Love Alarm
The smell of fresh-baked bread filled the air, mingling with the soft hum of chatter and the distant clatter of dishes. In the heart of the city, a cozy bakery sat nestled between towering buildings, its quaint exterior a welcome contrast to the urban sprawl. Inside, a young woman stood behind the counter, wiping her hands on her apron as she watched the world pass by through the large glass window.
Sienna Clarke, a girl of quiet charm and thoughtful eyes, had been working at the bakery for as long as she could remember. The daughter of the bakery's owner, Mrs. Clarke, Sienna had grown up knowing every customer by name, learning their stories and lives through the simple act of serving them coffee and pastries. But lately, things had been different-strange, even. Faces she didn't recognize had started showing up, watching her with unsettling intensity. There was a feeling in the air, something she couldn't quite put into words.
As she arranged the pastries on the counter, the bell above the door chimed, signaling a new customer. Sienna looked up, her heart skipping a beat as Emily Crestyl walked in, her sharp heels clicking against the tiled floor. Emily was beautiful, intimidatingly so, with her high cheekbones, sleek dark hair, and expensive clothes that seemed out of place in the humble bakery.
"Sienna," Emily greeted her, a tight smile on her lips. "You're still here."
Sienna's fingers tightened around the tongs in her hand. Emily Crestyl, the older sister of Mabel Crestyl, rarely came to the bakery, but when she did, she brought with her an air of tension that never seemed to dissipate. The Crestyl family was wealthy and influential-far beyond the simple life Sienna knew. They were well-connected, powerful, and had ties that ran deep in the city's elite circles.
But there was more to them than just wealth.
"I am," Sienna replied carefully. "How can I help you today?"
Emily's smile widened, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm just here for coffee. And to ask if you've seen my sister."
Sienna's heart skipped a beat. "Mabel? I haven't seen her in a while." It wasn't a lie-Mabel hadn't been around lately, and everyone in their circle had noticed. She wondered if Emily knew more than she was letting on.
Emily studied her for a moment, her gaze unnerving. "Is that so? I could have sworn she's been spending time around here lately."
Sienna swallowed hard. She knew the rumors about the Crestyls. They were involved with things that ordinary people like her couldn't even begin to understand. People whispered about secret societies, hidden power, and dangerous alliances that stretched far beyond the city's borders. And now, with Mabel missing, the rumors only grew louder.
"Well," Sienna said, trying to keep her voice steady, "if I see her, I'll let you know."
Emily's smile faded. "See that you do." Without another word, she turned and left, the bell chiming behind her.
Sienna let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Emily Crestyl was dangerous-that much was clear. But what scared Sienna more was the feeling that she was being watched. Ever since Mabel had disappeared, strange things had been happening, and now, even the customers who came in seemed different-like they knew more than they were saying.
---
Across town, the Crestyl mansion loomed on a hill, a stark contrast to the modest buildings surrounding it. The sprawling estate had been in the family for generations, its grandeur a symbol of their long-standing power. Inside, the atmosphere was tense as Mr. Crestyl paced the length of the marble-floored hallway, his face drawn with worry.
"You're sure you haven't heard from her?" he asked, turning to his wife, Mrs. Crestyl, who sat quietly by the fireplace, her expression unreadable.
"No," Mrs. Crestyl replied softly. "I've tried calling her, but Mabel has always been... difficult."
Mr. Crestyl sighed, running a hand through his silver-streaked hair. "This isn't like her, disappearing without a word. Emily says she's been spending time with some... boy. Edward Collins."
Mrs. Crestyl raised an eyebrow. "The son of the billionaire?"
"Yes, that one. Apparently, they've been seen together. But no one knows where they are now."
Mrs. Crestyl sipped her tea, her eyes thoughtful. "We have more pressing matters to deal with, don't we? The Order is becoming impatient. If they find out that we've lost track of Mabel..."
Mr. Crestyl slammed his fist on the table, his face flushing with anger. "I know. But Mabel is our daughter. The Order be damned. We need to find her before they do."
Mrs. Crestyl's gaze hardened. "We agreed to the terms. We can't back out now."
"I don't care about the terms!" Mr. Crestyl roared. "This is our family! If they come for her-"
"They won't have to come for her if we play our cards right," Mrs. Crestyl interrupted coldly. "You know as well as I do that the Order won't stop until they get what they want. We can either give it to them willingly, or they'll take it by force."
A heavy silence hung between them. Mr. Crestyl's face was pale, his anger giving way to a deep, gnawing fear. "And what about Edward Collins? If he's with her, he'll get caught up in this too."
Mrs. Crestyl's lips curved into a thin smile. "Then he'll serve his purpose, won't he?"
---
Meanwhile, deep in the shadows of the city, the members of The Order gathered in a dimly lit chamber, their faces obscured by the flickering light of torches mounted on the stone walls. The room was large, ancient, with the air thick with the scent of incense and burning candles. At the center of the room, Liam stood, his expression severe as he addressed the group.
"We are running out of time," Liam said, his voice low and commanding. "Mabel Crestyl must be found. She is the key to everything we've worked for."
One of the members, a figure in a dark hood, stepped forward. "And what of the boy? Edward Collins. He is... a complication."
Liam's lips twisted into a sneer. "Complications can be dealt with. But the girl is our priority. She holds the power that will tip the balance in our favor."
"And if the Crestyls interfere?" another voice asked from the shadows.
Liam's eyes glinted with malice. "Then they will learn, as all who defy the Order have learned, that there is no escape from destiny."
The room fell silent as the members of the Order exchanged glances, their allegiance to a cause that spanned centuries binding them in silent agreement. Mabel Crestyl was the prize, the key to unlocking something far greater than any of them could fully comprehend.
And they would stop at nothing to claim her.
-
Back at the bakery, Sienna was closing up shop when the bell rang again. She sighed, turning to tell the late customer that they were closed, but stopped short when she saw who it was.
A man stood in the doorway, tall and lean, with sharp features and piercing blue eyes. His presence was striking, almost unnerving, and something about him made Sienna uneasy.
"I'm sorry, we're closed," Sienna said, trying to keep her voice steady.
The man smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm not here for pastries. I'm looking for someone."
Sienna's heart raced. "Who?"
The man took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "Mabel Crestyl. I was told she comes here."
Sienna swallowed hard, the tension in the room palpable. "I... I don't know where she is."
The man's smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "I think you do. And I think you're going to tell me."
Sienna backed away, her pulse pounding in her ears. Something about this man was wrong-dangerous. She could feel it in the way he moved, the way he spoke, as if he already knew everything.
"I don't know anything," she insisted, her voice trembling.
The man's eyes darkened, and he took another step closer. "Lying won't help you. We always find what we're looking for."
---
To be continued....