The sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, painting soft patterns against the walls of the Deveraux mansion. Elle sat quietly on the couch, her expression calm as her butler finished reading the last of his findings.
He placed the folder gently on the table.
"Miss Elle… the information confirms Giselle's involvement. But Clarisse was with her that day. Several staff members remember seeing them together."
Elle's eyes lowered slightly. "So Clarisse too…"
The butler nodded.
"It seems Giselle didn't plan anything alone. Clarisse may have influenced her. But we need more proof to be certain."
Elle drew in a slow breath, thoughtful rather than upset.
"I should've known. Giselle is impulsive, but Clarisse… she knows how to manipulate a situation."
Her finger tapped lightly against the armrest.
"I don't want assumptions. Just truth."
Her voice stayed soft, steady.
"Can you gather more evidence? Messages, witness statements… anything that shows what really happened that day?"
"Of course, Miss Elle," he replied with a bow. "I'll handle it."
"Thank you," she said gently. "Once we have everything… I'll take legal action. They should answer for what they've done."
Her butler nodded reassuringly.
"It will be ready soon."
Elle offered a faint, grateful smile before rising to get ready for college.
---
At College
The corridor buzzed with excitement as students spilled out of classrooms, talking animatedly about the newly announced college fest. Elle walked slightly behind her friends, fingers wrapped loosely around her bag straps, a gentle breeze playing with the loose strands near her grey eyes.
Ahead of her, Noah and Amara were already arguing — loudly, dramatically, and pointlessly, as always.
"I'm telling you, the DJ night should be at the start!" Noah declared, gesturing wildly.
"Why? So everyone gets exhausted on day one?" Amara shot back.
"That's the point of a fest — fun! Energy! Chaos!"
"Chaos? Perfect. Exactly what your brain is full of."
Elle pressed her lips together, suppressing a smile.
Kai walked beside her, hands in his pockets, watching the argument with mild amusement.
"Do they always fight like this?" he asked softly, leaning slightly toward her so only she could hear.
Elle nodded. "Since the moment they met."
Up ahead, Noah spun around dramatically.
"Elle! Back me up. The fest needs to start with a bang, right?"
Before she could answer, Amara cut in.
"Don't drag her into your nonsense."
Elle blinked innocently. "I didn't even say anything."
"We know," Noah groaned, "and somehow you still sound smarter than Amara."
Amara gasped. "Excuse me? Elle, whose side are you on?"
Elle opened her mouth, but Kai whispered, "Careful… that's a trap."
Elle almost smiled. "I don't pick sides in lost causes."
Noah groaned while Amara smirked triumphantly. Kai chuckled quietly.
---
They crossed the courtyard.
Noah and Amara marched ahead, still bickering.
"I'm designing the fest poster."
"No, you're not. Last time you drew a mascot that looked like a potato wearing shoes."
"It was abstract!"
"It was disturbing."
Elle and Kai walked a few steps behind them, their pace calmer.
Kai glanced at her. "Do they ever… stop?"
"Only when they're asleep," Elle murmured.
He smiled — just enough to make her chest flutter unexpectedly.
"You don't say much," Kai said gently. "But you listen… properly. People like that are rare."
Elle looked away, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"It's easier to listen than to be heard."
Kai's gaze lingered on her, warm and understanding.
Ahead, Noah shouted again.
"ELLE! Tell Amara that if she doesn't stop bossing everyone around, I'm naming the fest 'Amara's Kingdom of Doom.'"
Amara scoffed. "Try it. I'll make sure your name disappears from every volunteer list."
"That's tyranny!" Noah wailed.
Elle exhaled softly. "And they say romance starts with fights."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Them? Romance?"
"You never know," she murmured.
Kai laughed quietly.
"You're funnier than you look, Elle."
Her cheeks warmed. She wasn't used to being noticed this way.
They reached the main lawn, where students were gathering in clusters. Elle walked between the three people she felt safest with—Noah's loud energy, Amara's fiery presence, Kai's steady warmth.
She didn't feel out of place.
---
The Break
During the break, Elle stepped aside near a pillar to check her phone.
That's when she heard his voice.
"Elle."
She turned. Vincent Alden stood a few steps away, hands in his pockets, his expression calm. His blue eyes softened when they met hers.
