In the VIP dressing room of The Grand Elysium Hotel.
I stood still before a floor-to-ceiling mirror framed in ornate gold. My dark brown eyes stared at the reflection of a stranger.
A slender young man dressed in an ivory-cream suit. Tailored from fine Italian silk, the cut accentuated my frail frame. My light brown hair was styled back, revealing a flawless face, lightly made up. Concealing the dark circles of stress and the pallor of sleep deprivation.
I looked elegant. Expensive. And as lifeless as a porcelain doll displayed in a glass cabinet. Waiting for the day it shatters.
Click! The doorknob turned softly.
Ren walked in, dressed in a pristine white tuxedo. The immaculate cut highlighted his handsome, formidable features, making him look like a prince.
He stopped directly behind me. Our eyes met through the mirror.
Our reflections... white and cream. To an outsider, we looked like a perfectly matched pair.
But in reality, we were a predator and his prey, chained together.
"Beautiful..."
Ren whispered his praise against my ear.
But his eyes weren't admiring the suit. He was looking beneath my shirt collar. Right where the black leather choker tightly bound my smooth neck. The mark of ownership he was so proud of.
"But it's missing one thing."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a diamond brooch. A vibrant red rose, crafted from flawless rubies surrounded by diamonds.
He carefully pinned it to the left side of my chest.
Right over my heart...
The sharp pin pierced the fabric, missing my skin by a mere millimeter. I held my breath.
"A red rose..."
He adjusted the brooch. His long fingers deliberately brushed lightly against my chest.
"A symbol of love... and 'blood'."
"Remember, Yurin. Tonight, you are my face. Keep smiling. Don't look like you're attending your own funeral. Understood?"
"Yes, Mr. President."
I forced a smile onto my lips. The fake smile I had practiced in front of the mirror all week.
Ren leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my neck. He inhaled my scent deeply before pulling away.
"Let's go. The guests are arriving."
"Let's welcome them to our grand charade."
...
The second we stepped into the colossal ballroom, the blinding light from tens of thousands of crystal chandeliers struck my eyes.
The atmosphere was opulent, befitting Velas City's most powerful family. The scent of thousands of fresh lilies saturated the air, mingling with expensive perfumes and champagne.
Guests in luxurious gowns and suits mingled, holding champagne flutes and conversing joyfully. A grand orchestra played a beautiful waltz.
But to me, the noise sounded like the irritating buzz of flies. Drowned out by the thoughts screaming in my head.
I followed behind Ren, greeting the distinguished guests. Playing the role of the loyal secretary. Smiling, pouring wine, and reciting scripted answers like a robot.
But every sense was on edge.
My right hand gripped my pants pocket, feeling the hidden phone. My left hand pressed tightly against my inner suit pocket, damp with sweat, guarding the small passport.
My eyes darted around, searching for the escape route.
The fire exit door was behind the third pillar. Two guards at the main door, but the hallway was clear.
And most importantly, I searched for 'him'.
"Congratulations, Mr. Ren."
A familiar voice rang out through the crowd. Like a lifeline. I whipped around, my heart suddenly beating a frantic rhythm.
Zen parted the crowd and approached.
Tonight, he was more striking than anyone else. Dressed in a velvet suit as pitch-black as the night sky, making his pale skin glow.
His handsome face bore a charming smile that drew the eyes of every woman in the room.
But his gaze was locked solely on me.
"Thank you, Mr. Zen."
Ren replied courteously. But his eyes flashed with irritation and paranoia, as if looking at a sworn enemy.
"The event is spectacular."
Zen raised his champagne flute slightly. His eyes shifted from Ren, stopping on me.
"And your secretary looks perfectly prepared tonight."
The word 'prepared' carried a hidden meaning only the two of us understood. I met his gaze and gave a slight nod.
Zen smirked.
He checked his wristwatch, then looked up, sending me one final look.
A look that said, '15 minutes. Get ready.'
19:45.
The ceremony on stage began.
Ren had to go up to deliver the opening speech and thank the guests. He walked onto the stage alongside Hana, his beautiful fiancée, dressed in a voluminous white gown.
The spotlight shined on the couple of the year. The applause was thunderous.
I stood hidden in the corner behind a massive pillar, far from the crowd.
This was the only moment Ren would take his eyes off me. The moment the spotlight blinded him, making it impossible to spot people below.
This was the moment I had to move.
Bzzzt...
The phone in my pocket vibrated once. Faint, but unmistakable. I discreetly pulled it out.
My Savior > 'Go to the rendezvous point now.'
My Savior > 'Countdown... 3 minutes.'
My heart pounded so hard I thought I was having a heart attack. I pocketed the phone and drew a deep breath.
Goodbye, Ren... Goodbye, this god-awful life.
I slowly backed out of the ballroom, pretending to head out for an errand. The giant bodyguard stationed at the exit immediately stepped in my path.
"Where are you going?"
I fought to keep my voice steady.
"I forgot Mr. Ren's migraine medication in the reception lounge. His head is starting to hurt. He ordered me to fetch it before he got off the stage."
I feigned a stressed expression. "If I'm late, he will throw a fit. I don't want to be responsible for that."
The guard eyed me hesitantly. He looked toward the stage, seeing Ren smiling.
Finally, he nodded. "Make it quick."
I slipped past the guard.
The moment I was out of sight and turned the corner into the hallway, I broke into a brisk walk toward the west wing. My heart was hammering. My legs trembled with adrenaline, but I forced myself to move as fast as possible.
2 minutes...
I reached the restrooms. I turned into the dimly lit, deserted back hallway.
1 minute...
I saw the fire exit door right ahead. The green light from the EXIT sign looked like the light at the end of a tunnel.
I reached out to grab the doorknob with hope...
Grab!
A strong hand violently clamped down on my upper arm from behind!
"Where are you rushing off to, Mr. Secretary?"
My body seized. My heart stopped. I whipped around.
Ren's head bodyguard!
The massive man in the black suit glared at me with deep suspicion.
"The reception lounge is in the east wing. This is the fire escape."
"Mr. Ren ordered me not to let you out of my sight for a single second."
" Please return to the gala."
I was screwed! The plan was compromised! My face went deathly pale. Sweat dripped down my temples.
"B-But I have a headache too... I just wanted a quick breath of fresh air."
"This way, please."
The guard's voice was firm. He pulled my arm roughly, forcing me back.
"Return to the gala immediately."
He started dragging me. Despair crashed over me. It was over. Everything was ruined.
I was being dragged back into the cage. Back to a living death.
But just as the last ember of hope was about to die...
20:00.
Flick!!!
Tens of thousands of lights in the ballroom completely blacked out!
Darkness consumed The Grand Elysium in an instant.
The music died. The chatter of the crowd warped into screams of panic as the power grid failed.
"What's happening?!" "Why did the power go out?! Go check!" "Someone turn on a flashlight!"
Amidst the chaos and the sudden pitch-black darkness, the guard holding my arm reflexively loosened his grip in shock.
I knew instantly. My time had come!