To be honest, Grace Barron was seriously tempted by the invitation.
This Miss apple was… intriguing.
People were naturally curious creatures, and Grace, too, wanted to know what kind of face lay behind that razor-sharp tongue. Especially now—when someone who had wrapped herself in so many layers of armor was taking the initiative to meet. It felt like a rare opportunity, not to be missed.
Besides, marriage was no joke. It involved countless moving parts. At some point, they'd need to meet face to face to assess compatibility. Grace was ready to say yes.
Just as her fingers hovered above the keyboard to reply—
Rain began to fall outside.
It wasn't heavy, but it was steady—like strings of glass beads spilling from the heavens, veiling the courtyard in a silken mist. The greenery gleamed as if freshly scrubbed, and a subtle chill drifted in with the rain, lending the villa a quiet, almost otherworldly air.
Grace gazed out, then felt her phone buzz.
Let's Fight: "LOL it's raining. Guess I won't be going for that run after all. So much for timing, huh?"
Grace: "Planning to head home then?"
Let's Fight: "Yep. Gonna grab a few things and just stay in."
Grace: "Sounds good. Be safe on the way."
Then after a brief thought, she followed up:
Grace: "Even if today's not ideal, rain always passes. Once the weather clears and you've got some time—maybe we can try again?"
If Miss apple had offered to meet once, it meant her guard was mostly down. This was the perfect time to gently move things forward.
Oakley Ponciano had been staring at the window, feeling a little disappointed by the sudden rain. But when she saw that message, her mood brightened instantly.
Was this… a formal invitation from deep sea?
Her lips curled into a smile as she typed:
Oakley: "Sure. When were you thinking?"
She propped her chin on one hand, the other holding her phone, waiting quietly for a reply. With nothing else to do, she even tapped on deep sea's profile photo a few times. It was obviously just a random picture from the internet, but she kept looking.
And every time she closed it, she found herself smiling.
Grace saw the message and smiled.
So the feeling was mutual.
First meetings deserve effort.
She tapped her fingers thoughtfully against the table before replying:
Grace: "I'll be free in a week. Any ideas—where to go, what to do, what to eat?"
Oakley's brows arched as she read, then her eyes drifted sideways in thought.
Oakley: "Hmm… nothing off the top of my head. How about we each think on it and share our ideas later?"
Grace: "Sounds good."
Oakley glanced at the time.
Oakley: "Alright, that's enough chatting—I'm heading home."
She waved over the waiter, paid, then walked to her car under her umbrella. As she sat down in the driver's seat, she gave her phone one last look before starting the engine, a small, rare smile on her lips.
This was the first time since her last emotional crash that she'd felt genuinely light again.
But between the restaurant door and her car, the rain had still found her. Her clothes clung damply to her skin, her outer layers weighed down, hair slick from the drizzle. It wasn't comfortable.
She tossed her keys aside, changed into slippers, took her clothes into the bathroom and soaked in a hot shower. Finally—peace.
With a warm cup of water in hand, she curled up on the sofa.
Her phone buzzed.
Natalie Pierce: "This place is so beautiful!"
She attached a link.
[Title: If you've never been here, I'll cry. Seriously.]
Oakley, seasoned in social media tricks, was immune to dramatic clickbait—but still, she clicked.
The video opened with clear blue skies, bursts of wildflowers, white clouds drifting lazily overhead. A city drenched in color and harmony.
Her interest instantly piqued.
It was beautiful. The place felt like a living postcard—every street was picture-perfect. And the food! The video showcased an eclectic mix of dishes, the kind you couldn't find in generic city chains. This place was called Ravenwood.
Her brain buzzed with dopamine just watching it.
Oakley: "Wow, it really is. Do you want to go?"
Because she definitely did.
Natalie: "I'd love to, but I don't think I'll have time this year. I've got to start setting up my studio once I'm back—been planning it for ages. Can't risk messing it up now."
Oakley: "Fair."
But... that place really was stunning.
Since throwing herself into work, she'd realized it had been nearly a year since her last real trip. Too many messes, too many distractions. Over time, she'd forgotten how to live.
But who else could she go with?
Go solo again?
She'd done so many things alone. This time… she wanted company.
—
Back at Lake Aurelius, Grace ordered some food and returned to her home office.
She worked steadily until nearly eleven. Only then did she shut her laptop, stretch her limbs, and stand.
Outside, the rain had finally stopped.
She cracked open the glass door. A soft breeze—fresh, carrying the smell of rain-soaked grass—pushed through the curtains, sweeping her loose hair across her face.
That rain… had ushered in the first breath of autumn.
Maybe it was the new house. Maybe the final break from the past. But for the first time in a long while, Grace felt like her life had been... reset. Rewritten. And in this clean slate, beauty became visible again.
So this is what peace feels like.
She closed the window, changed into her pajamas, and headed to the bathroom.
When she came out, towel-dried and relaxed, her phone buzzed again.
Let's Fight: "Suddenly missing school days."
Grace sent a little question mark.
Let's Fight: "Just thinking about how back then, we were all still kids. Want to do something? Just grab friends and go. Now? Even a vacation feels lonely."
Grace: "You don't like traveling alone?"
Let's Fight: "It's not that. I do lots of things alone. But sometimes… it'd be nice to share experiences. Doing things solo has its charm. But with someone? There's a different kind of joy. And I think healthy relationships and adventures help the soul."
Grace smiled. "True."
Grace: "So, you have a place in mind?"
Let's Fight: "Yeah."
She sent a link.
Let's Fight: "Pretty, right? I've been thinking about when to go."
Grace clicked it.
Grace: "It's beautiful."
She'd been there once, years ago, with Sabrina Myers. One of her happiest trips. She'd always meant to return—but never did.
Grace: "If you go, be careful. Don't trust everyone. The high-rated spots online are often overhyped. The best things are usually tucked into corners you wouldn't expect."
Let's Fight: "You've been there?"
Grace: "Yes. Absolutely worth the trip—especially if you love photography. Just keep your eyes open."
Let's Fight: "Ugh, jealous. Yeah, I read some reviews. I was thinking of hiring a private guide, but I'm afraid that'd ruin the thrill of discovery."
Grace leaned against her headboard, opened her calendar.
Then she typed:
Grace: "Would you like to go with me?"
They were planning to meet soon anyway.
Oakley had been daydreaming, still unsure how to move forward with the trip.
Then the message popped up.
She stopped mid-twirl of her hair.
Oakley: "You seem super busy. You sure you've got time?"
Grace: "Haven't used a single vacation day this year."
Oakley stared at the screen.
Her heart fluttered—just a little.
She typed cautiously:
Oakley: "Just a heads-up—traveling isn't a small thing. People fight with family on trips, let alone someone they just met. We could totally fall apart mid-journey."
Grace: "Isn't that the point?"
Let's Fight: "Hm?"
Grace: "Travel reveals who we really are. If we get along, great—we can seriously consider this marriage idea. If not, we save each other time."
Oakley thought about it.
Smiled.
That… actually made sense.
She hadn't considered it that way before.
Grace: "So, Miss apple, what do you say?"
A few minutes later, a message arrived.
Let's Fight: "Sure — let's do it."