Twilight of Shadows | LingOrm (GxG)

FIFTEEN

Earn's day had been a whirlwind of work, meetings, and social obligations. As exhaustion settled in, she had planned to unwind at Lada's place for comfort and familiarity. But the thought of waking up at dawn for an early morning TV shoot made her reconsider.

She sighed, texting Lada: "Sorry baby, I won't be able to make it tonight. I've got a busy day ahead and need to get some rest. See you soon!"

With a resigned sigh, Earn headed to her car. As much as she yearned for Lada's company, practicality won out. She needed rest and quiet for the busy day tomorrow.

Arriving at her apartment building, everything was as it usually was: quiet and familiar. But as she checked her mailbox, something unusual caught her eye-a plain envelope with no return address, just her name written in neat, deliberate handwriting.

Earn's curiosity was piqued. She slipped the envelope into her bag without opening it, a strange unease settling in her stomach. Shaking off the feeling, she made her way up to her apartment.

Once inside, she poured herself a glass of apple juice, glancing nervously at the envelope resting on the couch. She took a deep breath and retrieved the letter, carefully tearing it open.

The paper was thick and luxurious, strikingly different from her usual mail. The message inside was brief but chilling:

"Do you really know the Worachai family?"

No signature, no explanation-just a single, unsettling question.

Earn's frown deepened as she stared at the note. "Who would send something like this?" she muttered to herself. "And why?"

Her first instinct was to dismiss it as a prank-a pathetic attempt to cause trouble. But as she set the letter down, the uneasy feeling persisted, gnawing at the back of her mind. She couldn't shake the question that now loomed over her thoughts.

•••

Earn tried to focus on work, but the letter kept invading her thoughts. She replayed the unsettling words over and over, feeling drained and uncertain by evening.

Needing a break, she headed to a small café near her apartment-a quiet spot where she could think. Settling into a cozy corner with a honey lemon tea, she tried to shake off the doubt that had settled over her.

As she sipped her tea, she felt a presence. Looking up, she noticed a woman across the café watching her intently. The woman had dark, sleek hair and sharp, intense eyes that seemed oddly familiar. When their eyes met, the woman gave Earn a slow, knowing smile that sent a chill down her spine.

Earn shifted in her seat, trying to ignore the woman's gaze. But when she glanced back, the woman was gone.

Before she could react further, a voice behind her startled her.

"Mind if I join you?"

Earn turned to see the same woman standing by her table, her smile still in place. There was something unsettling about her confidence.

"I'm Bella," the woman introduced herself, sliding into the seat across from Earn without waiting for an invitation.

Earn blinked, taken aback.

"Do I know you?"

Bella's smile widened, but her eyes remained cold.

"Not yet. But I know a little about you, Earn."

Earn's unease deepened.

"How do you know my name?"

Bella leaned back, her gaze steady.