As I stepped into my office, my first instinct was to seek out Rita for her latest updates. From across the room, I noticed her furiously jotting down notes in her notebook, while Leo was engaged in a phone conversation, his voice a low murmur in the background.

“Hey there,” I called out, breaking her concentration. She blinked, momentarily lost in thought, before her gaze met mine, and she returned to the present.

“Hey, bestie,” she replied, her voice lacking its usual vibrancy as she enveloped me in a hug.

“What’s with the tone?” I inquired, settling onto one of the plush lounge couches beside her.

“The contractors bailed on us at the last minute. Jungkook has no idea. Leo and I have been scrambling to find a backup since yesterday. I’m in deep trouble if he discovers we’re nowhere near completing the project,” she confessed, leaning her head against my shoulder.

“What’s your plan?” I asked, gently taking her sketchbook from her hands. With a resigned sigh, she reclaimed it and flipped through the pages until she found her outline.

“Alright, so the entrance will be a grand welcome from wizards and witches. As guests arrive, the front desk will inscribe their names on the ‘death note’ for an added thrill,” she explained, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.

“Then, the first hall will showcase our masterpieces, while the second hall will host the competition you devised…”

The third hall had been designated as off-limits by Jungkook, who needed the space for important meetings with his clients. The theme for the event was set in striking orange and black, with our staff donning elaborate costume masks. Champagne would flow from antique glassware, creating an air of elegance. The atmosphere was to remain refined, avoiding anything too chaotic or outlandish. As for the prizes for the winners, those details remained a mystery. She exhaled softly, concluding her explanation.

"First things first, the prizes will be determined by Jungkook. For the first hall, you’ll oversee the display of our artworks, while I’ll handle the seating arrangements for the competition hall, ensuring a comfortable setup for participants, judges, and the audience. Leo will manage the meeting hall for the business clients. Now, I need to finalize these lists for the judges and submit them to Jungkook. I’ll catch up with you at lunch," I declared, receiving a weary thumbs-up from her, her eyes fluttering shut.

With a mix of trepidation and resolve, I approached Jungkook's office. My fingers curled tightly around the doorknob, and after a steadying breath, I stepped into his space, a smile on my lips. However, that smile quickly faded as I realized Jungkook was nowhere to be found.

Choosing to wait, I settled into the chair in front of his desk. My gaze was drawn to a picture frame resting there. A family photograph captured my attention, and I couldn’t help but smile at the sight. The image featured what appeared to be his parents, with a young boy in the center who bore a striking resemblance to Jungkook. It must have been taken during his childhood. Yet, something else in the frame piqued my curiosity.

In the dim light, a figure lingered at the edge of my vision, shrouded in shadows. Though her features were indistinct, there was an unsettling familiarity about her. My heart raced as recognition dawned upon me.

It was the lady without eyes, the one who had intervened when another spirit sought to strangle me. My mind spun in confusion. Why was she appearing in this moment? What ties did she have to Jungkook?

Just then, the curtains billowed, stirred by an unseen force. A sudden gust of wind brushed against my skin, and there she was, solid and present.

Elliot. I know you can see me.

The spirit clad in a wedding dress stood before me, a sight I had never encountered before. Spirits had often threatened my life, but never had one spoken directly to me.

I rose to my feet, fear wrapping around me like a suffocating shroud, completely unaware of the door creaking open and shut behind me.

She surged toward me unexpectedly, her gaze locked onto mine, yet in the blink of an eye, she vanished as if the very air had swallowed her whole. A sudden weight on my shoulder made me turn, revealing Jungkook standing just inches away. My heart raced, caught in a whirlwind of emotions—was it the lingering presence of the bride's spirit or the electric closeness between Jungkook and me that set my pulse racing?

Without thinking, my arms wrapped around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. I closed my eyes, savoring the warmth and solace he offered. His arms encircled me in return, a silent acceptance that needed no words. We stood there, enveloped in a cocoon of stillness, his heartbeat resonating with mine, soothing the chaos within me.