The Vance internship estate was oddly lifeless that day.
No cars revving. No urgent staff movement. No delivery men swarming with packages. Just quiet hallways, half-packed luggage, and the distant hum of the fountain outside. The other interns were either sleeping off jet lag or buried in silent group chats.
Lian sat in the estate lounge, arms folded under her cheek as she lay sideways on the couch. Her eyes were open, but she wasn't really looking at anything. Just space.
She didn't expect Chloe to walk in.
No smug smirk. No sly glint in her eyes. Just baggy sweats and a pineapple bun on her head.
Chloe plopped beside her. "So this place is actually a prison when it's quiet."
Lian blinked. "You're still here?"
"Obviously," Chloe muttered, pulling her legs up. "Took a break from being evil."
That made Lian smile.
They spent the afternoon doing nothing watching a terrible romcom with no real plot, eating too many butter cookies from the Vance pantry, and flipping through a fashion magazine Chloe found under one of the couches.
"I swear this house is older than it looks," Chloe mumbled, holding up an ad from 2009.
Lian laughed, a real one this time. Soft and short.
---
Meanwhile…
Salim stood in front of his grandfather's study, one hand lightly knocking on the thick wooden door.
"Come in," came Alaric's voice.
The moment Salim stepped in, he froze.
The far window was being replaced—glass fragments still glinting on the marble. Two workmen were drilling something, and in the center of the room, Alaric stood hunched over a giant table.
Maps.
Big ones.
London was marked. So was Korea. Singapore. A few other places had sharp red Xs.
Salim frowned. "I brought the report from the trip—"
"Leave it on the desk," Alaric muttered, not even looking up.
"Everything alright?"
"Just… noise. Old business ghosts. Nothing to worry about."
Salim didn't believe him. But he nodded anyway.
He dropped the report and walked out, a strange coldness sitting in his chest.
What ghosts?
What secrets?
---
That Evening…
Back at the Vance family home, the tension lifted.
Karina ran down the stairs barefoot when Salim walked in, her hair in rollers.
"Look who's finally returned from the elite island getaway," she teased, hugging him tightly.
"I missed your sarcasm."
"Gross," Elian said, walking in with Jena clinging to his arm like a little koala. "You didn't even call us once."
"Didn't want you to track my every move."
Jena grinned up at him. "I did. I watched the news and Instagram every day."
"Please, you're twelve. You have better things to stalk," Salim said, scooping her up in his arms.
Their mom walked in, lipstick in hand, high heels clicking. She looked stunning in a long silver gown.
"Salim," she said warmly, smoothing her dress. "I need you and Elian to watch Jena. Karina and I have a runway showcase tonight."
"I'm not a baby," Jena muttered.
"But you still cry when you can't open the Nutella jar," Karina shot back with a wink.
Everyone laughed.
Except Jena.
Because she had plans.
---
Later That Night
"I want to come with you guys," Jena said stubbornly as Elian and Salim prepared to leave for a street car race Red had been hyping for weeks.
"No," Elian said immediately. "It's late. You have school tomorrow."
"I'll sleep in the car. Please," she begged, tugging Salim's hoodie.
"Elian, it's just one night."
"She's not even allowed out after ten"
"She'll be with us."
Elian's glare didn't waver.
But Jena was already grabbing her sneakers.
---
On the Road
She rode in Salim's brand new sleek silver sports car, her head sticking out of the sunroof until he told her to duck before the wind broke her face.
The street racing area was packed.
Engines roared. Neon lights blinked. And music boomed from parked cars. Red stood near the finish line, waving them over with a soda in hand.
"Look at you guys, all matching like twins."
"Shut up," Elian said, already annoyed.
They parked.
Salim turned. "Stay close."
Jena nodded, eyes wide.
---
Then It Happened
Just minutes into the first race, Salim turned around and she was gone.
"Jena?" he called.
Nothing.
He rushed toward Elian. "Have you seen Jena?"
Elian's face dropped.
"I told you not to bring her!"
"Don't shout. We'll find her."
They searched, panic rising.
Dozens of people. Street racers. Loud music. Too many shadows.
Then
"I just went to pee," Jena said, standing near a food truck.
Elian stormed over.
"Do you realize what could've happened?! You don't disappear in a place like this!"
"I'm not a child anymore!" she shot back.
"But you still act like one!"
Her voice cracked. "I just wanted to be part of something."
Then tears.
Real ones.
Salim sighed heavily but didn't say a word.
He couldn't scold her. Not after seeing that look.
She pushed past them and marched back to the car. Slammed the door. Locked herself in.
---
Meanwhile, Back at the Estate…
Lian's living area had turned into an unexpected hangout spot.
Ariel and Jace had dropped by with game pads.
"Emergency fun," Ariel announced. "Your face looked too peaceful when you texted, we had to fix it."
Chloe, surprisingly, hadn't left. She sat on the rug beside Lian, legs crossed, controller in hand.
They laughed. They lost. They yelled. Someone threw popcorn.
For a moment, Lian forgot the ocean.
Forgot the whispering past.
Forgot Salim.