ALINA’S POV.

    Then, darkness.

    Even in the darkness, the ringing didn’t stop.

    Then my eyes snapped open again, and I was back in the room I had gone to bed in the night before.

    My wide eyes flickered around to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating, and sure enough, I wasn’t.

    My heart was still pounding, and the back of my head throbbed painfully.

    I reached up, fingers grazing the spot to check for any injury, but there was nothing. !--

    /* ![CDATA[ */

    fpm_start( "true" );

    /* ]] */

    --

    It was only a nightmare, a horrible one that had felt so real. My entire body was covered in sweat, and I was visibly shaking.

    The nightmares had stopped the moment I started sharing a room with Lucian… but I guess they’re back again.

    I hadn’t even realized it until now, Lucian had been the one keeping my demons at bay.

    I heard the same familiar ringing again.

    So that was the ringing I had been hearing?

    I checked the caller ID,it was my adoptive mom. I couldn’t deal with her right now.

    Without answering, I went straight to the bathroom to freshen up, but the image that greeted me in the mirror almost made me stumble back.

    My eyes were sunken, tired, with dark shadows etched beneath the pale skin. I looked like the walking dead.

    Mia was already in the room with a change of clothes when I stepped out of the bathroom.

    “You know that isn’t your job anymore.” I told her as I walked toward her.

    “Good morning, ma’am.” She turned around with a bright smile that instantly faded the moment her eyes met mine. Her expression shifted into one of concern. “Are you okay, ma’am? Do you need me to call the doctor?”

    “That won’t be necessary, Mia. I’m fine.” I said, managing to force a smile despite how drained I felt.

    “Are you sure, ma’am?” She asked, clearly not convinced.

    “Don’t worry. I didn’t get enough sleep, that’s all.” I assured her. “What’s the update with the investors?” I redirected the conversation.

    “Out of the top two, I chose the best, which is Mr. Greyson.” She informed me.

    “Mr. Peter wasn’t good enough?” I asked, furrowing my brow.

    “He was. It was a tough decision, but Mr. Peter wanted to be an active investor, while Mr. Greyson just wanted to be in the shadows. I figured you’d prefer Mr. Greyson for that reason, so I went with him.” She exined.

    “I would have done the same too. You did the right thing, Mia.” I praised her with a small nod.

    As I began to get dressed, I noticed the look on her face, she was hesitating but she clearly wanted to say something.

    “Spit it out already, Mia.” I sighed.

    “I don’t want to overstep, ma’am.” She said reluctantly.

    I narrowed my eyes. “Have I ever given you a reason to think that you cannot be free with me?”

    “No, ma’am.” She shook her head quickly.

    “Then out with it already.” I urged her gently.

    “I was just curious, ma’am-”

    “You know they say curiosity kills the cat.” I teased.

    “I… uhmm…”

    “Jesus, learn to take a joke, Mia,” I chuckled. “Go on.”

    “Oh, okay. I was just wondering why you didn’t just get Master ckwood to invest in Alinova instead of scouting for investors?”

    It was a valid question. In fact, Talia had asked me the same thing before.

    “Because I want to do this on my own. If Lucian is an investor, then I wouldn’t put as much energy into it, because I’d know that even if I lose money, he’d just end up giving me more. And I don’t want that. Working with an unknown investor gives me this sense of responsibility.” I exined in a quiet but firm voice. “Does that make sense?”

    “Perfect sense, ma?am.” She nodded with an understanding smile. “I hope to be half the woman you are someday.”

    “You will exceed that, Mia. You have potential, and you’ll definitely do great.” I told her, cing a reassuring hand on her

    arm.

    These weren’t just words, Mia was excellent at what she does and would most definitely excel.

    “Thank you, ma’am.” She smiled, eyes sparkling slightly with appreciation.

    “Anytime. Now, what’s on the itinerary for today?”

    “Well, you’re supposed to be meeting with the new investor today-”

    “Scratch that out. I do not have the strength to socialize right now.” I cut in. “Pass me my sketch pad, please.”

    She handed it to me, and I opened a nk page. Almost immediately, my hand began to sketch on its own.

    “Okay… so, when would be convenient for you?” She asked.

    “Two days from now.” I responded, not looking up.

    “Got it.” She made the changes on her iPad.

    “Have orders starteding in?”

    “Since the night of the g, ma’am. Tons.” She told me with a proud smile.

    All right then. Categorize them in order of importance and email them to me.” I instructed.

    “Will do, ma’am.”

    “Good. Now you can take the rest of the day off.” I dismissed her, still sketching absentmindedly.

    “All right, ma’am.” She said, then quietly left the room.

    It wasn’t until I was finished that I realized what I had been sketching, and my hands dropped the sketch pad in horror.

    No, it wasn’t a dress.

    Staring back at me was a detailed figure, the same hooded figure that had been haunting my nightmares.