The next morning, TV screens everywhere were broadcasting the same news. A famous American news anchor sat in a studio lit in white and blue, her wide smile barely hiding her excitement:
"Good morning, everyone! Last night, we witnessed a huge event from Paris… the Velora Challenge with Bella Leclair. The evening ended with the selection of the new winner, university student Lucien, who amazed the judging panel and audience with his designs inspired by the world of mermaids."
The background music for the report swelled as the anchor continued enthusiastically:
"And now, we take you live to Paris, where our correspondent is inside the luxurious Velora offices… with Bella Leclair herself!"
The camera shifted to a spacious office with glass walls and elegant colors representing the brand's identity: black, gold, and turquoise. Bella sat relaxed on a black leather chair, legs crossed, her colorful sunglasses in place as usual, faint signs of a late night under her eyes. Next to her, Amélie stood steadily, arms crossed over the back of the chair, listening intently, occasionally raising an eyebrow or offering a small smile.
The reporter, a stylish young French man holding a microphone with the channel's logo, smiled and asked:
> « Bonjour, Madame Leclair. Tout d'abord, parlez-nous… comment avez-vous vécu l'ambiance d'hier soir ? »
"Good morning, Madame Leclair. First, tell us… how did you experience the atmosphere last night?"
Bella smiled naturally, shrugged, and said:
> « Le défilé ressemblait plus à un festival qu'à un simple concours. Les étudiants m'ont surprise avec leurs créations… mais, comme vous l'avez vu, il n'y en a qu'un seul qui a vraiment su me toucher. »
"The show felt more like a festival than a simple competition. The students surprised me with their creations… but, as you saw, there was only one who truly moved me."
The reporter interjected lightly:
> « Vous voulez dire Lucien ? »
"You mean Lucien?"
She nodded, smiling:
> « Bien sûr. Il a un regard différent… et une sincérité dans son travail. C'est exactement ce que je recherche toujours. »
"Of course. He has a different perspective… and sincerity in his work. That's exactly what I'm always looking for."
Amélie intervened calmly but clearly:
> « Et il faut aussi rappeler que le programme ne choisit pas le gagnant uniquement pour le défilé… mais pour l'avenir. Nous cherchons des noms qui poursuivront le chemin. »
"And it should also be noted that the program doesn't choose the winner just for the show… but for the future. We're looking for names who will continue the path."
The journalist nodded in agreement and continued:
> « Très bien. Mais une question que tout le monde se pose maintenant… y aura-t-il une cinquième saison l'année prochaine ? »
"Very well. But a question everyone is asking now… will there be a fifth season next year?"
Bella lifted her head slightly, as if enjoying the drama:
> « Peut-être… peut-être pas. Je n'aime pas la répétition, mais en même temps… le monde a encore faim de cet instant. »
"Maybe… maybe not. I don't like repetition, but at the same time… the world is still hungry for this moment."
She laughed lightly, then added spontaneously:
> « Qui sait ? Moi-même, je ne le sais que lorsque je sens que le moment est venu. »
"Who knows? Even I won't know until I feel the moment has come."
The reporter pressed on:
> « Et vous, comment expliquez-vous que votre émission, bien qu'elle ne soit qu'un seul épisode par saison, ait réussi à devenir si universelle ? »
"And you, how do you explain that your show, although only one episode per season, has managed to become so universal?"
Bella leaned back, her gaze behind her sunglasses more serious:
> « La simplicité. Les gens sont fatigués du bruit. Un seul épisode, intense, rempli d'émotion et de talent… c'est ce qui le grave dans la mémoire. Il vaut mieux donner une dose rare qui reste marquante, plutôt que de répéter quelque chose qui perd sa valeur. »
"Simplicity. People are tired of noise. One episode, intense, full of emotion and talent… that's what makes it memorable. It's better to give a rare dose that leaves a mark, rather than repeat something that loses its value."
Amélie smiled from the side, adding a hint of sarcasm:
> « Et puis, n'oublions pas que le seul nom de Bella Leclair suffit à rendre la diffusion mondiale. »
"And also, let's not forget that the name Bella Leclair alone is enough to make the broadcast global."
Everyone laughed, while Bella raised an eyebrow slightly, as if silently agreeing.
The reporter smiled as he shuffled his papers:
> « Très bien, Madame Leclair… comment avez-vous perçu ces étudiants et étudiantes si appliqués ? »
"Very well, Madame Leclair… how did you perceive these diligent students?"
