Devastation's too late

Call. That made me awake.

I could already see that night had taken over outside. Beau and I ended up in his room after the incident in the living room. I just woke up from a restful sleep, and my heart is still softly palpitating.

Beau is sound asleep next to me. I reached for my phone at the bedside with my drowsy eyes. I recognized the call as being from Oli. My heart rate accelerated. This is strange. Particularly given that she is aware that I am out with our victim, Oli would never call me.

”Oli?” I whispered

”She’s awake.”

My heart thumped. I didn’t know what to feel. I immediately shut the call, afraid that beau might hear me talking to Oli.

When I felt a cloth covering my shoulders and wrapping around my body, I nearly jumped in shock. I made a slight head turn and noticed that it was the white blanket. He wrapped his arms around me and began to embrace me from behind.

He kissed my ears and whispered, "This island is remote, but still, I don't want anyone seeing you naked.

I made a lip purse. My thoughts are currently a mess.

He questioned, "What's the matter, your mind seems busy."

I swallowed. I suppose I'm not a good actress when my dearest friends are at stake.

I murmured, "I have to get home."

He was clearly paying attention, I could tell.

He murmured, "Alright," in a quiet voice.

My brows wrinkled slightly. He won't inquire as to why.

He stroked my shoulders, "We'll go home tomorrow at dawn." I find comfort in his voice for some reason.

I said, "It's... about my exhibit," and then I tightly closed my eyes. Even though it may sound desperate, he doesn't realize it, right? I must move quickly.

He murmured, "Uh-huh? What about it? "

I said, "I need to launch it early." Some of the assuming clients have scheduling issues, so...

I sound awful. It's totally unexpected. Even now, I'm not sure if I'm making any sense. We both stopped talking. The only sounds were the crickets and the hissing of the sea.

He inquired, "Am I invited?”

My lip was bit. There! It feels as though I yanked a pin out of my chest.


I reasoned, "I know you're busy, so I didn't try to include you on the list. I mean, I could give you an invitation if you want.

When in reality, the only person I'm really after is him. The elderly home and the orphanage would be additional clients. That is the strategy.

"It's okay, I'll still donate to the charity even if I'm not invited."

I paid him attention. Why am I remorseful? Jade, this is how it should be. Now what?

He muttered, "Because I know how much this means to you.

I took a deep breath and straightened my back. He gave my back a kiss. I'm acting like a stone that doesn't know what to do in the meantime.

I said, "I'm sorry."

He looked at me and asked, "For what?"

Yeah. jade, for what are you sorry?

I licked my lips as I regarded him. I gave a small smile.

For declining to invite you.

He grinned while tightening his hold on me. Knowing how many people were complicit in my selfish sin troubled my heart.

We departed at dawn as Beau had stated. I was driven there by him. He instructed me to return his calls and messages. I am aware of how annoyed he is by it. So, to expedite the process, I simply agreed to everything he said.

I opened my phone as soon as I arrived at my apartment. My phone was inundated with messages from Oli. Nearly everything revolved around the exhibit.

I got dressed in more casual attire so I could go to the hospital. Oli was waiting outside the door when I arrived.

With no words, I came inside the room and my eyes immediately clouded with tears.

I saw Eli’s awake now but when she looked at me she didn’t say any words. I slowly came to the side of her bed and she was just looking at me.

I smiled lightly, “Eli.” I called her.

She looked at me with stoic face. “I know what you did.”

I was taken back.

”Do you think I like this, Jade?”

”Eli-”

”No! You should let me died! I don’t want to be here! You’re making things worst for me!”

My tears came down to my cheeks. “Eli, no. You have to understand.”

”Leave!”

I was so shock. I feel my body blasted with coldness as I hear my dear friend threw me off like that.

I was so devastated that even Oli wasn’t able to talk to me.

”We have to continue this. There’s no backing out now.” He said while spacing out. And so that’s what I did.

I looked in the full-length mirror at myself. I was wearing a flowing red dress as I looked at myself emotionlessly. Today's a big day.


In all honesty, I feel sick today. I'm not sure if it's because I've skipped a few meals because I've been thinking about things too much or because I only have a little bit of energy left today.

I moaned. I kept my red lip gloss on and pursed my lips. This is a good-luck charm. Today, I need lots of luck. I really want one.

I disregarded it as my phone began to ring and light up next to me. Today, I don't want to take calls. I'm in turmoil on the inside. I must maintain my composure or else I'll screw up and all of our plans will be foiled.

I think this was the biggest con I've pulled off to date. And I worry that if this works, we'll take additional action. I don't believe my conscience is cooperating with me right now because of all the chaos going on around me.

Oli’s right. It’s too late to back out now.