As their car glided out of the estate, Lauren eagerly posed the question, "So, where are we off to, girls?"
Ariana, her agile fingers dancing across her phone's screen, explained their itinerary, "Well, first, we'll visit Alanna's Astral Couture store to test and purchase some fabulous outfits. Then, we can find a spot for lunch and, if we're up for it, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of a club later in the evening."
Surprised and speechless, Lauren turned to Alanna. "Wait, Alanna, you're the owner of the biggest fashion brand in the country?" The shock was evident in her voice and expression.
Alanna chuckled, her laughter filling the air as she nodded affirmatively. "Yes, that's correct."
Lauren struggled to find the words to express her awe and admiration.
"Wow, that's truly remarkable. I'm at a loss for words. And, to add to the amazement, Ariana I just found out that you are the highest-paid model in the world... at such a young age. You two have reached the pinnacle of your respective careers and are thriving. I am immensely proud of you both."
"Awww, thank you, Sis," Alanna responded, gently squeezing Lauren's hand to convey her gratitude.
Ariana chimed in, her eyes filled with genuine admiration.
"When we discovered we had a cousin sister, I must admit, I was skeptical at first.
But my own investigations revealed the incredible impact you've made to the society and humanity in serving and saving lives in two of the most challenging fields. I became a fan, truly humbled by your remarkable achievements. Lauren," she said, smiling warmly.
"We couldn't have asked for a more extraordinary cousin. You are a source of pride," Alanna added, affirming Ariana's statement.
A wave of gratitude washed over Lauren as she absorbed their words. "Thank you, guys," she said sincerely, touched by their heartfelt acknowledgement and support.
Alanna's compliment lingered in the air as she remarked, "If I may add, you possess the body and face of a runway model. Your casual yet elegant style exudes grace. You could consider adding modeling to your already impressive resume."
Lauren gracefully accepted the kind words but politely declined, her smile shining with appreciation.
"Thank you, but being an agent and a doctor already demands so much of my time and energy. I don't think I could add another profession to the mix. But I genuinely appreciate your kind words," she responded.
Just as the conversation settled, Lauren's phone jingled with an incoming call from an unknown number.
A moment of hesitation gripped her as she contemplated whether to answer or let it go. Eventually, she made up her mind and picked up the call, projecting a calm demeanor.
"Hello, this is Lauren speaking," she greeted, her voice composed.
On the other end, a soft melodic voice responded, saying, "Hi, Lauren. This is Venessa DeMarco."
Lauren took a brief pause, her mind working to recall the person behind the name.
Venessa's voice held a hint of familiarity, but Lauren struggled to pinpoint where they had met or the face that accompanied it.
Venessa kindly refreshed her memory, saying, "I'm the younger sister of Damien, Derek, and Damon. I visited you in the hospital a few weeks ago. Does that ring a bell?"
Recognition flickered in Lauren's eyes, and a smile adorned her face as the memory resurfaced.
"Ah, Venessa! Of course, I remember now. It's wonderful to hear from you. How have you been?" Lauren responded warmly, recalling their amusing encounter when they unintentionally bumped heads during Lauren's awakening.
"I'm doing well, thank you. I actually wanted to inquire whether you've been in contact with Damien recently," Venessa queried, anticipation lacing her tone as she awaited Lauren's response.
Lauren, needing clarification, sought confirmation, "Do you mean Mr. Damien Voltorie?" The mention of the Voltorie name triggered an instantaneous reaction from Alanna and Ariana, who promptly abandoned their phone activities to focus intently on the unfolding conversation. Maintaining their composed facades, they skillfully concealed any indication of their connection to Damien.
"Yes, precisely. We were together two days ago," Lauren responded almost unthinkingly, immediately sensing the unintended implication of her words.
The air grew slightly tense as both sisters raised their eyebrows in surprise, each silently conveying their curiosity and pondering the nature of Lauren's relationship with Damien. Nonverbally, Ariana shrugged while Alanna rolled her eyes, bemused yet cautious.
Attempting to clarify her statement and eliminate any potential awkwardness, Lauren swiftly interjected, her voice tinged with unease, "I mean, we met with the president together two days ago."
Venessa couldn't help but let out a soft, suppressed chuckle, amused by the unintended insinuation.
"Oh, I see," she responded, restraining her laughter. "No need to worry. I was just curious. It's not a concern at all." Venessa composed herself, adeptly concealing any uneasiness.
Internally, she reassured herself, affirming that she held no personal stake in Damien's affairs. The thought of their connection held no relevance to her.
Lauren, blissfully oblivious to her unintentional display of concern, innocently persisted,
"Why? Is there something wrong?" Unbeknownst to her, a wave of self-doubt washed over her, whose inner monologue served to quell any flickering concern, reestablishing her resolve to remain uninvolved.
Venessa's words hung in the air, leaving Lauren with a sliver of unease.
"He's been absent for two days now? I've tried contacting him, but his phone is unreachable. The office mentioned he hasn't been in, which is highly unusual," she recounted, a tinge of worry lacing her voice.
Lauren's detective instincts kicked in unbidden, her mind racing to find a solution. "What about Derek and Damon? They're always together. Surely they must have an idea of his whereabouts," she suggested, her tone channeling a sense of determination. Though she couldn't explain it, she possessed an unshakable belief that Damien was safe, wherever he may be.
Anxiousness reverberated in Venessa's voice as she replied, "Nobody seems to know where he is. This is unprecedented. I apologize for bothering you. He's an adult and perfectly capable of taking care of himself."
Lauren, aware of the delicate nature of the situation, offered reassurance. "No need to apologize. I understand your concern. Hopefully, he'll turn up soon."
With a swift goodbye, the conversation ended, but worry still tugged at Lauren's mind. She attempted to reach Damien using the previous number he had used to contact her, but to no avail. Frustration edged along her features, mirroring the words that Venessa had shared.