Footsteps approached, and Elaina Reyes turned her head to look.

A sophisticated middle-aged woman walked toward her, elegantly dressed in a tailored designer dress, exuding an air of sophistication. Elaina didn’t recognize her but knew she was a guest her mother had invited. The estate was vast, and it seemed the woman had gotten a bit lost.

Elaina gently closed her book, stood up, and offered, “Ma’am, the banquet hall is that way. Would you like me to guide you there?”

"I'm sorry... my English isn't very good. Could you speak a little slower?"

"Of course, ma'am," Elaina replied gently, softening her pace.

And so, they continued on, Elaina patiently keeping her words simple and clear.

Linda Spencer smiled warmly. “I was hoping to head to the stables. Could you show me the way?”

“Oh, certainly,” Elaina replied.

As they walked, Linda asked Elaina for her name and introduced herself. She inquired about the book Elaina had been reading, her hobbies, whether she had traveled, and if she had ever been to Italy.

Elaina found herself enjoying the conversation. Around her neck, she wore a red cord with a silver pendant, inside which lay something dark and mysterious.

Linda Spencer was intrigued. “What’s that around your neck?”

Elaina glanced down, hesitating for a moment before tilting her head in thought.

Linda added, “If it’s personal, you don’t have to tell me.”

“No, ma’am, it’s just that I don’t know the English word for it…” Elaina replied with a bashful smile.

“We call it a ‘relic,’ a sacred object in certain traditions.”

Linda didn’t fully understand; her country was predominantly Christian.

Elaina explained, “It’s a relic from a spiritual leader, formed after cremation. Sometimes, revered practitioners leave behind these relics.”

“So…it’s from a deceased person? Like bone?”

“Yes, exactly.”

Linda was perplexed. This young girl wore what appeared to be a piece of human bone. Her confusion and slight discomfort made Elaina chuckle.

Her youthful smile was bright and genuine. Perhaps it was fate, as Elaina usually didn’t talk so much, but walking with Linda that day, she shared the story behind the amulet:

When she was young, her brother struggled with a heart condition and was frequently unwell. Their parents had taken them abroad, to a renowned mountaintop monastery in the Himalayas famous for its blessings, to seek guidance from a revered spiritual leader there.

The elder scrutinized Elaina for an extended period, eventually rising to circle her, looking upon her with surprise and honor. He proclaimed she had a connection with the divine, a reincarnated deity destined for remarkable challenges and benevolent deeds.

He even suggested she remain at the monastery to grow up there, attain spiritual enlightenment, and become revered by future disciples.

The tale quickly escalated in grandeur. Sending their daughter to a distant monastery at six to be raised as a monastic disciple? That was out of the question!

As they departed, the leader was adamant about placing a revered relic around Elaina’s neck, believing she was meant for a life of compassion and altruism.

(Years later, Elaina’s generous spirit would lead her to establish the world’s largest foundation for assisting disabled and impoverished children, helping countless youngsters and orphans worldwide…).

But that’s a story for another time, a journey through numerous trials and milestones, for her to evolve into such a noble woman.

.

.

They arrived at the stables.

Elaina looked around, first spotting her brother under a canopy, animatedly discussing horse breeds and riding techniques with friends.

Linda pointed in another direction, saying, “Over there, that's my son.”

Hearing this, Elaina shifted her gaze from her brother, looking across to see:

A young man riding a black horse, galloping toward them from a distance.

At that moment, the overcast sky parted, a beam of sunlight illuminating him.

For an instant, Elaina thought he resembled a celestial being descending from the heavens, dazzling in the sunlight, commanding attention.

Grant Wheeler was twenty, an age filled with adventure and mischief.

His striking features, akin to those of a finely crafted sculpture, were exceptionally handsome, flawless. He wore a black leather jacket and gloves, exuding authority as he dismounted the horse gracefully.

“Mom, aren’t you worried about getting too much sun?” he called out.

“It’s fine. This is my new friend—Elaina, oh dear, did I get that wrong, dear?”

“Ha! You can’t even remember her name and call her a friend?” Grant teased, laughing.

The mother-son duo switched into French, their private exchange lost on Elaina. She merely saw a cheerful young man with a radiant smile, eyes full of life.