Bella nodded slightly, then said spontaneously, raising her hand lightly:
> « Honnêtement, ils m'ont tous plu. Ils ne m'ont jamais déçue. Il était évident qu'ils avaient travaillé dur et veillé sur les moindres détails de leurs créations. Dès le départ, l'idée n'était pas seulement un défilé… chaque pièce présentée par les étudiants fera partie de ma marque Velora. Et si elle réussit à se vendre ? Tous les bénéfices leur reviendront. C'est une promesse. »
"Honestly, I liked them all. They never disappointed me. It was obvious they had worked hard and paid attention to every detail of their creations. From the start, the idea wasn't just a show… each piece presented by the students will become part of my Velora brand. And if it sells? All the profits will go to them. That's a promise."
The reporter nodded in admiration but didn't stop:
> « Réponse parfaite. Mais permets-moi de répéter la question… cette fois, ce n'est pas pour la créatrice Bella Leclair, mais pour la comtesse Bella Leclair. Comment les percevez-vous sous cet angle ? »
"Perfect answer. But allow me to repeat the question… this time, not for the designer Bella Leclair, but for Countess Bella Leclair. How do you see them from this perspective?"
Bella couldn't contain herself; she let out a soft laugh while shaking her head:
> « J'ai répondu à ta question, mon cher. Que je sois créatrice ou comtesse, mon avis ne changera pas. Je n'aime pas changer de position simplement parce que le titre change. Je ne fais pas partie de ces célébrités qui adaptent leurs paroles selon le nom ou le statut. Ce n'est pas mon style. »
"I've answered your question, my dear. Whether I am a designer or a countess, my opinion will not change. I don't like shifting my stance just because the title changes. I'm not one of those celebrities who tailor their words depending on a name or status. That's not my style."
Amélie, who had been silent for a moment, intervened with a sideways smile:
> « De l'extérieur, cela semble flamboyant… robes, couleurs, élégance. Mais à l'intérieur ? Noir, franc et très loin du vernis. »
"From the outside, it looks flashy… dresses, colors, elegance. But on the inside? Black, honest, and far from polished."
Everyone burst into soft laughter, even the reporter, who tried to remain professional but failed.
While the atmosphere remained light in the office, the scene suddenly switched on the screen to another location… a phone in the hands of a young man sitting on a wooden bench in the Crystal Paris University square. Lucien was watching the interview intently, his eyes fixed on Bella's image. Next to him, his four friends were each absorbed in their phones, while one leaned closer to watch the same clip with Lucien.
Lucien sat silently for a moment, his eyes glued to the screen, as if trying to absorb everything he saw. Yesterday, he had been just a student presenting his designs… today, his name was on everyone's lips.
But his silence was suddenly broken by his friend Louis, sitting beside him, laughing:
"My god, Lucien… you're famous among teenage girls on social media! Your clips are everywhere!"
He handed him his phone. Lucien leaned in with hesitant curiosity to find short clips flashing before him:
1. A video of him smiling gently on the stage, captioned: "This is my husband 🤩."
2. A side shot of him looking calmly, captioned: "This is the man of my dreams 😍."
3. His voice from the microphone, captioned: "I'm his first wife 😘."
4. A compilation of photos and clips of him set to dreamy music, with a cheeky caption: "Marriage level four 😋."
5. A moment of him tossing his hair back, with a long comment: "Thank you, Bella, for showing such talent. Where does he live? I want to steal him for myself 😍😄."
The numbers below the clips surged wildly… 124.9K likes, 90.8 million views, hundreds of millions of comments, and countless shares.
Lucien froze, his eyes wide, his lips half-open in shock. His expression alone was enough to make his four friends laugh. One of them clapped his hands mockingly:
"Better luck next time, star… your private life is over."
The four of them laughed at Lucien's stunned expression as he stared at the social media clips. Gaspar swayed with laughter, saying:
"Man… looks like you need to open your own fan account!"
Julian raised an eyebrow with a mischievous smile:
"Or maybe we open it ourselves and become your agents, cashing in on your fame before you escape us."
Étienne, calm as always, just smiled lightly while watching Lucien:
"It's not simple… your life is going to change, my friend."
Before Lucien could respond, his phone alarm suddenly went off. He jumped, looked at the screen, and gasped:
"Damn! I have a class now!"
He sprang up, grabbed his bag, waved goodbye to his friends in a hurry, and ran a few steps… but suddenly stopped and turned, calling out:
"Louis! Come here for a second!"
Louis ran to him, puzzled:
"What's up?"
Lucien breathed quickly and said:
"This afternoon is my first day as an intern at Bella's company. And my café shift is at the same time… can you ask the manager for a sick leave on my behalf?"
Louis raised an eyebrow in surprise:
"Sick leave? And you're about to become a global star?"
Lucien smiled shyly, explaining:
"I can't tell them the truth now… just help me."
Louis laughed and shook his head:
"Alright… consider it done."
