Chapter 2 Episode 2

18 YEARS LATER...

★ IRIDESSA'S ROOM – 8 PM ★

Iridessa stepped into her room with a bright, dreamy smile lighting up her face. She closed the door behind her and twirled around in a playful dance, her long blonde hair wrapped in a towel and her silky night robe fluttering with the breeze drifting in from the open window. The sky outside was dark and stormy, thick clouds threatening rain.

"It's the middle of summer, for goodness' sake," she muttered, staring at the empty street below. A sudden bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, making her jump as she rushed to close the windows.

She walked over to her mirror, gazing at her own reflection.

"Who's turning eighteen in two days?" she whispered with a cheeky wink.

"You are, honey!" her mother's voice echoed from behind.

"Mother!" Iridessa laughed. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to see just how beautiful and grown-up my little Dessa has become," Mrs. Billy replied with a proud smile.

Iridessa smiled and gave another playful twirl before planting a kiss on her mother's cheek.

"I know, Mummy," she giggled sweetly.

"You'll always be my baby," Sarah chuckled softly and walked away, her heart swelling.

*****

Sarah stepped into the bedroom and sank down beside her husband. Her eyes were red and glassy, her face painted with silent sorrow.

"Hey... are you crying?" Billy asked gently.

"Tears of joy," she whispered, wiping her face quickly. "I still can't believe it's been eighteen years..."

"And you've done an incredible job raising her," Billy said warmly, pressing a kiss to her forehead and pulling her into his arms. "I'm so proud of you."

"Honey..." Sarah said after a long pause, her voice barely above a whisper. "Do you think we should tell her?"

"Tell her what?" Billy frowned, although his tone betrayed that he already knew.

"The truth!" Sarah snapped, her voice tight with emotion. "Don't pretend. You know she'll find out eventually..."

"She'll understand. Remember what the old mysterious woman told us?" Billy murmured, his expression darkening with worry.

Sarah sighed deeply and nodded, her hand resting over her chest.

"Come here," he whispered, hugging her tighter.

"I'm scared," she admitted quietly.

"Everything will be alright... I promise."

"But what if she has to leave us?" Sarah gasped, her voice breaking.

"Iridessa will grow up someday. She'll have her own life, her own family. It's part of her journey..."

"But what if"

"Shhh," Billy placed a finger gently on her lips. "I love you," he whispered before leaning in. Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss as Sarah melted into his arms.

****

That night, Iridessa slept soundly,until her dreams swept her away to a strange, unsettling place. She found herself surrounded by shadows, standing in the middle of a misty, unfamiliar forest.

"Hello?" she called out, her voice echoing eerily through the silent woods.

"You're the key..." a voice whispered behind her, sending a chill down her spine.

She whirled around and found herself face to face with a mysterious woman,her piercing blue eyes haunting, her presence surreal.

"Who... who are you?" Iridessa stammered.

The woman didn't answer. Instead, she turned and began to walk away.

"Wait!" Iridessa called out, hurrying after her.

The woman suddenly stopped and turned back. Her earlier smile had faded, replaced by a sorrowful expression as tears brimmed in her eyes.

"Who are you?" Iridessa asked again, her voice trembling.

"You're the key," the woman repeated softly. "I've waited for you to free me..."

"The key?! What key?" Iridessa cried out, but before she could say another word, the woman vanished into the darkness.

Iridessa sat up in bed with a gasp, clutching her chest. Her eyes darted around the room, but everything was in place. "Was that... just a dream?" she whispered. It felt far too real.

She stumbled out of bed and moved to the mirror, her hands trembling as she stared at herself.

"She wants me to free her," she whispered to her reflection, still shaken.

Suddenly, her phone rang, jolting her out of her thoughts.

"Hey, bitch!" her best friend Glow's voice blasted through the phone.

"Glow!" Iridessa winced, rolling her eyes. "Calm down! You're gonna burst my eardrum!"

"What are your plans for your big day, bestie?!" Glow asked excitedly.

"It's not even morning yet!" Iridessa groaned, running a hand through her hair.

"Want me to pick you up tomorrow?"

"Jeff is picking me up," Iridessa replied with a blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Ooooh! Okay, girl!!" Glow teased. They continued chatting about random things before eventually ending the call.

"I'm not going to let some weird dream ruin my day," Iridessa muttered as she stepped into the bathroom.

**

Later, Iridessa returned to her room, decorated with vibrant posters of Cardi B, V, and RM from BTS. An assortment of chocolates and candies lay neatly on her bed, while a family portrait hung above the headboard, giving the room a warm, loving glow.

She twirled again in front of the mirror, admiring her long, slender legs. She reached for her phone, but paused when she heard voices,muffled, but intense.

"Billy," Sarah's voice trembled. "Are you okay?"

"What's wrong?" Billy asked, concern creeping into his voice.

"I had a terrible dream," she murmured. "A woman... with piercing blue eyes... she told me we must tell Iridessa the truth once she turns eighteen."

Billy froze. The newspaper in his hands slipped a little as he looked up, his eyes dark with dread.

"I never thought this day would come," he said hoarsely. "That was the day I brought her home..."

"Our daughter? You're still calling her our daughter?" Sarah snapped, her voice rising.

"The same woman appeared to me too... She insisted we name her Iridessa."

Sarah gasped. "Wait... You kept this from me for eighteen years?" she yelled.

Iridessa's heart raced. She flung her door open, but no one was there. Still, she was certain,she'd heard them.

"I'm not crazy," she whispered, backing away.

"We have to tell her," Sarah continued.

"You'll do no such thing," Billy replied firmly.

"She doesn't belong here... That's what the woman said..."

"What woman?" came a trembling voice behind them.

Billy and Sarah turned in shock to see Iridessa standing there, her face pale and streaked with tears.

"How long have you been standing there?" Billy stammered.

"And how much did you hear?" Sarah whispered, her voice shaking.

"What woman?!" Iridessa cried, her voice breaking.

"We're not your real parents..." Sarah confessed.

"That's enough, Sarah!" Billy shouted.

"What are you saying?" Iridessa demanded, her voice cracking. "What are you talking about?!"

"We can explain!" Billy tried to reach out.

"Don't touch me!" she screamed, yanking away.

And with that, Iridessa turned and bolted, disappearing into the cold, lonely night...