Recap:
After facing Aurora's mom's disapproval, the group left her house feeling uneasy. Back at Flare's place, they spotted the note Aurora had left still lying on the bed. The sight of it stirred a wave of emotions, and Flare broke down in tears, clutching the note as guilt and regret overwhelmed her.
Amber uncovered that Aurora was heading to Seoul, South Korea, for university, shocking everyone. Tensions rose as Amber and Jace expressed their frustration, but Flare revealed that she had been forced into her actions by one of Aurora's enemies. Jace softened, offering comfort and assuring her that they would set things right.
Amber pieced together clues and deduced that Aurora was bound for Seoul National University, the same university where the boys also studied. United by their resolve, the group raced to the airport, determined to find Aurora and mend their fractured bond.
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The group stepped into the airport, immediately enveloped by the chaotic symphony of life and motion. Conversations from travelers swirled together into a continuous murmur, creating a steady background noise. Suitcase wheels clicked rhythmically against the glossy tiles, blending with the occasional sharp call of announcements echoing overhead. Their faces were obscured by masks, a small detail that shielded them from recognition, granting them an added layer of privacy amidst the bustling crowd.
The terminal stretched endlessly before them, its size and liveliness almost overwhelming. Every corner seemed to pulse with movement—people rushing past, some engrossed in their phones, others clutching boarding passes, and a few locked in tearful goodbyes or joyous reunions. The energy of the place mirrored the turmoil brewing inside them, a swirling mix of hope, unease, and urgency. Each step they took seemed heavier, the weight of their emotions growing as the enormity of their search began to settle over them. With determination in their stride, they moved forward, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
They didn't waste time, their eyes scanning the crowds, moving from one face to another. The sheer number of travelers made the task daunting, each glance raising their hopes only to dash them when Aurora was nowhere to be found. Despite the growing tension, they pressed on, sharing quick looks of reassurance as they searched every corner, determined not to give up. The search was only just beginning.
After searching through the crowded terminal without any sign of Aurora, Ace stopped and took a steadying breath. "Let's go to the information desk," he suggested, his voice cutting through the restless energy surrounding them. With a renewed sense of purpose, they navigated the bustling airport, dodging hurried travelers and weaving through the sea of faces.
At last, they reached the information desk, a small island of calm amidst the chaos. Their hearts hammered in their chests, each beat a reminder of their growing urgency. The attendant behind the counter greeted them with a composed, professional smile, their calm demeanor forming a striking contrast to the group's rising anxiety. As Ace stepped forward to explain their situation, the others lingered behind, their eyes darting toward the crowd as though expecting Aurora to materialize at any moment. For now, this was their best hope, and they clung to it tightly.
"How may I assist you, sir and ma'am?" the attendant asked, her voice calm and professional as she looked between the group.
"We're searching for a passenger named Aurora. She was supposed to be flying to Seoul, Korea today," Jace explained, leaning slightly forward on the counter.
The attendant nodded and turned to her computer, her fingers tapping swiftly on the keyboard. "One moment, please," she said, her gaze focused on the screen. After a brief pause, she looked up with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, sir, but you seem to have just missed her. Her flight departed 15 minutes ago."
The words hit like a sudden blow, leaving a stunned silence among the group. Ace stepped forward, his brows furrowed in confusion. "That doesn't make sense. There's only one flight to South Korea today, and it's scheduled for 11:00 PM tonight," he said firmly, his tone carrying both disbelief and frustration.
The attendant hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "That's correct, sir, but... Aurora ma'am didn't board a commercial flight," she explained, her voice steady yet enigmatic. The group exchanged bewildered glances, the weight of the statement sinking in. Something was clearly out of the ordinary, and the mystery only deepened with each word.
"What do you mean by that?" Amber asked, her voice edged with both curiosity and a hint of frustration.
The attendant gave her a polite but firm look. "Ma'am, may I know your relationship with Aurora, just for privacy reasons?" she replied, her tone professional yet cautious.
"I'm her brother," Jace interjected before Amber could respond, his voice steady. "And they're her best friends. Is that enough for you to share the information with us?"
"Yes, sir," the attendant nodded, softening slightly. "But let me ask you something—how is it that you have no idea about her choosing not to board a commercial flight?"
Jace hesitated for a moment, glancing at Amber. She sighed, stepping forward to explain. "We...we had an argument with her," she admitted, her voice faltering slightly, weighed down with guilt. "She left before we could work things out, so we never got the chance to find out which flight she was taking. And, to be honest, her family isn't wealthy enough to afford a private plane. Of course, we assumed she'd take a commercial flight—it's the only option that makes sense for her." Her words hung in the air, a mix of guilt, frustration, and lingering disbelief. The group exchanged uneasy glances as the weight of the situation settled over them.
The attendant hesitated, her eyes narrowing slightly as she weighed her words. Finally, she broke the silence, her voice calm but deliberate. "I can't speak to whether her family has the means to afford something as extravagant as a private plane," she said, pausing briefly to let the thought settle, "but Aurora herself? She's another story entirely. Let's just say she's more than capable of affording that kind of luxury on her own."
Her statement lingered in the air, like a ripple spreading across still water. The group exchanged startled glances, their minds racing to grasp the implications of what they had just heard. Amber's brow furrowed in confusion, while Jace looked as though he was trying to make sense of a puzzle he didn't even know existed. They knew Aurora to be ambitious, determined, and resourceful—but rich? Rich enough to afford a private plane? That was a revelation none of them had anticipated.