Lucien dashed off to his lecture. But Louis stayed behind, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and pretending to wipe away tears. Étienne, who had been watching Lucien's back, turned to Louis in surprise:
"What's wrong?"
Louis replied, continuing his fake crying with a loud sigh:
"Ah… it's the feeling of a mother watching her child grow up and leave…"
Étienne gave him a disgusted look:
"You're really disgusting."
Gaspar and Julian burst into laughter, while Louis kept acting out his crocodile tears in a pitifully exaggerated manner.
•••
Hours Later
In the Afternoon
At Velora Company
Lucien entered the headquarters of Velora, his eyes wandering in awe over the modern and luxurious décor, which combined classical and lavish styles at once, in shades of black, gray, gold, dark brown, and deep green. The walls were adorned with artworks from Bella's previous collections, and the floor reflected the light in a way that made the space feel like a moving masterpiece.
As he walked forward slowly, marveling at every corner, he heard a woman calling him from the reception desk:
"Sir, could you come here for a moment?"
Lucien looked over and saw an elderly woman with calm and kind features, her elegant gray hair framing her face. His first impression was one of comfort—as if she were someone immediately trustworthy.
He stepped forward cautiously and spoke shyly:
"Hello… I'm Lucien Moreau, Miss Bella Leclair's intern, the one who won yesterday's fashion challenge."
The woman smiled warmly and said immediately:
"Ah, yes, I remember you well. My name is Alizia, I'm from Italy and I've been working here for many years. If you need anything, don't hesitate to tell me directly."
She emphasized the words "anything" gently but firmly, which made Lucien feel both the seriousness and warmth at the same time.
Lucien bowed slightly in thanks. She then explained:
"Alright, now you should head to the third floor, to the right, to the manager's office. You'll be with Miss Bella."
Lucien nodded, feeling a rush of responsibility and excitement, and made his way toward the elevator, taking in every detail of the company's design. His heart raced at the thought of his first meeting with Bella after all this anticipation.
---
In Bella's office, she was lounging on the couch, enjoying a rare moment of quiet. Her black suit was perfectly tailored, though she had skipped the jacket; her white blouse highlighted her understated elegance. Her long, silky black hair fell straight down her back, and her small golden rose-shaped earrings glimmered softly under the office light.
Amelie entered quietly, though her eyes betrayed a hint of irritation at Bella's careless behavior. She was wearing her dark blue suit, formal and serious as everyone was used to seeing her.
Amelie let out a sigh and spoke with a slightly warning tone:
"Bella… the young boy has arrived."
Bella replied lazily, moving only the corner of her lips:
"Hmm… I know."
Annoyance flashed across Amelie's face; she was used to matters being taken seriously, yet Bella always found a way to slip through everything effortlessly.
Bella lifted her head toward Amelie, a faint look of comprehension on her face, and began to speak:
"I want…"
Before she could finish, Amelie slammed the door shut with force, the loud bang echoing through the room.
"Coffee."
Bella remained staring at the closed door, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. Then she shrugged nonchalantly, letting out a soft "hmm" from her lips, and rested her head back on the couch, as if everything around her were just inconsequential details.
---
Suddenly, without any warning, the office door slowly opened, and Lucien appeared at the entrance, dressed casually in bright colors.
Bella lazily lifted her head, her eyes taking a quick, small mental snapshot of him, as if she were staring at a strange but oddly cute pet she didn't fully understand.
Lucien stepped forward hesitantly, carrying his bag in one hand, trying to appear confident but looking like he was walking on a tightrope.
In Bella's mind: "Ooooh… is this how Lucien looks up close? He seems… softer than I expected… as if someone tied up all his emotions into a little knot and handed it to him."
Lucien stopped in front of the couch, took a deep breath, and said with a nervous smile:
"Good morning, Miss Bella… I'm Lucien, the new intern…"
Bella glanced at his lips for a second, then looked up at the ceiling as if inspecting it, and said with a sarcastic tone:
"Ah… yes, I remember. Last night, the young boy who impressed everyone, including me… I think."
Lucien smiled shyly, trying to stay composed, though he was clearly flustered.
Bella thought: "He's trying to look serious, but… wow… he looks like tiny kittens walking in a funny loop. Seriously, all this fear of a famous designer?"
Then, abruptly, Bella extended her hand as if testing him and said coldly:
"Put the bags there… on the table. Yes, next to the table… no, not on the floor… okay, a little mess is fine."
Lucien moved quickly, placed the bags where she asked, and looked up to find Bella sitting motionless, watching him from the couch with a half-mocking, half-puzzled gaze.
Bella thought: "This situation… amazing. Naive? Yes. Attractive? Definitely. Ah, and I don't think he knows what he's doing… perfect."
