Friendships, as Eliza, Amara, and Ivy would learn, often blossom in the most unexpected ways. The trio, each carrying the weight of their own insecurities, began to gravitate toward one another. Yet, their path to becoming a close-knit group wasn't smooth; it was paved with misunderstandings, awkward moments, and shared vulnerabilities.
Their bond started to solidify after an afternoon spent shopping together. Initially, the idea seemed daunting-three girls with very different personalities trying to enjoy a day out-but it turned out to be just what they needed. As they wandered through the mall, trying on clothes, sharing opinions, and teasing one another over their quirky choices, the barriers between them began to crumble. They laughed freely, forgetting the anxieties that usually weighed them down, and for the first time, they felt like a real trio.
However, as their friendship grew stronger, Eliza found herself increasingly troubled by a mystery that had taken root in her mind. It all began one evening when she was searching her mother's closet for a bracelet she had borrowed and forgotten to return. As she sifted through the neatly arranged clothes and boxes, her fingers brushed against an envelope hidden beneath a stack of scarves.
Curiosity piqued, Eliza pulled it out and opened it, revealing a handwritten note inside. The note was brief, almost cryptic: "I'll be back in five business days. Need to handle the situation with the group." Eliza frowned, her mind racing. The words seemed out of place, unlike anything her father would write. He was a businessman, yes, but his work had never seemed to involve anything this secretive.
She approached her mother (Ms Lewis) later that evening, the note folded carefully in her pocket. "Mom," she began hesitantly, "I found something in your closet... about Dad. What kind of 'group' does he have to handle?"
Her mother's reaction was immediate and unnerving. The warmth in her eyes flickered, replaced by a guarded expression. "It's just business, sweetheart," she replied, her tone dismissive. "Nothing for you to worry about." And never take things from my closet before asking me. Now Eliza Lewis go to your room.
But Eliza couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it. Her mother's quick response and the way she avoided eye contact only deepened her suspicion. Over the next few days, the note lingered in her mind, refusing to be dismissed.
Unable to let it go, Eliza decided to investigate further. She started by searching her father's study, a room that was usually off-limits. It was a daunting task-her father was meticulous, and the study was filled with files, documents, and ledgers, all organized with an almost obsessive precision. She combed through them, looking for anything that might shed light on the mysterious note.
After hours of searching, she came across a file tucked away in the back of a drawer. It was marked with a simple label: "Private." Inside, she found a series of documents-meeting minutes, financial statements, and correspondence-all related to an organization she had never heard of. The documents hinted at something more than just business dealings; there were references to negotiations, covert meetings, and large sums of money being transferred under the radar.
Eliza's heart pounded as she read through the papers. This was not the work of an ordinary businessman. But what was it? The more she uncovered, the less she understood. And yet, one thing became clear: her father was involved in something much more complex-and possibly dangerous-than she had ever imagined.
The final piece of the puzzle came late one night when she discovered a hidden compartment in her father's desk. Inside was a small, locked box. After searching through the desk, she found the key and opened it, revealing a single photograph. The image was old and slightly faded, showing her father standing with a group of men in a dimly lit room. They were all dressed in suits, their expressions serious. In the background, barely visible, was a symbol-a crest of some kind that Eliza didn't recognize.
But what truly shocked her was the look on her father's face. It was a look she had never seen before-a mix of determination and something darker, almost menacing. She stared at the photo, her mind racing with possibilities. What was her father really involved in? And why had her mother kept it a secret from her?
As Eliza sat there, the photo clutched in her trembling hands, she realized that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't yet comprehend. The secrets she had uncovered were just the beginning, and she knew that if she wanted answers, she would have to dig even deeper. But the more she uncovered, the more she feared what she might find.Her mother's silentness made it even more harder. That night she laid in her bed in shock of what she discovered.
Character design of the mother will be out in the next chapter.