"Vincent," she greeted, a small smile forming. "You disappeared for a few days. Is everything alright?"
He approached, a gentleness in his gaze.
"I had some things to finish. Research work. But… I wanted to see you today."
"Really?" she asked lightly.
He nodded.
"And to make sure you're okay. You seemed off last time."
She lowered her gaze briefly. "I'm alright now."
"That's good," he said softly. "I was wondering… would you like to have coffee with me this Saturday? Nothing formal. Just a simple conversation."
Elle blinked.
"Oh. Yes… I'd like that."
Vincent's smile grew faintly.
"Great. It's a plan."
They walked together for a moment.
"So," he asked, "reading anything interesting?"
Elle's eyes brightened.
"I started a mystery novel last night. The one where the serial killer leaves cryptic messages."
Vincent chuckled.
"You have excellent taste. I read that in my first year. The twist was brilliant."
"Yes! I didn't expect the detective to be—"
"—the unreliable narrator." He finished her sentence smoothly, and they both laughed.
The bell rang, and Elle stepped back.
"I'll see you later."
Vincent nodded, watching her walk away.
---
After College
The sun hung low as Elle walked toward her car, scrolling through her phone. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a familiar figure — Clarisse.
Standing near the gate.
Watching her.
Elle's steps slowed.
Before she could regain balance, her foot caught on a slight uneven patch—
And she stumbled.
Except she didn't hit the ground.
Strong arms caught her, steadying her effortlessly.
"Careful," Vincent murmured.
Elle blinked up at him, breath held.
"I—thank you. I wasn't paying attention."
"You looked distracted," he said, studying her face. "Did you see something?"
"I thought… I saw someone." She glanced back, but Clarisse had vanished.
"Maybe I imagined it."
Vincent didn't look convinced.
"Let me drop you home."
"You don't have to—"
"I want to," he said gently.
Elle hesitated… then nodded.
"…Alright."
---
At the Mansion
Warm, soft lights welcomed them inside. Elle paused near the doorway.
"Would you… like a coffee?"
Vincent smiled.
"I'd love to."
They settled in the living room — a cozy, elegant space filled with paintings and books. Greta brought coffee and quietly left.
Vincent glanced around.
"This place suits you. Calm… quiet… thoughtful."
Elle smiled softly. "It's home."
"So," he said, leaning forward, "what kind of books fascinate you most?"
Elle's eyes warmed — a rare openness.
"I like books that make you question everything. Where you can't trust anyone. Not even the narrator."
Vincent's interest sharpened.
"You enjoy psychological twists."
"Very much," she said. "Human minds are… unpredictable. Sometimes frightening."
A small smile touched his lips.
"You're surprising, Elle. Most people avoid darker topics. But you look at them without fear."
Elle tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I think understanding the darker parts of people… helps you understand the world better."
Vincent studied her thoughtfully.
"You're more observant than you let people believe."
She laughed softly. "Maybe."
He sipped his coffee.
"I've always been drawn to true crime cases. Especially the unsolved ones. There's something compelling about what pushes someone past their limits."
Elle tilted her head.
"What do you think causes it? Trauma? Obsession? Emptiness?"
"Sometimes," he replied, "the darkest people are the ones who smile the most. The ones who seem harmless."
Elle went quiet.
Vincent noticed.
"Too heavy?"
She shook her head. "No. I understand."
Silence settled — comfortable, meaningful.
Vincent's voice softened.
"There's one more thing I like."
"What?"
"Books that feel like conversations. Where every line reveals something hidden."
Elle's voice lowered. "Secrets can be dangerous."
Vincent held her gaze.
"Only if they fall into the wrong hands."
Her heartbeat shifted.
They talked for another hour — about art, music, childhood memories, favorite scents, places they wanted to visit, fears they'd never admitted aloud.
When it grew late, Vincent finally stood.
"I should go."
He looked at her for a moment longer.
"Thank you for tonight. It was… unexpectedly nice."
"It was," Elle said softly.
---
That Night
After showering, Elle lay on her bed, hair damp, staring at the ceiling.
She replayed the day —
Vincent's quiet concern, his smile, the warmth of his arms, the easy flow of their conversation.
She hadn't expected him to make her feel so understood.
Her chest warmed.
She closed her eyes and drifted into sleep…
thinking of him.
---