CHAPTER 1 - THE PARTY

~ Liana ~

"Are you ready for tonight, Liana?" Ethan’s voice rang out from the doorway of my dressing room.

I capped my lipstick and turned to see him leaning casually against the doorframe, his tuxedo perfectly fitted, every hair in place. He looked like the kind of guy women dream about in magazine ads. But there was something in his smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, hinting at more than any picture could show.

"It’s just another gathering," I said, standing up and smoothing my dress. "I’ll be fine."

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You always say that. But remember, tonight isn’t just about you. We need to keep the spotlight even."

His tone was playful, but I could sense a seriousness beneath it. My heart tightened, but I managed to smile. "I’ll try not to embarrass you."

Before he could respond, a familiar voice chimed in.

"Embarrass him? You? That’s impossible."

Vanessa strolled into the room, her silver gown sparkling under the lights. My stepsister’s red lips curled into a smile that seemed friendly to anyone else but I knew better.

"Vanessa," I greeted her, keeping my tone neutral.

She walked past me, ignoring my presence, and lightly touched Ethan’s arm. "You two are such a perfect match. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if the rest of us even stand a chance in this industry with you two around."

Her voice dripped with sweetness, but her eyes held a sharper edge. Ethan gave a slight smile at her comment, his gaze lingering just a moment too long.

I swallowed the irritation that was bubbling up in my throat. "We should get going. The press is probably waiting outside already."

The ride to the hotel was quiet. Ethan was glued to his phone, tapping away at messages, while Vanessa hummed softly beside me. She had insisted on tagging along tonight, claiming she wanted to "network." But honestly, she was just looking for a way to get closer to the cameras, to Ethan, to my life.

I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past. To everyone else, I looked like I had it all together. A famous actress, engaged to a beloved star. Yet, moments like this reminded me just how fragile it all really was.

When the car finally stopped, we were immediately blinded by a flurry of flashes. Paparazzi were lined up on either side of the entrance, shouting out names.

"Liana! Over here!"

"Ethan, give us a smile with your fiancée!"

Ethan wrapped his arm around my waist as we stepped onto the red carpet, posing for the cameras. His grip felt protective, but I could sense how tightly he held me. A reminder: stay in character.

Inside, the ballroom sparkled with chandeliers, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. Guests floated around in their elegant gowns and tuxedos, their voices rising above the music.

I smiled, shook hands, exchanged polite small talk, and posed for photos. Ethan quickly slipped away to join a group of producers, and Vanessa followed him, laughing a bit too loudly at his jokes.

Left to my own devices, I headed to the bar. "Just water, please," I told the bartender. I didn’t want to drink much tonight; I needed to keep my mind sharp.

When the bartender handed me the glass, I took a sip, letting the coolness ease the dryness in my throat.

At first, everything felt perfectly normal. I mingled, smiled, and made small talk. But after a while, an unexpected warmth began to wash over me. My head felt light, and my heartbeat started to race.

I brushed it off, telling myself it was just fatigue. These gatherings always drained me. Maybe I hadn’t eaten enough earlier. I kept my smile in place, pretending everything was just fine.

But the dizziness only got worse. The lights felt blinding, and the voices grew louder, echoing strangely in my ears. My legs wobbled as I shifted my weight.

"Liana, are you okay?" someone asked, but their voice sounded far away, like it was coming from underwater.

"I’m okay," I whispered, even though my tongue felt heavy.

I tried to spot Ethan, but my vision was blurry. The room spun as I pushed my way through the crowd. And then Vanessa appeared.

"You don’t look well," she said, her voice dripping with fake concern. She linked her arm with mine. "Come on, let’s find a quiet spot for you to rest. I’ll let Ethan know, don’t worry."

I wanted to argue, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. My head was too foggy to protest. I let her lead me away.

Elevators. A long hallway.

The haze thickened. I blinked, trying to steady myself. That’s when I heard the voices.

Male voices. Harsh and unfamiliar.

"Is this her?" one of them asked.

Vanessa’s voice was smooth as she replied, "Yes. Make it quick. The press is waiting downstairs."

Panic shot through me, momentarily clearing the fog. "Wha—what’s happening?" I slurred.

Hands grabbed my arms, pulling me forward. I weakly fought back. "No—stop.."

The men laughed, their grip tightening. My heart raced, pounding against my ribs, but my body felt too heavy, too sluggish to fight back.

~ Adrian ~

"Make sure everything is sorted out before tomorrow, okay?" I said into the phone, my voice calm and steady. The guy on the other end didn’t need me to repeat myself. I hung up, slipped the phone into my pocket, and walked down the hotel corridor.

The lights danced on the shiny floors as staff zipped by, doing their jobs with practiced ease. But then I spotted them. Two guys had a woman pinned down, struggling weakly, barely able to keep her feet. Something inside me snapped.

Without thinking twice, I said, “Let her go.”

The first guy swung at me, and I stepped in, my fist connecting hard with his jaw. He stumbled back, muttering curses. The second guy charged at me, and I countered with a punch to his ribs. Both of them swayed but didn’t get back up right away.

The first guy tried again, this time with more fury. I ducked, spun around, and hit him right in the side. My moves were deliberate and precise. In just a few moments, both men were on the ground, groaning, no longer a threat.

I crouched beside the woman, catching her as she swayed, making sure she didn’t fall. Her eyes were wide with fear, and her voice came out as a faint whisper.

“Who… who are you?” she asked.

“Stay with me,” I said firmly, holding her shoulders. “Stay awake.”

She felt light in my arms, trembling, but she clung to my voice. My entire focus was on keeping her steady, making sure she stayed conscious.