"It's a shame you might have missed her. I heard from the nurses that she and her entourage had already left the hospital," Derek remarked, reclining in one of the plush sofas within his office. With a sense of refinement, he elegantly sipped from his glass of blood.
Damien interjected, "Oh, I saw her, alright. In fact, we had a momentary encounter just before she departed in her elevator..." His words hung in the air, emphasizing the hostility that had permeated the encounter.
Derek, his gaze contemplative, leaned forward, engaging Damien with a pointed question, "What's the next plan? Do you want to meet her? She was awake when I left."
Without missing a beat, Damien responded with a curt refusal, his mind burdened by a million thoughts, the weight of his purpose bearing heavily upon him.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, Derek cut straight to the chase, his words carrying a note of urgency, "How do we handle Veronica Benneth if she tries to oppose our plans with Lauren? I can assure you that the aura she exuded upon entering the room was strong enough to bring even the most powerful vampires to their knees."
A flash of determination crossed Damien's face as he stood, resolute in his convictions.
"No one, absolutely no one, is going to stop me from finding my father – not even the greatest witch in this realm or any other realm," he declared with unwavering resolve.
Damien, consumed by an insatiable curiosity, turned to Veronica with a burning question.
"How does one summon the moon goddess?"
Venessa, the embodiment of wisdom answered "You don't summon the moon goddess," she replied, her tone grave and earnest.
"She comes of her own accord, guided by the moon's celestial and on her terms alone."
Her words resonated within Damien, stirring something deep within his soul.
As he stood there, contemplating on what Venessa said.
The pursuit of his father, entwined with the threads of his own fate, and Lauren.
With determined step, Damien moved towards the exit. Just as his hand reached for the doorknob, Derek's voice pierced the air, halting his movements.
"Now might be the best time to consider accepting the offer presented by the Vampire elders, don't you think?" he suggested, his eyes fixed on Damien.
With an air of indifference, Damien swiftly dismissed the idea, his response leaving no room for negotiation.
"Not interested," he stated resolutely, leaving the room with purpose, his sights firmly set on his own path.
__________________________________________
A week later....
Dressed in a sleek black top and adorned with a leather jacket and pants, Lauren revved the engine of her vibrant red Chevrolet sports car as she pulled into the NDI headquarters with a blaze of energy.
The car keys dangled playfully from her hand as she strode purposefully towards the imposing facility, her excitement obvious as she prepared to immerse herself in the work she loved so dearly.
Though initially hesitant, she reluctantly accepted a one-week sick leave granted by her understanding Director. Wise beyond her years, Lauren utilized this time to recuperate and rebuild her strength, channeling her boundless determination to emerge even stronger before returning to the agency.
She longed to once again embrace the challenges of her missions, to vanquish the evil forces plaguing the world and secure the triumph of justice.
As she crossed the threshold into the facility, a thunderous explosion of confetti erupted around her, showering the atmosphere in a dazzling display. The vibrant colors danced in the air, mirrored by the beaming smiles and thunderous applause that greeted her arrival.
Directors, department heads, and agents alike rose to their feet, their applause resounding in her ears. The sight before her stirred a deep sense of joy and appreciation, as everyone in the agency welcomed her back with open arms.
Lauren's eyes sparkled with delight as she absorbed the warmth and genuine support emanating from her colleagues. Their standing ovation, a resounding chorus of admiration, affirmed the importance of her role within the agency and reaffirmed the bond they shared in the pursuit of a safer world. In that moment, surrounded by her dedicated peers, Lauren knew she was truly home – a valued member of a collective endeavor to bring light to the darkest corners of society.
Raising his commanding hand, the director commanded the room to hush, allowing him to address their esteemed agent with a sense of pride and admiration. "Welcome back, Agent Lauren. We are beyond thrilled to have you standing amongst us once again," he declared, his tone resonating with genuine warmth.
"Thank you, Director," Lauren responded, her voice infused with cheerfulness and gratitude.
