THE ARRIVAL OF THE STORM
The afternoon sun was beginning to melt into the horizon, painting the beach sky in streaks of gold and blood-orange. On the private deck of their villa, a table had been set for two. Chilled champagne, fresh seafood and flickering candles created a scene of perfect romance exactly what the "fans" expected.
Fay sat back in her chair, a glass of wine in one hand and her phone in the other. A small, triumphant smirk played on her lips as she scrolled.
"_"
@BridgeObsessed:"Fay just ended the debate! 15 years of 'porridge' can't beat a marriage booth and soulmate energy. Look at#TheOriginal!"
@SurgeryQueen: "The way Fay is reclaiming her territory… I'm obsessed. Team Fay forever!"
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Fay felt a rush of satisfaction. For the first time since this trip began, she felt like she was the one in control. She wasn't the "ghosted" ex anymore, she was the protagonist.
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Across the table, Kei was watching Fay with a look of utter bewilderment. She hadn't looked at her own phone in hours. All she saw was Fay who had been crying and yelling just an hour ago now looking like she had just won the lottery.
"Why are you smiling like that?"
Kei asked, her brow furrowed.
"One minute you're throwing porridge and the next you're looking at your phone like you've conquered a country."
"_"
Fay didn't look up, her thumb still busy liking comments.
"I'm just enjoying the view, Kei. The digital view is particularly lovely this evening."
"Fay, what did you do?"
Kei reached across the table, gently taking Fay's hand to get her attention.
"You're acting strange. Is this about the marriage booth post? People are going crazy, my team is calling me every five seconds"
"Let them call,"
Fay said, finally meeting Kei's eyes. Her gaze was sharp, fueled by a mixture of lingering jealousy and new-found confidence.
"Let them know".
Kei just stare at fay and didn't say anything.
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Meanwhile Sofia just get off her jet and was heading towards the where Beach kei and fay are. Sofia ride a BMW Car.
BROOM
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BROOM
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BROOM
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BROOM
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"Is that a scheduled guest?" Fay asked, her smile faltering
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Kei stood up, squinting toward the forest path that led to the villa's entrance.
"No. No one is supposed to be on this part of the island tonight."
The heavy wooden doors of the garden entrance swung open with a violent force.
BANG!
The resort staff scrambled out of the way, looking terrified.
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Clack
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Clack
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Clack
...
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Walking down the stone path, her heels clicking dangerously against the rock, was a woman who looked like she had just stepped off a runway in Milan. Sofia Vance was clad in a sharp, black silk suit, her hair perfectly sleek and her eyes burning with a cold, predatory fire. She didn't look like a "best friend." She looked like a conqueror.
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Fay stood up, her heart dropping into her stomach. The victory she had felt moments ago evaporated.
"_"
Sofia walked straight to the table, ignoring the food and the candles. She stopped inches away from Kei, her presence commanding the entire space. She didn't look at the ocean, she looked directly at the woman who had been her "servant" and her shadow for fifteen years.
"The porridge wasn't enough, it seems,"
Sofia said, her voice a low, dangerous purr. She finally turned her head to look at Fay, her eyes raking over Fay's white dress with utter disdain.
"I saw your little 'throwback,' Dr. Sterling,"
Sofia continued, her lips curling into a smirk that didn't reach her eyes.
"_"
"Very nostalgic. But as any surgeon should know, you can't live on a heartbeat from fifteen years ago. Especially when the patient has been mine for the last decade."
"×"
Kei looked between the two women, her face pale.
"Sofia… what are you doing here? You should be in the city."
Sofia reached out, her hand lingering on Kei's arm in a way that was far too possessive to be "just friends." She looked at Fay, her eyes challenging her to do something about it.
••••••
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•
"I decided that the 'Original' needed a reminder of who the 'Current and past' is,"
Sofia whispered.
•
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•
The sunset was beautiful, but on that deck, a storm had officially made landfall.