The Twist
Just as they were about to leave, the lounge door opened.
Mia turned her head.
A woman walked in.
Beautiful, confident, and wearing an expensive dress.
She looked directly at Mia.
And smiled.
The smile was not friendly.
It was a warning.
Adrian stiffened.
Mia felt her heart drop.
The woman walked toward them, her eyes never leaving Mia's face.
"Mia Hart," she said softly. "So you're the girl."
Mia felt her blood run cold.
"Who are you?" she asked.
The woman smiled again.
"My name is Elise," she said. "And I think you should leave."
Mia's eyes narrowed.
"Why?" she asked.
Elise looked at Adrian.
"You know why," she said.
Adrian stood up, his face serious.
"Elise," he said.
Elise looked at him with contempt.
"You promised," she said quietly. "You promised you'd keep her away."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"I didn't promise anything," he said.
Elise's eyes narrowed. "You promised me."
Mia felt her heart race.
"Who is she?" she whispered.
Adrian's expression hardened.
"She's not someone you want to meet," he said.
Elise smiled. "Oh, she wants to meet me."
Mia felt her hands tremble.
She looked at Adrian, her eyes full of fear.
"What's going on?" she asked.
Adrian's voice was low.
"Go home," he said. "Now."
Mia's heart pounded.
She didn't want to leave.
But she felt the danger in the room.
She felt it in Elise's smile.
She felt it in Adrian's tension.
She stood up, her legs shaking.
"I'm leaving," she said.
Elise watched her with a smile.
"You're not going anywhere," Elise said softly.
Adrian moved in front of Mia, blocking her path.
"Mia," he said, his voice sharp. "Get out."
Mia looked at him, her eyes wide.
"I'm scared," she whispered.
Adrian's voice softened. "I know."
Mia turned and ran out of the lounge, her heart racing.
She didn't know where she was going.
She only knew she needed to get away.