Eliana*The previous day*There was a knock at the door, it was not frantic nor was it impatient.It was precise.Three firm raps against the door, spaced evenly apart, like whoever stood on the other side was familiar with the residents of this house. I stood in the hallway, trying to figure out if I was expecting anyone, or if Pearl ever mentioned anything about a guest today. Damian wasn’t home and the house was quiet in that late-afternoon way that makes every sound feel amplified. The clock ticking in the living room, the faint hum of the refrigerator and my own breathing. The knock came again, controlled and louder this time. I don’t know why my stomach tightened before I even reached the door. Instinct, maybe. Or the simple truth that having this peaceful moment for a long period of time didn’t seem right. I unlocked the door and pulled it open, an unfamiliar face stared back at me. I paused for a while and waited for him to speak. Instead, he stood there like a man accus

Eliana I fell asleep, my body was exhausted, but my mind wouldn’t stop racing. Rostella's words kept echoing in my head, like a bad song stuck on repeat. "Well, well, well, long time no see." And “brace yourselves for what’s coming your way” Her voice was like nails on a chalkboard, making my skin crawl.She always scared me for some reason.The lucid dream started innocently enough and I was back at the mall, walking through the crowded corridors, the sound of laughter and chatter filling the air. But as I turned a corner, the sounds faded, and an eerie silence fell over the place. The lights flickered, casting long shadows on the walls.I tried to run, but my feet felt heavy, like they were stuck in place. Rostella appeared in front of me immediately, her eyes shining with a lot intensity. She was smiling, a twisted, cruel smile that made my blood run cold."You're just as weak as you were back then," she sneered, her voice dripping with hatred. "You must think you're safe, but yo

Xavier The next two workdays went by quickly. Eliot wasn’t being a pain in the ass that much even though I could barely concentrate because all my mind wanted to think about was the kiss with Pearl. She had been avoiding me since it happened, and honestly, I was too nervous to face her, so I low-key made sure our paths didn’t cross for those two days.The day for the family dinner finally came, and I reluctantly got out of my bed as the evening approached, my eyes foggy with sleep. It was the weekend, and I hated that I was using it to attend Eliot’s family dinner instead of rotting in bed all evening.I stretched and yawned as I walked towards the closet to pick out an outfit; it had to be something casual. I didn’t think Eliot would want me to wear a suit and tie to his family dinner. After a few minutes of searching, I quickly picked out a pair of baggy trousers and a black shirt.Just as I was about to walk into the bathroom, there was a knock on the door, and I narrowed my eyes

Xavier Soon it was time for the private dinner, although my growing impatience made it feel like it would never happen. After seeing Preston, I refused to leave that hallway for no particular reason, or maybe some part of me didn’t want to run into him again, scared that he might actually notice me. I took a deep breath as I sipped my second glass of champagne for that evening; a waiter had served it to me earlier, and I wondered why they were serving even in the hallways. It must suck to be a waiter. I leaned on the wall, a hand in my pocket while the other hand held on to the glass like it was a lifeline. Immediately a stout young man walked up to me, his expression unreadable, and I thought it was a crime to stand around in someone else’s hallway. "Mr. Xavier Montclair, am I right?” He announced, and I nodded as I realized the time I’d been waiting for had finally come. “Please come with me; Sir Carson requires your presence at a private dinner.” He explained, his voice firm.

XavierI pulled out a chair and took it to the middle of the office so everyone could get a clear view of my face and the expressions I was about to convey. My eyes moved from Damian and Victor, who were by the desk, to Pearl and Eliana, who were sitting on the armchair by the wall.All their faces were etched with unmistakable seriousness, and as I took a deep breath, clearing my throat, they all leaned in.“The family dinner was just a disguise for a drug party. Hard drugs, actual cocaine.” I dropped, and Eliana’s eyes widened while the others stayed calm.Pearl looked completely unfazed like that was exactly what she was expecting to hear.“You’re going to have to give us a better explanation than that.” Damian said, his voice firm. I took a deep breath, narrating everything to them from my arrival to being invited to the private dinner, how I got there, Preston, and how I finally got out of there, not forgetting to mention Eliot’s threats. They all listened keenly, their express