Chereads / Secrets and Subterfuge / Chapter 8 - Chapter 8

Chapter 8 - Chapter 8

Victoria awoke with a cringe in her neck and a blinding headache, groggily shifting in her bed as the persistent ringing of her doorbell echoed through her apartment. Rubbing her temples, she stumbled to the front door, her mind still muddled with remnants of sleep.

As she opened the door, her bleary eyes widened in surprise and dismay. Standing before her was Adam, her ex-boyfriend, with an air of irritation and curiosity etched on his face.

"Adam, what are you doing here?" Victoria's voice was tinged with a mixture of annoyance and concern.

Adam's demeanor was intense as he thrust an article in her direction. "Can you explain this?" he demanded, pointing to the headline that detailed the prestigious gala from the previous evening. The article prominently featured photographs from the event, capturing Victoria's presence among the attendees.

Victoria's heart sank as she realized what Adam was insinuating. "I... I was at a gala last night," she admitted hesitantly, trying to gather her thoughts amidst the pounding headache.

Adam's expression turned accusatory. "A gala, huh? Don't give me that! I saw those pictures of you with some rich guy, all cozy and engaged in deep conversation. Who is he, Victoria?"

Realization dawned upon her. Adam had seen the article and had jumped to conclusions, assuming the worst. She struggled to find the right words to explain the situation without divulging too much.

"He's... just someone I met at the event. It was a social gathering, nothing more," Victoria replied, attempting to downplay the situation.

Adam's skepticism was evident. "A random encounter? Come on, Victoria. You've been avoiding me for weeks, and now you're suddenly cozying up to some rich guy at a high-profile event?"

Victoria sighed, the headache intensifying with each passing moment. "Adam, it's not what you think. I didn't plan this, and it's not about you or us. Please, I need some space."

Before she could say more, Adam's tone turned colder. "Space? That's all I get after all this time? Fine, have it your way. But mark my words, Victoria, I'll find out the truth."

With that ominous threat, Adam turned on his heel and stormed off, leaving Victoria standing in the doorway, feeling a mix of frustration and exasperation. She closed the door with a heavy sigh, her head throbbing painfully.

Retreating to the comfort of her living room, Victoria sank into the couch, trying to piece together the events from the previous night. She remembered the gala, the charming Alexander Harrington, and the unexpected predicament with transportation. But how did those moments end up in the news? She hadn't expected her attendance at the event to be publicized in such a manner.

Pulling out her phone, Victoria scrolled through her social media feed, hoping for some clarity. To her dismay, she found numerous tagged photos and mentions of the gala, some even speculating about her interaction with Alexander Harrington.

The headache intensified as she tried to make sense of the situation. Victoria knew she needed to address this issue promptly. She drafted a message to the event organizers, politely inquiring about the unexpected media coverage of the gala attendees.

While waiting for a response, she searched online for any additional information about the gala. There were articles detailing the event's significance, the attendees, and their notable conversations or interactions.

As she scrolled through one of the articles, a paragraph caught her eye. It described a heated discussion between Alexander Harrington and a prominent business rival, emphasizing their divergent views on a controversial industry topic. It seemed the media had overlooked Victoria's presence in the context of a larger, more compelling narrative.

Just as Victoria was engrossed in reading, her phone buzzed with a notification. It was a response from the event organizers, apologizing for the unintentional media attention and assuring her they would investigate the matter.

Relieved that her inquiry was being addressed, Victoria tried to relax, hoping for a resolution. However, her peace was short-lived as her thoughts drifted back to Adam's unexpected visit and accusatory tone.

The ringing headache persisted, and she massaged her temples, attempting to ease the tension. She knew she needed to address the misunderstanding with Adam before it escalated further.

With a deep breath, Victoria decided to reach out to Adam. She sent him a message, asking to meet in person to clarify the situation. It was crucial for her to set the record straight and dispel any misconceptions.

Minutes turned into an anxious wait as Victoria anxiously checked her phone repeatedly. Finally, a reply came from Adam, agreeing to meet at a nearby café later in the day.

Gathering her thoughts, Victoria prepared to face the impending conversation with Adam, hoping to explain the truth and put an end to the unnecessary tension and doubt that had emerged from an innocent encounter at the gala.

Victoria's throbbing headache persisted, urging her to find some relief. Despite her discomfort, she knew she had to push through the day, especially with the looming meeting with Adam. Desperate to alleviate the pounding pain, she searched through her medicine cabinet, finding some over-the-counter painkillers to soothe her headache.

Taking a couple of tablets, Victoria hoped they would kick in soon as she readied herself for the day. She dressed in professional attire, ready to take on her dual role—journalist by day, a concealed entrepreneur aiming to get closer to Alexander Harrington.

Victoria's actual job as a journalist meant she had to dig deeper, uncovering the truth behind the facade of the rich and powerful. However, for her own personal investigation and understanding, she was maneuvering as an entrepreneur, wanting to explore Alexander's world to grasp the reality beyond the glittering exterior.

On her way to work, Victoria decided to make a quick stop at a nearby pharmacy to pick up a few more painkillers to keep on hand. The idea of facing Adam with a persistent headache was a thought that didn't sit well with her.

As she entered the pharmacy, she headed straight to the over-the-counter medication aisle. After selecting her preferred brand, she approached the cashier to make her purchase.

While waiting in line, Victoria's attention was drawn to a magazine cover featuring Alexander Harrington on the front page. The headline boasted about his latest business venture, emphasizing his knack for turning investments into profitable enterprises.

Victoria discreetly flipped through the magazine, scanning the article for any pertinent information. It mostly highlighted his accomplishments, detailing his success stories and philanthropic endeavors. However, it offered little in terms of personal insight into his character or the truth she was seeking.

With her purchase in hand, Victoria hurried to her office, diving back into her journalistic tasks. She meticulously crafted articles, ensuring they were insightful and thought-provoking while keeping an eye on any updates regarding Alexander.

As the afternoon progressed, Victoria received an unexpected email. It was an invitation to an exclusive business networking event scheduled in three weeks. The event was hosted by a prominent business organization known for attracting influential figures, including Alexander Harrington.

The invitation presented an opportunity—Victoria could attend under the guise of her entrepreneur persona. It could provide her with a chance to observe Alexander in a different setting, potentially uncovering more about his character and motivations.