Inside, the manor exuded a blend of old-world charm and modern touches. Nalani followed her aunt into a cozy sitting room, where they settled into conversation.

"So, how have you been, dear?" Lydia asked, offering a warm smile.

"I'm doing well, thank you," Nalani replied, feeling a mix of nostalgia and unfamiliarity.

Lydia nodded, then her expression grew more serious. "How is your father? I haven't heard much about him lately."

Nalani hesitated, noticing that Lydia seemed clueless about her father's condition. Not wanting to delve into it, she replied, "He's alright."

"And your mother's foundation? Who is managing it now?" Lydia continued.

Nalani provided only the necessary details, not wanting her aunt to dig deeper. "It's being managed by the board and some of my mother's close associates."

Lydia's gaze grew suspicious, sensing Nalani's reluctance. Deciding to shift the conversation, she asked, "How are you doing in school? Are you under a lot of stress? Taking any medicine by any chance?"

"I'm managing," Nalani said, slightly taken aback by the question. "School can be stressful, but I'm handling it."

After finishing the light meal Lydia had prepared, Nalani's phone rang. Seeing Mr. Antoine's name on the screen, she used it as an excuse to leave. "I'm sorry, Aunt Lydia, but I have to go. My ride is here."

Lydia nodded, masking any disappointment. "Of course, dear. It was lovely to see you. Please come again soon."

"I will," Nalani promised, hugging her aunt briefly before stepping out into the cool Parisian night.

As she walked towards Mr. Antoine's car, she felt a mix of relief and sadness. The visit had brought back memories and emotions she wasn't entirely prepared for, but she knew it was a necessary part of her journey. The manor's door closed softly behind her, and she looked back one last time, feeling a connection to her past she hadn't felt in a long time.

Mr. Antoine greeted her with a polite nod as she approached the car. "Did you have a pleasant visit, Mademoiselle?"

"It was... interesting," Nalani replied, her voice thoughtful as she settled into the backseat.

Nalani arrived safely back at the apartment, the city lights of Paris casting a warm glow through the windows as she thanked Mr. Antoine for his assistance. "Thank you, Mr. Antoine. I'll see you tomorrow," she said with a tired smile.

"Of course, Mademoiselle. Have a good night," he replied, giving a respectful nod before driving off.

As Nalani entered the apartment, she noticed it was empty. "Lena must be having a blast," she sighed, feeling a mix of relief and loneliness as she slumped down onto the sofa. Nini, her loyal cat, climbed up and nestled beside her, purring softly.

Nalani reached for the cat food nearby and fed Nini, who ate with a contented meow. She then headed to the kitchen, deciding to cook dinner to take her mind off things. She prepared grilled chicken and steak-frites, the familiar process of cooking calming her. The smell of the food filled the apartment, creating a cozy atmosphere despite her lingering unease.

After dinner, Nalani brushed her teeth and cleaned her face, feeling the day's grime wash away. She changed into her pajamas, the soft fabric comforting her. Settling back onto the sofa, she picked up her mother's journal, hoping to find more information about her aunt Lydia.

Flipping through the pages, Nalani muttered to herself, "That was... weird." She paused, reflecting on her earlier visit. The conversation with her aunt had felt off, not at all the warm, enthusiastic reunion she had expected. Lydia had seemed more interested in Nalani's father's condition and her mother's foundation than in catching up with her niece.

"It was as if she was interrogating me out of nowhere," Nalani thought, flipping another page absentmindedly. Her aunt had asked about her father's health and the management of her mother's foundation, questions that seemed more probing than genuinely concerned. Lydia's tone had carried an edge, a hint of something Nalani couldn't quite place.

Nalani shook her head, trying to dismiss the unease that had settled over her. "She only ever asked about me but never told me anything about herself," she mused, feeling a knot of suspicion form in her stomach. "It was like she... wants something from me."

The thought unsettled her. Could her aunt really be that calculating? Nalani didn't want to believe it, but the conversation replayed in her mind, each detail sharpening her doubts. Lydia's questions had felt more like an investigation than a familial catch-up.

"I wonder where Lena has gone?" Nalani wondered aloud, looking around the empty apartment. She missed her best friend's presence, the easy companionship they shared. With a sigh, she put the journal aside and went to bed, feeling the weight of the day's discoveries pressing down on her.

As she lay in bed, waiting for Lena, her mind wandered back to the journal. Her mother's words were a comfort, a connection to a past that felt increasingly distant. Nalani closed her eyes, her thoughts drifting to the happier times described in the journal, the adventures her mother had experienced in Paris.

Hours passed, and Lena still hadn't returned. Nalani's worry grew, but exhaustion soon overtook her, and she fell into a restless sleep.

****

The next morning, Nalani woke to the sound of Lena entering the apartment. She glanced at the clock—it was early, and the sun was just beginning to rise. Nalani got out of bed, her curiosity piqued by Lena's very late return.

"Lena, where have you been?" Nalani asked, her voice still thick with sleep as she walked into the living room.

Lena looked a bit sheepish, her face slightly flushed. "Oh, just out with Kate and some old friends," she said, trying to sound casual.

Nalani raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to the story. "Really? All night?"

"Yeah, we ended up talking and losing track of time," Lena replied, avoiding Nalani's gaze.

Nalani decided not to press further, not wanting to start the day with an argument. "Well, I'm glad you're back. I missed you."

Lena smiled, looking relieved. "Missed you too. What did you do yesterday?"

"Visited my Aunt Lydia. It was rather interesting," Nalani said, choosing her words carefully. "She asked a lot of questions about Dad and the foundation my mother runs."

Lena frowned, sensing Nalani's unease. "Did that feel weird?"

"Yeah, a bit. It was like she was more interested in what she could get out of the conversation than in catching up with me," Nalani admitted.

Lena sat down beside her, her concern evident. "Do you think she has an ulterior motive?"

"I don't know," Nalani sighed. "I hope not. But something definitely felt off."

They sat in silence for a moment, both lost in their thoughts. Finally, Nalani broke the silence. "I found something interesting in my mom's journal. She wrote about visiting Lydia in Paris in one of her art showcases held here. It seems like they had a complicated relationship."

Lena nodded, encouraging her to continue.

"I'm thinking of visiting Lydia again, to see if I can learn more. Maybe I'm just being paranoid," Nalani said, looking at her friend.

"Trust your instincts, Nalani. If something feels off, it's worth looking into," Lena advised.

Nalani smiled, feeling grateful for Lena's support. "Thanks, Lena. I'm glad you're here."

"Always," Lena replied, giving her a reassuring hug.