𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒' 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐃𝐎𝐆 | 𝘷𝘢𝘥𝘵𝘥 𝘹 𝘔.𝘺/𝘯 |

(20) New Episode Unlocked.

"........," 

'How?'

As we delved deeper into the crowd, my heart lurched to a halt.

There, amidst the colorful chaos, stood the three siblings – Penelope, Reynold, and Derrick.

Reynold wore a furrowed brow, confusion etched across his face, while Derrick maintained a detached air beside them.

'Shouldn't there only be one love interest?'

How come two?

Penelope, Reynold, and Derrick?

Together?

My pulse quickened as I watched them interact with surprising ease.

Quickly, I adjusted my hood lower, hoping the shadows would shield me from Derrick's potentially keen eyes.

After all, that mask incident wasn't exactly discreet.

Their conversation, despite the distance, held a strange allure.

Penelope's calm gestures, Reynold's inquisitive gaze, Derrick's stoic stare – they resembled strangers caught in polite conversation, yet an undeniable undercurrent of something deeper ran between them.

Against my better judgment, I lingered, eavesdropping on their exchange.

"Yes, this mask,"

Penelope declared, holding up a pristine white mask, her eyes fixed on Reynold with unwavering seriousness.

Reynold's eyes widened, his brow furrowing like a storm cloud.

"I'll take it,"

Penelope reaffirmed, her voice firm.

"Hold on,"

Reynold stammered, his gaze flickering to Derrick before returning to Penelope.

"Something's been bothering me for a while now. Have you been feeling unwell lately? Dizziness, blackouts, anything that leaves your head feeling… scrambled when you wake up?"

Penelope's composure faltered slightly, but she quickly shook her head.

"Look, if you don't want to buy it, just say so."

Derrick watched them silently, arms crossed over his chest.

A sliver of unease snaked up my spine.

This conversation was far from casual.

"It's not that I don't want to…! Are you sure you want this mask?"

Reynold pressed, his voice laced with suprise.

This girl, she usually loved everything luxurious, no matter what.

It just had to be expensive.

A cheap mask? Ha!

Why the abrupt change of heart?

"Yes!"

Penelope insisted, turning back to the vendor who waited expectantly for their decision.

Derrick remained withdrawn, lost in his own thoughts yet keenly observing the exchange.

'What's going on here?'

I thought, my mind a whirlwind.

'Is she plotting something? And why the sudden obsession with a mask?'

୨⎯ "  Ρєиєℓσρє'ʂ ΡσƲ  " ⎯୧

Just then, a voice cut through the air, interrupting our conversation about the mask.