He glanced her way, casually greeting her, “Hello, pleasure to meet you.”

His English was fluent and unaccented.

After the greeting, Grant was about to mount his horse and leave.

However, his mother stopped him, continuing their dialogue…

.

What???

Hearing something from his mother, Grant suddenly fixed his gaze on Elaina again, looking her over.

His expression shifted to surprise, contemplation, and perhaps a hint of amusement.

Their exchange was lively, filled with back-and-forth repartee. What were they discussing? Were they arguing?

Although Elaina didn’t understand, she felt it was awkward to remain nearby.

She decided to walk over to the rest area where her brother was.

.

Reece and Elaina were fraternal twins, having grown up with a strong bond.

Seeing his sister at the stables, Reece asked, “Elaina, do you want to go for a ride? I can lead the horse for you.”

“No, thanks. It’s not convenient in a skirt.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Linda came to talk to her son. I just showed her the way.”

“Oh,” Reece, also fifteen, was caring and protective of his sister.

Glancing up at the emerging sunshine, he removed his cowboy hat, placing it on Elaina’s head, adjusting the drawstring.

She reminded her brother to be cautious while riding and to stay safe.

.

Spring winds were strong, lifting the hem of her skirt, sending a wisp of hair dancing around her cheek.

Her delicate fingers tucked the stray hair behind her ear, unconsciously turning to look again…

Across several yards, Grant sat on his horse, also watching her.

His gaze…was peculiar.

An enigmatic smile tugged at his lips, cool yet warm, as he looked at her with a meaningful expression…

Elaina Reyes thought little of her brief conversation with Linda Wheeler at the stables and never mentioned it to her mother. She had simply helped a guest find her way across the estate. To Elaina, that was the end of it.

For the Wheeler family, however, it was only the beginning.

Over the next ten days, Linda quietly asked her attorneys and family office to learn more about the Reyes family. She did not order anything invasive or illegal. She reviewed public business records, charitable foundations, school references, and the family’s reputation among mutual acquaintances. The Wheelers were one of Europe’s most influential financial families, and Linda believed that any future connection between the families required careful judgment.

The reports were consistently favorable.

The Reyes family had built its fortune through shipping, hospitality, and commercial real estate. Elaina’s father, Adrian Reyes, was respected in Seattle’s business community, while her mother, Natalia Reyes, had left a successful career in entertainment to raise their children. Their eldest son, Julian, was already showing talent in business. Elaina and her twin brother, Reece, were known as bright, well-mannered students with no public scandals attached to their names.

Elaina’s school described her as disciplined, thoughtful, and unusually accomplished in music. Her teachers praised her academic performance, while family friends spoke warmly of her patience with her grandfather, who had Alzheimer’s disease.

Linda was satisfied.

Ten days later, she returned to the Reyes estate with Grant and several members of the Wheeler family office. There was no absurd convoy and no public proposal. Six cars arrived carrying flowers, wine, books, and several carefully selected family gifts.

The visit was formal but private.

After lunch, Linda explained her intentions to Adrian and Natalia.

“I am not asking for a wedding,” she said. “Elaina is fifteen. She should finish school, travel, and decide what kind of life she wants. I am suggesting that our families allow Grant and Elaina to remain acquainted. When she is older, if they both wish it, we can discuss a formal engagement.”

Adrian looked at his daughter before answering.

“Elaina’s choice comes first.”

“Of course,” Linda said. “Anything else would be unacceptable.”

Later that evening, Adrian called Elaina into the library. Natalia sat beside him, smiling but trying not to appear too eager.

“You met Grant twice,” Adrian said. “What did you think of him?”

Elaina folded her hands in her lap. “He seemed polite.”

Reece, who had followed her into the room without being invited, snorted.

“Polite? He looked at everyone as if he owned the house.”

Natalia gave him a warning look. “No one asked you.”

Adrian turned back to Elaina. “Mrs. Wheeler suggested that the two families stay in contact. Nothing legally binding. No promise you cannot change your mind about. When you are eighteen, you may decide whether you want a formal engagement.”

Elaina hesitated. The idea felt distant and strangely unreal.

“I’m still young,” she admitted.

