Adrian's eyes scanned the empty space where Violet had been sitting, his mind racing with worry.
She had excused herself and has been gone for more than twenty minutes. He wasn't even focusing on the events anymore.
He called her phone, but it rang beside him, abandoned in her purse. A chill ran down his spine. Where could she have gone without her purse? He swiftly stood up, his instincts screaming for him to find her.
"Look for her, now," he barked into the earpiece, his voice low and urgent.
"Someone saw her heading to the restroom minutes ago," a bodyguard reported, and Adrian's long strides devoured the distance.
Xander eyes followed Adrian and he narrowed his eyes. "Find out what he's up to" he said to one of his men.
At the restroom, a concerned woman was knocking on a door. "Miss, are you in there?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
Adrian approached, his eyes scanning the scene. "What's happening?" he demanded.
"This woman entered this room over fifteen minutes ago," the woman explained. "I heard a thud and rushed over. The door's locked."
Adrian's gaze locked onto the door, his jaw clenched. "Break this door down. Now!" he ordered.
The guards swiftly complied, and Adrian burst into the room. Violet lay sprawled on the floor, her eyes closed, her porcelain skin pale.
"Violet!" he exclaimed, rushing to her side.
He scooped her up, cradling her in his arms, oblivious to the surrounding stares. "Find out who did this, or you're all fired," he threatened, his voice icy and the guards swung into action immediately.
As he sped to the hospital, Adrian's mind replayed the events.Who could have harmed her?
At the hospital, Adrian paced outside the treatment room, his anxiety palpable. Finally, the doctor emerged.
"How is she?" Adrian asked, his voice laced with worry.
"She collapsed from shock, exacerbated by her claustrophobia," the doctor explained. "But she's stable now."
Adrian's tension eased slightly. "But she's fine now, right?" he pressed.
"Yes, she just needs rest," the doctor reassured.
Adrian exhaled, relief washing over him. It's being long he worried so much about someone. But, he just couldn't help but worry about Violet.
*
"Are you okay now?" he asked Violet, who sat down in the car, om the passenger's seat.
"I'm fine sir. Thanks for saving me" she said, in gratitude.
She had been so terrified when she was locked in. She didn't even know when she passed out.
"Do you know who might have locked you in?" he asked, trying to get a clue.
"Not at all. I wanted to come out of the restroom, I tried opening the door but it was locked already." she explained ad he sighed.
"I'm so sorry you weren't able to attend the event fully because of me. I know you've been looking forward to it" she said.
"It's fine. I'll get the full information of what went on in the event. Don't worry. You are my worker, so you are important than the event" he said, and she smiled.
Her boss is getting nicer and she's loving every bit of it.
Her stomach churned when she remembered that she's a source of betrayal to him.
Adrian noticed her change of countenance, but he didn't say anything.
Perhaps, she's still tired.
Violet was surprised when he took the route to her house. She couldn't believe that he remembers, even though he had driven in the night, the other day.
"You still remember the route"
"Why won't I remember. I have a strong retaining memory" he said and she smiled.
Adrian looked at her. "Her smile's beautiful" he muttered and quickly frowned when he realized what he had said.
"What did I just say?" he asked himself inwardly.
"I might need to visit the hospital soon. I'm going crazy" he said to himself.
Violet was enjoying the cool breeze, unaware of the internal battle Adrian was having with himself.
*
Xavier smiled in triumph as he watched the video of where he was presented the trophy.
He had really wished Adrian was present, he had so much wanted to see the look on his face.
"Finally" he chuckled, watching the video over and over again.
He was still watching the video when someone entered.
"Good evening boss"
"So, what did you find out?" Xavier asked his right-hand man, who he had asked to follow Adrian when he left the event.
"When he came out of the hall, he was carrying a woman in his arms" he explained.
"A woman?" Xavier arched his brows.
"Yes, boss"
"Adrian was carrying a woman?... that's interesting." he muttered.
"The woman seemed to have fainted or something, as he drove to an hospital. I couldn't really find out what happened."
"That's more than enough."he said, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"Adrian allowed a woman's body to touch him. That's new"
"Find out every information about that woman." he ordered.
*
Meanwhile,
In Starlight,
The atmosphere was electric with frustration. Workers paced back and forth, their faces etched with disappointment and anger.
The recent loss at the prestigious industry awards still stung, their decade-long winning streak snapped by Xavier's company. That hurt, but it was only the beginning.
The real dagger to the heart was the emergence of an upstart company, Eclipse Entertainment, which had somehow managed to showcase the very project Starlight had poured its soul into – the movie premiere that had been stolen from them.
It was identical, down to the last detail. No changes, no creative twists, just their hard work and sweat repackaged and presented as someone else's triumph.
The Eclipse Entertainment's premiere had captured the hearts of the audience and earned them widespread recognition. Starlight's team couldn't help but feel robbed, their innovative ideas and tireless efforts exploited for someone else's gain.
Who was working for Eclipse among them?
And how sure are they that more of their works still won't get stolen, since the mole hasn't been found yet.
*
Somewhere,
A man smirked, looking at the computer in front of him.
On it, a video where Adrian was carrying Violet displayed.
"Seems my little pawn is doing her job well." He chuckled, the sound sending shivers down the spine.
As he leaned back in his chair, the dim lighting of the room accentuated the sinister lines of his face. The air was thick with the scent of cigar smoke and evil intentions.
"Come nearer, Adrian," he whispered, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "The more you get smitten, the more vulnerable you become... and the more you get closer to your doom." His laughter echoed through the room, a haunting melody that seemed to dance on the edges of madness.
In the shadows, a single phrase materialized on the screen.
"Checkmate, Adrian"