Stella's POV
"Something doesn't feel right, Vaughn," I said, scanning the crowded party for any flash of lime green. Joy had vanished without a trace, and my intuition was flaring danger signals. "Why would Joy suddenly leave the party? It's odd."
"I'm just as confused as you are, Stella," Vaughn replied, his eyes continuously searching the crowd. "But let's not cause a scene. Finding a woman in a bright lime green dress shouldn't be this difficult."
"Maybe she stepped outside for some air," I suggested, not entirely believing my own words. I shared Vaughn's concern but wanted to maintain some optimism. "Let's check around the perimeter."
"I hope that's all it is," Vaughn mumbled, his expression betraying deeper worries than he was voicing.
I studied his face, noting the tension lines around his eyes. "What's really bothering you, Vaughn?"
He rubbed the back of his neck anxiously. "I don't know... do you think she's avoiding me specifically?"
