Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Chapter 1972

[Keep it a secret now. I'll show you when we go back to J City.]

[Good, look forward to it from now on.]

Estelle chuckled to herself and flopped back onto the bed, her phone buzzing with a new video call from Jonathan. "You didn't sleep well last night. Catch some more z's, and let me watch over you while you do."

Estelle sunk her face into the fluffy pillow, her features delicate and serene, whispering softly, "Missing you is keeping me awake."

Jonathan propped himself against the headboard, his gaze intense, "Shall I come over again?"

With a light laugh, Estelle replied, "No need, you rest up."

"Let's just sleep together, keep the video on, let me watch over you!"

Estelle blinked, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of dozing off and Jonathan seeing her all vulnerable and asleep. She quickly opened her eyes again, "I can't sleep with you watching me like that. I'm turning off the video!"

Jonathan's low chuckle filled the air, "You never had trouble sleeping when we were actually together."

"That's different!" Estelle huffed.

"Alright then, turn it off. Get some good sleep," Jonathan's voice was soft and comforting. "By the way, did you have a nightmare last night?"

Estelle hesitated for a moment, "Just some stuff from the past."

Jonathan thought she might have dreamed of her childhood again, a twinge of sympathy flashed in his eyes, "Ella, that's all behind you now." Estelle nodded, "It's just an occasional dream."

"Keep the necklace I gave you on. It's like I'm right there with you. Sleep well."

"You too!" Estelle said with a faint smile. "Turning it off now."

"Mhm."

After ending the video call, Estelle browsed through their previous chat messages, her lips curving into a smile involuntarily. She pressed her wristwatch to her chest, as if feeling the reassuring tick-tock agains her skin.

Yet she didn't dare to sleep again, switching on the bedside lamp, she grabbed a random book to read until dawn.

At seven in the morning, Estelle stepped out, fresh and spirited, only to find a "Santa Claus" slumped outside her door, exhausted from delivering too many gifts to his girlfriends, no doubt. Christmas Day in Zion was unusually quiet during the day.

In the basement, Ivy, who had worked the night shift, made her way back to her quarters. The other maids she passed exhibited looks of terror, stepping aside to let her through, a stark contrast to their usual snobbish demeanor.

Masked, Ivy found this change of attitude peculiar.

Upon entering her room, her roommate Myra was just waking up. Spotting Ivy, Myra ordered without a hint of warmth, "Make me a coffee, will you?"

Accustomed to Myra's demands, Ivy quickly prepared a cup of coffee for her.

Myra carried her coffee to the vanity, admiring her pretty face in the mirror. She glanced back at Ivy, still masked, "You must be quite ugly underneath that, huh?"

Ivy remained silent, head bowed.

Annoyed by Ivy's meekness, Myra decided to ignore her and returned her gaze to the mirror, running her fingers through her hair before freezing abruptly. Her necklace was missing.

The ruby necklace she had saved up for months to bid on at an auction had vanished.

Myra's expression shifted slightly. She figured she must have left it in Zack's room the day before and worried he might deny finding it. She hurriedly changed and went upstairs to his room. Standing outside Zack's door, she knocked, but there was no response.

Figuring Zack might be out at this time, Myra saw an opportunity to search for her necklace herself. She keyed in the passcode, pushed the door open, and tentatively called out, "Mr. Zack?"