Ethan blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by her sudden approach. He quickly composed himself, returning her smile and shaking her hand.
"I'm Ethan," he replied, his voice steady but his heart racing. He couldn't help but wonder who this woman was and why she had chosen to introduce herself to him.
Isabella studied him for a moment, her smile never wavering. "It's nice to meet you, Ethan. I couldn't help but notice you standing here alone. Are you enjoying the party?"
Ethan nodded, trying to mask his uncertainty. "Yes, it's... different from what I'm used to, but it's interesting."
Isabella chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I can imagine. These events can be overwhelming, especially if it's your first time."
Ethan felt a bit more at ease with her friendly demeanor. "Yeah, it's definitely a new experience for me."
Isabella tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued. "How do you know Lucien?"
Ethan hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. "I... work for him. He invited me to the party tonight."
Isabella's smile widened, a hint of intrigue in her eyes. "That's interesting. Lucien doesn't usually bring new employees to these events. You must be special."
Ethan felt a flush creep up his neck, unsure of how to respond. "I don't know about that. I'm just trying to do my job."
Isabella's gaze softened, and she took a step closer. "You seem like a nice person, Ethan. I hope you enjoy your time here tonight."
Ethan nodded, feeling a bit more comfortable. "Thank you. It's nice to meet someone friendly in all of this."
Isabella laughed lightly, her voice like a melodic chime. "Well, I believe in making new friends. If you ever need anything or just want to talk, feel free to find me."
Ethan smiled genuinely, appreciating her kindness. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Isabella."
As she walked away, Ethan couldn't help but wonder about her connection to Lucien and why she had taken an interest in him.
Ethan glanced back at the staircase, hoping Lucien would return soon. The brief encounter with Isabella had left him with more questions than answers, but he tried to focus on staying composed and making it through the night.
However, it seemed the universe was determined to keep him from having a peaceful time without Lucien in sight. As he stood there, nursing his champagne, a strikingly handsome man approached him with a friendly smile.
"Hey there," the man said, his voice smooth and inviting. "I'm James. Haven't seen you around here before. Are you new to these kinds of events?"
Ethan forced a smile, still feeling a bit on edge from his previous conversation. "Yeah, it's my first time at something like this. I'm Ethan."
"Nice to meet you, Ethan," James replied, his smile widening. "These parties can be a bit overwhelming at first, but they get better with a few drinks. Here, let me get you something better than that champagne."
Before Ethan could protest, James turned and motioned to a waiter, who promptly brought over two glasses of a vibrant, enticing cocktail. Ethan hesitated, but James' friendly demeanor put him at ease. He accepted the glass, unaware of the drug it contained.
"Cheers," James said, clinking his glass against Ethan's. "To new friends."
Ethan took a cautious sip, the sweet and tangy flavor masking the bitter undertone. He smiled politely, feeling a bit more relaxed as they continued to chat. James was charming and engaging, and Ethan found himself lowering his guard.
As the conversation flowed, Ethan began to feel light-headed, his vision blurring slightly. He tried to focus on James' words, but they seemed to fade into the background. Panic started to creep in as he realized something was wrong.
"Are you okay?" James asked, his voice now sounding distant and echoey. "You look a bit pale. Maybe we should get you some fresh air."
Ethan nodded weakly, unable to find his voice. James guided him away from the crowded room and into a secluded hallway, his grip firm and reassuring. Ethan's legs felt like jelly, and he struggled to keep his balance.
As they moved further away from the main area, Ethan's body grew weaker. He could barely keep his eyes open, and his thoughts became muddled. James tightened his hold, practically carrying him now.
"It's okay, Ethan," James murmured, his tone soothing yet sinister. "We'll find a quiet place for you to rest."
Ethan wanted to protest, to call out for help, but his body wouldn't cooperate. His vision darkened, and he felt himself slipping into unconsciousness. James led him to a door at the end of the hallway, pushing it open and stepping inside.
The room was dimly lit, the air heavy with an unsettling silence. James carefully laid Ethan down on a plush sofa, his movements methodical and deliberate. He glanced around, ensuring no one had followed them.
Ethan's heart pounded in his chest as he fought to stay awake. He could sense the danger but was powerless to do anything about it. James leaned over him, his smile now a twisted mask of malice.
"Just relax, Ethan," James whispered, brushing a strand of hair from Ethan's forehead. "Everything will be over soon."
Ethan's mind screamed in panic, but his body refused to respond. He felt a tear slide down his cheek, the sensation a cruel reminder of his helplessness. James straightened up, his expression cold and calculating.
"You're going to be very useful," James muttered to himself, checking his watch. "But first, we need to make sure you're completely out of the picture for a while."
As darkness closed in, Ethan's last coherent thought was of Lucien, hoping against hope that he would somehow find him before it was too late.
.....