𝑮𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒚 ✓

Chapter 7

"YEAH, I KNOW, MALIA." Mal spoke, her phone close to her ears. She closed her eyes as she listened to Malia's soothing voice, trying to stop thinking about the posters.

"I know you know, Mal. But... How about we meet up? All of us. Just like the old days? I'm sure we can do something fun so you can take your mind off Dash. I know it won't be easy but, it's worth a shot, right?"

"Yeah. That would make me feel better. You're right, Malia, thank you."

"Get dressed, bestie. We'll probably meet at my house but, well, it depends."

Mal jumped off the bed after they hung up, heading towards her closet. She didn't hesitate when she pulled out a pair of high-waisted wide black pants, and a V-neck sleeved shirt. She also picked black ankle-length boots to match.

After she dressed, she headed downstairs to say goodbye to her mother, Bella, and whoever was left from her siblings. She entered the kitchen to find Bella wagging her tail on the floor happily, while Nawal was tidying up their counter-depth French door refrigerator. There was a lot of things lying around on the kitchen table, including cheese and fresh vegetables. She also spotted a small envelope with a bright red stamp on the edge of the table.

"Hey, mum, I'm going to go meet my friends again. I'll be back very soon."

Her mother muttered something from behind the refrigerator's door. Mal took it as a sign of agreement, kneeling down to hug Bella goodbye. Then walked out of the house.

-

As soon as she arrived at Malia's house, she entered to find Malia, Beatrice, Ben and Arjun waiting for her.

"I'm guessing Bryce's late again, huh?"

They all nodded. "You bet. He said something about being on the phone with someone, but he didn't say who." Ben replied, standing up to greet his friend, along with the others.

"Maybe we get to ask him when he comes." Beatrice nodded, giving the girl a small, side smile. Mal gave her a confident one to reassure her.

They all stopped talking as they heard the bell ringing. Malia rushed to open the door, and Bryce walked in a few seconds later.

"Finally!"

Bryce rolled his eyes at the comment, then showed them a paper he had in his hand the whole time. Mal reached for the paper hesitantly, then took a long glance at it, feeling the others gather behind her to read the paper as well.

"This came in the mail today."

Dear Mr & Mrs Gheisar :

We would like you to attend our business gathering, which would take place in the Melrose Residence, on 21 Grand Street.

The theme is black & white.

Bring other family members if you might.

Signed,

Mr & Mrs Melrose.

Mal's eyes widened at the words, her mind stopping for few seconds as she tried to understand.

"Wait, what? They're holding a business gathering-"

"-while their son is missing?"

Bryce nodded dreadfully, sitting down next to Mal.

"I just got off the phone with Juliet Melrose. She told me that they ordered the police to stop their search for Dash."

Mal thought for a moment, her expression slowly turning to a horrified one as she realized the terrible truth.

No one was looking for Dash Melrose.

______________________________