Then Bella slowly stood, her shining eyes that catching the light of the sun that enters the room, and said with a faint smile:
"Alright, let's begin. I don't want to see faces too tense… okay, okay, you look nervous enough, you're not alone."
Lucien felt a small sense of relief, though his heart was still racing. He smiled lightly, trying to match Bella's strange but magnetic mood.
He sat on a small couch across from Bella, who stood before him as if she ruled the entire office. In her hand, a small wooden stick, she looked at him with mock seriousness, like a teacher giving a morning lesson.
Bella extended the stick dramatically and said:
"Today, young intern, you'll receive your first lesson from the Bella School of Talent Design… or something like that."
Lucien widened his eyes, trying to hide his surprise:
"F-first lesson…?"
Bella raised an eyebrow coldly, though with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes:
"Yes… Lesson one: how to meet everyone in the company without dying of fear so you can use them… I mean, so they'll help you, haha."
Bella laughed nervously at her own words.
Lucien blinked in astonishment, then smiled lightly:
"Ah… sounds tough…"
Bella tapped the wooden stick as if giving a royal command:
"No… not tough. Fun! You should enjoy it… because you'll be dealing with a fantastic group of people. And you'll discover their secrets… or at least, know them well enough to ask for their help when you need it."
Lucien tried to appear optimistic but couldn't hide his nerves:
"Alright… I'll do my best… even if this stick looks like it might hit me if I mess up."
Bella chuckled briefly, waving the stick dramatically above his head:
"Don't worry… I won't hit you. At least… not today."
She added with a smile:
"Look, it's simple: smile, talk, learn their names, and find out what they like and dislike… that's how you become part of the team. Got it?"
Lucien nodded quickly, a mix of excitement and fear washing over him:
"Yes, ma'am… I mean, Miss Bella!"
Bella raised the stick triumphantly, as if announcing victory:
"Excellent! Now, let's see how quickly you can uncover the company's secrets… or at least, their names."
Lucien smiled with determination, clearly feeling the start of his new adventure, while Bella sat on the edge of another couch, watching him with eyes full of amusement and mockery:
"Don't worry, student… I'll make you a pro… or at least funny while you try."
Lucien laughed shyly, imagining himself walking through the offices, meeting everyone, knowing that everything would be comical and a little naive in a fun way—just as expected on his first day under Bella's supervision.
---
Lucien began moving cautiously through the offices, carrying his bag like a helmet full of adventures, his eyes scanning every corner. Bella watched him from a distance, her eyes half-closed, smiling inwardly at every movement, as if she were observing her student in a secret training exercise.
The first person he encountered was a young employee who seemed more interested in fashion than anything else, named Théo. Lucien stepped forward hesitantly and said in a low voice:
— "Hi… I'm Lucien, the new intern…"
Théo raised an eyebrow and smiled lightly:
— "Welcome, don't worry… Miss Bella is flexible, she'll make sure you learn everything quickly."
Lucien nodded quickly, wondering silently: Flexible? Or does that mean she'll tease me all day?
Then Lucien moved to another desk, where he met a lady in an elegant suit. She laughed and waved at him, saying:
— "Hello, new boy! Don't forget to smile… Miss Bella likes people who smile."
Lucien smiled shyly but noticed something strange: when Bella approached her employees, there was a kind of secret greeting between them. A small handshake, like a private signal only known to those in the secret.
Bella passed by an employee named Camille, whispered something quickly, and then they touched fingers in a particular way, as if agreeing on a secret code. They separated and smiled at each other calmly. Lucien watched in amazement:
— "Wow… Miss Bella knows everyone like this?"
Bella laughed softly, as if hearing his thoughts, and said:
— "That's our secret… but don't tell anyone, okay? Just a little game between me and them."
Lucien nodded, a mix of admiration and amazement washing over him:
— "Really… Miss Bella, you know everything about everyone!"
Bella shrugged lightly and teased him a little:
— "Of course… anyone who wants to be a manager has to know all the secrets… even the little ones that nobody else knows."
As Lucien tried to memorize everyone's names, he heard Bella laughing behind him:
— "Come on, today will be fun… you'll discover that each one of them has a secret way to communicate with me… and some are weirder than others."
Lucien smiled shyly but began to feel excited, as if he was truly entering the magical world of Velora, where fun, little secrets, and most importantly… Bella herself, sat at the heart of it all, smiling and teasing at once.
---
Lucien sat on the couch next to Bella, relaxed after hours of wandering around the company. Fatigue showed on his face, yet he couldn't stop stealing glances at her, enjoying her enchanting beauty. He spoke softly to himself, as if his mind drifted into a dreamy reverie: Wow… how can she look this beautiful even after all this work?
