The weekend had finally arrived, and Adeline was eager to unwind. Charlotte, ever the optimist, was determined to celebrate her first week at Waylen Company. They headed to a downtown bar, the neon lights casting a colorful glow across the bustling street.
"This is going to be so much fun!" Charlotte grinned, tugging Adeline inside. "You deserve this after everything."
"I'm just happy to get out of that office for a while," Adeline laughed, taking a seat at the bar. "It's been a hell of a week."
They ordered drinks and clinked their glasses together. Charlotte was in high spirits, chatting animatedly, but Adeline could still feel the weight of the past week pressing on her. She tried to relax and enjoy the night.
"Two shots of tequila," Charlotte told the bartender, giving Adeline a playful look. "For fun's sake."
"To making it through the week alive," Adeline grinned, tossing back her shot.
The bar was alive with music and laughter, but as the night wore on, Adeline began to feel an odd heat spreading through her. It wasn't just the alcohol—something was off. She glanced at Charlotte, who was engrossed in conversation with someone at the other end of the room.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Brad, leaning against the bar, watching her with an unsettling grin. He nodded in her direction and then glanced down at her drink. Understanding hit her like a freight train. Before she could react, Brad quickly turned and melted into the crowd.
Her vision blurred, and she felt dizzy. "What the hell...?" she muttered, struggling to steady herself against the bar.
Her legs felt unsteady, and before she could brace herself, everything tilted. As she stumbled, a strong hand caught her arm.
"Easy now," Elias's calm voice murmured in her ear. "Let's get you out of here."
Adeline's head spun, but she managed to look up at him, confusion clouding her mind. "Mr. Elias... What—why are you here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," he replied softly but firmly. "But for now, let's get you somewhere safe."
He guided her away from the bar, but as they neared the exit, Brad blocked their path, a smug grin on his face.
"She's all yours, man," Brad sneered, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Do what you want with her."
Adeline's heart pounded in her chest, but she was too far gone to even try to resist.
Before she could say anything, Elias's hand shot out, grabbing Brad by the collar and slamming him against the wall. "I don't think you heard me," Elias said coldly, his voice ice. "She's not going anywhere with you."
Brad fought in Elias's grip, but Elias held him steady. "You're going to regret this," Brad spat.
"I already am," Elias replied, his tone as sharp as a blade, before shoving Brad aside.
Adeline stumbled back, trying to regain her balance, but Elias was right there, his hand on her arm, guiding her out into the cool night air. The fresh breeze hit her face, and slowly, her vision cleared.
"What... What happened?" she stammered, her voice shaking.
"You've been drugged," Elias said firmly. "Brad spiked your drink. I figured it out just in time."
Adeline blinked, struggling to piece together the night's events. "He... he was going to—"
"Don't think about it," Elias cut her off gently, his grip tightening slightly as he led her toward his car. "We're getting you out of here."
Adeline's foot wobbled as she tried to take another step. "Wait—Charlotte. I need to find Charlotte."
Elias's gaze softened briefly, but only for a moment. "She's fine. We'll make sure you're safe first."
As they sped down the dark streets, Adeline's head still swam with the remnants of the alcohol. But the image of Brad's smug face kept flashing in her mind, making her feel sick.
"Why did you do that?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of gratitude and confusion. "You didn't have to."
Elias glanced at her briefly before focusing back on the road. "I couldn't leave you there."
Adeline leaned back in the seat, exhaustion taking over. But as she processed his words, a wave of gratitude washed over her. "Thank you."
"You don't owe me anything," Elias said, his tone unexpectedly gentle. "But I'll make sure you're safe."
They arrived at an unfamiliar building, and Elias turned to her. "Stay here for the night. It's not safe for you to go back to your place yet."
Adeline nodded weakly. "I don't have anywhere else to go."
Elias hesitated for a moment, then opened the car door and extended his hand to her. "You'll be alright."
Adeline took his hand, feeling both the weight of the night and a strange sense of security in Elias's steady presence.