Following the pedestrian path, Leyla and Helen made their way toward the towering Meeting Center, which rose at the end of the tree-lined avenue like a giant of glass and marble. The building commanded respect: a short marble ramp, flanked by concrete balustrades, led to the grand atrium framed by columns that seemed to scrape the sky. The ground and first floors housed the library, while the second offered a café, a self-service dining area, and an array of shops with an almost dreamlike allure. The top floor opened into a vast, regal hall, reserved for parties, conferences, performances, and ceremonies.

  The moment they crossed the threshold, visitors were greeted by the faint fragrance of fresh flowers and the soft strains of classical music drifting through the air.

  Leyla was spellbound. Her eyes darted from detail to detail, eager to capture every reflection, every subtle shift of light across the polished surfaces. A knot of anticipation tightened in her stomach, as though something important was about to unfold. She barely noticed when Helen slipped away for a moment, returning shortly after with her husband.

  Adam, a man with an infectious smile and an easy, engaging way of talking, could hardly contain his joy.

  “Oh, what a great surprise! I’ve been looking forward to this!” Adam said with a warmth that wrapped around Leyla like a hug, extending his hand with a bright, genuine smile.

  “Nice to meet you. I’m guessing you already know who I am,” Leyla replied, caught off guard by his friendliness.

  “Of course I do! Helen’s told me all about you. But no words could do justice to your charm. You’re going to be the envy of many. I’m truly glad you’re here. And if you need anything, just give a whistle!” he added with a playful wink.

  Leyla smiled, answering with a shy little bow.

  Wow. He’s got a surprisingly high opinion of me.

  Helen, pleased with the introductions, brushed a kiss against Adam’s cheek.

  “Perfect! I’m glad you two have met. Now Leyla and I are off to do a little sightseeing. We’ll meet you around noon at the self-service.”

  Then, turning to Leyla, she added with a teasing grin, “I’m guessing you’ll want to pick up a few pretty dresses, right?”

  “Of course! But not nearly as much as I want to see the library,” she replied eagerly.

  Adam raised his brows, surprised by her enthusiasm.

  “After lunch, Helen’s got some errands to run. If you’d like, you can stay with me. You’ll have access to all the books you want.”

  “I can’t wait! Honestly, I kind of hope Helen gets lost for a while and comes back as late as possible,” Leyla teased.

  They all laughed, the atmosphere light, almost carefree. Yet Leyla caught something in Adam’s eyes—something enigmatic, a flicker of unsettling apprehension, as if he were hiding a secret he couldn’t share just yet.

  They strolled past the shop windows, but Leyla seemed distracted, unmoved by the mannequins and bright displays. Helen, as attentive as ever, immediately noticed her lack of interest.

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  “You can’t spend all your time buried in books,” she said with a motherly smile, looping her arm through Leyla’s. “Sometimes a little frivolity does you good. Come on, I know just the place for you.”

  Before Leyla could object, Helen steered her into a trendy boutique, vibrant with color and music. The air carried the scent of fresh fabrics, and the shop buzzed with customers. A sales assistant with a polished smile approached.

  “I think this young lady needs a wardrobe that suits her new life,” Helen said, entrusting the sales assistant with what sounded like a mission.

  The clerk, elegant and self-assured, studied Leyla for a moment before taking charge. In less than an hour, Leyla walked out with two pairs of sporty pants, a simple yet refined blouse, two cozy hoodies, and a pair of military-style ankle boots. She had chosen practical, essential pieces, clothes that reflected her conviction that a person’s true essence lay within, not in what they wore.

  The tour wrapped up at the self-service restaurant, where they met Adam again. The place, warm-toned and relaxing, was perfect for a break. Over lunch, Helen’s tone grew more serious.

  “Before we leave, a word of advice: try to rein in what you say at the library. Not everyone appreciates blunt honesty.”

  Leyla nodded. She knew Helen was right, but holding back had never come easy to her.

  As soon as Adam returned to the library reception, students swarmed around him. His charisma and patience won them over, and his calm presence reassured them.

  Meanwhile, Leyla stepped into the library’s atrium, struck speechless by its magnificence. The walls were lined with books stretching to the ceiling, which was painted with glowing constellations and mythological figures. The floor alternated between white and black marble, while massive chandeliers flooded the space with light. The air carried the unmistakable scent of paper and ancient manuscripts.

  She felt as if she’d been transported to another world. The long dark-wood tables, the green-shaded lamps, the silence broken only by the rustle of turning pages, everything invited her to explore. She wandered the aisles like she was moving through a labyrinth, fingertips brushing covers, watching the other readers lost in their books.

  But she didn’t go unnoticed.

  More than once her eyes met Taylor’s, his charisma impossible to ignore, and Simon’s, who radiated calm intelligence. Taylor’s smile was easy, confident, while Simon looked like the kind of guy who could spend hours unraveling puzzles.

  Not bad, Leyla thought, catching their interest.

  But they weren’t the only ones watching her.

  “Hi, you’re new here, aren’t you?” a voice chimed behind her, sweet as honey yet sharp as glass. Cassie appeared like an elegant shadow. Beside her, Tiffany smiled coolly.

  “If you tell us what you’re looking for, we can help,” Tiffany added.

  Unaware of their real intentions, Leyla answered with bright enthusiasm: “Nice to meet you, I’m Leyla.”

  “Pleasure’s mine. Cassie.”

  “And I’m Tiffany,” the other added, their timing seamless, like actresses hitting their marks.

  Leyla studied them, intrigued—flawless, elegant, almost unreal. Their outfits were sophisticated, their polished nails sparkling under the light.

  For a moment, she felt out of place.

  “So, what are you looking for?” Cassie asked, tilting her head with a sly intrigue.

  “Or maybe you were hoping to run into two girls as stunning as us?”

  Leyla laughed. “Wrong guess! I’m just admiring your style. I’m into guys… at least until proven otherwise. If that ever changes, I’ll keep you in mind.”

  Cassie arched a brow, more thrown off by the joke than by the idea of rejection, though a suspicion flickered. Was this girl a rival for Taylor’s attention?

  “Well then, what are you really looking for?” she pressed, her tone sharpened with intent.

  “Maps. That’s all,” Leyla replied.

  “Maps? What kind?” Tiffany asked, curiosity breaking through her cool veneer.

  “If we came from somewhere else, there have to be maps that show it. Edenlost can’t be the only place that exists.”

  Cassie and Tiffany smirked, stifling their laughter.

  “Are you from Mars? First they wipe our memories and then they hand us maps of the places we used to live?” Tiffany snickered. Their laughter rolled through the hall, ruffling the people around them.

  Anger rose hot in Leyla, mixed with a sting of humiliation that forced her eyes down; her face went tight and her hands curled into fists. The strand of hair that was usually brown flared bright red.

  “If I didn’t have crutches, I wouldn’t think twice about teaching you a lesson. But this isn’t over!” she snapped.

  Cassie and Tiffany exchanged an uncertain look, maybe they’d underestimated her.

  Hurt and furious, Leyla didn’t know whether she was angrier at them or at herself. One thing was clear: this was only the first battle she’d lost.

  Next time, she wouldn’t let anyone make a fool of her. And whoever tried would regret it.

  This was only the first clash.

  Leyla has just taken her first step into a world that watches, judges, and remembers.

  don’t stop here.

  Follow the story, add Edenlost – The Borderless City to your library, and share Chapter 16 with anyone who loves dystopian worlds, hidden systems, and characters who refuse to stay quiet.