“That is why no decision is being forced on you,” Adrian said. “You may meet him in family settings. If you dislike him, we end the discussion. If you grow to care for him, we revisit it later.”

Elaina nodded slowly. “Alright.”

Three days later, the families exchanged letters confirming a nonbinding understanding. Richard Wheeler joined by video from Geneva and made it clear that Elaina’s education would not be interrupted.

The arrangement immediately became the favorite topic of conversation in the Reyes household.

Natalia was delighted. Adrian pretended to be calm while looking unmistakably proud. Reece was openly suspicious.

When Grant invited Elaina on a daytime hike with two security officers and a family chaperone following at a distance, Reece insisted on going.

“No,” Natalia said.

“She’s fifteen.”

“And the outing is supervised.”

“I can supervise better.”

“You can annoy everyone better,” Natalia corrected.

The first outing ended with Elaina catching her shoe on a root and scraping both knees.

The second, held at a private skating rink with several relatives present, ended when the fastening on one of her rented skates came loose. She fell hard enough to bruise her forehead.

After two perfectly respectable family outings, the elegant Miss Reyes returned home twice looking as though she had survived a minor disaster.

Reece was no longer merely suspicious.

He was furious.

The Reyes family gathered in the sitting room while Elaina held an ice pack against her forehead.

Natalia paced in front of the fireplace. “Two outings, two injuries. At this rate, the third one will require an ambulance.”

“It was an accident,” Elaina said.

Reece leaned forward. “Was it?”

Adrian shot him a look. “Don’t start.”

“I’m serious. The skate fastening failed. Someone should have checked it.”

“The rink manager already apologized,” Adrian said. “Their staff inspected the equipment afterward.”

“And?”

“The leather strap was worn. It should have been replaced.”

Reece was unconvinced. Once their parents left the room, he followed Elaina upstairs and closed the door behind them.

“Tell me exactly what happened.”

“I put the skates on myself. They felt fine at first. Halfway around the rink, my ankle twisted and I fell.”

“Did Grant choose them?”

“No.”

“Did he touch them?”

“I don’t know. He helped tighten one strap, but that doesn’t mean anything.”

Reece studied her face. “And the hike?”

“I stepped backward while talking and caught my heel near his boot.”

“Near his boot, or on his boot?”

Elaina lowered the ice pack. “You think he tripped me?”

“I think he finds things amusing that other people don’t.”

She wanted to dismiss the idea, but the memory of Grant’s brief smile after she fell unsettled her.

“He carried me back down the trail,” she said. “Why would he deliberately make me fall and then carry me for nearly a mile?”

Reece had no answer for that.

The following weekend, the Wheelers hosted a garden luncheon at their temporary residence outside Seattle. There would be no hiking, skating, or horses. Elaina considered that an improvement.

After lunch, Grant suggested showing her the estate’s renovated observation pavilion. Linda, Natalia, and several guests were nearby, and a security officer walked behind them.

The pavilion stood above the lake and included a short glass-floored viewing platform. Elaina did not realize what it was until she stepped through the doors and looked down.

Her breath vanished.

The lake, gardens, and stone terrace seemed to drop away beneath her feet. Her pulse raced, and her knees weakened so quickly that she had to grip the railing.

Grant glanced at her. For one second, she thought she saw amusement in his eyes.

Then his expression changed.

“Elaina?”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not.”

“I’m afraid of heights.”

He immediately stepped off the glass and held out his hand. “Come back this way.”

“I can do it.”

“You don’t have to prove anything.”

The words surprised her. She closed her eyes and tried to move, but her body refused to cooperate.

Grant lowered his voice. “Don’t look down. Look at me.”

Elaina opened her eyes. His hand remained between them, steady and patient.

She placed her fingers in his.

He guided her back onto the stone floor without pulling or rushing her. Once she was safe, he released her immediately.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t know.”

Elaina’s face was pale. “It’s alright.”

“No, it isn’t. I should have asked.”

For the first time, his apology sounded sincere.

They returned to the terrace, where Linda noticed Elaina’s color and ordered tea. Grant stayed beside her but did not tease her.

That should have reassured Elaina.

Instead, she kept remembering the brief flash in his eyes before concern replaced it.

She could not decide whether she had imagined it.