LOST

Chapter 13

Ella’s POV

I knew Alex knew me so well, but what I didn’t know was if I could tell her about the text message on Arthur’s phone. I wasn’t even sure I could tell her about my confusion concerning the Hunt. The weight of that unknown pressed heavily on me, like a secret I wasn’t ready to share. Every time I thought about it, my mind spun with questions I couldn’t answer, doubts I couldn’t shake. Was I imagining things? Was I just nervous about the wedding? Or was there really something I didn’t know about Arthur?

“Ella, what is it? You should be happy. You are getting married. That’s what you have always wanted,” Alex said gently, her voice full of encouragement. She was right, of course. This should have been the happiest time of my life.

“I’m fine, Alex. Trust me,” I said, forcing a smile. “Maybe it’s just the nerves finally catching up to me.”

Alex didn’t look convinced. She kept staring at me as if she could see right through my smile and all the way to the fear and confusion underneath. After what felt like an eternity, she broke eye contact and let out a soft sigh.

“Okay, if you say so,” she said quietly, but I knew she wasn’t convinced.

“Anyway, as your best friend and maid of honour,” Alex began with a teasing grin, and I chuckled softly.

“What’s funny?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest and raising an eyebrow.

“I don’t remember choosing a maid of honour,” I teased, and her frown deepened.

“Well, you’re wasting so much time. I chose one. I stepped up to the task for you. Don’t worry, the other girls won’t mind,” she said with a confident smirk. I shook my head in amusement.

“Well, as your maid of honour, I have to throw you the best bachelorette party ever,” she declared excitedly.

Shaking my head again, I knew that any party Alex threw wouldn’t be just a simple get-together. She had a reputation for going all out, and I could already imagine the chaos she would bring.

“Alex, I just want something small, okay?” I pleaded.

“Yeah, no. That’s not going to happen. You know very well I don’t do small things,” she said with a knowing smile.

Christ, here we go again, I thought to myself, already bracing for what was coming.

(*)

When I got home, the house was empty and quiet. I went upstairs, took a long bath to try to relax, and waited for Arthur to come back. I tried to push the thoughts about the Hunt to the back of my mind, but they kept creeping back in no matter how hard I tried.

Before long, Arthur walked through the door of our room. He smiled when he saw me.

“Hey, how was your day?” I asked, doing my best to sound cheerful.

“Good. I’m sure yours went well too,” he said, kissing me softly.

“Yeah, it did. Alex is throwing me a bachelorette party,” I told him with a smile.

“Oh, nice,” he said and then headed into the bathroom. A few minutes later, he came out wearing just his pajama pants, his hair still damp from a shower.

Watching him get into bed, I thought he looked as handsome as ever. Arthur pulled me close and kissed my forehead, and just like that, my heart fluttered with excitement. But beneath the happiness, a knot of dread tightened in my stomach. That nagging feeling whispered that something was wrong, urging me to ask the question I had been avoiding for days.

With my heartbeat pounding uncontrollably, I forced the words out. “What is the Hunt?”

Arthur didn’t say anything at first. I looked up at him, wondering if he hadn’t heard me, but then he smiled. That smile didn’t reach his eyes, though. It made me even more uneasy.

I wondered what he wasn’t telling me.

“My love, it’s nothing to worry your pretty head about,” he said softly.

“But I—” I tried to protest.

He cut me off gently, sitting up and reaching for something on the side table.

“My love, I’ve been meaning to give you this,” he said, handing me six tickets.

I stared at them, more confused than ever.

“Arthur, what is this?” I asked.

“It’s your pre-wedding gift,” he said. “A two-week vacation with your girls. Something to celebrate before the wedding.”

I was stunned. Could this really be happening?

“Are you serious?” I whispered, hardly daring to believe it.

“Yes. It’s a luxurious island getaway. All expenses paid. I just want you to relax before our big day,” he explained.

I blinked rapidly, trying to convince my brain that what I was seeing was true.

“An all-expense-paid trip to a beautiful island,” I murmured.

God, do I truly deserve this man?

“Thank you so much,” I squealed, throwing my arms around him in a tight hug.

I was excited beyond words, but deep down, a shadow lingered. I wished I had known then that all that glitter was not gold.

(*)

The days that followed were a whirlwind of excitement and preparation. The wedding was just around the corner, and everywhere I looked, there were signs of the big day approaching. Flowers, invitations, seating charts, dress fittings. The reality of it all still felt a little surreal.

But beneath the surface of all the joy, the questions about the Hunt gnawed at me. I tried to push them aside, focusing on the wedding plans, on the laughter with my friends and family. I tried to convince myself that I was just being paranoid, that Arthur was the man I loved and trusted.

Still, every time I saw him, the doubt was there, just below the surface, waiting for a moment to rise up again. I didn’t know what the Hunt was, but I knew it was important. I just hoped I was ready for the answer when the time came.