In the building
As Rui entered the building she saw a number of people running around. Some were busy with charts, some were carrying clothes, some were holding on to lanterns, others were carrying the decorations in their arms. They were rushing from one room to another. Several omegas were standing in the corridor, discussing their skit with seniors. A few more were carrying instruments to the practice halls. There was a total mess inside. Among this crowd of people, Rui noticed a familiar face.
Ben was holding a laptop and running after another guy when he noticed Rui standing in the corner. He was caught off guard. He stumbled and fell on the person in front of him. Rui saw the event and rushed to help Ben.
" Are you okay?" Rui helped him and patted his clothes.
" No...Yeah... Aha..." Ben looked at Rui and lost his calm again.
" Ben, Are you injured? " Rui asked again.
Ben broke out of his fantasy world and replied, " yeah. I am totally fine." He stood up and asked Rui, " What are you doing here?"
" Oh, I am here for costume fitting. But I don't know the way." Rui replied.
" Oh the costume designers are working in room no. 3. It's on the upper floor." Ben answered and solved Rui's dilemma.
" Thanks Ben. You are here for?" Rui asked.
" Sound effects and background editing." Ben replied patting on the laptop in his hand.
" Wow. You are smart." Rui looked at her watch, " Ben, I am getting late. Once I am done with my costume, I will come and find you. Okay?"
" Alright." Ben gave that heartfelt smile.
Rui went upstairs and found the room. Soon her turn came. Rui was going through her costume fitting in room no. 3. She was about to finish, when Natalie came in and announced, " Hello juniors. Congratulations on passing the screening. You guys did very well today and made us feel very proud. Therefore, in order to thank you for your hardwork, we want to treat you some refreshments. Everyone, tell me what you want to eat and we will order it for you. Come on now."
Everyone got super excited by the sudden generosity. Natalie was writing iall the orders,one after another. She was done counting the orders. She called another senior and told him to order it quick.
Half an hour later, all the drinks and snacks arrived. Natalie was handing over the refreshments, then she called out Rui, " Hey, here is double espresso coffee. I must say, that's too strong." She smiled.
" Thank you." Rui grabbed her drink and went downstairs to find Ben.
Outside the building,
Alan was roaming around the building, looking for a way to sneak in. He was looking for an open window or a backdoor when he saw familiar face sitting on nearby bench. It was Mark and he had something in his mouth. From far, it seemed to be a cigarette. He was playing games in his phone. As Alan walked closer and closer, he saw Mark pulling that cigarette out of his mouth . Wait...no...it was actually a huge rainbow coloured lollipop.
" Woah! This sweet toothed lunatic! " Alan mumbled to himself.
Mark also noticed that someone was approaching him. He looked up and saw Alan. He flinched and immediately stood up. He thought to himself, " What did I do wrong now?"
" Hey Mark. What are you doing here?" Alan asked Mark in a polite manner. However, Mark felt that he was being interrogated.
He quickly replied, " I came here with Ben. He is inside the building. I am just waiting for him, so that we could go and grab dinner together."
" Wait. Ben is in there? But they said only participants could go in." Alan was doubtful now.
" Oh. He is special effect designer. So, he was asked to finalise the details tonight. By the way, why are you here?" Mark tried to continue the conversation. Everything is going fine for now. So there is no harm in talking a bit more.
" Well, I am here for Rui. She was called for costume fitting. So, I am waiting for her so that we could go home together." Alan replied. In addition, he slipped in another question, " Hey, have you seen Shaziya or Chris Rhodens around? I mean I was trying to trace them but they are nowhere to be found."
" No I haven't. But they are inside, most probably. Every costume and design have to approved by vice president. So, most probably, they are already inside." Mark contemplated.
" Hey, can you call Ben? Please ask him to look after Rui and keep her away from the Rhodens. I will return the favor whenever you need me. Can you please ask him to do so?" Alan requested in a calm manner.
" Offcourse bro. We are friends. There is no need to think too much about it." Mark replied full of smiles. He finally got a way to cross those boundaries that Alan created . Now, Alan had no choice but to accept him.
