"There's something I need to tell you." said Lessin
She and Winslow were in the same cab taking them home after that disaster-teasing dinner.
"What is it?" Winslow faced her.
"That day when I took a photo of you and Christopher, Cora actually called him, but I hung up."
"I had a feeling."
"What's really going on? Are you dating him?" Lessin asked, concerned, a little bit much.
Winslow pursed her lips. The answer was ambiguous. "No."
"Then why were you _"
"Vanguard used to like Cora, and Cora is still in love with him. For what it's worth, he can still be in love with her too. Their story is incomplete. But Cora can't approach him without a push."
"So you're pushing her?"
"I thought I knew what I was doing, but I don't. It's not up to me to push her."
"But you've started it."
"I know. I'll figure something out. And once I'm done, I'm going to apologize to her and Freya."
"That's a wise thing to do."
…
River was the first to walk in, followed by Freya.
"Thank God nobody slapped anybody." said River, her tone full of relief.
"I know. I was worried."
As they approached the room, the sound of a running shower alarmed them. Someone was in the house! Could it be the real invader this time? It sent a chill down their spines. Unconsciously, they held hands as they tiptoed towards the bedroom door. The shower suddenly stopped, and so did they. Hearts were pounding. They had to communicate telepathically.
River grabbed a baseball bat and Freya held the doorknob. They mouthed a countdown from 1 to 3 and bust the door open. Freya screamed. River screamed, and Ylle screamed more. She held her towel so tight, not planning to flash her friends. It was a crazy horrifying minute.
River put the baseball bat down and heaved a sigh, "Oh my God! You almost killed us."
"You're the one holding the bat." said Ylle, catching her breath.
"What are you doing here? Why didn't you call?", asked Freya.
"My phone died, but I'm here now. Is it cool?",
"Yeah. Unless you plan to leave suddenly again." River teased.
"No." Ylle shook her head, "I'll stand by you like a shadow from now on."
***