A Letter from an Unknown Sender
To my Emily,
Please be kind to yourself.
I will come again when the time is right.
I will see you again when fate brings us together.
I will keep my promise.
Until then, be brave, my love.
End of the letter.
A deep male voice echoed in the darkness:
"Emily… love will come your way very soon."
Emily woke to the sound of the voice — again. It had been haunting her for days. She sat up, feeling nausea rise in her stomach. The voice, once comforting, now made her uneasy.
She quickly swung her legs off the bed and rushed to the bathroom to splash cold water on her face. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed a glass of water.
Then the doorbell rang.
It was 3 a.m. Who could it be at this hour? she wondered.
Her vision began to blur, the door frame growing smaller as she stared at it. Should I open the door? A voice in her head answered: Yes.
Terrified, Emily slowly stepped back from the door and climbed back into bed, trying to ignore the urge to answer. She forced herself to sleep.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window. Birds sang as the streets of Dan Vo Domail filled with locals beginning their day."Good morning" was exchanged from one passerby to another, from the town square all the way to the harbor. It was a beautiful morning in this quaint town.
"Morning, Gordon," called Brendon, the ship captain.
"Today's job is easy — load up these crates and deliver them to Ms. Mary's shop."
Meanwhile, at Ms. Mary's house, a young woman named Selena sat quietly. Her tan skin glowed softly under the lamplight, and her long black hair was braided neatly over her left shoulder. With a voice as sweet as sugar, she asked, "Ms. Mary, do you have the necklace you promised me?"
Mary smiled. "Not yet, dear. But don't worry, it will be delivered today. The necklace is one of the rarest jewels ever created for this town. Your mother had a keen eye for such things. You're not my daughter, but I love you as she would have."
The two shared a charming breakfast, filled with pleasant conversation and laughter.
Mary's Jewelry Store, located at the center of town, was the only jewelry shop in Dan Vo Domail.
Gordon entered, and Emily greeted him. She looked at him — really looked — and yet, somehow, something about him felt so familiar.
He was a man with long, wavy hair, half tied at the back, the rest falling freely over his shoulders. Fair skin, a perfect smile, and eyes as dark as night.
Where is this man from? she wondered.
Her blue eyes lingered on his. Something in him called out to her, stirring a strange pull deep inside. As she studied him, lost in thought, a voice whispered in her mind.
"Emily," he called.
Emily snapped out of her trance and calmly said, "Good morning, sir. Please, come in. What brings you here?" Gordon smiled gently. "We're here to deliver a package for Ms. Mary. Could you sign here, miss?"
"Emily," she replied softly.
After the delivery, Gordon left, his smile lingering in her thoughts.
"I think I have fallen in love for the first time," Emily whispered to herself. "But what about him? What is it about him that makes me feel this way?"Her thoughts raced. Why don't you ask him? said the voice in her head.
Emily peeked through the window, her heart racing as she watched Gordon walk away. Before she could gather the courage to act, the day slipped away. As she locked the shop door, the question lingered in her mind, unanswered.
Later that night, at 3 a.m., the doorbell rang again. Emily sighed, covering her face with her pillow, trying to drift back to sleep.
The next morning, sunlight filled the room again. Birds chirped as locals began their day. It's the same every day, Emily thought. I want something different today. She walked into the shop, ready to open, when Selena tapped her on the shoulder.
"Good morning!" she said with a bright smile.
The two best friends embraced.
"Guess what?" Selena grinned. "I got a new necklace from Ms. Mary!" She held it up, showing it to Emily.
Emily's gaze changed. It was as though she had seen this necklace before — Gordon had given it to her. She reached for it.
"Emily, be careful!" Selena shouted. "What are you trying to do?"
As Selena pulled the necklace back, Emily gripped it tightly, and with a snap, the chain broke. The pendant fell to the floor and shattered.
"I'm so sorry," Emily whispered, but it was too late.
Selena, hurt and angry, stormed out.
"I wish I never had a friend like you!" she shouted as she left.
Emily was left alone, devastated. A tear ran down her cheek, and then the voice in her head spoke again.
Everything will be all right. Just open the door, Emily.
Tearful and confused, she whispered, "Why are you in my head? Who are you?" She had never spoken to the voice before.
What do you want from me?
In anger, she wiped her face. Emily glanced into a mirror on the counter. The fog on the glass made her reflection blurry, but as she wiped it away, her reflection slowly changed into someone familiar.
Could it be? she thought. Did I see something?
At night, the doorbell rang again.
Emily froze, panic racing through her.
The voice in her head grew louder.
Open the door, Emily. The voice was insistent, urgent.
Her heart raced — until she fainted.
The next morning, as usual, the sun shone brightly. The birds sang their familiar song. The locals moved through their daily routines.
But for Emily, the day felt the same… and yet somehow changing.
Why is every day the same? she asked herself, walking through the town. She felt disconnected from it all.
At Ms. Mary's shop, Emily was greeted with an unexpected shock.
"You're dismissed," Ms. Mary said sternly.
Emily's eyes widened. "Pardon me? What do you mean?"
"I don't need to explain myself," Ms. Mary snapped. "I'm firing you. You upset my daughter, and I won't tolerate that." Emily's heart pounded. "Is this… because of the necklace? Or because of Selena?"
Ms. Mary's eyes narrowed sharply. "The necklace. Selena. The way you've been getting too close, too involved. Yes — you made her cry, and that's enough for me. I don't want you here anymore."
Her voice was cold and final. "Take your belongings and go."
Confused and defeated, Emily gathered her things and walked away. She found a bench in the garden, surrounded by bright flowers and vibrant greenery. Petals danced in the wind, and butterflies floated softly through the air. It almost felt magical — a world far away from her heartbreak. What can I do to make things right? she thought, burying her face in her hands.
The voice responded, unbidden:
Can't you see? Whatever you wish for, it's yours.
Don't you think it's strange?
Emily's thoughts swirled.
If I got what I want… all I wish for is to see you. she whispered.
The voice replied calmly: Look at your reflection, Emily.
Emily stared into the pond, where goldfish swam.
Her reflection slowly morphed into a man — Gordon.
"Gordon," she called — but no sound escaped her lips. Yet his voice faded softly: Open the door…
Emily froze. Is he waiting for me behind the door? she wondered, realizing it had been Gordon's voice all along.
Excitement surged through her. She ran home, her heart pounding — but the wind grew colder, and each step felt heavier.
She stumbled, falling to the ground, tears streaming down her face.
Above her, the snow began to fall.
She tried to get up, but her legs betrayed her, trembling and weak.
If I had listened… if I had known…
With those final thoughts, Emily collapsed, unconscious.
A Letter from Gordon (Continues)
I'm always waiting for you.
I have been sending you my thoughts.
I know you can hear me.
I know you will recognize my voice.
I have been calling your name: Emily.
It's been a year since I knocked on your door.
Where have you been?
I miss you.
The End
Next, Chapter 2 Gordon Promises.