Suddenly, the dreamy moment ended as he realized Bella had turned to look at him. He quickly averted his gaze, his shyness exploding, trembling slightly as he stared at the floor.
Bella smiled lightly and made a somewhat proud comment to herself:
— "Really… no one can resist this beauty. And I know it… no problem."
Her words indirectly eased Lucien's embarrassment, calming his heart just a little despite his lingering nerves.
After a while, Bella rose and went to her office chair, sitting down. Her face showed composure and seriousness, though a hint of despair had suddenly appeared. She looked at Lucien and said:
— "Sorry, Lucien, today I'll have to catch up on some extra work… so I won't be able to give you the second lesson."
Lucien looked puzzled and stood in front of her desk, surprised:
— "Second lesson? What second lesson?"
Bella nodded, her face beautiful and composed, then suddenly a flash of despair and failure crossed her expression, increasing Lucien's worry:
— "What happened? Is everything okay?"
Bella sighed and said calmly:
— "I forgot the paper where I wrote your training lessons… I was writing it late last night, and when I woke up, I forgot to bring it."
Lucien closed his mouth slightly, astonished, while Bella recalled the previous night: the dim light on the table, pen and paper in front of her bed, and her lying in a strange sleeping position.
She added with a hint of regret:
— "I had written five full lessons… yet I forgot some. Apparently, fatigue got the better of me more than I expected."
Lucien smiled understandingly, trying to lighten the mood:
— "It's okay, the important thing is that you tried… we'll get through this, right?"
Bella glanced at him with half-smiling eyes and said lightly:
— "Well, looks like I'll need your help more today than I expected… but that's okay, we'll make it fun."
Lucien smiled inwardly, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation for the rest of his day with Bella, despite the small chaos caused by the forgotten paper.
Bella remained behind her desk, leaning on her luxurious chair, tapping her pen lightly on the surface. She seemed to be thinking deeply about something important, while Lucien sat in front of her, waiting.
— "Okay… what's the second lesson I can give you?" she murmured to herself, lightly touching her chin as if planning to save the world.
After a few seconds, her eyes suddenly brightened, as if she had found a magical solution. She turned to Lucien with childlike excitement:
— "Got it! Would you mind bringing me some coffee from the coffee machine?"
Lucien blinked twice, then smiled lightly:
— "Oh… of course."
But before he could get up, Bella quickly pulled out a piece of paper and started writing eagerly, her pen moving as if scripting secret magic. Lucien looked at her, confused:
— "…Is this really necessary?"
Bella finished writing seriously, then proudly pushed the paper toward him.
— "This isn't just coffee… this is a mission! This… is a riddle. You must follow the instructions, pass through the locations written here, and you'll eventually reach the machine I want."
Lucien froze as he read the paper, raising an eyebrow naively:
— "But… wouldn't it be easier to just take your coffee from the machine down the hall?"
Bella blinked slowly at him, and he blinked back slowly—a long, dramatic blink-off. Then she let out a theatrical sigh:
— "No."
Lucien pointed toward a corner of the office, where a small coffee machine gleamed shyly:
— "Okay… isn't this way easier?"
Bella turned to the machine, silent for a moment as if seeing it for the first time in her life. She placed her hand on her chin, thinking deeply… then suddenly raised her head:
— "Rejected. That's just a decoration. I've never used it, and I never will. Where's the fun in easy?! Real adventure is always far away."
Lucien hesitated for a moment, then felt a spark of excitement ignite inside him like a child given a treasure map. He clenched his fist and said:
— "Challenge accepted!"
He stood up quickly, ready to run, but Bella raised her hand to stop him:
— "Wait. Put your bag here… it'll be heavy on your journey."
Innocently, he took off his bag and placed it on the floor.
— "Also, take your phone. If you get lost or face danger… call me."
Lucien picked up his phone and waved it like a knight preparing for a mission:
— "Got it, I won't let you down, my master!"
He ran out of the office with all his enthusiasm, as if life itself had just turned into a video game. The door slammed behind him, leaving the office in strange silence.
Bella sat for a moment, staring at the door with a warm smile—a mix of pride and tenderness… a smile closer to that of a proud mother, but a very eccentric one.
— "Hmm… how sweet."
---
Lucien stepped out of Bella's office, the paper in his hand, reading it carefully as if holding a treasure map stolen from pirates.
— "First stop… the long hallway next to the meeting room."
He lifted his head, straightened his posture, and said to himself with childlike excitement:
— "Let's go… the mission has begun!"
As he walked, employees emerged from their offices. Some waved with a smile, others greeted him warmly as if they already knew him (after all, he was last night's star). But Lucien's bright eyes remained focused on the paper.
