MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

Chapter 193: Travel plans

Late night was always the time to settle down, a mug of coffee by the young journalist's side as she plunged herself into work.

Tessa's life had become a solitary endeavor, consumed by the relentless pursuit of truth and justice. She had made the difficult decision to leave her job, relying instead on her savings to sustain her as she delved deeper into the mysteries surrounding her father's death.

Days blurred into nights as she poured over documents and clues, her world narrowing to the confines of her own home. She rarely ventured outside, the weight of her task pressing down on her with every passing moment.

The absence of Josh only added to her isolation, the bitter sting of their breakup still fresh in her mind. How dare he accuse her of obsession, of madness? As if her quest for justice was anything less than noble.

She couldn't fathom how anyone could believe that Rose Shelly, the powerful CEO, had simply disappeared without a trace. It was too convenient, too tidy. Tessa knew better than to trust the surface of things, to accept the easy answers that the world offered.

Josh's attempts to reconcile fell on deaf ears, his apologies and pleas for forgiveness nothing but noise against the backdrop of her determination. She had loved him once, had been willing to overlook his indiscretions, but no longer. The scars of betrayal ran deep, a constant reminder of the dangers of trusting too easily.

She had learned her lesson the hard way, and she wouldn't make the same mistake again. Her focus was singular now, her resolve unyielding as she pushed forward into the unknown. She had a mission to fulfill, and nothing would stand in her way.

Tessa sat hunched over her cluttered desk, the soft glow of her desk lamp casting long shadows across the room. The air was heavy with the scent of coffee, a comforting aroma that helped to anchor her amidst the chaos of her surroundings.

Papers, scattered haphazardly across every available surface, threatened to engulf her in a sea of information. They were her lifeline, her connection to the truth she sought, but at times, they felt like an insurmountable obstacle standing between her and the answers she desperately sought.

With a weary sigh, Tessa reached for her mug, its contents long since grown cold, but she took a sip nonetheless, drawing a semblance of comfort from the bitter brew. She knew she should probably call it a night, give herself a much-needed break from the relentless pursuit of her father's secrets, but she couldn't bring herself to tear away from the task at hand.

The photograph lay at the center of her cluttered desk, its glossy surface reflecting the dim light of her lamp. It was a snapshot frozen in time, capturing a moment long since passed, yet holding within its frame the promise of answers that had eluded her for far too long.

With trembling fingers, Tessa picked up the photograph, studying it intently as if hoping to glean some new insight with each passing glance. It was a picture of her father, a younger version of the man she had known, standing against the backdrop of an unfamiliar landscape.

Behind him loomed a dense forest, its dark canopy shrouded in mystery, while in the distance, a rugged coastline stretched out to meet the horizon.

The image had haunted her dreams for weeks, its significance eluding her grasp despite her best efforts to decipher its hidden meaning. But tonight, she was determined to unravel the secrets it held, to follow the trail it offered and finally uncover the truth about her father's untimely demise. For now, sleep had the better part of her.

As she studied the photograph, her gaze fell upon a small piece of paper tucked into the corner of the frame. It was a ticket, weathered and worn with age, yet still bearing the faded remnants of a destination long forgotten. Tessa's heart quickened with anticipation as she examined the travel details printed on the ticket, her mind racing with possibilities.

The island. That was the key, the final piece of the puzzle that had eluded her for so long. She knew instinctively that whatever secrets her father had been hiding, they were hidden away on that remote island.

As Tessa stumbled out of bed, her gaze fell upon the chaotic scene that greeted her every morning: piles of dirty clothes strewn across the floor and half-empty pizza boxes littering the counter. With a rueful shake of her head, she muttered to herself, "Living like my ex now, aren't I?" Despite the mess, she couldn't help but crack a sorrowful laugh at the irony of it all.

Heading to the kitchen, Tessa grabbed the remaining slices of pizza from the fridge and popped them into the microwave. As she waited for her breakfast to heat up, she settled down at her cluttered study table, surrounded by stacks of papers and folders.

Just as she began to delve into her research on the mysterious island, her phone rang, breaking the silence of the morning. With a sigh, she answered the call, knowing it would be her mother on the other end.

"Good morning, Mom," Tessa greeted, trying to sound cheerful despite the weight of exhaustion that clung to her voice.

"Morning, sweetie," her mother replied, her tone tinged with concern. "Are you taking care of yourself? You sound tired."

Tessa forced a smile, knowing her mother couldn't see it over the phone. "I'm fine, Mom, just a bit busy with work," she assured her.

"I know, but don't forget to take breaks and eat properly," her mother admonished gently. "You've been working too hard lately."

Tessa rolled her eyes playfully, knowing her mother couldn't see the gesture. "I promise I'll take better care of myself," she replied, already anticipating the inevitable lecture on self-care.

"Good girl," her mother said, her voice softening with relief. "Now, I won't keep you. Just wanted to check in. Love you, sweetheart."

"Love you too, Mom," Tessa replied, hanging up the phone with a sigh. As she returned to her research, her mind drifted back to the island and the secrets it held, driving her forward in her quest for answers.

With a slice of pizza dangling from her mouth, Tessa began to type furiously on her laptop, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she delved deeper into her research. But as she sifted through the countless articles and documents scattered before her, a mischievous thought crossed her mind, prompting a sly smile to curl across her lips.

Shaking her head with a mixture of amusement and trepidation, she muttered to herself, "I'm going to regret this, aren't I?"

Despite the lingering sense of uncertainty, Tessa couldn't shake the excitement building within her. She had plans, bold and daring, to travel to none other than the mysterious island itself. It was a decision she knew she would likely come to regret, but the lure of uncovering the truth was too strong to resist.