Chapter 13: Crimson In Water.

The loud music from the party pounded in my ears like a drum. The laughter of my guests mixed with the clinking of glasses, filling the air with excitement. But my heart was racing for a different reason.

 I stood at the gate of my house, staring at the group outside. Miss Meg and her friends were waiting, their arms crossed, their faces full of smirks. I knew them—they were trouble. If I let them in, my perfect party could turn into chaos.

 My stomach twisted. I had to make a choice.

 Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward. "Listen, Meg," I said, my voice firm. "I'll let you in. But—" I raised one finger, my eyes locked onto hers. "Two of my guards will follow you everywhere. If you or your friends cause any trouble, even a little, I'll throw you out immediately. Do you understand?"

 Meg tilted her head, her lips curling into a slow smile. She didn't look scared—she looked amused. Like she was enjoying this.

 I turned to my security team—big men in black suits—and nodded toward the gate. "Let them in," I ordered. Then, pointing at two guards, I said, "You two, stay with them. Don't let them out of your sight."

 As Meg's group walked past me, their laughter too loud, their elbows pushing people aside, I grabbed Meg's wrist. Her skin was warm, her pulse steady under my fingers. I leaned close, my lips almost touching her ear, and whispered, "If you ruin my party—if you even breathe wrong—you'll regret it."

 My words were sharp, like a knife wrapped in silk.

 Meg didn't pull away. She just smiled wider. Then she walked into the crowd, my guards following like shadows.

 I let out a slow breath. The party was still going, but the air felt different now—heavy, like a storm was coming.

 The night wasn't just mine anymore.

 I had given Meg the power to destroy it.

 The Desperate Search

 The party was wild now, full of dancing and shouting. But I couldn't relax.

 I turned to my guards, my voice low but strong. "Watch everyone carefully," I said. "If anyone acts suspicious, throw them out."

 They nodded, their faces serious.

 I walked into the crowd, my eyes searching.

 Favour.

 Where was she?

 I pushed through the dancing bodies, scanning every face. The music was too loud, the laughter too sharp. But I didn't care—I had to find her.

 Then I saw a group of girls near the bar, looking confident and relaxed. I forced a polite smile. "Excuse me," I said. "Have any of you seen Favour?"

 They shook their heads, not even looking interested.

 "Okay, thanks," I muttered, my stomach twisting. "Enjoy the party."

 One of them just shrugged.

 I kept moving, asking everyone I saw. But no one had seen Favour.

 My heart pounded faster.

 Then I remembered—the pool.

 The Horrible Discovery

 The pool area was quiet, almost too quiet. The water shimmered under the dim lights, making ghostly reflections on the ground.

 And there she was.

 Favour stood alone, her back to me, staring up at the sky like she was lost in thought.

 "Favour!" I called, running toward her.

 But as I got closer, a cold fear crawled up my spine.

 Why was she alone?

 The pool was supposed to be crowded. Why was no one else here?

 I slowed down, my instincts screaming at me. When I reached her, I gently touched her shoulder. "Favour… are you okay?"

 Then—

 She collapsed.

 Time stopped as her body fell forward, hitting the water with a loud splash.

 And then I saw it—the dark red stain spreading across her clothes.

 Blood.

 The Race Against Time

 My brain took a second to catch up.

 She had been stabbed.

 Without thinking, I jumped into the pool, the cold water swallowing me. I grabbed Favour, pulling her out with all my strength. Her skin was pale, her breathing weak.

 I ripped her clothes aside, revealing a deep, bleeding wound in her stomach.

 "No, no, no—"

 I couldn't waste time. I lifted her into my arms and ran toward the back gate, my car keys already in my hand. The noise of the party faded behind me, replaced by the sound of my own heartbeat.

 The Drive to Hell

 The engine roared as I sped down the road, Favour slumped in the passenger seat. One hand gripped the steering wheel, the other pressed hard against her wound. I could feel her blood soaking through my fingers.

 "Stay with me, just stay with me," I begged, my voice shaking.

 The streetlights blurred as I drove faster, heading toward the nearest hospital.

 Then—

 A deafening horn.

 I looked up—

 A huge truck was coming straight at me.

 Boom.

 To Be Continued…