Novels by Grace Kelly

ISABELLA’S POVWhen I got to the restaurant, four people were inside. It was 6:45, so I sat at the corner, checking the time while I awaited the mystery man. Somehow, the time seemed to stretch longer. “Your chicken, ma’am.” I heard a waiter say, causing me to raise my head and look his way. He was dressed in a brown shirt and pants with a white apron around his neck and holding a tray.“I didn't place an order,” I informed him, watching him smile before placing it down.“You don’t have to worry, ma’am. It has been paid for.” With time, he disappeared behind the doors, standing in the far corner of the shop.My eyes darted around the room in confusion. Something vibrated against my lap, and I pulled out both phones to realise it was the burner phone. “How do you like your chicken?” The voice on the other end penetrated the air.“Who are you? What do you want?” I questioned, firmly gripping the phone. I tried to stop my voice from cracking.“You didn't come all that way to play games

ISABELLA’S POVWas I dumb for sending a message to this unknown person? Even though the doorman claimed a delivery man delivered it, I wanted to believe he would come again. It was three in the night. I couldn't sleep, even though Alaric had done everything to calm me down. Our flight was scheduled to leave in the morning, and I was pacing up and down the room.“Be a man and face me, coward.” This was the message in the paper I had given him.Did the mystery man collect it yet? My nerves went on the verge of breaking. My heart was hammering so fast against my ribcage while my fingers were as cold as ice. After long, heart-crushing minutes of thinking, I finally snuck out of the room and headed down the elevator. As soon as I stepped out, I saw him in the corridor.“Any news?” I asked and watched him shake his head in denial. An exasperated sign slipped free, and I ran my fingers through my hair, a million trains of thoughts whirling in my head. The weather was chilly, best for a walk

ISABELLA’S POV“We found something.”It was early morning, and Alaric and I drove to the station after the policeman called. My body was still sore from last night, and my heart was beating so fast that I held tightly onto Alaric’s hand. The street was barely empty, yet he managed to maneuver his way, and in minutes, we were standing in front of the police station. I dragged in a big breath as I wondered what news awaited me. This was either going to scar me for life or save my best friend. It was as though he noticed my fear because he held my hand.“If you ever feel uncomfortable, let me know, and we are out of here.” His words held a reassuring tone, which made me slightly calm. Two unfamiliar faces were there when we got to the office they had directed us to. One was sitting in front of a laptop while the other man, who seemed older, stood beside him. “From the tattoo in the picture, we managed to narrow it down to these three men.” The older man informed me, and I watched the

ISABELLA’S POVI had taken forever to snap out of the phase while Alaric spoke with the two police officers. Different scenarios had played out in my head. Mireille had always seemed so happy and carefree that I never thought she could hide something. She shared everything with me about how her first sex went. How sex with her new man was. How engagement was planned out. Everything except the important details.Who was the savior? I could barely determine what they were saying, but I knew he handed them what we had gotten from her house and the car. One of the police officers had said something about us taking a big risk and suggested that we stay put until we got the news. I had yet to tell Alaric I had gotten a package back in Alabama. I doubted that it mattered anymore. “We will get back to you, Mr Wolfe.” He said before flashing him a smile. Alaric hummed thanks while I laid my head between my palms, trying to solve the mystery.What clue were we missing? I thought as I tried

ISABELLA’S POV“I don't think we should do that after what happened last night.” He responded, dishing the chicken, fried potatoes, and egg on a plate and handing it to her.“We?” she repeated, then added, “Thank you for the food.”He hummed as he poured her an orange juice. “You don't think I will let you go alone, right?” She was speechless for a second. She wasn't entirely expecting him not to follow her, and she didn't want to bother him. “Enjoy your meal while I go take a bath, okay.” His hand was resting on the table as he spoke before he raised a palm and touched her forehead. “You seem better now. Let me know if it changes.” With this, he walked out of sight.Her mouth tasted bitter, but she managed to chew the food because she couldn't let his effort go to waste. Soon, he was dressed in a light blue shirt and cream-colored shorts. His face was neatly shaved, too. She was done, too, and within minutes, they were in his car, driving towards Mireille’s apartment.Her heart be

THIRD PERSON’S POVHer heart thumped loudly against her ribcage, her fingers were trembling, and she felt a cold spine run through her veins. “Stay right there,” Alaric ordered before shoving the door open and running to the street. He had parked the car in a safe place, but she could barely make anything out as blood rushed to her ears.He knew the homeless man had to be involved. He was conversant with how things like this worked. A surge of adrenaline ran through him as he stormed into the streets. His eyes moved over the countless people. He could still remember what the homeless man was dressed in and what he looked like. Sweat broke across his face as he stepped into people’s faces to check if the homeless man had changed into another outfit. He had read too many crime books to know how this works while growing up. Finally, he caught sight of the tattered black hoodie. He grabbed him by the shoulder with renewed hope and flipped him around.“Ouch, you're hurting me, " a femal