Laurel P.O.V
The moment the aircraft doors opened, a rush of unfamiliar air brushed against my face.
We had arrived.
I should have felt relieved.Instead,i felt hunted.
The airport was alive with movement.Travelers rolled expensive suitcases across polished marble floors while airport announcements echoed through the enormous terminal in a language I barely understood. Businessmen hurried toward immigration. Children laughed as they chased one another. Couples reunited with warm embraces.
To everyone else,it was just another ordinary day.
To me,it felt like every pair of eyes was searching for my face.
I lowered my head and walked with the crowd, forcing myself to match everyone else's pace.
Don't panic.
Don't look suspicious.
Just keep walking...
Then,a familiar voice crackled inside the tiny earpiece hidden beneath my hair.
"Laurel"
I nearly jumped.
My heartbeat lurched into my throat.
"I'm here" I whispered under my breath.
"Don't answer loudly" The voice instructed calmly. "Just keep walking"
I swallowed.
"Turn left"
My eyes darted around.
Left?
Everything looked the same.
Foreign signs.
Luxury boutiques.
Coffee shops.
Crowds.
Too many crowds.
"I...I don't know where left leads"
"Keep moving" The voice remained unbelievably calm. "You'll see a perfume store"
I lifted my head.
There it was.
An enormous luxury perfume boutique stood beside a jewelry store.
"I see it"
"Good"
"Walk past it"
I obeyed immediately.
My palms were soaked with sweat.
"Now keep going until you find the airport restroom"
I frowned. "I don't see it"
"Ten more steps"
I counted them silently.
One...
Two...
Three...
Every second felt longer than a minute.
Four...
Five...
Six...
Seven...
Eight...
Nine...
Ten.
"There"
I finally saw the silver sign hanging from the ceiling.
RESTROOM.
I released a shaky breath.
Without looking around too much, I slipped inside.
The restroom was almost empty,marble countertops reflected the bright ceiling lights,soft instrumental music floated quietly through hidden speakers.For a second,i thought I was alone.
Then-
"I've been waiting"
The cold female voice froze me where I stood.
I slowly turned around.
A tall woman stood near the mirrors,she wore an elegant charcoal business suit that looked as though it had been tailored exclusively for her. Her long black coat rested neatly over one arm, while expensive leather heels clicked softly against the marble floor,she had sharp features.
A commanding posture and a terrifying frown that made my heart skip,her eyes studied me with the precision of someone used to reading people in seconds,she looked less like a businesswoman and more like someone who could order a room full of dangerous men without raising her voice.
"I'm Acadia by the way" Her introduction was short.
No smile.
No warmth.
Only authority.
Instinctively, I took a cautious step backward.Before I could speak, another familiar voice came through my earpiece.
"Relax"
"She's one of ours"
The tension inside me eased,only slightly.
I looked from Acadia to the mirror and back again.
"So..." I cleared my dry throat. "What exactly are we doing in the restroom?"
Acadia extended her hand. "The bag"
I hesitated for only a second,then I handed it over.She unzipped it just enough to glance inside before closing it again.
Satisfied.
Without another word, she reached into her designer handbag and carefully removed a folded piece of black fabric.
She unfolded it.
It was an elegant, flowing black hijab paired with a long matching outer garment made from luxurious fabric,the material shimmered subtly beneath the lights.
"This is your disguise"
I blinked. "My... disguise?"
She nodded once.
"There are people watching the arrivals hall"
My heartbeat quickened. "I don't know which faces belong to Alpha"
"Neither do we" Her voice remained composed. "And that's exactly why you're changing"
For the first time since meeting Richardo's people,i didn't argue.
I didn't question.
I didn't resist.
I simply accepted the hijab with trembling hands.
Survival had become more important than pride.
Acadia stepped closer. "Lift your chin"
I obeyed.
She adjusted the folds with practiced precision, covering my hair completely before arranging the fabric so it framed only part of my face.
She stepped back.
Then nodded in approval.
"Perfect"
I stared at my reflection.
The frightened woman from moments ago had disappeared.Looking back at me was someone entirely different.
Even I barely recognized myself.
Acadia gave one final instruction.
"You leave first"
"What about you?"
"I'll follow later"
She took the bag from my hands and exchanged it for another ordinary-looking travel bag.
"Walk naturally"
"No rushing"
"No looking over your shoulder"
"If anyone watches you..."
"They should remember nothing"
I nodded slowly.
"I understand"
Whether I truly did,i wasn't sure.
I walked out of the restroom alone.Every step echoed inside my head.
Keep walking.
Don't panic.
I passed security personnel.
Families.
Tourists.
Airport staff.
Nobody stopped me.
Nobody called my name.
Still...
The unsettling feeling refused to disappear,it felt as though invisible eyes followed every move I made.
I resisted the urge to turn around.
Instead, I focused on the instructions.
The airport doors slid open automatically just as warm air greeted me,rows upon rows of vehicles filled the parking structure.
