Right at the doorway was a long, thick line of salt.
Elara’s expression shifted but she didn’t say anything. She simply stepped over it and walked into the room.
Inside, the bed was also surrounded by a full circle of salt neatly drawn as if it were so kind of protective barrier. At the center of it, Ziva was curled tightly into herself wrapped in so many layers of clothing and blankets that she looked like a giant cocoon.
But that wasn’t the strangest part.
Even in her sleep, she held a mop stick tightly in her right hand and a broomstick in her left. Her grip on them were firm as if she was ready to fight at any mont.
Around her on the bed were even more "defensive tools" carefully arranged within her reach. A tal hanger at one side, the bedside lamp at the other.
There was also a slipper positioned near her feet and another one tucked under her arm. Lastly was the small bottle of water sitting beside her.
The sight was so ridiculous that for a brief mont, the sting of Adrian’s words faded completely.
Elara stood there staring at her, then she slowly shook her head. Without saying anything, she turned and walked into the bathroom.
* * *
The next morning, Elara was woken by a throbbing headache. It took her a while before she adjusted to it and slowly sat upright in bed.
Ziva had already gotten up and was busy cleaning up the ss she had made on the floor.
Elara sighed as she stared at her. "What the hell is all this? I almost didn’t recognize the room when I entered last night." she muttered, her voice still rough with sleep.
"Of course I wasn’t sure if you would really co back as you’ve said, and I couldn’t take the risk. So I googled about what to do... and luckily, I found out that saw a line of salt is a ’no entry’ sign for evil spirits or vengeful ghosts," Ziva replied, not turning back. "I’m just trying to survive the night Elara."
"And what about the weapons you’ve gathered around you? Don’t tell you planned to go physical too." Elara asked, shaking her head in mock pity.
Ziva only adjusted the glasses on her nose and cleared her throat. "Just in case," she muttered in reply.
Elara could only sigh as she got out of bed. She assisted her in cleaning up the room and when they were done, Ziva pointed at the bracelet Elara had placed on the locker the night before.
"Where did you get that?" she asked while Elara calmly walked toward the bathroom without much reaction. "Mrs Vale gave it to . I couldn’t refuse it."
As she entered the restroom, Ziva muttered after her, "It doesn’t look ordinary... be careful."...
When everyone gathered in the hall for breakfast, no one said much. It was only few people who greeted each other, most remained quiet, including Elara and Ziva.
Elara noticed that Carris had arrived so she gave him a small nod in greeting when their eyes t, before going to join the table.
The only empty seats were beside Relanie and her assistant, so Elara walked over and sat down without hesitation. Ziva also took the seat beside her.
As she was about to start eating, Relanie suddenly turned to her and flashed a warm smile. "You made it back safely last night."
Elara found her friendly tone irritating.
She always stayed polished and friendly on the outside, while being absolutely rotten underneath.
"Hm," she replied without interest, not even glancing at her.
They hadn’t finished eating when the prop master suddenly appeared looking terrified. "I can’t find one of the bracelets," he said to the director in a low voice, but everyone heard it clearly.
"Which one?" the director asked calmly, still cutting her steak elegantly.
"The pink diamond one," the prop master replied.
The assistant director looked up.
"Have you checked properly?" she asked imdiately while the man sighed. "Of course, ma’am. I’ve searched everywhere thoroughly, even places I’m sure I didn’t put it. I rember clearly where I placed it, and I even saw it last night before I left."
"But everyone had gone to their rooms before you left. I rember that," the director said.
"Yes." the master nodded in reply.
"Strange," Relanie muttered suddenly, her brows furrowing together as if in deep thought. "Are you sure you were the last person to leave? There might have been soone you didn’t notice."
At Relanie’s words, Elara’s hand paused mid motion, but she simply continued eating. Ziva snorted softly but also said nothing.
A few heads turn to Elara’s direction.
"That’s enough," the director said when she noticed the gazes. "We’re not here to accuse anyone. Let’s find it together. It’s important."
After the al, so people went to search, including Elara and Ziva, but nothing was found.
When everyone gathered again, Relanie sighed and spoke, "It’s a pity... I didn’t expect sothing like this to happen here. A filming set... and yet we have thieves."
She didn’t hold back at all and murmurs imdiately spread among the group.
The director cleared her throat and looked around calmly. "It might be that the prop master misplaced it without realizing."
"No, I—" the man tried to speak, but the director cut him off smoothly.
"So if anyone has seen it, please return it," she continued, her gaze moving from one person to another. "That bracelet is important. Aside from being very expensive, we need it for filming. It could affect a lot of things and delay the entire schedule. So please."
The mont she finished speaking, Relanie shifted her gaze to Elara. "Are you sure you didn’t see anything like that?"
"No." Elara replied, her gaze locked on hers expressionlessly.
Relanie nodded and pursed her lips. "Alright."
Then soone from the back suddenly spoke up. "Since it’s sothing this important, why don’t we check each other’s rooms? Just to be fair." After a pause, he added, "The bracelet couldn’t have been taken by the rich lady from the housekeeper’s story... could it?"
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