CHAPTER 1: Unexpected One

The endless ocean glowed brightly under the golden Sun, its surface glittering like diamonds. White fluffy clouds move slowly across the blue sky, the waves sound making the scene pacific and beautiful. It was nearly 10 o'clock, and the ship was filled with joy and excitement.

Damien stood upright by the railing, peering at the horizon, though his mind was miles away. His father, Blackwood, stood beside him, exuding fulfillment. "Serena finally found someone she deserved, and she is a strong woman like your mom," Blackwood said with a satisfied smile. You're happy for her, right?"

Damien moved his head slightly up and down and simpered his lips lightly, though his mind was absent. "Yeah, Dad. It's a big day for her. I am happy for her."

Blackwood sensed the hesitation in his son's voice. "You don't sound too convinced."

Damien remains emotionless and keeps a watchful eye on the guests. "It's just nervous, I guess. I really want everything to go smoothly" 

"Everything going to be perfect, my son, don't confuse your mind"

Damien shook his head at once and he went to welcome the guests.

Inside one of the luxurious cabins, the groom, William, adjusted his tie in front of a large mirror. His father, James, entered with a hearty laugh, clapping a hand on his shoulder.

"My boy, getting married today!" he exclaimed. "You're finally going to marry your crush. How does it feel?" 

William couldn't hold his eagerness anymore, but his hopeful smile remained. "Yes, Dad. This is the best day of my life, and I've waited so long for this moment," he said while looking in the mirror and adjusting his undercut hairstyle, but his mind was thinking about Serena.

Just then, his mother entered the room, holding a single rose. She pinned it to his coat, kissed him gently on the cheek, and watched him head to toe. "Wow!! My man is so handsome, I can't take my eyes off you," her mom says with happy tears. "I can't believe this is happening. I am going to be a Mother-in-law soon"

"Mom..., please... don't start crying," William said with a shaky laugh holding her hands. "Don't make me emotional too, if you cry, I might cry too."

She immediately wiped her eyes from her face and smiled back. " I am not crying baby it's just happy tears. All right, all right. Now, let's go. It's time for the ceremony. The guests are waiting." 

"Yes Mom," he replied, confidently holding his parents' hands as they made their way to the top deck. The wedding decorations shimmered in the sunlight, beautifully contrasting with the vast blue sea. Guests mingled with bright, joyful faces, their laughter resonating with the clinking of glasses, while the staff efficiently ensured that every arrangement was perfect.

When William Stepped towards the altar, he felt a surge of happiness and excitement bubbling up inside him.

His friends " He waited so long for this day… bet he won't wait at all tonight! " One of his friends shouted with a mischievous grin.

He chuckled, knowing he'd said too much, "F*uck Off, You guys are horrible" he muttered, but his smile never wavered, and he was just thrilled for what was coming.

On the other side, Damien sat with his close one, casually chatting about family but time flew fast.

But soon, the whispers began.

"Where's the bride?"

"How long does she take?" 

The murmurs spread like wildfire, rippling through the crowd. James noticed the unease situation and approached Emiko, his voice calm but firm. "Where's Serena? We're already running late."

"Oh! James, Damien's father already went to check on her, cabin" Emiko replied, glancing nervously at the hall entrance.

Sensing the growing tension, Damien stepped forward. "I'll check on her," he said tersely. Emiko followed closely behind, her own unease intensifying.

Meanwhile, outside Serena's cabin, Blackwood knocked lightly. "Serena, it's time. Come on, dear. Everyone is waiting for you." he said, his voice calm yet firm.

But there was no response on the other side of the room; he knocked again, harder this time. "Serena? Are you alright?"

He exchanged a worried glance and checked nearby rooms, but no rooms were open, so he thought to ask his son for help. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and called Damien.

"Son," Blackwood said when Damien answered, "Serena's door is locked, and she's not answering."

Damien understood the weight of the current situation. "Don't worry, Dad. I am already coming there. "He and Emiko hurried to his father, who was standing outside the cabin.

After reaching, Damien asked, sounding nervous, "Dad, did she say anything? Have you tried calling her phone?"

"Yes, son, but her phone is ringing inside the room, and she's not answering," Blackwood replied, looking worried in his voice.

Damien knocked on the door himself again. "Serena? It's Damien"

"Open the damn door!" he shouted and knocked continuously.

But still no answer inside the cabin.

When silence greeted him, he turned to Emiko. "Can you get the spare key from the management office? Quickly."

She shook her head fast and rushed down the stairs to the management office, her footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. Bursting through the door, she spoke in a rush, her words tumbling out like a runaway train. "Officer, we need the spare key for room 505. Right now!"

The officer raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "May I ask the purpose, ma'am?"

Her breath hitched; she tried to steady her voice and swelled her saliva making her throat getting wet. "The bride... is locked inside, and she's not responding. We need to check on her immediately." Her words wavered each syllable heavy with fear and urgency.

The officer recognized her urgency and handed her the key.

Without wasting a second, she ran back upstairs to room 505. She handed him the key and took a deep breath, and Damien's hands shook in nervousness and finally, he unlocked the door. When he pushed it open, the room was eerily quiet—and empty.

They stepped into the cabin and searched every area, but Serena was nowhere to be found. Damien's eyes darted around the room, his disbelief growing with every passing second. "Where is she?" he whispered, his voice deep with shock.

His gaze fell on the bathroom door, slightly ajar. He moved closer to the door, cautiously, his heart pounding like he could hear his own heartbeat. Pushing the door open, after seeing Serena had escaped through the window, Damien lay frozen as ice, unable to process what he had been seeing. His mind was completely blank, and his body refused to move.

Emiko just entered the same spot and spotted a rope through the window with a shocked reaction, but her mind was not, she went to flashback to the early morning. It was nearly 3:45 AM. Emiko could feel the weight of the hour and cold breeze outside, the silence pressing in as she stepped closer to the window where Serena tied the last piece of her dress to rope.

"Is the rope ready, Serena?" Emiko whispered, barely making a sound.

Serena's eyes were red, and her face was tear-streaked. Her hands shook in fear, and her eyes were filled with a mix of sadness and resolve. "Yes… almost."

Emiko's gaze shifted to the nearby dressing table where a letter lay. She walked over and picked it up, feeling her heart tighten in her chest as she read the letter Serena had written. Her eyes narrowed; she took in the hastily scribbled note.

Emiko blinked, and she processed the letter. Serena wrote," I left last night? " Scanning the letter with confusion but she is still here. "Why?"