Chloe smiled and welcomed them in. Embraces were shared all around. “So good to finally meet you in person!”
After all, they had only ever FaceTimed.
Destiny and Alyssa were beautiful, but in different ways, their personalities markedly different, though they got along the best. Alyssa was a petite brunette with delicate features and a quiet disposition, often fading into the background on purpose, where Destiny drew every eye her way. Her features were striking, exotic some might say, her unique looks suited to an international runway model.
When Destiny spoke, people listened. Not because she demanded it but because they simply wanted to. There was just something about her that made everyone gravitate her way. As if she were the center of a universe they didn’t know existed until they met her. Her straight hair was silky platinum, and her ivory skin flawless. Her wide, almond shaped eyes were dark blue flecked with pale grey, almost appearing silvery black.
“No sign of Ciara, then?” Destiny said. She drifted into the living room curiously, her focus on the mantle. More specifically, the red velvet box resting on it.
“No.” Chloe narrowed in on the box that had held her ring. That still held three more. “Have you heard from her?”
“Of course not,” Alyssa replied softly, her eyes on the box as well. “What is that, Des?”
Destiny went to pick the box up but stopped, her hand hovering over it before she pulled away.
“It’s—” Madison began, but Chloe touched her arm and shook her head, wondering what Destiny would say. Why she had stopped like that.
“It’s for you, Alyssa.” Destiny finally touched the box, handing it to Alyssa. Her perceptive but troubled gaze swept over Chloe’s and Madison’s rings before returning to Alyssa. “Go on, open it.” Her eyes turned to Chloe, different for a moment in a way she couldn’t explain. “And you’ll want to open the door.”
She started to reply but snapped her mouth shut when the strangest thing happened.
Someone knocked on the front door.
