Ziva’s heart was racing as she pushed through the backstage curtains. She had checked all the rooms she passed, but every single one was empty. She moved quickly down the service hallway and almost ran into the Director.

The Director looked pale, her hands shaking slightly as she held her phone. Unlike the others outside, she wasn’t curious or annoyed. She was worried.

"Ziva! Did you find her?" she asked in a low voice. "I told security to block the main entrance, but those journalists are like vultures. I’m worried she’s stuck somewhere. If anything happens to her... the film... everything will fall apart. Mr Vale would be very disappointed"

"I’m still looking," Ziva replied, giving her a quick nod before moving again. She went back and checked the private restrooms at the back of the building. The corridor there was quieter and the lights were dimmer.

Then... her feet came to a stop when her eyes caught some faint marks on the floor.

Small, damp footprints.

Ziva’s eyes followed them slowly. They led straight toward the steel door at the rear exit. Her chest tightened as she walked faster and pushed the door open.

Cool night air rushed against her face. She stepped outside into the alley, but it was empty. No one was there. Only the faint taillights of a car in the distance.

Ziva stood still, her hands tightening at her sides as she watched the car turn the corner and disappear.

After a moment, she let out a slow breath, her shoulders finally dropping. She didn’t know where Elara was going.

But she knew exactly whose car that was...

–

Elara opened the car door and got in. The heavy door shut beside her with a dull click, sealing her into the dark cold interior. She slid into the far corner of the seat, her fingers tightening around Carris’s damp coat, gripping it hard as if it could help her gain a bit control of herself.

A moment later, the other door opened and Adrian got in. He didn’t look at her. He simply leaned back into the darkness, his presence filling the small space until the air felt too thin to breathe.

"Miss Veyne," Harris said from the front as he started the car. "Should I take you to Mr Gorden’s residence? Going all the way back to Starfall... it might not be wise, given the situation."

Elara’s heart thudded at the mention of her grandfather. The image of the proud, aged man seeing her like this...soaked, ruine, and humiliated... made her stomach turn with nausea.

"No," she said softly, her voice sounding fragile even to herself. "Not there. I don’t want him... to see me like... this."

From beside her, Adrian’s gaze shifted a bit and rested on her face for a moment, then moved away just as quickly.

"Then where to?" Harris asked again, this time glancing at the rearview mirror.

Elara went quiet. Her mind was completely blank. There was nowhere she could go. No building of hers anywhere. No place that felt safe. And for the first time, she realized something she didn’t want to admit...

Right now, the only place that felt even remotely safe... was beside the man sitting next to her.

"The Villa."

Adrian’s voice suddenly cut cleanly through the silence. It didn’t sound like a suggestion. It felt like a command.

"Sir?" Harris asked furrowing his brows, looking a bit confused.

"My villa here in Crelou," Adrian repeated, his tone leaving no room for questions.

Harris paused for a second, then he nodded slowly. "Yes, Boss."

Elara turned her face toward the window, not knowing what to say or do. She could only watch the passing lights as the car moved onto the road.

Suddenly, the car jerked sharply, swerving to avoid another vehicle. The movement threw her sideways and before she could react, her shoulder hit something solid and warm.

For a brief moment, she was pressed against Adrian’s chest. The faint scent of cedarwood and clean fabric surrounding her. His arm came up instantly and caught her, his fingers closing around her arm to steady her.

The contact sent a sharp jolt through her. She pulled away immediately, retreating back into her corner, her breath uneven. She didn’t stay close a second longer than necessary, pulling her arm free as if the touch had burned her.

Adrian didn’t stop her. He withdrew his hand just as calmly, his long fingers settling back into his lap as he looked at her for a small second... then turned away.

The rest of the drive passed in silence.

The car moved along the smooth roads until tall iron gates appeared ahead, opening slowly as they approached. It came to a stop in front of a large, imposing building.

Harris stepped out and opened the door. Cool night air drifted in as he did so.

Elara looked at the house, then slowly turned to the man beside her. "Mr..." she started, then stopped, suddenly unsure of what to call him at a moment like this.

Adrian finally turned his head and his icy grey eyes met hers. "You chose to follow me," he said coldly. "You don’t get to hesitate now."

Elara’s breath hitched at his words, but she didn’t reply. She had already followed him here... and there was nothing else to say.

Without waiting, Adrian stepped out of the car and walked toward the entrance.

Elara sat still, her fingers tightening around the coat in her hands. Somehow... she felt smaller than she had ever been in a long time.

"Miss Veyne?" Harris said softly from the side of the open door. He looked at her like he wanted to say more, but in the end, he didn’t.

Elara gave a small nod in acknowledgement, took a breath, and stepped out. The walk to the door felt longer than it should have. When she stepped inside, the warmth and polished silence of the place wrapped around her, but it did not comfort her at all.

Adrian was already halfway across the hall with his back to her. He stopped and turned a little, his eyes moving over her trembling figure and the coat she still held tightly.

"Give that to Harris," he said, gesturing at the coat.

Elara blinked, her grip tightening instinctively. "It’s not mine. I have to..."

"It’s useless now," he cut in firmly, his voice leaving no room for debate. "Let it go."

A faint heat rose up her neck... partly from shame, partly from a sudden spark of annoyance. But she didn’t argue– she was at his mercy now... and she knew it.

Slowly, she turned and handed the coat to Harris who took it at once. But before she faced forward again, her eyes met his and she held his gaze for a brief second.

Harris pressed his lips together in hesitation, then gave a small, almost invisible nod of assurance.

"Second floor," Adrian said, already walking away. "First door on the right."

Then he walked off and disappeared from sight.