As Alina entered her room, the weight of the day's events seemed to settle upon her shoulders like a heavy burden.
Lucy's words about leaving early in the morning echoed in her mind, adding to her sense of disorientation.
The room enveloped her in a sense of calmness as she closed the door behind her. Soft, muted light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the space. The furnishings were simple yet elegant, with a plush bed dominating the room's center.
With weary steps, Alina made her way to the bed, her body yearning for the comfort it promised. As she sank into the mattress, she couldn't help but marvel at its softness. It cradled her body like a protective cocoon, easing the tension from her muscles and inviting her to surrender to its embrace.
As Alina lay on the bed, her mind swirled with questions and uncertainties. The events of the day had left her bewildered and emotionally drained. Yet, the comfort of the soft mattress provided a sense of solace amidst the chaos.
Despite her initial intention to ponder the day's events, exhaustion soon overtook her. The comfort of the bed, coupled with the mental and physical fatigue that weighed upon her, proved to be too much to resist.
With a contented sigh, Alina succumbed to sleep, her mind finally finding solace in the embrace of dreams.
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The marble floors gleamed under the soft light of the chandeliers, and the walls were adorned with portraits of her ancestors. The air was perfumed with the scent of freshly cut flowers, and the sound of classical music drifted through the halls.
Alina's grandparents appeared before her, their faces radiant with warmth and love. Her grandfather, a distinguished gentleman with silver hair and a twinkle in his eye, sat in his favorite armchair, engrossed in his newspaper. Her grandmother, elegant and graceful, bustled about the room, her movements as smooth as silk as she prepared a pot of tea.
Alina, filled with the innocence and curiosity of childhood, approached her grandparents with a question burning in her mind. "Grandpa, where is your home?" she asked, her voice echoing through the spacious foyer.
Her grandfather looked up from his newspaper, his gentle smile faltering for a moment before he replied, "Ali Sweetheart, this is our home."
Unsatisfied with his answer, Alina persisted, her young brow furrowing in confusion. "No, Grandpa, I mean your real home, where you were born."
Her grandfather's smile faltered momentarily, and he set down his newspaper, his gaze turning distant as memories stirred within him. Her grandmother, startled by the question, dropped the delicate teapot she was holding, the sound of shattering porcelain breaking the tranquil atmosphere.
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The trilling alarm jolted Alina from her sleep, its insistent sound piercing through the quiet room.
With a groan, she reached out to silence it, her fingers fumbling clumsily until the noise finally ceased.
Blinking away the remnants of sleep, she glanced at her cellphone and saw the time flashing 5:40 am. They were scheduled to leave at 7 o'clock, giving her plenty of time to prepare.
As she stretched and shook off the last vestiges of drowsiness, Alina's mind drifted back to the dream that had roused her from sleep. The details were hazy, slipping through her fingers like grains of sand, but she knew one thing for certain—her grandparents had been there, their presence lingering in the recesses of her mind.
A pang of longing tugged at her heart as she thought of them. It had been years since she had seen her beloved grandparents, ever since they had retreated to some remote island to live in seclusion. Their absence from her life weighed heavily on her, their absence leaving a void that nothing could quite fill.
With a heavy sigh, Alina reminisced about the times she had spent with them, the memories flooding back with bittersweet clarity. She remembered their cozy living room, filled with the warmth of love and laughter, and the hours spent listening to her grandfather's stories and her grandmother's soothing lullabies.
With a heavy sigh, Alina couldn't help but dwell on the plans that had been disrupted by the events of the past few days. She and Xavier had been looking forward to visiting her grandparents after the wedding ceremony. But now, with the wedding called off, their plans were dashed.
'Maybe I can go visit them after this is over, instead of going to South Korea.' she thought excited at the prospect of meeting them.
At that moment, the prospect of trading the bustling streets of South Korea for the tranquil haven of her grandparents' island sanctuary seemed like the perfect antidote to the whirlwind of emotions she had been experiencing.
With newfound determination, Alina hopped joyfully to the bathroom to wash up.
After washing up, Alina rummaged through her suitcase to find the perfect outfit for the day ahead. She opted for a casual yet chic ensemble that reflected her personal style and made her feel confident and put-together.
