Using Ryan's private yacht, the three arrived at the island the next day. It remained largely undeveloped, with coconut trees adorning the shores and lush greenery enveloping the surroundings. The sky was a vibrant blue, and the crystal-clear water sparkled under the scorching sun, forming a striking contrast with the pinkish-white sands of the beach. In short, it was a paradise.
During their stay, the trio would reside in Schneider's rest house while surveying the island for future construction. The friendly locals eagerly guided them around, providing a warm welcome.
"We actually have a festival on your last night here," the local chief informed the three of them. "It will be held at the shore. Feel free to join us. There will be plenty of food and drinks for everyone."
Matthew turned to Laura and asked her to check their schedule. They had no commitments for that evening, so Matthew and Jack decided to attend the festival since it would be their final night on the island.
"What kind of festival is it?" inquired Laura.
Dressed casually in shorts and loose shirts, Jack and Matthew sported sunglasses, while Laura wore Matthew's snapback cap. Concerned about her sun protection, Matthew insisted that she wear it.
"It's a festival dedicated to the moon goddess," the chief explained. "We celebrate it every year during the full moon. There will be dancing, singing, and of course, our traditional coconut-based alcoholic drink for you young men to try."
"That's what I'm talking about!" Jack, a natural charmer, exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Anyway," the chief chuckled, "I'll leave you three at the rest house so you can rest up. But remember, you should avoid the south forest when it's six o'clock in the evening."
Curious, Laura asked, "Why is that?"
"The south forest is still relatively dangerous," the chief explained, shaking his head. "You can visit it during the day, but make sure to leave by six pm. The weather there is unpredictable, with heavy rainfall due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The nights in that area can be harsh and unforgiving."
"Oh, I see," Laura replied, taking note of the chief's advice.
"Thank you for the reminder, Chief," Matthew said, shaking the chief's hand and bidding farewell. Jack and Laura followed suit, expressing their gratitude.
The three of them entered the rest house. Laura was in awe. Though the house was simple on the outside, it was stunning on the inside. The house, which was located on the tallest part of the island, faced the sea. With its glass walls, everything outside was visible. It wasn't too big, having four bedrooms on the second floor. The first floor consisted of the living room, kitchen, and dining room. A white grand piano stood proudly in the middle of the living room, catching Laura's eye. She couldn't help but internally squeal with excitement. She loved playing the piano.
"Laura," Matthew said, "You can take the room to the left of mine while Jack would take the one on my right."
"I'll take a nap," Jack groaned, "My back hurts."
Matthew followed suit, leaving Laura alone in the living room. Glancing at her wristwatch, she noted the time: 4:07 pm. Laura's curiosity beckoned her to explore more of the island. The chief had mentioned that the most enchanting part of the island was the south forest, where flowers were always in bloom. The area boasted a variety of colorful flora, with different types of flowers adorning the landscape.
Laura retrieved a piece of paper from her luggage and quickly jotted down a note.
Mr. Schneider, I went to tour around the island. I'll be back before 6 pm!
Laura Jones
Matthew woke up abruptly to the harsh banging of tree branches against his room's windows. It was dark, but each lightning strike illuminated the surroundings. The accompanying thunder reverberated through the air, and heavy rain poured down relentlessly. Matthew sighed, feeling less than thrilled about being awakened in such a manner.
Slowly, the CEO stood up and made his way downstairs. "Jack? Laura?" he called out, but he was met with silence. Worried, he reached for his phone, hoping for any messages from the two. Matthew didn't want to admit it, but anxiety started to churn in his gut. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end, a familiar sensation that signaled when something was amiss or could go wrong. It reminded him of his childhood days when he could sense trouble brewing. It had proven true on numerous occasions. The last time he experienced it, Chris had been involved in a racing accident (his cousin loved racing).
From: Jack Ryan
To: Matt Schneider
Headed back to mainland. Got a company emergency. I'll be back tomorrow morning.
P.S. Spend the night with your secretary, I know you're dying to.
Matthew rolled his eyes at his friend's comment. "Enjoy a night with Laura Jones? Speaking of my secretary, that little puppy is nowhere to be seen," he remarked. He had checked Laura's room, but she was not there. He searched through the kitchen, but still had no luck finding her.
"Strange," Matthew thought to himself. "Laura would never leave without my permission." A tingling sensation on the back of his neck intensified. He was about to call her when a white piece of paper caught his eye. It was her handwriting, no doubt. He scanned through it and quickly checked the time.
7:34 pm.
Matthew impatiently dialed her number. "Come on... Pick up your damn phone, Laura Jones."
However, his attempts were met with an automatic response.
Frustrated, Matthew tried again and again, but the automated reply persisted. He had a sinking feeling that something was horribly wrong. The butterflies in his stomach wouldn't cease, driving him to dial another number. "Hello, this is Matthew Schneider," he said anxiously.
"Oh, Mr. Schneider," the chief responded. "What can I do for you?"
"Have you seen my secretary?" Matthew asked, his worry evident in his voice.
"Your secretary?" the chief sounded confused. "Could you describe her?"
"She's a small lady with small eyes," Matthew described. "She's not in the rest house. She went on a tour around the island and said she'd be back at six. I just woke up, and it's now seven. Do you think she's in danger?"
The chief paused for a moment before offering, "Do you want us to look for her? However, keep in mind that we can't involve the police just yet. It hasn't been 24 hours since she went missing."
"Yes, please do," Matthew sighed in relief. "Can I come and search with you?"
"I'll gather the men and head to your rest house," the chief assured him. "Please wait for us."