A heavy snow hit the city on Sunday morning, draping the world in a pristine silver shroud. The team decided to take a much-needed break to handle their personal lives, though the group chat remained a hive of activity.
Lady News and Report Man were prepping for the annual Móda magazine soirée. “It’s the best time for celebrity gossip,” Lady News texted. “We’ll see what fresh dirt we can dig up on Franco, Victoria, and Isabel.”
Spion, meanwhile, was heading out with his college friends. “We’re going to hit the Natalis Invicti Holiday Market, then maybe catch a movie or head to some bars.”
“Just the guys? No Emily?” Trevor teased.
“She might show up with her own friends,” Spion replied defensively.
“Who’s Emily?” Lady News chimed in.
“His girlfriend,” Trevor joked.
“Nooooo,” Spion shot back immediately. “Just a college friend. The Emily who helped us with the Professor’s case? His student? Remember?”
As for Trevor, his afternoon was reserved for family. He was headed to the airport to pick up his sister, Amanda, alongside his father, Jonas, and Jonas’s girlfriend, Monica. “We might head to the Salon later,” Trevor told the group. “Amanda has heard so much about it that she’s dying to see it for herself.”
The snow caused Amanda’s flight to be delayed by two hours, but she eventually landed with a radiant smile.
“Isn’t it amazing? The city welcomed me with a fresh coat of white!” Amanda was the ultimate optimist. She looked cozy in a cream beanie, a pale blue down jacket, and black chinos.
“Wait until you see the traffic,” Trevor said with a wry smile. “You won’t be so happy then.”
The traffic was indeed a nightmare, but they eventually made it to Jonas’s house. They spent the afternoon playing a family tennis video game before diving into the Edson family tradition: cooking the Natalis Invicti holiday dinner together. Jonas and Monica handled the baked sweet potatoes, ham, and gingerbread, but the centerpiece—a massive seafood paella—was Trevor and Amanda’s responsibility. The siblings had taken over the dish since their mother passed away. Trevor claimed their skills were Michelin-standard; Jonas secretly maintained that no one could match their mother’s touch.
After dinner, the holiday spirit shifted to excitement. “What’s the dress code tonight?” Amanda asked, scrolling through the Dressrious app on her phone.
“It’s a DJ night, so anything from cocktails to business casual is fine,” Trevor said. He kept it simple, pairing a charcoal suit with his white wool crewneck.
“Don’t stay out too late,” Jonas called out as they headed for the door.
“Dad, we’re adults!” Amanda yelled back, laughing. she had settled on a stunning burgundy dress.
“If it gets too late, we’ll just crash at my apartment,” Trevor added.
On the way, Trevor decided it was the perfect opening to ask Alisa out. “My sis and I are heading to the Salon. Want to join? It’s a DJ night,” he texted. He quickly followed it up with a text to Spion, hoping his friend could play wingman for the evening.
It was getting late when they finally arrived, and the Salon was in full swing. The grand party hall had been transformed into a pulsing disco, packed with a high-energy crowd. Prismatic lights swept over the sea of bodies, and the deafening music forced everyone’s heart beat in time with the groove.
They headed to the bar to wait for Alisa and Spion. To Trevor’s surprise, there was a third bartender working alongside Bob and Daniel.
“What can I get for you?” Little John asked, looking sharp behind the counter.
“Little John? You’re a bartender now?” Trevor asked, impressed.
“Trainee,” Little John grinned. “Tonight’s my first shift. If you want a classic, I’m your man.”
“Mai Tai,” Amanda said.
“Strong choice. I like your style,” Little John said, winking at Trevor.
“She’s my sister,” Trevor noted quickly. “And I’ll take a Long Island Iced Tea.”
“Got it. Best drinks of your life, coming right up.”
While the drinks might not have been the absolute best of their lives, they were more than passable. They were halfway through their glasses when Spion arrived, accompanied by a man in a white embroidered blazer.
“We were at a club nearby when I saw your text,” Spion said. “This is my roommate, Josh. He’s the one who lent me the tuxedo last time.” Josh was broad-shouldered with a jock-like build and short hair.
“Hey Josh, I’m Trevor.” Trevor traded a high five with him before gesturing to his sister. “And this is my sister, Amanda.”
After the introductions, the group settled in. Since Josh was driving, he and Spion stuck to colas.
“No Emily?” Trevor asked.
“She went back to campus with her roommates,” Spion said, dismissing the topic.
They spent some time catching up on Spion’s market tour, with Trevor and Amanda listening in as the two roommates talked about their classmates. Soon enough, Alisa arrived with Donna in tow, the colleague who famously had a crush on Spion.
Donna wore a shimmering blue dress and blushed deeply when she greeted him.
“Are you playing matchmaker?” Trevor whispered to Alisa.
“Not intentionally!” Alisa whispered with a wink. “We were having coffee when you texted. Once I saw Spion was coming, I figured… why not invite her? Let’s just call it divine intervention.”
“Don’t just sit there whispering,” Spion shouted over the music, already grooving to the beat. “Move!”
Trevor caught Alisa’s gaze and reached for her hand. “Come on,” he urged, pulling her toward the dance floor, and they began to groove to the beat. Amanda soon joined them. Josh drained his drink in one go and plunged into the fray right after them. They moved in perfect sync with the music, swaying deeper into the pulse of the crowd.
“I can’t believe it!” Alisa shouted over the music, her eyes bright. “Last time we were here, it was a black-tie gala, and now it’s a full-on club. This place is incredible!”
“Best spot on the planet,” Trevor yelled back. Between the pounding bass and the cheering crowd, conversation was nearly impossible, but watching Alisa smile in the strobe lights, Trevor realized they didn’t need words.
The tempo slowed as the DJ transitioned into a sultry melody. Trevor noticed Donna had her hands around Spion’s neck, looking up at him with pure passion. The guy always has a way with women, Trevor thought. Feeling a surge of courage, he slowly slid his hands onto Alisa’s waist. She didn’t pull away; she just smiled up at him.
“Where’s your sister?” she asked.
Trevor glanced toward the bar. Amanda and Josh were sitting close, deep in conversation. “Over there,” he said.
“I’m actually getting a little tired,” Alisa said. “Mind if we sit for a bit?”
“Sure,” Trevor said, a tiny pang of worry hitting him. Maybe I moved too fast, he thought.
At the bar, Alisa ordered a sparkling water while Trevor leaned in to check on his sister. “Tired of dancing already?”
Amanda looked up, her expression surprisingly somber. “Josh just told me something… his father’s friend was shot in a club a few minutes ago.” She looked shaken. “Life is just so fragile, isn’t it?”
“Wait, what?” Trevor jolted. “That’s horrible.”
“He was shot in the restroom. He’s on the way to the hospital now,” Josh added, looking pale. “Poor Mr. Franco. He came to our house once; he seemed like such a decent guy.”
Trevor’s heart nearly stopped. “Who? Did you say Franco? Connor Franco?”
Josh looked surprised. “Yeah. Do you know him?”
Trevor didn’t answer. He whipped out his phone. The group chat had a new notification. It was from Style: My brother just called. Franco was shot at a club. Status is unknown.