FATAL TROUBLE (REVERSE HAREM)

Part 67

Today is the seventeenth day of your trip and it feels like you have been here for seventeen months.

You rolled over to your side, pulling the blanket closer to your chin and grabbed your phone. Set on top of the notification bar was Leah's messages of last night pictures and a goodbye note.

Even if you both met for a short time period but still she felt so close to you that parting ways with her made you so sad. But, leaving all this aside, you searched for the particular text which you are used to seeing in every morning. A good morning with a smiley face from your aunt. It's not there. Last seen was a picture of her you had sent last night after editing it perfectly. It was her side profile under the setting sunlight.

You sat upright, the blanket falling from your shoulder when you dialed your aunt's number and waited for her to pick up while staring at the glass balcony door.

The line was dead. No one picked up your call.

You repeated your action three times but nothing came back as a response.

You stood up with an uneasy feeling gnawing at your chest, the faint sunlight filtering through the curtains doing nothing to dispel the sense of dread. First you decided to freshen up and then decided to try calling her again.

Hurriedly, after exiting the bathroom, reaching for your phone on the nightstand, you checked the screen, hoping for a notification—anything—from your aunt. Nothing. The familiar pang of worry sharpened, and you sit up, scrolling through the unanswered calls. Each attempt remains unanswered, and your mind begins to spiral.

What if something happened to her? What if she's in trouble? You shook your head, trying to push the thoughts away, but they only grew louder, more insistent. You rushed out of your room, your phone still clutched tightly in your hand. The anxiety bubbling inside you was overwhelming, and you're barely aware of your surroundings as you stepped into the living room.

The sound of low murmurs and soft laughter filled the space, and you looked up to see all seven of them sitting together on the couch. They're huddled close, some scrolling on their phones while others chat quietly. The sight would normally bring you comfort, but in your current state, it barely registered. Your face was pale, your breaths shallow, and your hands trembled slightly as you clutched your phone to your chest.

The change in the atmosphere is immediate. Sunoo, who's sitting closest to where you stood, noticed your distressed expression and was on his feet in an instant. His eyes widened as he took in your panicked state, and without hesitation, he stepped towards you.

"Ella, what's wrong?" he asked gently, his voice laced with concern. He placed a comforting hand on your arm before moving to cup your face. His touch was soft but grounding, forcing you to focus on him even as your mind raced.

"I...I've been calling and texting my aunt since morning," you managed to stammer, your voice shaking. "She's not answering. No texts, no calls. It's not like her, and I'm really scared something happened."

The words tumbled out in a rush, and as soon as they did, the tears you've been holding back threatened to spill over. Sunoo's expression softened even further, and he glanced over his shoulder at the others, silently conveying the seriousness of the situation.

Jay didn't waste a second. Rising from his spot on the couch, he strode over to you and gently pulled you towards him. Before you could protest, you found yourself on his lap, his arms wrapping around you securely. His warmth and steady presence felt like an anchor, and you let yourself lean into him as your emotions started to overflow.

"It's okay, baby" he murmured, his voice low and soothing as one hand rubbing slow circles on your back. "You're not alone in this. We're here, okay? We'll figure it out together. She might be busy with work."