It was clear now—Miss apple no longer saw her as a threat.
Grace Barron could tell by the way Oakley so readily agreed to her proposal. A person that cautious wouldn't have said yes otherwise.
Grace: "So, when exactly were you thinking of going?"
Let's Fight: "I'm free anytime. I just want to catch some nice weather."
Grace didn't rush to respond. Instead, she opened her weather app and checked Ravenwood's forecast for the coming days.
Unlike Skylark, which was about to be swept by a cold front that would dip temperatures below 77°F, Ravenwood was still basking in summer heat—plenty of sun and high UV levels. It was still the kind of place where sunscreen was a necessity.
Grace: "The weather there's consistently good, shouldn't be a problem. How about next Sunday afternoon? We fly out, settle in for the night, and then enjoy the city Monday on a workday. Less crowd, more peace. You get the best version of a place when it's not swarmed with people."
She paused, then added mentally: If we wait too long, I'll get swamped again—and I have to fly back for Grandma's 80th.
Even Grace couldn't defy the limits of human energy. Life required careful pacing.
Oakley glanced at her calendar. Just one ad shoot scheduled. She could definitely make it work.
Let's Fight: "Perfect."
Let's Fight: "How many days were you thinking?"
Grace scrolled through some pictures of Ravenwood.
Grace: "Five. There's so much to explore. I mean, we're already going—why not really enjoy it?"
Let's Fight: "You're right. Five days it is. I'll clear my plate and make sure we can live it up."
To her own surprise, Oakley was excited. Genuinely.
She had a gut feeling: this trip would be special.
Grace: "Alright. Hotel or Airbnb?"
Better to plan early than scramble later. Even if they wouldn't be sharing a room, staying at the same place would simplify things.
Let's Fight: "Airbnb. I've heard they've got some gorgeous ones there."
After chatting with Natalie, Oakley had gone down a rabbit hole of Ravenwood content and bookmarked a dozen dreamy stays.
The B&Bs were indeed lovely, causing her choice paralysis. Unable to choose, she just sent Grace the whole collection.
Grace opened each link one by one. The B&Bs had certainly evolved, offering many appealing choices compared to her previous visit years ago.
The first one featured minimalist wooden aesthetics, neat and clean, with a charming Scandinavian vibe.
The second had a vintage style, filled with antique furnishings, porcelain vases, and watercolor paintings paired elegantly with classic folding screens. Attractive at first glance, but closer inspection revealed rough edges, far inferior to her home decor.
The third? Something else entirely.
Lush greenery burst from every corner, like a slice of tropical rainforest transplanted into the city. Each room shared the same botanical vibe but differed in small design quirks. Grace, who had become more drawn to tranquility in recent years, found herself leaning into the screen. Even through a digital lens, it gave her a sense of harmony with nature.
She made her choice without hesitation.
Grace: "This one. It's got character."
Let's Fight: "Ha! Great minds think alike. Didn't expect our tastes to match up!"
Grace: "Maybe it's fate?"
Let's Fight: "Could be. What's your sign?"
Grace: "Virgo."
Let's Fight: "You don't seem like it. All the Virgos I've met are…"
She almost said: "Two-faced perfectionists who pretend to be nice but are total snakes behind your back."
She had Grace Barron to thank for that stereotype.
Oakley was a Leo. Online horoscopes said Leos and Virgos were soulmates. Laughable.
But she restrained herself, deciding not to come off as bitter. The reason Grace's zodiac sign stuck in her memory was because schoolmates once listed Grace as an exemplary Virgo, beautiful and intelligent, thus shaping Oakley's bias against the whole sign.
Let's Fight: "All the Virgos I've met had… big contradictions."
Indeed, massive contrasts, classic examples of hypocrisy.
Grace found it amusing: "Oh? Do they?"
Let's Fight: "Just saying—humans are complex creatures. Twelve signs can't possibly cover everyone."
Grace couldn't shake the feeling: Miss apple was carrying a lot of pent-up resentment. But she let it pass.
Grace: "True. The chart layout matters too. What about you—what's your sign?"
Let's Fight: "Beauty and the beast."
Grace counted the months. "Leo?"
Let's Fight: "Smart girl."
"Leos are pretty adorable," Grace teased lightly. "The name alone conjures images of fluffy cats ready to explode.
Let's Fight: "Fluffy cat?! You dare call the king of the jungle as a fluffy cat?"
Grace laughed softly, "Well, you're flaring up—proves my point."
Oakley nearly choked on her water. She wiped her mouth, laughing.
Let's Fight: "You're brutal. Now I'm curious—what do you actually look like? You sure you won't send a photo?"
Grace replied gently, "I'm not in the habit."
Let's Fight: "Seriously? Not even one?"
Truly, none.
After her ex, Grace had locked down her entire life. Emotions, interests, even joy. Taking pictures? Sharing her day? Not anymore.
She hadn't posted on social media in over two years.
Grace: "Nope. Not a single one."
Let's Fight: "Who doesn't take selfies nowadays? Unbelievable!"
Grace joked: "I'm ugly."
Let's Fight: "I don't buy it."
Grace exaggerated, "It's true. I have thirteen moles; I look like a toad's cousin."
Let's Fight matched her humor, "Funny, I've got eighteen festering sores. Dead ringer for a venom master."
Grace smiled, adding softly, "Well, if you want to send yours, I'd gladly accept."
Let's Fight feigned indignation, "Sneaky, shameless, cunning! You show nothing and expect photos from me? Trying to trick the lion king?
Grace chuckled, "Doesn't matter. We'll meet soon anyway. I'll book tickets now."
Let's Fight: "Do it."
With that, Grace reserved the stay, booked their tickets, and locked it all in.
She flipped off the bedside light, crawled under the covers, and fell asleep.
Not long after, a dream swept her away.
They'd arrived in Ravenwood. Grace was checking in at the Airbnb when a woman appeared beside her.
The woman knocked on the counter.
"Is pie here? I'm looking for pie. I want pie."
Just as Grace was about to speak, the woman turned around, revealing a spider-like face covered with eighteen pimples, smiling eerily, "Do I look pretty?"
Grace jolted awake in relief, grateful it was just a dream.
Thank God… it was only a dream.
—
Monday morning.
The first thing Grace did was file her vacation request. This was the quietest time at the magazine. Perfect timing.
Time passed like sand through fingers—plenty at first, then suddenly gone.
Before she knew it, the day had arrived.
Her flight was at 1 PM. Factoring in travel and check-in, she got up around nine.
She made a simple breakfast, chose a crisp shirt and jeans, stood before the mirror, buttoned every button with care, and rolled her suitcase to the door.
After half a month of texting…
She was finally going to meet Miss apple in person.
She was curious. Excited, even.
Let's see what the lioness really looks like.
At the airport, Grace had just finished checking in when she turned—
And saw a familiar figure behind her.
A woman in a soft beige dress, flowing curls framing her face, makeup flawless, smile glowing as she looked at her phone.
Grace arched a brow.
"Oakley Ponciano?"
Hearing her name, Oakley looked up, astonishment filling her eyes.
You've got to be kidding me.
Of all the days, all the flights… I run into Grace Barron?
Unbelievable.