He passed the meeting room and saw the door slightly open, like the entrance to a secret temple. He pushed it slowly, producing a dramatic creak. Inside, employees were discussing something important on a large screen, and suddenly all eyes fell on him.
— "…Um, excuse me." He raised the paper shyly. "I'm on a mission… coffee."
Some employees chuckled lightly, and one pointed:
— "The second machine is down this hallway, hero. Keep going."
Lucien's face turned red, but he smiled and ran on his way.
Second stop: the fourth-floor lobby.
He arrived to find a group of employees arguing in front of the machine about their turns. Lucien paused for a moment, thinking: Is this one of Bella's tests?
He approached shyly:
— "Uh… may I… go first?"
They turned to him, and suddenly one of them shouted:
— "You're last night's winner! Go ahead!"
— "No, no, take all our turns!"
— "Take pictures with him, take pictures!"
Before he could understand what was happening, he found himself in a circle of selfie photos and laughter, then they let him pass like a superhero making his way through.
He caught his breath and continued walking.
Third stop: the art piece near the glass elevator.
The paper clearly instructed: "Look at the painting before proceeding."
He stood before it seriously, studying it as if it were a deep puzzle. After a minute, he whispered to himself:
— "…Bella probably wrote this just to get me lost."
He smiled lightly and continued on his way.
He walked until he reached a fork in the path.
One path was dazzling, full of lights and life sounds, like an invitation to fun.
The other path was dark, dimly lit, emitting mysterious whispers like murmurs of death.
Lucien froze. He looked at the dark path and said firmly:
— "Nope."
Then he turned to the bright path and smiled with relief. Before moving forward, he glanced at the paper to be sure. The instructions were clear: "Go right."
And of course… the right path was the terrifying one.
Lucien was shocked, almost doubting everything. He stood still for a moment, then encouraged himself, trying to choke back tears.
Before stepping forward, the sound of metal clanging echoed from the dark corridor. His heart shivered, but he forced his feet to move.
He entered the path. The corridor was long, its light pale yellow, as if on the verge of going out.
He walked cautiously, until finally emerging into a huge parking area under construction, like a maze… or one of those creepy "backrooms" from internet stories.
He took a deep breath, trying to memorize where he entered… then continued walking.
Lucien stood in the dark parking lot, the sound of his footsteps echoing as if he wasn't alone.
— "Okay… okay… just a parking lot… not a secret ritual place." He whispered to himself, trying to laugh to ease his tension.
But every corner he turned, he saw a long shadow moving with him. He looked back quickly… no one there.
— "I really need to stop watching horror movies before bed."
He pulled out the paper again to double-check: "Go forward until you find the mark."
He lifted his head… and saw it. A small glowing mark on a distant pillar. He exhaled in relief.
— "Ah! This is it… okay, Bella, if you intended to make me live a horror movie for a cup of coffee… you're officially crazy."
As he approached, he suddenly heard a loud "buzz" behind him. He turned quickly, and a metal can rolled out of nowhere and hit the wall.
— "Oh nooo… this is exactly how clichés start. Soon a monster will appear, and I'll be the first victim."
He ran quickly to the mark, and sure enough, he found an arrow pointing to a staircase going down.
— "Down? Bella… seriously, it's coffee, not an Incan treasure."
He descended the stairs carefully, until he reached a small basement with a large shiny coffee machine in the middle, like a hidden gem.
Lucien stood before it, sweaty but smiling:
— "…Found you. Bella's great treasure."
He inserted the coins, pressed the button, and waited.
Bzzz… The coffee slowly poured, steam filling the space. Lucien raised the cup as if he were a legendary hero:
— "Mission accomplished…!"
And the moment he turned to leave, half the basement lights went out suddenly.
— "…Haha, no, not now, fear. I'm out, bye."
He ran back as fast as he could to the parking lot.
Lucien started walking briskly, the cup trembling in his hand, and every time he looked back, he found himself in the same corridor: identical pillars, dim yellow lighting, shadows moving with every breath.
— "Impossible… I came from here, right? Or… no, no, this is impossible."
His tension mounted, each step heavier than the last. The silence was suffocating, so much that he could hear his own heartbeat louder than anything else.
— "Oh God… this place is just like The Backrooms… Bella, if you suddenly appeared and said 'Surprise!' I swear I'd pour the coffee on your head."
He stopped at a long junction: three corridors ahead, all identical. He swallowed hard and suddenly remembered:
— "Okay… I'll just call her, that's it."
He quickly reached for his phone and began opening the contacts list. A terrifying moment of silence froze his breath…
— "…Nooo! You idiot! I didn't even take her number!"
He leaned back against the wall and let out a short, nervous laugh:
— "Bravo, Lucien… bravo. My father said it a million times: recklessness will get you lost. And here you are… lost over a cup of coffee!"
