Later that evening, after hours spent having fun, and not getting their hands off each other's bodies, it was time for Ana to head back. Victor wanted to drop her off himself, but she insisted she could manage for multiple reasons. Knowing he wouldn't win this one, he sent Jules to drive her back instead.As they drove, she decided to stop by Luxury, the boutique she managed. She thought it would be good to help out a little before going home, that would also give her a solid excuse if anyone asked where she had been.When she walked into Luxury, the familiar hum of activity greeted her. The store was bustling with customers, and the staff was busy tending to their needs. Ana waved to a few of the workers as she made her way to the back office. Elizabeth was there, overdosing on coffee and tapping furiously on her laptop. She looked up from her desk, surprised to see Ana."Luna! I thought you had the day off," Elizabeth said."I did, but I thought I'd stop by and help out for a bit,"
Penelope brought out her credit card and handed it to the cashier with a soft smile. The young man behind the counter blinked in surprise. He was used to seeing Penelope come in with her friends, and they were usually less than pleasant. "Here you go," she said, her voice gentle, he almost wanted to tell her to stop pretending. Usually when they begin to act nice, it was to make fun of him.The cashier, taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor, carefully collected the card from her hand. He swiped it, his movements deliberate and cautious, almost as if he were afraid the moment might shatter if he wasn't careful. The transaction went through without a hitch, and he handed the card back to her."Thank you," Penelope said, maintaining her soft smile as she tucked the card back into her wallet."Uh...are you okay?”“What?” she asked raising her head to look at him.“Nothing. You're welcome," he replied, still a bit dazed. "Have a nice day."Once they were outside, her friends turned
You know that moment when you feel so empty, tired emotionally, physically, and mentally, when you don't have the strength to even acknowledge life? This wasn't just a phase for Penelope. She was sure that if she wasn't so strong-willed, she might have ended it all to stop feeling so uneasy and empty. Maybe that would help many people in many ways, especially Anastasia.She kicked off her shoes as soon as she entered her room and slammed the door loudly behind her, possibly startling those downstairs. She tossed her bag and jacket to the side before falling into the bed. She had thought going out today might help lighten her mood or take her mind off things. She had thought being less mean might make her feel better.But she was totally wrong. Yes, she did feel happy watching her friends have fun, but that was far from the redemption she needed. The moment they parted ways, the smile had fallen off her face. What was she even thinking? That after everything horrible she had done, she
Laura rinsed her hands after she finished washing the dishes and dried them, humming to herself. She then left the kitchen just in time to see Genevieve, all dressed up and ready to leave.“Are you done with the dishes?” Genevieve asked, adjusting her scarf.Laura nodded. “Yes, ma'am. Are you going out?”Genevieve smiled, a hint of excitement in her eyes. “Yes, I have an event with the ladies. It's one of our regular meet-ups. By the way, Penelope asked me to make sure you go to her room once you were done.”Laura's expression changed to one of slight concern mixed with curiosity. “Sorry to ask id she say what it was about?”Genevieve shook her head. “No, but she seemed serious. You should go see her now.”Laura nodded. “Of course, ma'am. I'll head there right away.”Genevieve gave her a reassuring smile before heading towards the door. “Take care of the house.”“Thank you, ma'am. Have a good time at your event,” Laura replied, watching as Genevieve left the house.Once Genevieve was
Penelope found herself in the living room of home, everything seemingly normal. The soft light from the lamps cast a warm glow, making the space feel safe and familiar. From the kitchen, she could hear the faint murmur of her mother's voice, accompanied by the sounds of cooking. It was the kind of ordinary scene that should have been comforting.As she walked toward the kitchen, she felt a strange unease. She entered the kitchen and saw her mother by the stove, stirring a pot and humming softly. Penelope smiled, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling."Dinner will be ready soon, dear. Why don’t you set the table?" her mother said warmly.She nodded and moved to the cupboard to get the plates. But as she reached for them, the door to the kitchen slammed open. She jumped, dropping a plate that shattered on the floor. Turning, she saw a figure standing in the doorway, wearing a mask with a bold “X” on the front. Her heart pounded in her chest.That letter? Where had she seen it befor
To her surprise, the new position did help. She looked around one last time to make sure that there wasn't anybody with an X mask lurking in the shadows. Satisfied that she was alone, and there was no suspicious sound, she exhaled and closed her eyes, ready to drift off.But just as she was about to succumb to sleep, a thought hit her hard. Her eyes flew open, and she sprung up in bed.X?Her hands flew to her mouth, a horrified look plastered on her face. The realization was like ice water down her spine. The masked figure in her nightmare, the letter "X" boldly emblazoned on it—For fuck sake why did she keep missing it.Why the fuck did she keep missing it?!, the realization hitting her hard. How had she overlooked such an obvious connection? It wasn't just a nightmare. Nightmares like that shouldn't be ignored, especially when the person tormenting you in reality is the same one clubbing your mother to death in your dreams, while every single person around laughed at the horrible s
The beach was alive with activity. Families played in the surf, children built sandcastles, and groups of friends laughed as they tossed frisbees back and forth. The sun was high, casting a warm glow over everything, while the sound of waves crashing creating a soothing, and pleasing alive sound.Under a large, colorful beach umbrella, an older woman and a little girl sat together, enjoying their day. They looked strikingly similar—perhaps grandmother and granddaughter—with the same bright eyes and easy smiles. The woman hummed a holiday song, her voice blending perfectly with the laughter and chatter around them, while the girl stuffed her face with snacks, giggling at the crumbs falling on her lap.Nearby, a fitted black haired man that looked thirty years old in swim trunks and a Hawaiian shirt appeared to be just another beachgoer enjoying the sun. He lounged on a towel, sunglasses on, a book in his hand. But every few minutes, he would lower the book slightly, revealing a camera
The drive was smooth, with the woman's car always in sight but not too close. The man followed, weaving through traffic easily. His eyes never strayed from the familiar vehicle ahead.The woman and the girl seemed oblivious whatever was going on outside their car, their conversation carrying on as the cityscape changed around them. The man followed them through intersections, past rows of shops and residential streets. He kept his car at a safe distance, ensuring that his quarry never suspected they were being tailed.She was an old woman, what was she even going to suspect? He scoffed.As they drove, the woman occasionally glanced in the rearview mirror, but she was mostly focused on the road ahead and the girl in the back seat, who was now singing softly to herself. The man took note of every turn, every change in speed, ensuring he stayed on their trail without raising suspicion.The journey continued, taking them out of the busier parts of town and into a quieter neighborhood. The