The soft morning light filtered through the curtains of Jade’s hotel room as she stretched, feeling a sense of relief that the masquerade ball was behind her. The night had been a whirlwind of tension, masked strangers, and that unsettling note warning her to leave. But now, in the quiet comfort of the morning, she felt a small sense of peace.
She quickly showered, dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a cream sweater, and tied her hair into a loose bun before heading to the dining area. The savory aroma of something cooking greeted her as soon as she stepped out.
When she entered the kitchen, she stopped in her tracks. Milan, Enzo, and Thiago were gathered around the stove and counter, each looking surprisingly domestic. Milan was expertly flipping eggs in a pan, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Enzo was chopping fresh herbs, his dark hair slightly disheveled, while Thiago was buttering toast with a lazy smirk on his face.
“Good morning,” Milan greeted without looking up, his voice calm and even as usual.
Jade blinked, trying to process the sight. “Good morning. What… what’s going on here?”
“We’re making breakfast,” Thiago said, his grin widening as he popped a piece of toast into his mouth. “Don’t sound so shocked.”
“Yeah, we can be normal sometimes,” Enzo added with a playful smirk, sprinkling the herbs onto a platter. “Not always suited up and bossy.”
Jade crossed her arms, leaning against the doorway with a raised brow. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”
Milan finally turned to face her, carrying a plate of perfectly cooked eggs. “Sit down. You need to eat after last night.”
“Last night?” Jade repeated, tilting her head.
“You looked tense,” Milan said simply, his piercing blue eyes meeting hers. “Events like that can be… overwhelming.”
Jade hesitated but eventually sat at the small dining table. Thiago slid a plate of toast and jam toward her, while Enzo set down a bowl of freshly sliced fruit.
“Thanks,” she said softly, feeling oddly touched by their effort.
Thiago took the seat across from her, biting into his toast. “So, any plans for today?”
“Not really,” Jade replied, spearing a piece of fruit with her fork. “Just trying to unwind a bit before whatever chaos you three throw my way next.”
Enzo chuckled. “Fair enough. We’ll try to keep the chaos to a minimum.”
The relaxed atmosphere was short-lived. As Jade picked up her coffee cup, her phone buzzed on the table, the screen lighting up with a number she recognized immediately: the hospital.
Her stomach sank. She quickly answered, her voice tight with worry. “Hello?”
“Ms. Nguyen?” a woman’s voice came through, calm but professional.
“Yes, this is Jade,” she said, her pulse quickening.
“This is Nurse Ramirez from the St. Vincent’s Medical Center,” the woman continued. “We’re calling to inform you that your grandmother was admitted earlier this morning. She experienced a sudden episode of dizziness and shortness of breath.”