Page 28 of The Bratva's Secret Twins

“Okay, just don’t wander too far, alright?”

She was looking out for me like I was her younger sister, and it felt nice to be cared for. Sienna reminded me a lot of Ashely.

“Aye,” came my response as I turned around and left.

The further away I went, the more distant their voices became, and I was all by myself. A part of me was afraid for obvious reasons: I was a young girl, a stranger on an island, and alone. But at the same time, I was confident that I would be fine. The sort of scenarios running through my mind only happened in movies or in Tyler’s head.

A voice whispered in my ear, Are you sure about that?

I was quick to dismiss it.

I wandered down a narrow path, with only the sound of chirping birds and squirrels keeping my company. Up ahead, a small shop stood lazily and seemed to have some drinks in it on display, a sign listing off goods and prices.

“Hi,” I greeted the shop owner, halting in front of the shop.

“Welcome, my dear,” he replied with a smile. “What would you like to have?”

He was an elderly man, maybe in his mid-fifties, with white hair and a white beard. Around his neck were some beads, which cascaded down to his chest atop his white shirt.

“Something to drink, please,” I replied, glancing around and wondering why this shop was set up where there was no activity.

He didn’t wait to take my order and started preparing a drink himself.

“You’re one of the tourists on the island, aren’t you?” he asked.

“Errh, yes.” I glanced around again, not liking the eerie vibes I was getting from the place, but it was too late to slink away now.

“Here.” He handed me a glass, and I gave him the listed payment; all the drinks bore the same price. “This is our island’s specialty, made from a secret blend of herbs and fruits. It’s a must-try! I guarantee that you’ll love it!”

He was very convincing, even though I was initially skeptical about trying it. I glanced at him as I brought the glass to my lips.

“Go ahead.”

I took a sip, and my face turned to a grimace, but in a heartbeat, my expression changed, loosening. It was a bit sour at first, but as it went down my throat, it gradually became very sweet and tasty.

“Hmm. What’s in it?” I asked out of curiosity.

He smiled. “That’s the secret, my dear. It’s never shared.”

That’s not creepy at all.

I frowned, trying to hide my discomfort. “Well, it tastes a bit weird, but it does have a cooling effect.”

“See, I told you.”

I took another sip and glanced at the shop owner.

“Is this street always this…shady?” The slight pause came when I groped for the right adjective.

He laughed and leaned in. “Ahh, don’t worry about it. It’s pretty common on this island. You’ll get used to it.” He winked.

Raising my eyebrows, I said, “Okay…thanks for the clarity, I guess.”

“Anytime,” he replied.

I finished my drink and decided to join the other girls; besides, I’d quenched my thirst already.

“You take care now,” he said as I started to walk away.

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