THE STRANGENESS BEGINS

Vero still heard strange, unsettling noises. Uneasy, she quickly finished her lunch and left the room. Rachel followed, concern etched on her face.

“Vero, why are you leaving so suddenly? What’s wrong?” she asked.

Vero shook her head, trying to compose herself. “Chel... I just don’t feel comfortable here. Something’s not right in this villa.”

Rachel looked confused. “What do you mean?”

Just then, Reza walked over, having finished his meal. He noticed the tension and stepped closer.

“Honey, what’s going on?” he asked gently.

“I want to go home, Reza. This place… it’s wrong. I’m scared,” Vero whispered.

“Oh, come on. We just got here this morning and you already want to leave? Don’t sulk—it’s embarrassing, especially in front of our friends. Besides, Ersa and Rachel are here. We’re only staying for two days…” Reza replied, trying to sound calm, but clearly annoyed.

Rachel reached out and wrapped her arm around Vero. “It’s okay, Vero. You’re not alone. Ersa and I are here for you.”

Vero fell silent. After a deep breath, she nodded reluctantly and returned with them to the villa’s main living room.

Lunch had wrapped up, and everyone was lounging around. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Mrs. Siti had just arrived to prepare lunch and was surprised by what she saw.

“Oh my… why are there so many dirty dishes already? I haven’t even started cooking,” she murmured.

She paused, puzzled.

Maybe they ordered food from outside?

Shaking off the odd feeling, Mrs. Siti began cleaning up the kitchen and then moved on to tidy the yard.

Back in the living room, the group sat chatting, sharing stories. Frans was telling the tale of how he met Rachel. She laughed, recalling the quirky moment fondly. Not to be outdone, Reza chimed in with the story of his first encounter with Vero.

Vero stayed quiet, forcing a smile. But deep inside, jealousy simmered.

I wanted Frans to love me. But he chose Rachel...

Mrs. Siti later arrived to serve drinks.

“Mrs. Siti, thank you. The food earlier was delicious and ready just as we arrived,” Andre said cheerfully.

Mrs. Siti paused.

Food? I haven’t cooked anything yet...

Trying not to alarm anyone, she quickly forced a smile.

“Oh yes… I came by earlier and no one was here. So I figured I’d prepare something while waiting,” she said.

Andre nodded, grateful. “Thank you. That was very kind of you.”

Mrs. Siti handed him a cup of tea and quickly excused herself, her thoughts racing.

How could there have been food...?

As evening fell, they gathered outdoors in the villa’s central gazebo, sharing a cozy dinner under the open sky. Couples leaned into each other, laughter drifting with the breeze.

But something lingered beneath the calm. Something that only Vero could feel…

THE NIGHT UNFOLDS

“Wow, the vibe here is amazing,” said Frans, stretching lazily.

“Feels like a romantic dinner,” Reza added, pulling Vero closer with a loving smile.

But Vero could barely hide the storm brewing inside her. Watching Frans tenderly feed Rachel made her stomach twist.

Damn it. Why did he choose her? she thought bitterly.

Ersa giggled, snapping candid shots of the couples.

“Hey! What if tomorrow we host a romance-off? Frans vs. Reza!” she teased.

Laughter echoed across the gazebo. The mood was light, hearts full.

After dinner, they lingered under the moonlight, swapping stories and laughter. As midnight crept in, the group dispersed—girls retreating to the guest villa, boys to the main one.

Frans and Reza drifted off quickly, but Andre stayed up, curating the perfect Instagram post.

A gentle knock broke his focus.

“Just a sec…” he called out.

Andre opened the door—and there stood a beautiful young woman holding a tray of snacks.

“Excuse me… who are you?”

“I’m Dewi, the caretaker’s daughter,” she answered softly.

Andre blinked. “I’m Andre—the villa’s owner. Thanks, but… my friends?”

“I’ve taken care of them. This is for you—specially,” Dewi smiled sweetly.

Andre smiled back. “Well… thank you. It’s lovely to meet you, Dewi.”

“You’re welcome. I should go now. Good night,” she said with a graceful nod.