She selected a pair of high-waisted black skinny jeans that hugged her curves in all the right places, pairing them with a loose-fitting white blouse adorned with delicate floral embroidery. The blouse added a touch of femininity to the outfit while still maintaining a relaxed vibe.
To complete the look, Alina slipped on a pair of sleek black ankle boots with a subtle heel, providing both style and comfort for the day's activities. She added a few simple accessories—a dainty gold necklace, a stack of delicate bracelets, and a pair of oversized sunglasses—to add a finishing touch of polish to her ensemble.
With her outfit sorted, Alina glanced at herself in the mirror and smiled.
"Who's that pretty girl?" Alina commented with a playful wink at her reflection in the mirror, admiring her outfit choice for the day.
After packing her remaining belongings, Alina made her way to the hall, feeling refreshed.
As Alina stepped into the living room, Zander's deep voice greeted her with a hint of amusement, catching her off guard.
"Are you on a vacation or something? Did you forget that you are kidnapped right now?" he quipped, his sleek black outfit oozing confidence and style.
Alina shot back with her trademark sarcasm, refusing to be outdone. "What do you mean? Do you want me to wear rags and roll on dirt to show I was kidnapped?" she retorted, her tone dripping with sass.
"You look like a model off the ramp, and how dare you comment on my dressing choices," she muttered under her breath, her words barely audible but not escaping his keen ears.
Zander couldn't help but chuckle at Alina's audacity. She was unlike anyone he had encountered before, her sharp tongue and fearless demeanor a refreshing change from the usual flattery and fawning he received from others.
As Alina boldly posed her questions, Zander's amusement only grew. Here was a woman who didn't mince her words, unafraid to challenge him even in the face of uncertainty. He admired her spirit, finding her straightforwardness both intriguing and endearing.
"Can you please explain what I have to do and who exactly are you guys? You guys are not doing something illegal, right?" Alina's inquiry cut through the light-hearted banter, her eyes fixed on Zander with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.
Carson's voice interrupted, "What do you mean illegal? Do we look like bad guys to you?"
As Carson swaggered into the room, Alina's attention shifted to him, his voice carrying a hint of offense.
"Hey there, are we going to a fashion show?" Alina quipped, eyeing Carson's stylish ensemble.
Carson chuckled, adjusting his sweater. "Gotta look good even on kidnapping duty, right?"
Mark followed behind him, his casual yet rugged style catching Alina's eye.
"Nice jacket," Alina remarked with a nod towards Mark's leather attire.
"Thanks, it's my go-to look," Mark replied with a grin.
Then Lucy entered the room, her elegant qipao drawing Alina's admiration.
"Wow, Lucy, you look stunning," Alina complimented her.
Lucy smiled warmly. "Thanks, Alina. It's a family heirloom."
Despite their unconventional situation, they didn't exactly fit the image of criminals.
"I mean, I've seen worse," Alina replied with a smirk, "but you guys definitely don't look like your average kidnappers."
Carson raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Glad to hear that. We like to keep it classy."
Alina couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious about her own appearance compared to her captors' impeccable fashion sense.
"I'm feeling a bit underdressed here," she admitted with a chuckle.
"Don't worry, you look just fine," Zander reassured her with a smirk.
Alina rolled her eyes playfully. "Easy for you to say when you're dressed like you're about to walk a runway."
"We're not exactly your run-of-the-mill group, Alina," Zander began, his tone serious yet tinged with a hint of playfulness. "And while our methods may seem unconventional, we have our reasons."
He paused, choosing his words carefully before continuing. "As for what you have to do, let's just say we need your unique skills to help us with a certain task. And no, it's not illegal," he assured her, though he knew the line between right and wrong could sometimes blur in their line of work.
Alina listened intently, absorbing his words with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. She wasn't entirely convinced, but there was something about Zander's demeanor that put her at ease, despite the unconventional circumstances.
"Alright, I'll bite," she conceded with a playful smirk. "But just know that if I catch wind of anything shady, I'm out of here faster than you can say 'gang leader'," she added with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Zander chuckled, impressed by her wit and determination. "Fair enough," he replied, offering her a nod of acknowledgment. "Now, shall we get down to business?"