Part 141
The morning sun streamed through the studio windows, catching flecks of dust in the golden light. Adrian was reviewing his new choreography when his manager, entered the room with that expression — half-exhausted, half-worried.
Adrian caught it immediately. "What's wrong this time?"
His manager hesitated, flipping through his tablet. "You're… not going to like this."
"Try me."
He sighed, turning the screen toward Adrian. "The Ministry of Culture just announced a new national campaign — 'Voices of the Future'. It's a joint project with the President's Office. And you, my friend, are listed as the campaign's lead ambassador."
Adrian blinked. "What?"
"It gets better," Ryan said grimly. "The campaign will be co-hosted by the President's daughter, Liana. She personally requested you."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Adrian slowly leaned back, jaw tightening. "I thought I already declined her invitation."
"You did. But… she's powerful, Adrian. She didn't invite you this time — she assigned you."
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration flickering in his eyes. "So if I refuse again?"
His manager exhaled. "Then you're refusing the President's Office. It'll look bad. The company's already worried about backlash — headlines, sponsors pulling out, that kind of thing."
Adrian closed his eyes for a moment, breathing through his nose. His fame had always been double-edged — the admiration, the pressure, the constant attention. But this? This felt like another trap disguised as an opportunity.
"Set up a meeting," he said finally.
His manager frowned. "A meeting with Liana?"
Adrian nodded. "I want to hear what she wants directly. If she's trying to play power games, I need to know the rules before I walk onto her board."
His manager hesitated. "Are you sure? She doesn't exactly like hearing 'no.'"
Adrian's lips curved faintly — a calm, almost dangerous smile. "Then she's about to hear it again."
As His manager left, Adrian turned back toward the mirror. The reflection staring back wasn't the nervous idol who once hid in a countryside café. It was the man who had survived obsession, captivity, and fear — and come out sharper than before.
Still, somewhere deep in his chest, unease twisted.
Not because of Liana's power — but because he could already feel eyes on him again.
Watching. Waiting.