Andre placed the dish on his desk, but something else caught his eye: an antique hand mirror sitting mysteriously beside the tray.

That wasn’t here before. Must be Dewi’s...

He turned to return it—but the hallway was empty. No trace of her.

Lying back down, Andre couldn’t shake her image from his mind.

She’s beautiful… but no—I have Ersa. I promised to be faithful.

His gaze drifted to the mirror again. Its frame was ornate, aged... unsettling.

Maybe I’ll ask Mrs. Siti tomorrow. She can return it.

He set the mirror aside and nibbled on the snack. Soon, sleep claimed him.

A NIGHTMARE BEGINS

Across the villa, Vero struggled to sleep. Ersa and Rachel were fast asleep, but Vero couldn’t escape the whispers echoing in her mind.

“Vero… come here, child. Come here…”

The voice was raspy. Hollow. Unrelenting. Vero covered her ears with a pillow—no use. It seeped through, louder, closer.

Just as she began drifting off, a loud banging jolted her awake.

“What the hell? Who’s banging on my door?” she muttered, heart racing.

She stumbled to the door and flung it open—empty hallway. No one.

“Who’s there?! That’s not funny!” she shouted, voice trembling.

Shutting the door, she hurried back to bed. But something felt off... wrong. She turned over—and froze.

A woman lay next to her, face pale and eyes wide and bulging.

“AHHHHH—A GHOST!” Vero screamed, bolting upright.

The figure slithered toward her, crawling, relentless.

“HELP! HELP ME! LEAVE ME ALONE!”

She hurled pillows, books—anything she could reach. Chaos erupted.

Ersa, groggy from the noise, stumbled into Vero’s room.

“Vero?! What are you doing?” she gasped.

Vero ran straight into Ersa’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

“There was a ghost... she was right beside me…”

“Shhh... I’m here now. You’re safe,” Ersa whispered, holding her tight.

“Please, sleep with me tonight,” Vero begged, still shaking.

Ersa nodded gently. “Come on. Let’s go to my room.”

She led Vero away, gave her some warm tea, and they lay down together. Vero, still hearing whispers, buried her head in a pillow.

Eventually, exhaustion won.

THE MORNING AFTER

The next morning, Vero was quiet. Her usual spark... gone.

Rachel and Ersa returned from a morning jog and found Vero staring blankly.

“Didn’t sleep well?” asked Ersa.

“I couldn’t. The voices… they came again,” Vero murmured.

“But you were with me. You still heard them?” Ersa asked, confused.

Vero nodded. “Only slept for about an hour…”

Rachel tried to soothe her. “Don’t think about it too much.”

“I can’t!” Vero snapped. “It’s getting louder…”

Suddenly, her eyes locked onto a dark corner of the villa.

“Kyaa!!!” she screamed, bolting upright and running into a room.

She collapsed on the bed, covering her eyes with a pillow, sobbing again. Ersa and Rachel rushed after her. Ersa pulled Vero into her arms.

“What did you see?!”

Vero trembled. “A ghost… a headless ghost…”

“There’s nothing there, Vero,” Rachel said softly.

Just then, Reza walked in.

“Let’s have breakfast. We’ll go for a walk after…” he invited cheerfully.

“Wait, Reza. Vero’s crying. She didn’t sleep last night,” Ersa explained.

Reza’s smile faded. “Why?”

“She was pacing all night. Said she heard things… and now she saw a ghost,” Ersa said.

“A ghost? In daylight?” Reza asked, stunned.

“I don’t get it either. But she keeps seeing… something,” Rachel added.

Reza approached Vero gently. “Ersa, Rachel—go on ahead. I’ll talk to her.”

They nodded and left. Reza sat beside Vero, hugging her close.

“Let’s go home, Reza… please,” she whispered.

“Sweetheart, you need to breathe… You’re safe with me. I’ll protect you.”

“But I’m scared,” Vero said, her voice breaking.

“Sshhh. You’re not alone, okay? I promise—I won’t let anything harm you.”

He held her until her sobs faded into silence.

“Come on. Let’s eat. Let’s join the others.”

Vero wiped her tears and managed a faint smile. Hand in hand, they walked back to join the group for breakfast.

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