Luxury sedans.
Black SUVs.
Airport shuttles.
Taxis.
My eyes searched desperately,then i saw a black matte-black van.
The plate ended in 0000 just like the cars which belongsto Richardo.
Without slowing down, I opened the sliding door and climbed inside.The door slammed shut behind me.
"Seatbelt" The driver's voice was firm.
"What?"
"Fasten your seatbelt"
His eyes never left the mirrors.
"Now"
Something in his tone made my stomach twist.
I quickly buckled it.
The engine roared.
The van shot forward.
I was pushed hard against the seat.
The city blurred beyond the windows,buildings became streaks of glass and steel,cars disappeared behind us one after another,the driver kept checking the mirrors.
Again.
Again.
Again.
His jaw tightened.
He pressed harder on the accelerator.
My fingers gripped the seat.
"Can't you drive a bit slow?"
He answered without looking at me.
"We're making sure nobody stays behind us"
The van turned sharply onto another road.
Then another.
My pulse raced.
Not again.
Please,not another chase.
The driver remained unnervingly calm, guiding the van through the busy streets with smooth, confident movements.Several long minutes passed before his shoulders finally relaxed.
He let out a quiet breath. "We're clear"
Only then did I realize I'd been holding mine.
The van rolled through towering wrought-iron gates crowned with intricate black-and-gold detailing.Beyond them stood a mansion unlike anything I had ever imagined.
I slowly stepped out.
My mouth fell open.
The estate stretched across acres of perfectly manicured gardens lined with sculpted hedges, white roses, and elegant fountains whose crystal-clear water sparkled beneath the afternoon sun.A circular driveway curved around an enormous marble fountain, where bronze statues stood frozen in graceful poses.
The mansion itself rose proudly behind it.
Three stories tall.
Cream-colored stone walls.
Towering glass windows that reflected the sky.
Grand balconies wrapped with ornate black railings.
Columns as thick as ancient trees supported the magnificent entrance.
It looked less like a house and more like a private palace.
Near the entrance stood a polished bronze plaque.
Elegant lettering caught my eye.
A. Moretti Residence.
I frowned.
Then it came to my thoughts.
Acadia.
So this was her home.
Before I could admire it any longer, the front doors opened.
Several maids hurried outside.
Their uniforms were spotless.
Each of them bowed politely.
"Welcome, Miss Laurel"
I froze.
Miss?
They knew my name?
One maid smiled warmly.
"You must be exhausted"
Another carefully took my bag.
A third gestured toward the entrance.
"Please come inside"
The mansion was just as breathtaking within,crystal chandeliers hung from impossibly high ceilings,marble floors gleamed beneath my feet,paintings in elaborate gold frames decorated the walls.Fresh flowers filled every corner with a delicate fragrance,everything looked impossibly expensive.
Yet,despite the luxury,it felt strangely peaceful,as though this house had never known violence.
I was guided into an elegant dining room.Within moments, the long table filled with dishes.
Fresh bread.
Steaming soup.
Roasted meat.
Fruit.
Pastries.
Tea.
Juices.
The aroma alone made my empty stomach ache.
One maid smiled. "Please eat"
I stared at the food.
Then slowly shook my head.
"...I'm not hungry"
The maids exchanged knowing glances.
"You haven't eaten properly"
"I said I'm not hungry"
My voice came out quieter than I intended.
"I..."
I simply didn't trust any of this.
Not yet.
One maid crouched beside me.
"Miss Laurel..."
"Lady Acadia instructed us to care for you"
Another added gently, "Even if you refuse to eat..."
"You must at least rest"
Before I could protest again, they led me upstairs.The bedroom prepared for me was larger than the apartment I once shared with my friends.
Then came the bathroom.
I stopped walking.
It was breathtaking.
White marble.
Golden fixtures.
A sunken jacuzzi large enough for several people,soft candlelight reflected across the water,steam drifted lazily through the air.
One maid tested the temperature. "The bath is ready"
I hesitated. "...I can do it myself"
"We know"
She smiled kindly.
"But please allow us"
For the first time in days,someone treated me gently,it almost hurt more than cruelty.I slowly stepped into the warm water,heat surrounded my aching body,the tension in my muscles began to melt.Yet,my mind remained restless.
I looked toward one of the maids.
"Who exactly is Acadia?"
The women exchanged brief glances.
One answered carefully.
"She has helped many people"
Another smiled.
"And many people would do anything for her"
I frowned.
"Is she...dangerous?"
There was an awkward pause,then the eldest maid replied softly, "In this world, Miss Laurel..."
"The most dangerous people are often the ones who appear the calmest"
Silence settled over the room.
I leaned back into the warm water,closing my eyes.
Thinking of Abigail.
Thinking of Richardo.
Hoping...
Praying...
That wherever he was,he was still alive.Because deep inside, I had begun to realize something terrifying.
I no longer feared being alone.
I feared a world without Richardo in it.