Chapter 17-’Surprise’

Chapter 17: 17-’Surprise’

Aymara barely noticed when morning came. After several days of rushing from one task to another, sunrise and sunset had begun blending into one endless cycle.

Wake up, shop, store, upgrade, and repeat. That had become her entire routine. She had barely slept, yet somehow, she was already awake again.

She glanced at the clock and groaned in frustration. "Where did all the sleeping o’clock go?"

She dragged herself out of bed and stretched her aching body. She was tempted to crawl straight back under the blankets, but the thought of the approaching apocalypse quickly chased away the temptation.

"Forget it. I’ll have all the sleep I could ever dream of once the hard part is over." With only three days remaining, she refused to waste even a single hour.

By eight in the morning, Aymara was already standing inside a large technology store. The moment she walked through the doors, she went straight into shopping mode.

"Boss, I want the best of everything you have."

The salesperson blinked. "The best of everything?"

"Everything," she didn’t blink or hesitate. "I want the best of everything you have."

Her shopping list quickly became ridiculous. She bought drones, surveillance cameras, motion sensors, communication equipment, networking devices, portable generators, solar panels, batteries, satellite equipment, monitoring systems, emergency power supplies, and every other piece of technology that could help her operate, monitor, or defend a massive ship went into her growing collection.

Within minutes, boxes were piling up in the carts around her.

The salesperson stared at the mountain of equipment with increasing confusion. "Are you opening a technology company?"

"No, boss." Aymara raised her eyebrows and gave him a playful look. "I’m just a tech fanatic."

"A research laboratory?"

"No..." She waved her fingers dismissively.

The salesperson stared at her. "Then what are you doing with all this?"

Aymara smiled innocently. "I really like technology. It’s for my personal collection."

The salesperson opened his mouth, then closed it again. He had no idea what to say to that. After a moment, he apparently decided that wealthy people were simply strange sometimes and stopped asking questions.

Aymara didn’t care. She paid for everything, loaded the boxes into her car, and drove away. The moment she was alone, she placed her hand on the equipment.

One by one, the supplies vanished into her storage space.

DING!

[Advanced Technology Detected.]

Aymara immediately stopped and waited patiently for the system to give her the good news.

At this point, she had developed a particular habit whenever the system made that sound. Her eyes brightened, her lips curled upward, and she prepared herself for another reward.

She was practically like a child waiting for candy after finishing a difficult task.

’Go on, System,’ She clasped her hands together excitedly. ’I’m ready to give you my award-winning smile.’

Inside, she was practically bouncing with anticipation. She could barely hold back.

The system began scanning the equipment.

[Suitable equipment detected.]

[Combat Drone Function Unlocked.]

[Intelligence-Gathering Drone Function Unlocked.]

[Automated Surveillance Network Unlocked.]

Aymara’s eyes widened before her carefully practiced victory smile appeared instantly, her white teeth gleaming beneath the morning light.

"Activate all of them!"

The moment her command was given, the space around her trembled.

The drones began multiplying. What had started as a collection of boxes quickly transformed into an organized arsenal of technology.

Sleek black combat drones assembled themselves from the multiplied components. Smaller reconnaissance drones emerged beside them, while compact surveillance units and larger armored models appeared in rapid succession.

Aymara watched in fascination as the system distributed them throughout the cruise ship.

Several drones disappeared into concealed compartments within the walls. Others moved beneath the decks, taking up positions where they could monitor the ship’s exterior and surroundings. A few rose silently into the air, circling the ship before returning to newly formed charging stations.

Within minutes, the once-silent cruise ship seemed to have developed eyes everywhere.

DING!

[Ship Upgrade Requirements Met.]

[Ship Upgrade Initiated.]

Aymara’s grin widened. Heaven was definitely on her side this time.

Every day, her odds of surviving the apocalypse seemed to improve, and with every upgrade, the weight pressing against her heart became lighter.

"System, you really didn’t have to," she said sweetly, pretending to blush. She was absolutely delighted.

[Host, I don’t understand.]

Aymara cleared her throat. "Never mind me. Proceed."

The cruise ship suddenly vibrated. A low mechanical hum traveled through its enormous structure as the ship’s systems expanded. New control panels emerged throughout the bridge and the surveillance network connected itself to the central command system, while the drones became integrated into the ship’s defensive and monitoring systems.

Information began appearing across Aymara’s interface.

[Automated Surveillance: ACTIVE.]

[Combat Drones: ACTIVE.]

[Intelligence Drones: ACTIVE.]

[Remote Monitoring: ACTIVE.]

Aymara stared at the upgraded interface, her excitement slowly turning into anticipation.

Her thoughts drifted toward Dylan and Sarah. She clenched her fists, a mischievous smile appearing on her face as she pictured those two traitors in her mind.

