Fermented Desires

What happens in the Dark

The dream came like a whisper in a storm.

Nikko's voice—soft, familiar, broken at the edges—called her name. Isabella stood in a hallway she didn't recognize, lined with doors, each one slightly open but cloaked in darkness. Nikko stood at the far end, his hand on one doorknob, eyes shadowed.

"There's more you don't know, Isa," he said, his voice thick with warning. "You think they loved us the same, but they didn't. They made deals in our name—contracts sealed before we could speak. You were never supposed to know."

She took a step toward him, her pulse racing. "What do you mean? What contracts? With who?"

He glanced over his shoulder, the shadows deepening. "The Calvinos, Isa. Look into the greenhouse. The ledgers. It's all hidden there."

She tried to run to him, but her feet wouldn't move. "Nikko! Wait—what do the Calvinos have to do with us?"

His figure faded like smoke.

"Find the truth... before they do."

---

Isabella jolted awake, heart racing, tangled in her sheets. She tossed them off, rushed to throw on her robe, and padded barefoot down the hall.

All three of the guys were already in the kitchen, sipping coffee, casual in their routines—until they saw her face.

"I had another dream," she said quickly. "About Nikko. He said something about a greenhouse. And a ledger. It felt... important. Like he was trying to warn me."

Ashton raised an eyebrow. "Who's Nikko?"

She paused, her expression softening. "He's... my brother. He died a few years ago. Car accident. We were really close growing up. Homeschooled together. He was supposed to take over the business before everything changed."

The air shifted.

Hudson gave Cameron a glance—quiet but deliberate. Cameron subtly shook his head.

"Okay, Issa," Cameron said, flashing her a smile. "That could definitely help us. We'll look into it. Might be something buried we can dig up."

She sighed, still rattled. "I'll go get dressed. We should move on this."

As she disappeared up the stairs, the men stayed frozen.

"So she really doesn't know," Ashton said.

"Not a clue," Hudson replied. "We need to talk to Nikko. Before this gets messy."

Cameron nodded. "If she finds out on her own... she'll never trust us again."

Footsteps returned.

"What was that about Nikko?" Isabella asked, raising an eyebrow.

Cameron jumped in smoothly. "Nothing serious. You're gonna be late. We'll talk later—about the plan."

She narrowed her eyes, unconvinced, but grabbed her bag and left.

---

The bell above the flower shop chimed.

As Isabella entered, Eva was already behind the counter. The moment their eyes met, Eva reached over and quietly locked the front door.

Isabella blinked. "Eva? What are you doing?"

Eva stepped around the counter, slow and steady. "I've been thinking about what you said last time. About exploring. And if you're still willing, I thought maybe... we could test a few things before we open."

Isabella's breath caught. "I—I'm willing. I just... I've never done anything like this. I've never..."

Eva's smile softened. She cupped Isabella's cheek. "Then let me take the lead. I won't go too far. Just enough to make you feel good."