The afternoon sun cast a warm glow through the windshield as i glanced at the list of contacts the homeowner had provided. My fingers hovered over the phone's keypad, contemplating the next call. Toni sat beside me, alert and ready.

"Let's see if this lead gets us anywhere," i murmured, dialing the first number on the list.

The phone rang a few times before a voice answered.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is this Maya? I was given your number regarding a recent event with someone named Sylvia, at a house you might have worked at not too long ago."

She sounded hesitant. "Yes, I did some work at a house recently. Who's this?"

"Well... My name is Sebastian. I'm trying to locate someone named Sylvia. She organized an event at that house. I believe you were involved?"

"Oh, that shoot? Yeah, I was part of that. It was for some kind of mock wedding scene."

"Mock wedding?"

"Yeah, it wasn't a real wedding. Just a staged event. That woman named Sylvia was directing the whole thing."

"Do you have any idea where I might find her now?"

"I remember she mentioned heading to a café downtown after the shoot. It's called Café Luna. Maybe you can catch some info about her there."

"Thank you, Maya. I appreciate your help."

I ended the call and turned to Toni. "She mentioned a place called Café Luna downtown. Let's head there."

The address provided by the hired actress turned out to be quite a distance away—practically on the outskirts of town. As we drove toward this new location, my mind wandered. Lately, I've been plagued by an unshakable sense of unease, a nagging feeling that something bad is looming. I can't pinpoint what it is, but it's been affecting my behavior, making me overly protective of El. Our marriage is still fresh, just weeks old, and I worry that my constant hovering might eventually push her away.

I gazed up at the clear sky through the car window, the sunlight streaming in. On impulse, I rolled down the window slightly to let in the fresh air.

Toni glanced over from the driver's seat. "Would you like me to turn off the AC, sir? Maybe open the sunroof?"

"Sure," I replied, welcoming the idea of fresh air.

He switched off the air conditioning and opened the sunroof, allowing a gentle breeze to fill the car.

"It's been a while since I've enjoyed air this fresh," I remarked, taking a deep breath.

"You've been busy with work. Maybe after this situation is resolved, you and your wife could take a short vacation," Toni suggested.

His words struck a chord. I realized that El and I hadn't even considered a honeymoon. After our sudden wedding, life resumed its hectic pace—me with the new branch opening, and El immersed in her studies. We hadn't taken the time to celebrate our union properly.

"You know, Toni," i speak slowly, "I think it's time El and I took a break. Maybe a honeymoon, finally."

Toni glanced over, a smile forming. "That's a great idea, sir. You both deserve it."

"You're right," I admitted. "We should plan a getaway. It's overdue."

"Still plenty of time, sir. You're newlyweds, after all," Toni said with a chuckle.

I smiled, already envisioning a peaceful retreat with El. The thought of spending uninterrupted time together, away from all the stress, was incredibly appealing. I couldn't wait to share this idea with her.

The late afternoon sun cast a golden hue over the city as we pulled up to Café, nestled in a charming historic building in downtown Raleigh. The café's warm ambiance and the gentle clinking of cutlery against plates offered a brief respite from the tension that had been building up.

Toni and I stepped inside, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods enveloping us. The place was bustling, with patrons engaged in lively conversations. Toni approached the counter, engaging a barista in a quiet conversation. I watched as he gestured subtly, likely inquiring about Sylvia.

After a few minutes, Toni returned, a hint of intrigue in his eyes.

"One of the baristas mentioned overhearing a conversation between Sylvia and a colleague," he said. "They talked about heading to an apartment complex called 'The Oaks' on the outskirts of town."

I nodded, processing the information. "Did they mention why they were going there?"

"Not specifically," Toni replied. "But it seemed like it was related to their next plans."

I glanced around the café once more, taking in the details, before turning back to Toni.

"Alright," I said, determination settling in. "Let's head to The Oaks and see if we can find more answers."

As we exited the cafe the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the city as we navigated through unfamiliar streets. The GPS guided us toward the apartment complex mentioned by the barista at Café. The city's evening bustle was evident—pedestrians hurried along sidewalks, and the aroma of street food wafted through the air.

As we approached the complex, I noticed the building's modern architecture contrasted with the older structures nearby. The entrance was illuminated by soft lighting, and a security guard stood at the gate, monitoring arrivals.

Toni glanced at me, concern evident in his eyes.

"Sir, it's getting late," he said, his voice tinged with hesitation. "Perhaps we should consider finding a place to stay for the night before proceeding further."

I looked at the time—8:45 PM. The day's events had been draining, and the prospect of continuing our search in the dark was less than appealing.

"You're right, Toni," I conceded. "Let's find a nearby hotel, rest for the night, and approach this with fresh eyes in the early morning."

He nodded, relief washing over his features. "I'll look up some accommodations nearby."

Toni navigated through the city streets, eventually pulling up to a modern hotel with a sleek facade.

"This place looks good, sir. I'll check us in."

He returned shortly with a keycard and a smile?

"You're all set in room 312. It's a comfortable room with all the amenities."

I thanked him and made my way to the room. Inside, the room was well-appointed, with a plush bed, a desk, and a window offering a view of the city skyline. I set down my bag and sat on the bed, letting out a sigh of relief.

The events of the day played back in my mind—the search for Sylvia, the unexpected leads, and the growing sense of unease that had been gnawing at me. I knew I needed rest, but my thoughts were restless.

I picked up my phone and sent a quick message to El:

"Hey love, just checked into a hotel for the night. Long day. Miss you."

Her reply came almost instantly:

"Miss you too. Get some rest. We'll talk tomorrow."

I smiled, comforted by her words. After a quick shower, I slipped under the covers, hoping that sleep would bring clarity for the day ahead.

***