Seconds passed, and the atmosphere became unnaturally quiet. Every attempt to catch a sound made him feel as if the place was swallowing him more and more. He remembered his father's stern face saying:
— "Your impulsiveness will lead you to ruin one day, Lucien."
He bent over himself, holding his head in one hand and the cup in the other:
— "…And now I'm officially lost."
Suddenly, from the far end of the corridor, he heard slow footsteps… steady steps, as if someone wanted to remind him he wasn't alone.
A sudden smile spread across Lucien's face:
— "Rescue! Finally…"
But he froze, a chill running through his veins.
— "No… this is exactly what happens in horror movies. Just when the hero thinks there's someone to save him… that's the start of the end."
He shook his head and turned quickly in the opposite direction, trying to hide behind the concrete pillars. Suddenly, the footsteps stopped. A heavy silence fell, pressing against his chest.
He struggled to breathe, then cautiously lifted his head. There… by one of the nearby pillars, he saw a shadow moving, twisting as if some unknown thing was watching him.
His body froze.
— "Impossible… a monster? A ghost? A demon?"
Dark thoughts gnawed at his mind, every horror scene he had ever seen replaying. Suddenly, when a heavy hand landed on his shoulder, he screamed with all his might, as if his chest would explode. He jumped back, trembling, until his eyes fell on the man he least expected.
— "S… Sebastian?!"
He exhaled in extreme relief, though his heart still pounded like war drums.
— "What are you doing here?"
Sebastian's voice was cold, showing no surprise:
— "Looking for you. You've been gone too long."
Lucien hurried to explain, pointing with trembling fingers to the pillar where he had seen the shadow:
— "I… I saw something there. It was moving, I swear. It wasn't a hallucination."
Sebastian slowly turned toward the pillar, staring at it with steady eyes, then back at Lucien.
— "There's nothing there."
Lucien panicked, turning to the pillar himself… indeed, no shadow was there. The place was completely still, as if it had never seen movement.
— "But… no! I'm sure… I saw it…"
He was cut off by a sudden sound, like a knife slicing into flesh or wood, coming from behind the same pillar. His blood froze, eyes widening in terror.
— "D… did you hear that?!"
Sebastian stared at the same pillar, but this time his expression was different. His face tensed with irritation, as if the sound was too familiar. Yet when he turned toward Lucien, his features returned to calm, free of tension.
— "What sound? I heard nothing."
— "Don't lie! It was there… I heard it!"
Sebastian stepped closer with steady steps, leaning slightly toward Lucien. His voice was deeper, heavier:
— "Listen… if you're a foolishly brave man, go to that pillar and face whatever's waiting… and die."
Lucien held his breath, cold sweat streaming down his forehead.
— "And if I'm not…?"
A faint smile appeared on Sebastian's lips—no warmth, no mockery.
— "If you're a coward, come with me. I'm a coward too. So cowardly that I won't approach that pillar no matter the cost."
Lucien hesitated for a moment, then shook his head quickly:
— "…I'll go with you."
Sebastian turned and led the way down the corridor, his steps silent, cold. Lucien followed reluctantly, but before leaving, he paused and cast one last glance at the pillar.
The corridor was completely dark… yet, for a moment, he thought he saw something move in the shadows, something breathing… waiting.
The echoes of Lucien's and Sebastian's footsteps faded, leaving a heavy silence, as if the whole place was holding its breath.
Seconds passed… then a faint sound, like flesh hitting iron.
From behind the same pillar… a heavy body rolled and hit the ground slowly.
It was a man in a dark business suit, tie twisted, eyes bulging and staring lifelessly into the void. Black, shiny blood seeped from his chest, crawling across the cold concrete floor.
But the body wasn't the most terrifying thing.
Attached to the pillar, a shadow appeared… a human-like figure without features, as if born from the darkness itself. No clothes, no face… only two sharp, glowing eyes in the dark, like holes swallowing the soul.
The shadow remained silent, motionless, watching the corridor Lucien and Sebastian had just left.
Seconds passed… then a mischievous smile formed on the shadow, revealed only as a strange curve in the void, as if the darkness itself grinned.
The air shivered for a moment, as if the whole place reacted to that smile… before returning to silence, deeper, colder, and more suffocating.
---
In Bella's office, she lay on the couch, stacking papers one on top of another, making a fragile tower as if she were a child in kindergarten.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Lucien entered with Sebastian.
Bella froze for a moment, looked at the paper tower, then nervously tossed all the papers into the air and sat up straight on the couch, forcing a tense smile as if nothing strange had happened.
— "Ah… hello, you're here. What… what happened?"
