It was already past noon when the whole house finally started to come alive again. Elisse was the first one to wake up, probably because of Jessa’s dramatic snoring last night that almost made her dream about goats screaming. She rolled her eyes, shoved a pillow over her face, and groaned.
"Why is she even here," Elisse mumbled to herself.
Downstairs, Leo was already cooking eggs that were half burnt, half raw, but he was dancing while doing it, so no one dared to interrupt his so-called masterpiece. Zeyon sat silently at the kitchen counter, just staring at his coffee like it was whispering secrets to him. Allison wasn’t downstairs yet, but Zeyon already knew. He could feel her presence or maybe he just missed her already, again. Ugh.
The sound of fast footsteps on the stairs came, and it was Elisse. Her face was serious, like the world was ending.
"You guys. Someone's at the door. A guy."
Leo dropped the spatula.
Zeyon stood up.
"What kind of guy?" Jessa yawned from the corner, stretching like a cat.
"Tall. Pale. Eyes like... like he will stab your soul."
Zeyon froze.
Leo laughed nervously. "Like knives?"
Elisse nodded. "Exactly. Eyes like knives."
"Oh my God..." Zeyon whispered.
Allison suddenly came running down the stairs, her hair still messy, but her eyes wide open. "Did you say tall? Pale?"
Before Elisse could answer, the doorbell rang again.
Ding dong.
Zeyon didn't wait. He walked toward the door like a soldier walking into war. Leo followed behind. Elisse grabbed Allison’s hand tightly. Jessa just yawned again like it was all boring.
The door creaked open.
And there he was.
Tall. Pale. Sharp suit. And yes those eyes. Those damn knife-like eyes. Cold, unreadable.
"Hello," the guy said, voice low, smooth, dangerous.
Everyone just stared at him.
"Allison Amarin?" he asked, scanning the room like he already knew everyone’s names.
Zeyon stepped forward. "Who are you?"
"Oh," the guy smiled lightly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "My name is Sylas. I’m here for Allison."
Allison gripped Elisse’s hand tighter. Zeyon looked like he was about to explode.
"What do you mean 'here for her'?" Leo asked, now standing beside his best friend.
Sylas chuckled, taking a small step forward, but Elisse immediately blocked him. "No offense, Mr. Vampire-vibes, but you better explain yourself first."
Sylas tilted his head. "I didn’t mean to scare anyone. I’m Allison’s... let’s just say... an old family friend."
Allison suddenly spoke. "I know him. I saw him before. In my dreams."
"WHAT?!" Everyone screamed.
Sylas chuckled again. "She’s not wrong."
"What in the anime plot is happening right now?" Leo whispered.
Zeyon’s jaw tightened. His eyes locked on Allison. "Why didn’t you tell me you knew someone like him?"
Allison looked confused. "I didn’t. I thought... it was just dreams. But now he's here."
"Oh my God, she summoned a demon by accident," Jessa finally joined the chaos.
"I’m not a demon," Sylas smiled. "Though... I do like strawberry cake."
Elisse blinked. "Okay, plot twist. What."
Sylas stepped back politely. "If this is a bad time—"
Zeyon stepped in front of Allison. "No. Wait. You said you’re a family friend. Then where have you been all these years? Why now?"
Sylas hesitated. Just for a second. But that was enough.
Allison saw it. "You’re hiding something."
Sylas nodded. "I’ll explain. Maybe not all of it now. But at least... let’s start with the truth."
He looked at everyone.
"I used to work for your father. Allison."
Allison froze.
"My... dad?"
"He’s not dead."
"WHAT?!"
Zeyon pulled Allison behind him.
"Liar," Elisse said.
"Wait," Allison’s voice trembled. "What do you mean he’s not dead? They told me—"
"He went into hiding. He made me promise never to reveal it... unless something happened."
"And something happened?" Leo asked, serious for once.
Sylas nodded. "Yes. A letter. Arrived last week. Sealed with his code. And it said one thing. ‘Find Allison. Protect her. They are coming.’"
Silence fell.
"Who’s coming?" Zeyon asked.
Sylas looked at him. "I was hoping you could tell me that. Because he mentioned your name too, Zeyon."
Zeyon’s eyes widened.
Elisse gasped. "Okay. This just turned into a movie."
Jessa sat up. "I feel like I missed five seasons of a show I didn’t even know existed."
Allison sat down slowly, her hands shaking. "So my dad... is alive."
Sylas nodded. "And in danger. Which means... you are too."
Zeyon sat beside her. "I won’t let anything happen to you."
Elisse stood there, frozen. Leo just mumbled, "What the heck is going on in this family?"
Sylas cleared his throat. "I’ll stay nearby. Don’t worry. I won’t bring trouble. I just need to be close. To make sure she’s safe."
Jessa raised her brow. "And what if you are the trouble?"
Sylas smiled that unreadable smile again. "Then I guess you’ll have to trust me... or watch me."
Leo laughed nervously. "Oh don’t worry. We’ll watch you like hawks."
Elisse muttered, "With tasers."
The room was still buzzing with tension and secrets.
But one thing was sure.
This group? Was about to face something way bigger than burnt eggs and coffee.
And Allison?
She wasn’t just a normal girl anymore.
Not after this.