"Please… pick up," she whispered harshly.
After what felt like forever, the call finally connected. Liana felt a wave of relief. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice shaking with fear and desperation.
When nothing came from the other side, Liana's voice broke into panic. "Lia… are you there?"
A soft hum came through the receiver, and Liana finally let out a shaky breath. "Thank God," she whispered, sinking onto the bed. Her whole body quivered, sweat clinging to her skin.
From the other end, Ethilia's voice came, "You really won't let me sleep tonight, will you?"
Ethilia's tone was soft, almost teasing, but the familiar use of "Lia" hit deeper. It was the nickname Liana used back in their college days, back when things weren't messed up.
Liana couldn't trust her voice to reply to Ethilia. Her body was still shaking with the thought of something happening to Ethilia or Alena.
Liana pressed a trembling hand against her chest and glanced at Char, who was still sleeping peacefully.
Ethilia heard the breathing of Liana, "Liana? What's going on?" Her voice was no longer playful, but sharp with concern.
Liana gripped the bedsheet and took a deep breath, "Nothing... I'm... I'm coming..."She grabbed her car keys and rushed out of the bedroom.
Ethilia, on the other side, was confused, "Why? It's half past two in the morning, Liana." She glanced at the clock, but the call had already ended. Staring at the dark screen, she clenched the phone so tightly her knuckles paled.
"What's wrong with her?" she whispered, moving to the window and peering into the quiet night.
Meanwhile, Liana slid into her car and sped away, ignoring every rule on the road.
Her grip tightened on the steering wheel as she pressed harder on the accelerator, racing down the empty streets. The phone buzzed beside her, but she ignored it for now.
Moments later, she reached Ethilia's apartment building and hurried from the car. She rushed to the elevator, jabbing the button repeatedly until the doors slid shut.
From her window, Ethilia spotted Liana rushing inside the building. Her chest tightened. Ethilia frowned, her brows knitting in confusion. She hurried to the door of her apartment and opened it just as Liana arrived.
Liana's eyes welled up with tears, and her heart started racing at the sight of Ethilia standing there, safe and unharmed. Without a second thought, she threw her arms around Ethilia, holding her tightly as Liana buried her face against Ethilia.
Ethilia froze at first, startled by the sudden hug and the desperation in Liana's touch. But before she could process it, her arms moved on their own, wrapping around her.
Her breath caught as Liana's tears soaked into her shoulder. A pang tightened her chest, and she pressed her face into Liana's neck, trying to comfort her. "Liana?" she whispered softly, rubbing her back.
A low sob escaped Liana's lips, and Ethilia's hold instinctively tightened. "I thought… I thought something happened to you," Liana choked between sobs.
Ethilia's mouth parted in shock, then curved into a small, tender smile. "Shh… I'm fine," she murmured.
"Come inside, or my neighbors will start a new rumor about you." Her teasing tone softened the heaviness, and she gently pulled away.
Liana hummed faintly and nuzzled against Ethilia's shoulder, wiping her tears before stepping inside. Ethilia locked the door, and Liana checked it again.
Taking her hand, Ethilia guided her to the dining room and eased her down onto the mattress on the floor. Sitting beside her, she held out a glass of water. "When you said you were coming, I got these ready. I thought you might need it."
Liana accepted the glass with shaky hands and took a few sips before leaning back against the wall.
"Care to share the reason behind this sudden grace of yours?" Ethilia teased, though there was an unmistakable edge of tension beneath her voice.
When Liana stayed quiet, Ethilia hesitated, then gently took her hand. The tremor running through Liana's fingers didn't escape her.
Liana stared at their joined hands, drew a deep breath, and whispered, "I thought they attacked you."
Ethilia frowned, her thumb brushing over Liana's knuckles. "Nothing will happen to me. And why would they even come after me?"
She shifted closer until her shoulder rested against Liana's, the small touch offering a quiet sense of relief to Liana.
Liana turned to Ethilia and flicked Ethilia's forehead lightly, her tone firm. "You don't need to know."
Ethilia sighed, rubbing her forehead with a small pout, while Liana pulled out her phone. Her blood ran cold as she opened a text from an unknown number. Ethilia leaned in to glance at the screen.
"We have our eyes on your every move. Don't think we don't know you're searching for us. But, Miss Idol, don't forget, we also know where your soul belongs. This was only a trailer of what we can do. Next time, it won't be a warning… it will be your beloved's life."
Ethilia's breath caught, her nails digging into Liana's palm. "Liana…" she whispered, voice trembling in fear.
Liana lowered the phone, her voice heavy with guilt. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have contacted you."
Before she could continue, Ethilia pressed a finger to her lips. "Don't you dare say that," she whispered.
"My life was already miserable. At least now…" she drew her hand back, glancing at their joined fingers, "I have someone who's afraid of losing me."
Liana's heart skipped at the tenderness in her voice. She squeezed her hand gently, trying to mask the emotion. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm just scared for Alena, not you."
Ethilia arched a brow and placed a hand over her chest, feigning hurt even as a smile tugged at her lips. "Ouch! I'm wounded."
A laugh broke from Liana at her act. Ethilia joined Liana, laughing heartily. Liana slowly stopped laughing and took a steadying breath. "Well… if you don't mind, can I stay here tonight?"
Ethilia nodded, then rose to her feet and extended a hand toward her. "Come. Alena will be happy to see her angel in the morning."
Liana stared at the offered hand for a moment, then took it and stood. She let Ethilia lead the way.
As they settled onto the bed, Ethilia looked at Liana. Alena was sleeping between them on her stomach, her small figure the cutest thing in the room.
"Liana?" Ethilia called softly, making Liana hum and glance back at her.
Ethilia noticed Liana's hand resting on Alena's back, patting her gently. A soft smile tugged at her lips, then it twisted into a mischievous smirk as she teased, "So… who's your beloved, huh? Char?"
Liana blinked at the question and chuckled. "Oh! No… it's a model from town," she teased back, her smirk playful. But Ethilia's narrowed, sharp gaze didn't go unnoticed.
Ethilia's jaw tightened, a flicker of jealousy she didn't want to admit. She could feel that those feelings for Liana were rising again, but she wasn't ready to accept them yet.
Liana let out a soft laugh and pulled Alena closer before closing her eyes. Meanwhile, Ethilia lay on her back, hands folded on her chest, eyes on the ceiling, trying to push the jealousy away.
"Fool… no, a complete asshole. I hate her guts," Ethilia thought before turning away and burying her face into the pillow.
Liana bit her lip to stop herself from laughing and focused on falling asleep.