Sebastian sighed, placing his hand on his waist:
— "Lucien got lost. I found him wandering the parking lot that's still under construction."
Bella nodded as if she suddenly understood:
— "Ah… so that's why you're late."
She then turned to Lucien with a childish seriousness:
— "And why didn't you call me?"
Lucien scratched his head sheepishly:
— "…Actually, I don't have your number."
Bella blinked twice, then instinctively held out her hand:
— "Give me your phone."
Lucien hesitated for a moment, as if she'd asked something very personal, then handed it over. She quickly entered her number and returned it with a kind smile.
Lucien stared at the screen, gazing at the number as if it were a priceless treasure.
But Sebastian's voice cut through the moment:
— "Bella… you weren't supposed to send him to that place in the first place."
Bella raised her eyebrows and defended herself with a sarcastic, flustered tone:
— "Wait, wait! I didn't mean that. I wanted him to go the other way!"
Lucien looked at her, puzzled:
— "…What do you mean?"
Bella sighed a little, then admitted:
— "I meant for him to go left… not right."
Sebastian took the paper from Lucien's hand to check. He read it calmly, then shook his head with a hint of exhaustion:
— "As I expected. You wrote here: go right instead of left."
A moment of silence passed, then Lucien said in astonishment:
— "Huh?"
Sebastian replied coolly, handing the paper back:
— "Bella always mixes up right and left."
He suddenly remembered an old scene and smiled as he recounted it:
— "In her apartment, when we were watching TV with Amelie and Amouri? She asked us to turn the volume down… but she actually meant to turn it up."
The memory came back clearly: Bella waving her hand in frustration, saying, "Turn it down! I can't hear anything!" while the others looked at her in shock. Amelie pressed the volume button—down… and the silence grew! Bella grew more annoyed: "I said turn it down! I can't hear!" until they all burst out laughing when they realized she meant the opposite.
Lucien chuckled lightly, unable to hold it in:
— "Haha… I really can't believe you… hahaha…"
Bella tilted her head coolly, pretending indifference, as if it didn't matter to her, while Sebastian quietly smiled, lost in the memory.
---
Night finally fell, and the company lights sparkled warmly through the glass windows. Lucien stepped out of the office Bella had designated for him, leaning slightly against the wall as he tried to clear his mind after a long day.
He headed toward the elevator that would take him to the exit but stopped suddenly when he spotted Amelie and Sebastian in a corner of the lobby. They were standing side by side, appearing to have a serious discussion. Sebastian was glaring at Amelie with sharp eyes, as if scolding her, while she raised her hands defensively, trying to justify something.
Lucien paused for a moment, hesitant, thinking: Should I intervene? Or let them handle it themselves?
Then both Sebastian and Amelie noticed him. They turned toward him with calm expressions, a mix of curiosity and composure.
Lucien trembled slightly at that strange look, then gave a small smile to ease the situation, as if to say: "Don't worry, I'm just passing by."
Both Amelie and Sebastian raised their hands gently, waving a quiet farewell, as if saying: "See you, Lucien."
He nodded back with a smile, then turned and walked down the corridor toward the exit.
He paused in his thoughts, puzzled: Why are they saying goodbye like that? But he decided not to dwell on small details and continued toward the exit, ready to leave the company after a long and eventful day.
Lucien stepped out of the company door, feeling the night breeze on his face after a long day, and saw Bella standing beside a man who looked to be in his fifties, dressed neatly as a driver.
He approached cautiously, saying:
— "Good evening, Miss Bella, I'm heading out now…"
Bella smiled and gestured toward the man, speaking calmly:
— "Lucien, this gentleman will act as your driver. He'll take you from the company to home and come at scheduled times for pick-ups and drop-offs. He'll explain all the details once you go with him."
Lucien quickly understood and felt immense relief, as he was very tired and didn't want to walk to the train station.
Suddenly, Bella stopped and pointed at him with a playful, childish smile:
— "Smile for the camera."
Lucien blushed slightly, then turned toward where Bella was looking and saw a group of photographers taking pictures of them.
He lifted his head and gave them a light smile, while Bella stood beside him, also smiling, showing the perfect pair in front of the lenses.
Afterwards, they all headed to the car. Upon arrival, the driver and Lucien got into the back seat. Lucien stole a quick glance at Bella, who waved him a farewell smile before the driver closed the door and the car slowly moved toward the street.
A few seconds later, Bella's phone suddenly rang. She looked at it with slight annoyance, and without a word, began walking back toward the company, as if the whole world was watching her—but inside, all she wanted was to return to her familiar place.
To be continued…
As I see it, this chapter is full of little puzzles! Hopefully, you feel like Sherlock Holmes solving them.
Goodbye!