The gala had finally ended, and Annalise couldn't have been happier. She thanked her stars as she sent the last of the necessary videos to their crew. Anastasia was practically dancing with joy.
"Did you know the boss is so happy because now our channel has started to become internationally popular?" Anastasia exclaimed, twirling as they entered the elevator with Jason.
Jason chuckled, then turned to Annalise. "By the way, who was that you went out to talk to?"
Annalise brushed it off. "No one significant."
They finally checked back into their hotel, and because it was late at night, they all went to their respective rooms to rest.
Annalise woke up groggily, rubbing her eyes. Her stomach growled, and she checked the time. It was 4:53 a.m. She turned to her side and saw her friend snoring. She smiled, pulling the duvet to cover her well, and picked up her phone.
She had met one of the directors of Accurate News, the popular news channel in the country, which also paid its employees well because it was worldwide. She tapped on the phone screen and was about to call him when her phone dinged. She frowned at the unknown number and checked the message.
"Baby girl, I'll be waiting for you at exactly 6 o'clock a.m."
How did her father even get her number? She thought angrily, switching off her phone. There was no way she was going.
When it was finally morning, the trio went down for breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
"Hmm, jeez, the food is so yummy," Anastasia muttered, serving the food.
"It's indeed tasty," Annalise commented. It was indeed true. This was her first time eating something that tasty.
Anastasia asked Jason, "When are we leaving?"
Jason replied, "10 a.m. It would be better to leave early so that we reach there on time."
But Anastasia was reluctant. "What about it? Let's go out, do some window shopping, and check how beautiful the city is," she suggested.
Annalise sighed and shook her head. There was no way they were doing that. They had to leave because she already knew her father wanted to meet, and she didn't want to give him the chance.
"And last but not least, Noctaville is a very beautiful city. It would be good if we explored it a little, took some pictures, and everything. You know, have fun. Don't be so stiff all the time," Anastasia commented.
Jason nodded. "Yes, it was indeed true. We really should scout around a little before we return to our town."
---
At the Valtore Estate, Caden had just walked out when he heard a familiar voice.
"Caden, my grandson," an old man called, entering the mansion with an older woman beside him.
For the first time, a small smile appeared on Caden's face, though it didn't reach his eyes.
"Grandpa," he mustered, walking to them with a light expression, then the cold expression that always graced his face.
"Oh, heavens, Caden, you've changed so much and more than I had expected," the old man said.
Caden just nodded and helped them in. If there was anyone that Caden listened to, it was these two people—his grandparents.
"You told me you'd meet me at the gala," Caden counted to his grandfather.
The old man smiled. "That I did, but I couldn't make it. I hope you have good news for me," he inquired.
The old woman grinned and asked, stepping closer, "Did you find someone? A girl?"
"No!" Caden cut them off and then walked away. He knew what his grandmother was going to say and didn't want to hear it.
---
Anastasia and Jason entered the mall with a sulking Annalise trailing behind them. Anastasia grinned at Annalise's behavior as she picked up a dress.
"This will suit you," she commented.
"You're the one shopping, not me," Annalise countered.
Annalise checked her phone. It was six. Her dad had texted. She was about to shut it off when a call came through. She answered.
"It's better if you come than make me force you," her dad, Austin, said.
Annalise cut the call before he could spout any more nonsense.
Austin smashed his phone when his daughter cut him off. "This good-for-nothing... but she should be happy that I need her because of that face of hers," he said, staring at the picture of Annalise, which he had let his men snap during the gala.
"Javier," he called, and the man rushed to him. He looked a little younger than Austin.
"Tell them it's time," he ordered, and Javier nodded before walking out.
Back at the mall, Annalise was now having a bad feeling about this shopping trip.
"I'll be going to the washroom," she commented, and Anastasia nodded, still engrossed in her shopping.
Annalise was walking in the direction of the bathroom on another hallway, less crowded, when a man in black mismatched clothes appeared. She frowned and tried walking away, but they moved in the same direction.
"What do you want?" she asked, holding tightly to her phone. Is he a thief? she thought, scared. She had only a small amount of money in her pocket, but she didn't want them to steal it because she had planned to do something with it.
She was about to scream when a hand covered her mouth, and before she knew it, everything became blurry as she passed out.