*** Hyacinth ***To my dearest Hyacinth,I know that I failed to take you from your father. But before I even die, I want to secure everything for you.The acres of land and the cabin is under your mother’s name and you are the sole heir. However, I want you to know that you can’t sell the house. The house was a treasure to me and to our family. If ever you want to rebuild the house, please make sure that you have checked each of the doors. Our family treasure is hidden inside.Your grandfather did his best to protect it from people who wanted to purchase our land. We found peace in this cabin and this land. I hope you’ll take care of it, my dear Hyacinth. My sweet little flower.I love you and even though I am not around, please promise me to always protect yourself.I gaped at my grandmother’s message. A hidden treasure? Could it be a family heirloom? I haven’t toured it all well and there could be hidden doors. But I need to get there right away before Christmas.“I got my passport
*** Raven *** I had my wife’s phone connected to mine. All of the messages and emails are cloned to my phone. When she left, I made sure to check her messages. And even though I blocked that number, I still received it in real time. She’s not focused on her phone. She’s more focused on shopping. I intercepted another message. Her photo in a flowy dress. She looked gorgeous, of course and it might show some skin but she placed a jacket over her shoulders at that time and this bastard sent messages. You look fucking hot in this dress, Hyacinth. But you look happy. But I guess I will just have to touch myself while you are undressing and touching yourself. This boiled my head as I nearly smashed it. But I have to delete it. I must. Hyacinth can’t know. She must go on with her days like they were nothing. I don’t want her to worry. I don’t want her to break down. As soon as possible, I want to keep it a secret until we get this guy. Or until we learned his identity. “This little fu
*** Raven ***I watched them board the private jet that I own and use for my business trips. Before they boarded, I gave her a lot of kisses on her face, lips, and neck. That’s when I saw a glimpse of Patricia and Zian, who cringed at us. It’s funny to see that our best friends had the same look at the same time. “Get back safely,” I told her and held her hand tightly. Although I don’t want her to leave, I must let her do whatever she wants. Zian, Patricia, and Penny are with her anyway together with Seth. “Two weeks. If you don't get back at that time, I’ll be coming there.” “Okay,” “Come on, let’s go for Pete’s sake!” Penny exclaimed as Hyacinth waved at me and she boarded the plane with them. I let out a sigh and checked my phone to see where her phone was cloned to mine. There were no new messages for now.I hopped into my car and stopped when Calisto sneaked into the jet before it closed. I sighed and shook my head but I let him. He’s an architect anyway. They can find it out
*** Hyacinth ***A car pulled out in front of the cabin. I headed downstairs and approached the car as a familiar figure hopped out. “Hyacinth?” Eino called as I smiled.“Hey, Eino.”“You are back so quickly.”“Well, we are just checking the cabin.”He approached me and hugged me probably as a greeting and I patted his back.“Sorry,” He stepped back. “Well, I just missed you and Granny missed you a lot as well.”“Oh,” I somewhat felt awkward. “Uhm, these are my friends. You already met Cal,”“Hey,” Cal shook his hand.“Then, this is Patricia, Penny, and Zian.”“I’m Eino, a pleasure to meet you all. I live nearby and if you guys have no place to stay, my house is open.”“Wow, that’s so sweet.” Penny grinned. “But we already had a reservation and we can’t cancel it. Thank you so much, Eino.”“Uh, sure.” Eino nodded. “But really, my house is open for everyone.”I don’t think that I could live in someone else’s house and although they had a perfect accommodation, Raven doesn’t like Eino
*** Raven ***I froze when I saw a silhouette by the door while I checked on my sleeping wife. I stared at it for a long time until I realized that it didn’t belong to any of my friends.“Hyacinth!” I called as the man strode fast and hung up. I tried to call Hyacinth but I was unable to reach her phone. I called Zian but he’s not answer. I called Cal and their phones are damn. That’s when I called Patricia who answered.“Go back to your room, now!” I shouted.“What’s wrong?” Patricia got up.“There’s a man in your room!” I hissed as they all rushed to the door. It was messy on the screen but when they entered, I watched as Patricia focused the phone on the bedroom. They turned all of the lights and the balcony door was open.“Hmm, what’s going on?” Hyacinth asked as she rubbed her eyes. She reached for the phone and looked at me. “Hmm, Raven?” She creased her brows. “What’s going on?”“I’ll secure the footage.” I heard Zian from the background.