19. THE EERIE

Hope leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression on her face as she glanced at Will. “Don’t you think it’s odd?” she began, her voice laced with curiosity.

Will didn’t look up from his computer, his fingers still typing away at rapid speed. “What’s odd, Hope?”

“Caelan,” she said, as if that one word should explain everything. “He’s been paying a lot of attention to that girl, Alina. He doesn’t usually give women the time of day, but with her… it’s different.”

That got Will’s attention. He paused mid-typing and turned to face his sister, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve noticed that too, huh?”

“Of course, I did! It’s impossible not to notice. I mean, he actually listens to her. And he helped her with her project, personally. He’s never been so hands on with anyone else before, especially not a woman.”

Will leaned back in his chair, considering her words. “It is strange,” he admitted. “Caelan’s always been all business, no personal stuff, especially not with women. But with Alina, I don’t know. There’s something different.”

Hope nodded, her eyes lighting up with a mischievous glint. “Exactly! And it’s not just that he’s helping her. It’s the way he looks at her, like he’s trying to figure her out or something.”

Will chuckled, shaking his head. “Maybe he’s just impressed with her work. She’s smart, and she knows her stuff. That could be it.”

Hope wasn’t convinced. She leaned forward, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. “Or maybe, there’s something more going on. Something we’re not seeing.”

Will rolled his eyes, though he couldn’t help but grin at her enthusiasm. “You and your wild theories. What are you getting at, Hope?”

She tapped her chin thoughtfully, as if piecing together a puzzle. “I don’t know, but it feels like there’s a connection there. Like he sees something in her that we don’t.”

Will snorted. “Maybe you’re just reading too much into it. Caelan’s a complicated guy, but I doubt he’s interested in her that way. He’s always been about work and nothing else.”

“Maybe,” Hope conceded, though her eyes still sparkled with intrigue. She was quiet for a moment, her gaze drifting to the window as she pondered the possibilities. Then, suddenly, she gasped, her eyes widening with realization.

“What is it?” Will asked, startled by her sudden exclamation.

Hope didn’t answer right away. Instead, she stared at him, her expression a mix of shock and excitement. Will frowned, concern flickering across his face. “Hope, you’re scaring me. What’s going on?”

Her grin was almost too wide, a playful glint dancing in her eyes. “Will… what if… my crush is Alina’s brother?”

Will blinked, trying to process her words. “Your crush? Wait, you mean that guy you met outside the bookstore?”

“Yes!” Hope nearly bounced in her seat, her excitement infectious. “Remember? I told you about him—Jace Martin. He was tall, had mismatched eyes, one blue, one green, just like Alina! What if they’re siblings?”

Will groaned, rubbing his temples as if trying to ward off a headache. “Oh, Hope! you’ve officially lost it. Just because they have similar eyes doesn’t mean they’re related.”

Hope pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. “It’s not just the eyes, Will. It’s the vibe! They have that same energy, that same spark. And if they are related, oh my gosh, it would make so much sense!”

Will couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm. “You’ve really gone off the deep end this time. You’ve crossed all limits of craziness, you know that?”

Hope stuck her tongue out at him, unfazed by his teasing. “Hey, a girl can dream, can’t she? And besides, wouldn’t it be amazing if it were true? Imagine the drama, the intrigue,”

Will reached over and ruffled her hair affectionately. “You’re hopeless,” he said, though his tone was warm. “But I suppose that’s why Mom loves you.”

Hope giggled, swatting his hand away playfully. “Love you too, big bro. And hey, you never know stranger things have happened.”

Will shook his head, unable to suppress a smile. “Well, whether your theory is true or not, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. But in the meantime, try not to drive yourself crazy over it, okay?”

Hope sighed dramatically. “Fine, fine. But mark my words, Will. If I’m right, you owe me dinner at that fancy new restaurant downtown.”

Will laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Deal. But if you’re wrong, you’re paying.”

“Deal!” Hope agreed with a grin, the lively banter between them filling the room with warmth and laughter once more.

Alina walked down the crowded street, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she carried a bag of fresh vegetables in her arms. The evening air was cool, a gentle breeze brushing past her, making the leaves on the trees rustle softly. It had been a good day—one of those rare days where everything seemed to fall into place. She had just come from the market, where she found everything she needed to make her favorite meal: curry and rice.

As she strolled towards her condo building, she couldn’t help but talk to herself, a habit she often indulged in when she was particularly happy. “Maybe I’ll add extra spices this time. Oh, and the potatoes—I should definitely roast them a bit before adding them to the curry,” she mused aloud, completely unaware of the curious glances from passersby.

Some people smiled at her, amused by her animated conversation with herself, while others looked at her with mild confusion. But Alina was lost in her own world, too caught up in her thoughts to notice. She was already imagining the aroma that would fill her small kitchen, the warmth of the meal as she sat down to eat, and the comfort of a quiet evening at home.

“I wonder if I should try that new recipe I read about,” she continued, her voice light and cheerful. “It’s supposed to be really good with rice. Or maybe I’ll just stick to what I know. Can’t go wrong with the classics.”

As she neared her building, the familiar sight of the old brick facade brought a sense of comfort. It wasn’t the fanciest place, but it was home, and she loved the cozy feel of her condo. She could already picture herself curling up on the couch with a good book after dinner, maybe even watching a movie if she wasn’t too tired.

But as she approached the entrance, the smile on her face faltered. There was something off, something she couldn’t quite place. The closer she got to the building, the more the uneasy feeling gnawed at her, like a shadow creeping into the edges of her mind.