"Dylan... Sarah..." she murmured. "I hope you prepare well and survive the arrival of the apocalypse."

Her smile deepened. "Because making you regret everything is going to be so much fun."

She turned toward the enormous cruise ship, imagining the fortress it would become in just a few more days. She closed the screen.

"Perfect," her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "My doomsday fortress is developing exceptionally well."

Aymara drove into town for another round of shopping, her mind already running through the items still missing from her list. She had barely stepped out of her car when two familiar figures emerged from the entrance of a nearby store, pushing heavily loaded shopping carts.

Her footsteps slowed.

For a brief moment, the cheerful expression on her face disappeared, replaced by a complicated look. Then, just as quickly, she smoothed it away. By the time the two people looked up and noticed her, Aymara’s face had settled into perfect calm.

Dylan stood beside Sarah. Sarah’s arm was linked comfortably through his as they walked, laughing at something he had apparently said.

Their carts were overflowing with supplies, and the sight would have been perfectly ordinary between a couple if Dylan weren’t still Aymara’s boyfriend and Sarah weren’t supposedly nothing more than his best friend.

Sarah’s laughter died instantly and Dylan froze when they spotted her.

For the past few days, he had practically vanished from Aymara’s world. No calls, no messages and no visits. Yet here he was, happily shopping with Sarah, looking far too comfortable with her.

A flicker of panic crossed his eyes. He couldn’t afford to lose Aymara yet. Sarah had already told him about the coming apocalypse, and they needed Aymara’s wealth to complete their preparations.

Her enormous bank account could buy the supplies, transportation, and resources they needed to survive. Until they had secured everything, Dylan couldn’t completely cut ties with her.

His mind raced for an explanation. He quickly removed Sarah’s arm from his and walked around the carts toward Aymara, forcing a warm smile onto his face.

Sarah’s expression darkened. She had been reborn with memories of her previous life. She had expected Dylan to cherish her above everyone else this time. In her mind, there was no reason for him to approach Aymara unless he wanted something.

Aymara watched him approach without moving. She gave nothing away in her expression.

"Mara," Dylan called tenderly once he reached her. He slipped naturally into her space, as though he still belonged there, and reached for her hand. "Don’t overthink this. I was... actually planning a surprise for you."

Aymara lowered her eyes to their joined hands. His palm felt familiar. Once, that simple touch could make her heart race.

Now, it only made her skin crawl. She couldn’t understand how she had once found his rough, croaky voice romantic. Listening to it now made her want to cover her ears and run away just to avoid hearing another word.

Dylan continued before she could respond. "But you’ve caught me and ruined the surprise." He gestured toward the carts. "All these supplies are for the party I’m hosting for you."

Aymara nearly laughed. What a ridiculous lie? Yet instead of exposing him, she took a slow breath and smiled.

"I only came to buy a few things for the house." Her voice was gentle and completely natural. "I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything. Why don’t you go ahead with Sarah and keep preparing? I’ll practice my surprised face so I don’t embarrass you later."

Dylan’s eyes immediately brightened. He believed her. ’Blame yourself, Aymara. Who told you to be so gullible?’

He nearly congratulated himself for getting away with it but he still focused a caring expression and spoke.

"All right," he said warmly. "I’ll listen to you. As long as you don’t misunderstand and think there’s something going on between Sarah and me."

"I would never, babe." Aymara forced affection into her voice. "I trust you. And I trust Sarah too. Go ahead."

Before Dylan could say anything else, Sarah walked over and took his hand. She pulled him back toward her side, her fingers intertwining with his.

"Then we’ll go ahead and ’prepare’ your surprise," she said.

The emphasis on the final word was subtle, but Aymara caught the hidden meaning immediately. She simply smiled.

There was no reason to expose them now where the worst she can do them is a few slaps and financial ruin. The apocalypse was coming.

In a world where laws would disappear beneath the floodwaters, where survival would become more important than reputation and the strong would decide the rules, she would have countless opportunities to make both of them pay for what they had done.

For now, she would let them believe they had fooled her. "I’m looking forward to it," Aymara said brightly.

She waved happily as they walked away. She loved their ignorance and hated that there was still two days before killing them wouldn’t land her in a maximum security prison.

Sarah glanced back at her, her eyes filled with familiar contempt.

"Whether in your past life or this one, Aymara Ellington, you’re destined to be blind and stupid," she muttered under her breath, the same insult she had used countless times before.

Her voice was quiet but Aymara heard every word. Her smile didn’t disappear, if anything, it stretched wider.

She continued waving until the two figures disappeared from sight. "Keep underestimating me, Sarah," Her eyes gleamed with cold amusement. "Because the more you believe I’m still the same foolish Aymara, the less you’ll see coming."