already brimming with excitement for the night ahead. "Well, I for one am ready for whatever this night brings. It's been a while since we've had some fun."

By the time we arrived at the building, my thoughts were a jumble of emotions. The modern exterior loomed before us, and Freya was already stepping out, soaking in the glamorous surroundings. 

Davina followed, and I took a deep breath before joining them. The building was grand, with warm lights spilling out onto the street, giving the night an air of elegance. It was the perfect backdrop for whatever Fernando had planned.

As we approached the entrance, I tried to focus on my friends' excitement, but all I could think about was what lay ahead.

The moment we stepped inside, I felt the shift in energy. The interior of the building was a seamless blend of modern luxury and understated elegance. The lighting was warm, casting a soft glow over the polished marble floors and towering pillars. 

Waiters glided between the clusters of guests, offering champagne on silver trays, and the gentle hum of conversation filled the air.

Freya and Davina were already deep in conversation about the décor, their excitement peaked, but I could barely focus on their words. 

My eyes scanned the room for one person—Fernando. There was a part of me that needed to see him, to understand where we stood.

It didn't take long to find him. He was standing near a group of people, his white shirt crisp and open at the collar, the jacket of his suit casually thrown over his shoulder, held in place by his index finger. 

His hair was slicked back neatly, but a single loose strand fell rebelliously in front of his face. He was smiling, that wide, perfect smile that lit up his whole expression, showing off his perfect white teeth as he laughed at something someone said.

But then, as if he could sense me, his head turned, and his green eyes locked with mine. His smile softened the moment he saw me, his expression shifting from casual amusement to something warmer, more intimate. It was like he was silently telling me how glad he was that I came.

"I'll be right back," I told Freya and Davina, not waiting for their response as I began walking toward him. 

As we got closer to each other, the rest of the room seemed to fade into the background. The people around him continued their conversations, but his attention was solely on me.

"Elora," he greeted me softly, his voice filled with a warmth that nearly undid the knot in my chest. 

He stood close enough that I could see the restraint in his posture as if he was fighting the urge to pull me into a hug. Instead, he stopped himself, his eyes tracing over my outfit before meeting my gaze again. "You look beautiful," he said, his tone sincere, and I could feel the weight behind the words. "Really beautiful."

"Thank you," I replied, my voice soft as I glanced at his effortlessly put-together appearance. "You clean up well yourself."

He chuckled, running a hand through his hair in a gesture that felt both casual and intimate. "I try."

There was a beat of silence before he spoke again, his voice quieter now. "Would you... let me take you somewhere more private. To talk?"

I hesitated, but when I saw the sincerity in his eyes, I nodded. "Okay."

We walked together, weaving through the crowd until we found a quieter spot in the back of the building, away from the bustling conversations and clinking glasses. The air felt different here as if the space was carved out just for us.

Fernando wasted no time, his voice low and serious. "Elora, I'm sorry. I know I messed up, and I know I should've handled everything differently. I never meant to hurt you, not in any way. I was just... scared. Scared for you. You mean too much to me, and I just—" He paused, struggling to find the right words. "I don't want to see you destroy yourself over this, and in trying to protect you, I pushed too hard."

His apology hit me hard, the sincerity in his voice tugging at the walls I'd built up since that argument. But there was something I needed to know before I could accept it.

I took a breath, steadying myself. "Do you know Ghost?"

The question hung between us, thickening the air. 

His reaction was immediate—he hesitated, his lips pressing together in a tight line. He let out a low, frustrated groan, his eyes dropping to the floor as if searching for the right way to respond. That was all I needed to see.

I felt my heart sink, and I started to back away, my body moving on instinct. The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to fall into place, and the answer I dreaded was right in front of me.

"Elora, wait," he said quickly, his voice rising in urgency. His hands found my hips, not gripping but resting there, trying to keep me from slipping away. 

"Please, listen to me." His touch was soft, almost pleading, and when I gave him a look, he immediately pulled his hands away, his eyes wide with regret. "I didn't mean it like that."

"Then what did you mean?" I asked, my voice shaky, but I held my ground. "Because it sounds like you know him."

He ran a hand through his hair, the frustration clear in his movements. "It's not what you think," he pleaded, his voice cracking slightly. "I don't work for him, I don't... I'm not part of whatever you think this is. But, Lora, please, you have to trust me. There are things you don't understand, and I swear to you, I'm trying to protect you. That's all I've ever wanted."

I didn't know what to think. My mind was reeling, the fear and confusion swirling in my chest like a storm. But when I looked into his eyes, there was something there—something raw and real, something that made me want to believe him, despite the chaos in my mind.

"Please," he whispered again, his voice almost breaking. "Just give me a chance to explain. I would never hurt you."

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to push the panic down. He was right—there were things I didn't understand. And maybe, just maybe, I owed it to him to hear him out.

"Okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll listen."

He let out a breath of relief, his eyes softening as he looked at me. "Thank you, Elora"

Fernando let out a heavy sigh, his eyes dropping to the floor again before he spoke. "I do know Ghost," he admitted quietly, his voice heavy with the weight of the truth. "And... he's here tonight. He wants to meet you, Elora."

My mind froze for a moment, trying to process what he was saying. The infamous Ghost—this shadowy figure I had been chasing, the person I was so desperate to find... was right here. And Fernando knew him this whole time? 

The shock hit me like a punch to the gut, followed swiftly by a surge of betrayal. My heart raced, my thoughts tumbling over each other, unsure how to feel.

"He asked me to keep it a secret," Fernando continued, his voice breaking into my thoughts. "He told me not to say anything to you... but I wanted to. I swear, Elora, I wanted to tell you everything, but I couldn't. Not until now."

I swallowed hard, a mix of emotions jumping at me all  at once—anger, confusion, curiosity. I didn't know if I could trust him, but I had come this far. 

What other choice did I have but to see it through? I needed answers, and if Ghost was here, I had to face him.

"Take me to him," I whispered, my voice firmer than I felt inside.

Without another word, Fernando gently placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me through the room. We walked past a group of people who were quietly chatting, their conversations fading into the background as my focus tunneled in on the man Fernando was leading me to. He pointed toward a figure standing across the room, his back turned to us.

The man was tall, his frame muscular and imposing. He was speaking to someone in front of him, his voice low, but I couldn't hear what he was saying over the pounding in my ears. 

My heart rate picked up as we got closer, anticipation ripping at my insides. This was it—the moment I'd been waiting for. The moment I would finally put a face to the name that had haunted me for so long.

Fernando stopped a few feet away and called out, "Fratello, qualcuno è qui per vederti."

The man turned slowly, his movements deliberate, and the second my eyes landed on his face, I felt my heart stop. My chest tightened as a wave of shock, confusion, and disbelief crashed over me all at once.

His eyes were wide with excitement, a smile stretching across his face as he opened his arms as if welcoming an old friend. "I've missed you," he said, his voice rich with emotion.

I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. My mind screamed that something was wrong, that this wasn't possible, but the undeniable truth was staring back at me. I felt like the world tilted on its axis, everything I knew unraveling in an instant.

"Elijah?..." 

Halfway through I realized I was yapping too much LMAOO.

Any thoughts?