" Okay. Hey, also, do you know where the washroom is. I have to go, but I couldn't find it." Alan asked with aface full of embarassment.
" Yeah, I do. I will take you there." Mark replied, grinning and chuckling.
" I can go on my own. There is no need to trouble yourself." Alan wanted to refuse.He felt kind of insecure going along with him.
" Oh. There is no trouble. While you will...ahem do your business, I will call Ben and tell him what you told me." Mark cunningly coerced Alan.
" Alright." Alan was fully aware of his tactics. Yet he said nothing. In troubled times, you even treat a donkey as your dad.
Both Alan and Mark went to the washroom that was located at the back of the building. Alan was a little embarassed. But for the sake of the call, he decided to bear it all. When he was inside the stall, Mark went out and called Ben.
Two more people walked in the washroom. They were discussing something. Alan wasn't trying to eavesdrop but he heard something that piqued his interest.
" Shaziya promised to make out with you? "
" Yeah bro. She asked me to do something for her."
" Then?"
" I did it."
" Woah bro...what did you do for her?"
" You idiot. Get your head out of the gutter. Nothing like you think. She asked me to add some drug in a double espresso shot coffee."
" What drug?"
" I don't know bro. It was a white color tablet like every ordinary drug."
" Who was it for?"
" I think...it was the one who did sword dance today."
" A junior?"
" Why would she drug a junior?"
" Beats me. She is a cunning fox. No one can figure her out."
" That's is true."
They both walked out of the washroom.
However, Alan was left with too much information. Drug? Sword dance? Rui...Rui has been drugged?
Alan rushed out of the washroom as fast as possible. He was in a panic and failed to notice everything around him. Soon, someone grabbed his hand and pulled him hard. Alan lost his footing and stumbled into someone's arm. It was Mark.
" Alan . Where are you going?" Mark asked after looking at Alan's pale complexion. " Is everything alright?"
" Let me go. Rui is in danger. Let me go." Alan tried to break away. But Mark increased his grip round his shoulders.
" No. First, calm down. Alan your pheromones are acting up again. The scent is too dense and too strong. Control your scent!" Mark shouted.
As soon as Alan heard those words, he realised he was reeking of pheromones. His body was put of his control. If he entered the building like this, people will end up suffocated. He breathed in and out. He tried hard to calm down but it did not work. He was still secreting the pheromones. He felt extremely helpless.
" Mark. Mark, I heard two people talking. They were saying that Shaziya has drugged Rui. Mark, I need to save her." Alan spoke his mind in this moment of vulnerability. He was feeling anxious. What if something wrong happened to her? He will never forgive himself.
" Shh. Shhh..Alan calm down. I just talked to Ben. Rui is with him. I told him to keep an eye on her. So, don't worry okay. Calm down first and then we will find a way to reach to her." Mark consoled the person in his arm. A feeling of satisfaction crawled in his heart. This is nice.
The news brought Alan back to his senses. He felt better than before. Soon he realised, he was in...ahem... someone's arm. " Oh...I am so sorry. Are you okay?" Alan stepped back and asked Mark out of concern.
" I am okay. What will happen to me? Are you okay though?" Mark chuckled.
" No. I am serious. Are you feeling dizzy or suffocated? My pheromonal smell is too toxic. You should go and take some fresh air."
" What are you talking about? Toxic? Dude, your smell is nice. I really like sandalwood smell. When I was young, I used to go in this sandalwood forest..." Mark was about to reminisce about the past when Alan interrupted him.
" Sandal wood? You smell sandalwood from me?" Alan asked in total awe.
" Yes. Why are you reacting like that? Did I say something wrong?" Mark was pretty confused by Alan's expressions.
" Oh it's nothing." Alan felt totally amazed. How could Mark smell his original scent? Isn't he an alphas, he is a threat too. However, he was in a rush right now. So he quickly changed the topic. "Can you call Ben again? I need to talk to him."
" Okay" mark replied.