“Babe, what’s going on?” She asked as s
*** Hyacinth *** I watched the last message of my grandmother and this time, I had doubts about the Hekkinen, however, they never treated me badly. Eino is so sweet and caring. But I don’t blame my husband if he had other thoughts. If ever Eino liked me as a woman, I can’t stop him. It’s his choice but I can’t respond to that. I don’t even know how to confront him with his feelings although he shows signs. I ignored it. I am afraid that I’ll get embarrassed if I ever confront him. But whatever, and my grandmother’s message made me think hard. “Hyacinth, I have a sweet neighbor who is old money rich. But I want you to know that they are kind to me and to our family. Please promise me, no matter what you won’t sell the properties to them or anyone. This is our family heirloom. I trust you on this. You’ll also find our treasure by the walls and underground. I hope that you’ll secure the heart of our land. I love you, always.” I paused the video as I crossed my arms and looked at my b
*** Raven *** The bastard was too cowardly to call me. I doubted that this number was from the US, but I know well that this bastard could be a hacker. He could hack into Hyacinth’s cameras. It worries me so much. I must secure a protective spot where we could hide the server and the lines for the CCTV in Finland. Building a mansion would probably take years. It was only a mini-mansion with a wide lawn. Not as big as Hekkinen’s mansion. But it’s up to Hyacinth anyway. “This is possible.” David said. “An underground? We could do that. For now, I will check with Cal the expansion and on how deep we will dig.” “I want cameras around the house. Something that’s impossible to hack. I don’t trust anyone in that place.” “Hmm, you are right. Although Hyacinth’s neighbors are friendly, you have the right to doubt.” He reached his temple. “You are more in a stressful situation than I am.” “Why? What’s going on?” “Since we found the body, Janice invited me to the hearing. This is bad. Alt
*** Zian *** I watched Seth momentarily fighting with the man wearing all back from head to tall when we arrived in the backyard. He’s tall and bulky and the physique seems familiar. When the man sees us, he pushes Seth hard and dashes off. I didn’t think twice about running after that bastard while Seth scooped up the unconscious Hyacinth on the grass.“Take care of her!” I shouted and ran fast to catch up with that bastard. He seemed to know the surroundings and he stopped multiple times to watch me catch up. I couldn’t see his other features since it was getting dark and it was darker in the woods.I stopped running and stared at him for a long time. “You really wanted to play, huh?” I asked. “You messed up with the wrong woman,” I said aloud. “Raven loves her and that means that we love her. We will fucked up your life.” The man only glanced at me and then he left. I didn’t turn my back. Not yet, that bastard might hit me. But with his features, he’s taller than Raven and me. I
*** Hyacinth ***My beloved keyboards. I was over the moon as I arranged the new ones, each encased in the protective acrylic covers my husband had gifted me. Vintage mechanical designs—each one a masterpiece. I adored them, worshiped them even. But for now, I’d be using the keyboard Raven had bought for me, the one that felt like an extension of my thoughts, my creativity.“Hyacinth,” my mother-in-law’s voice chimed in, pulling me from my reverie. I turned around, my fingers lingering on the keys for a moment longer.“Yes, Mom?” I replied, my voice soft but attentive.“We’re off to check on the place for our New Year celebration. It won’t be in the city, but somewhere where we can watch the fireworks,” she explained, her tone light and cheerful.“Yes,” I agreed, though a flicker of unease passed through me. Fireworks in the woods? I couldn’t help but think of the birds, the animals—the chaos it might bring to them. But we’d only be watching from afar, and perhaps that made it alright
**Raven**The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the house. I was already on edge after Irene handed me that letter, “This is surprisingly yours, sir.” Irene said. The single black rose in the bouquet for Hyacinth sent a chill down my spine. A black rose meant something dark. Whoever sent it knew too much, and I wasn’t about to let anything threaten my wife. I slid the letter into my pocket, determined to deal with it later.“That’s for Hyacinth,” I pointed to the bouquet. “Burn it.” “Yes, sir.” She nodded and went back to the guard’s house while I went back inside the house. I went close by the windowsill and watched as they lit up As I turned, Hyacinth descended the stairs, her hair tousled from sleep, her eyes still heavy with drowsiness. She was breathtaking, even in her half-awake state. I met her at the bottom step, pulling her into my arms. Her lips met mine, soft and warm, and for a moment, the world faded away. But of course, Patricia had to
*** Hyacinth ***The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a serene ambiance in our bedroom. Raven’s arms were wrapped around me, his warmth seeping into my skin as we lay there, basking in the afterglow of our love. His fingers traced lazy patterns on my arm, and I couldn’t help but smile, feeling utterly cherished. Raven made me feel like the most important person in the world, like nothing else mattered when we were together. His love was my sanctuary, a place where I could be completely myself, vulnerable and unguarded.As we made our way downstairs, his hand never left my side, his possessive and tender touch. I loved how he always seemed to need to be close to me as if even the slightest distance was too much. His PJ pants hung low on his hips, and I couldn’t help but admire the way his muscles moved with every step. Raven was effortlessly handsome, his dark hair tousled, his eyes always holding a hint of mischief. But it wasn’t just his looks that ca
*** Raven ***Janice’s unease was palpable, a dark cloud hovering over her usual sharp demeanor. She stood in the corner, her fingers gripping the wine glass like it was the only thing keeping her grounded. My eyes narrowed as I tried to piece together what had shaken her so deeply. The flowers—those damned flowers—were a piece of the puzzle, a clue to the stalker who had been