"On behalf of the National Division of Intelligence, NDI, we extend a heartfelt welcome back to our esteemed agency," the director continued, his words carefully chosen to convey the magnitude of her accomplishments.
"Your leadership not only ensured the safe return of the President's daughter, but also safeguarded the lives of other kidnapped women. They are profoundly grateful for your unwavering commitment to their cause."
Lauren, ever humble and aware of the collective effort, acknowledged the role played by her team and the collaboration with Apex, responding with utmost modesty.
"Thank you, boss. It was truly a collective effort from my team and the incredible support from the people at Apex"
The director's voice heightened with excitement as he shared breaking news. "Moreover, I am proud to announce that as a result of your exceptional bravery, Madame President herself has invited you to the White House on a special visit." As his words sunk in, an eruption of cheers filled the agency, agents expressing their elation for their esteemed colleague's extraordinary achievement.
In the midst of the exultation, the director proceeded to unveil a secret known only to him, igniting a newfound sense of enthusiasm within the room.
"Furthermore, in recognition of your team's commitment and invaluable contributions to this mission, the owner and President of Apex Conglomerate, Mr. Damien Voltorie, has made a generous donation of one billion dollars to support our agency. He has also sent state-of-the-art gadgets to enhance our tactical intelligence capabilities." electrifying wave of excitement surged through the room, commingling with the cheers and applause.
Overwhelmed by the gratitude and the unexpected turn of events, Lauren found herself at a loss for words. A bright smile adorned her face as she made a mental note to personally visit Apex headquarters to express her heartfelt thanks to Mr. Voltorie.
Within the walls of the agency, euphoria coursed through their veins, becoming an inseparable part of their collective consciousness. The thrilling promise of increased salaries, a symbol of appreciation and recognition, added a touch of jubilance to an already joyous occasion.
_______________________________
"Lauren, come with me," Stephanie beckoned, her urgency evident as she tugged her friend and partner towards the locker room. With a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, she sought answers that had been circulating as mere whispers.
"Well," Stephanie began, her eyes narrowed inquisitively as she peered at her friend. "Well, what?" Lauren asked, her expression one of confoundment, unprepared for the impending question.
A mischievous smile danced on Stephanie's lips as she carried on, fueled by the rumors she had overheard from the hospital nurses who attended Lauren during her recovery.
"I heard from the nurses that Mr. Damien Voltorie stayed by your side, watching over you for two straight days. Is there some truth to it, hmm?" Stephanie asked, her eyes glimmering with anticipation.
Lauren's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and disbelief emanating from her. She responded with exasperation, "How am I supposed to know when I was unconscious for those two days?" The absurdity of the situation hung in the air, her unconsciousness leaving her unaware of Damien's presence during that time.
Eager to put the conversation behind her, Lauren swiftly redirected the conversation, her focus returning to the mission.
"If that's all, I would very much like to return to the tactical room and catch up on everything that i missed," she stated, her tone resolute as she began making her way towards the exit, Stephanie closely trailing behind.
Unyielding, Stephanie persisted with her line of questioning. "But at least when you woke up, he was there, right?" she probed, an underlying curiosity lacing her words.
Lauren abruptly halted her steps, a flush of embarrassment creeping upon her face as a vivid memory resurfaced.
"How embarrassing," she mumbled to herself, quickly resuming her determined pace while suppressing the memory that threatened to surface.
Observant as ever, Stephanie noticed the sudden change in Lauren's demeanor, her excitement mounting.
"Oh my God, why is your face all flushed? You remembered something, didn't you?" Stephanie pressed, her persistence unyielding.
Briefly, Lauren halted, her frustration growing, before picking up her pace once more, praying for a distraction to divert Stephanie's attention.
The universe seemingly granted her wish as one of the Directors summoned Stephanie to his office, granting Lauren a momentary reprieve. Breathing a sigh of relief, she knew that if Stephanie persisted, she might have to spill.