"Wait," Amber said, breaking the silence, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Are you saying Aurora has that kind of money? Enough to—"
The attendant raised a hand gently, cutting her off. "I'm not at liberty to discuss her financial details," she replied, her tone maintaining its professional composure. "But I can tell you this: Aurora is a person of significant means. Far more than it seems even you are aware of."
The words struck a chord of unease among the group. They felt as though the ground had shifted beneath their feet, as if the Aurora they thought they knew had been hiding an entire world of secrets. Questions buzzed in their minds—how had she come into such wealth? Why had she never mentioned it? And, perhaps most importantly, what could it mean for the situation they now found themselves in? The answers felt tantalizingly close, yet just out of reach, leaving them with no choice but to confront the growing mystery surrounding Aurora.
"Could you please move, sir? Others are waiting behind you," the attendant said politely, gesturing toward the growing line.
Mumbling their apologies, they stepped away from the counter. The group walked out of the airport, their emotions tangled in a web of confusion and unease. Questions swirled silently in their minds, too heavy to voice. As they reached the parking lot, someone suggested stopping at a nearby café to gather their thoughts and discuss what had just unfolded. Everyone agreed with a subtle nod.
The drive to the café was oppressively silent. No one uttered a word. The weight of the revelations hung thickly in the air, pressing down on them. Each of them stared out the window, lost in their own labyrinth of thoughts, trying to make sense of Aurora's unexpected wealth and the circumstances surrounding her mysterious departure.
When they finally arrived at the café, the group slipped into a corner booth. The comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the soft murmur of other patrons' conversations. They ordered snacks and coffee, but even the warm atmosphere couldn't dissolve the tension in the air.
An awkward silence settled around the table as they waited for their order to arrive. Each of them shifted uncomfortably in their seat, exchanging occasional glances but saying nothing. The unspoken questions lingered, filling the void with an almost deafening weight.
At last, Ace cleared his throat, his eyes flickering across the group before he spoke. "Alright," he began, his voice breaking through the heavy silence. "I think it's time we figure out what's really going on with Aurora." His words hung there, an invitation for the others to finally open up and piece together the fragments of the mystery.
"Yeah, you're right, Ace. So, girls, could you explain what exactly we just discovered?" Jace asked, shifting uncomfortably as he looked at Flare and Amber.
"You're asking us? You should be the one explaining it," Flare said, pointing accusingly at Jace, her expression laced with mock impatience.
"Huh? How am I supposed to explain something I don't even understand?" Jace retorted, throwing up his hands in frustration.
Flare crossed her arms, fixing him with a knowing look. "Oh, come on, Jace. You know very well that her adoptive family isn't wealthy enough to own a private plane, and the attendant said Aurora is rich enough to buy one herself. So? Care to explain?"
"Exactly," Amber chimed in, picking up on Flare's point. "How is she so wealthy on her own, Jace? It doesn't add up."
Jace blinked, genuinely baffled. "What do you guys mean by that?" he asked, his tone shifting from defensive to confused.
"We're saying," Flare continued, her voice firm as she leaned forward, "that we think you already met Aurora before all of this. That you told her about her original family, about being your real blood-related sister, and maybe even gave her a private plane." Her explanation landed like a thunderclap, leaving the group momentarily stunned.
Ace and Jace gasped in unison, their eyes widening. "Is that true, Jace?" Ace demanded, turning toward him, his eyes narrowing with a mix of disbelief and urgency.
Jace shook his head vehemently. "Not at all, Ace. You know I'm not rich enough to afford, let alone maintain, a private plane. Where would I even get that kind of money?"
Ace nodded slowly, acknowledging the logic in Jace's defense. "Well, you've got a point there," he admitted, and the others murmured in agreement.
"But that still leaves the question," Amber said, her voice cutting through the momentary calm. "How is she so wealthy?"
"I think she's the only one who can explain that," Jace replied, leaning back in his chair with a resigned sigh.
"Right," Flare said, exhaling deeply as if trying to release the tension. Then, in an attempt to change the mood, she added, "By the way, where is Aiden?"
Ace glanced at her, grateful for the distraction, and shrugged. "No idea. He's been on tour for almost a month now. And get this—he refused to take any bodyguards with him. Even the agency has no clue about his whereabouts. He's practically vanished," he said, shaking his head, half-amused and half-concerned.
The group exchanged glances, momentarily united in shared curiosity about Aiden, the mystery surrounding Aurora taking a backseat—for now. The tension eased slightly as they let the conversation shift, if only for a moment.
Preview of Next Chapter:
The group's world begins to tilt as a strange clue about Aurora's wealth surfaces, pushing them deeper into the shadows of a secret they never saw coming. Just as they start piecing things together, Ace's phone buzzes with a message. He reads it, his expression shifting subtly to one of surprise.
"What is it?" Amber asked, noticing the change in his demeanor. Ace glanced at the group, hesitation flickering across his face. The contents of the message hung in the air, an unspoken thought that left everyone eager and uneasy.
Friendships will be tested, secrets will come to light, and the chase for Aurora might just uncover more than they bargained for. But for now, the message remains a mystery, leaving the group, and the readers, to wonder what lies ahead.