lurking in the shadows. But before I could dig deeper, the door opened, and Anthony and Maggie walked in.Hyacinth greeted them with her usual warmth, but my stomach churned. Their arrival felt... calculated. My plan was unraveling, and I didn’t like it.The evening pressed on, the room filling with laughter and the clinking of glasses. My mother and Hyacinth had outdone themselves with finger snacks and drinks, creating an atmosphere that felt almost too perfect. Eino, ever the social butterfly, was already deep in conversation with my friends, his familiarity with Anthony raising my suspicions. Venla, graceful
*** Darcy *** As I stood there, holding the bouquet of Hyacinths, my heart sank. The flowers were beautiful, but they carried a weight that made my stomach churn. The note inside the envelope was a stark reminder of the darkness lurking around Hyacinth and Raven. My hands trembled slightly as I unfolded the paper, and the words written there sent a chill down my spine. The sheer malice in the message was overwhelming. *How could someone be so twisted?* I thought, my mind racing. My protective instincts flared—Hyacinth was like a daughter to me, and Raven, though stubborn and reckless, was my son. I couldn’t let anything happen to them.Janice’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “Auntie? What’s so horrifying?” Her sharp eyes caught the tension in my expression. I tried to brush it off, to shield her from the ugliness of the situation, but Janice was relentless. She was a prosecutor, after all, trained to see through lies and half-truths. When she took the note from me, I felt a mix
*** Patricia ***The air was thick with unspoken tension as we moved through the mall, a strange undercurrent weaving through our little group. I couldn’t help but notice the subtle shifts in body language, the way Raven’s grip on Hyacinth’s waist tightened whenever Eino leaned in too close, his Finnish words flowing smoothly, almost too familiarly. Bless her heart, Hyacinth seemed oblivious—or maybe she wasn’t. Sometimes, I wondered if she was just playing the part, her face a mask of innocence while her mind worked in ways I couldn’t quite decipher. She was always hard to read, like a book written in a language I only half-understood.Raven, on the other hand, was an open book. His possessiveness was almost comical, his arm a constant anchor around Hyacinth, as if he feared she might float away if he let go. And then there was Venla, her eyes lingering on Raven a little too long, her laughter a little too bright. It was like watching a soap opera unfold in real-time, and I couldn’t
*** Hyacinth ***I stood there, torn between wanting to invite Eino and the hesitation that kept me from taking that step. It wasn’t that I didn’t want him there—I owed him. He had been kind to us months ago during the typhoon when everything was coming undone. But it wasn’t easy, either. Even though the mansion was technically under my name, I still felt like it wasn’t just mine. It was ours. Raven and mine. And Raven, my husband and provider, was the one who truly made it feel like home. I needed his approval, but I didn’t want to seem too eager.Raven’s voice broke my thoughts, warm and low. "Big purchase, huh," he said, his arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me closer. His lips grazed my earlobe as he whispered, “How about some sexy lingerie?”I froze, feeling his words tickle my skin, but then the heat of embarrassment rushed through me. I quickly covered his mouth, my eyes darting toward Patricia, who was standing behind us. I could feel her cringing, probably disgusted by h
*** Raven ***Eino’s eyes lit up upon seeing me. His face glows with that charming smile that he always flashes on my wife. I smiled at him formally and approached him while Seth followed my wife and Patricia into the store.“Eino, you are here… in the Philippines.”“Yes,” He grinned. “Oh, it’s amazing here during Christmas, just what Hyacinth said. It’s not cold. I mean, for us Finns, it’s practically warm!” He laughed. “I was telling Hyacinth that we have this cozy little condo in the city. It’s perfect for the holidays. But guess, what? My girlfriend, she’s been curious about what Christmas feels like in the Philippines. Can you imagine? No snow, just sunshine,” He looked at his girlfriend as they chorus on the first word. “Warm weather! I think he wants to experience something completely different. But here it’s magical. "I’m glad that you like it here." Eino’s voice was warm, but I couldn't help but wonder if it was genuine. I stole a glance at his girlfriend, trying to place her
*** Hyacinth *** I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off, like the air around me is thick with uncertainty. My eyes keep flicking back to the screen of the phone, where the memory of those photos lingers, elusive. I swear I saw them, a quick flash of images sent by someone I didn’t recognize—someone who clearly wanted me to see them, only for them to vanish in a heartbeat, as if erased by some invisible hand. But why? Why delete them right away? My heart’s racing a little now, and I find myself scrolling aimlessly, hoping for some explanation that never seems to come.Then there’s him—my husband. He’s lying next to me, so still, his breathing slow and deep like he’s in a deep sleep, unaware of the mess of thoughts swirling around in my head. It’s almost comforting in a way, that quiet rhythm of his breath, but it also feels distant, like there’s a wall between us I can’t quite break through. He mentioned giving me a new phone, with an electronic sim card. He seemed… calm about