Waves of reality.

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

Serene woke up to the soothing sound of the ocean waves gently lapping against the shore. A contented smile graced her lips as she stretched beneath the soft comforter. The sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow in her room.

She reached for her phone, but to her surprise, there was no signal or internet connection. Serene made a mental note to purchase a new SIM card later in the day so she could reconnect with her friends and family, especially Mary. She missed the familiar voices and wanted to share her experiences with them.

As she got out of bed, Serene realized she had forgotten to ask the maids for the Wi-Fi password. Another mental note was added to her growing to-do list for the day. She couldn't afford to be disconnected for long.

Serene continued her morning routine by taking a shower in the spacious bathroom. The luxuries of her new surroundings continued to amaze her, making her feel like she was living in a dream. Today would be a day of exploration and settling into her new life on Petra Island.

As Serene stepped out of the bathroom, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. She glanced around her walk-in closet, her senses on high alert, only to discover a new face in the room. It was the maid, Gina, who had set up breakfast on the small table near the sofa.

Gina turned toward Serene, her warm smile putting Serene at ease. "Hello! My name is Gina, and I've been appointed to be your personal maid. I'll take care of all the things you need, and you can call me anytime. There's a button beside your bed and in your bathroom; you can press it whenever you want me, and I'll come here."

Serene returned Gina's smile, feeling a bit more relaxed. "Nice to meet you, Gina. But I'm a bit confused. Who appointed you to take care of me?"

Gina's smile remained friendly as she explained, "The head of maids, Ms. Johnson, asked me to take care of you. I'll be catering to your needs 24/7, making sure you have everything you require during your stay."

As Serene settled into her new surroundings, she couldn't help but find the level of service she was receiving quite unusual and, to some extent, alarming. However, she reasoned that it might be standard practice for someone in the designer industry or perhaps due to Adrian's involvement in securing her internship. She decided to put these thoughts aside for the moment and planned to ask her friend Riana about it when she returned.

Serene selected a dress from her luggage and headed towards the walk-in closet to get dressed. Her initial plan had been to go out, but the need to sort through her luggage first had changed her mind. When she returned to the room after dressing, Gina immediately stopped her and offered to unpack her luggage.

"Please leave it to me; I will do it for you," Gina said politely.

Serene, not wanting to seem rude, agreed and sat down on the sofa to enjoy her breakfast. It was one of her favorite meals, but it didn't quite taste the same as when Mary used to make it for her. She found herself missing her friend as she ate and couldn't help but ask, "Gina, do you know where I can find a SIM card here? I need to inform my friends that I've arrived."

To her surprise, Gina replied, "Sorry, I don't know about it. You can ask Ms. Johnson; she might have more information."

Serene was taken aback by Gina's response. It seemed unusual that someone in her position, responsible for taking care of her, would not know something as basic as obtaining a SIM card on the island. This only added to her growing sense of curiosity and unease about her current situation. She decided to seek out Ms. Johnson for answers

Out of curiosity, Serene couldn't help but press further. She asked Gina again, "Where did you get your SIM card?"

Gina paused in her work, as if contemplating her response for a moment, and then replied in a calm and composed voice, "I don't have a phone."

Serene was taken aback by Gina's answer. It didn't make sense. How could someone in her position, tasked with taking care of her, not have a phone? This added to the growing sense of unease she had been feeling since her arrival on the island. Her gut feeling was telling her that something was not right, and she couldn't ignore it.

Before leaving the room, Serene decided to ask Gina one more question, "Can you tell me more about Ms. Johnson? I'd like to meet her."

After finishing her breakfast, Serene put on her shoes and grabbed her bag. She was dressed in baggy jeans, a T-shirt, and had light makeup on, with her hair straight down to her waist. She was eager to explore Petra Island, her curiosity overriding her initial concerns. As she stood by the door, ready to venture out, there was a knock.

"Come in," she said, glancing at herself in the mirror one last time.

A woman in her late thirties entered the room, her brown eyes sharp and her expression serious. She had pretty features but an aura of authority. She spoke with a hint of formality, "I heard you wanted to meet me."

Serene found herself in a perplexing situation, unsure if the woman standing before her was Ms. Johnson. To clarify, she decided to ask, "Are you Ms. Johnson?"The woman nodded, confirming her identity. "Yes, I am Ms. Johnson, the head of this household."

Serene was relieved to have finally met Ms. Johnson, someone who might provide answers to the many questions swirling in her mind. She decided to get straight to the point. "I was hoping you could clarify a few things for me. I'd like to know more about this island and its facilities."

Ms. Johnson's expression remained serious as she spoke in a firm tone, "Before we discuss anything further, I must inform you that this island is not safe for you to explore alone. You will not be allowed to leave this villa until Riana returns and permits it. We take security very seriously here."

Serene was taken aback by this unexpected restriction. "But I thought I would have the freedom to move around and explore the island during my stay. Adrian mentioned this internship, and I assumed I would be working with Riana."

Ms. Johnson remained resolute, "Your safety is our top priority, and Riana has made it clear that you should not venture out alone. You will also not be able to purchase a SIM card or use the internet until Riana permits it."

Serene couldn't believe what she was hearing. It was all so different from what she had expected. She pressed for answers, her voice tinged with frustration, "I need to know why all of this is happening. Why can't I have access to basic communication, and what is the reason behind all this secrecy?"

Ms. Johnson's reluctance to provide answers was evident. She replied cryptically, "All will become clear when Riana returns. For now, you must follow the rules and stay within the villa."Serene was left with more questions than answers, feeling trapped and confused in this mysterious villa on Petra Island. She couldn't help but wonder what had really brought her here and why she was being kept in the dark about so many things.