HIS SALVATION

Chapter 13 - Glitters Of Newhaven

By the time the clock reached six, Elsie had learned three important things.

First, Veyr Group had more glass walls than seemed necessary.

Second, serious people apparently existed in large numbers.

And third—

She was exhausted.

Elsie stepped out of Westbridge International with her handbag hanging from one shoulder and the project folder tucked safely beneath her arm.

She stopped on the pavement and took a deep breath.

“I’m alive.”

A car horn sounded nearby.

Elsie looked at it.

“Barely.”

“ELSIE!”

She turned.

A familiar silver car pulled up beside the pavement.

Livia leaned across the driver’s seat and lowered the window.

“Get in.”

Elsie walked toward the car.

“You sound like you’re k********g me.”

“I am.”

“Where are we going?”

“Out.”

“I’ve had a long day.”

“Exactly.”

Elsie opened the passenger door.

“I was planning to go home.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re twenty-two, not eighty-two.”

Elsie climbed inside.

“I like staying home.”

“You like staying home with books.”

“Yes.”

“And tea.”

“Yes.”

“And your grandmother calling every fifteen minutes.”

“She doesn’t call every fifteen minutes.”

Livia started driving.

“She called you four times yesterday.”

“That was different.”

“How?”

“She missed me.”

Livia smiled.

“You’ve been in Newhaven for less than a week.”

“Exactly. She’s already suffering.”

Livia laughed.

“Tonight, you’re going to see the city.”

Elsie looked out the window.

“I’ve seen the city.”

“You’ve seen the route between your apartment and work.”

“That counts.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

Elsie sighed.

“Fine. Where are you taking me?”

Livia smiled mysteriously.

“Harbor Street.”

Elsie’s eyes widened.

“The entertainment district?”

“Yes.”

“I thought you said it was crowded.”

“It is.”

“And loud?”

“Yes.”

“And expensive?”

“Some places.”

Elsie looked suspicious.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Absolutely.”

“That answer was too fast.”

“Because I already know you’re going to complain.”

“I don’t complain.”

Livia glanced at her.

Elsie smiled.

“Fine. I occasionally provide detailed observations.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Harbor Street

Thirty minutes later, Livia parked near the entrance to Harbor Street, one of Newhaven’s busiest evening entertainment districts.

The street stretched along the waterfront, glowing beneath rows of decorative lights.

Restaurants occupied the upper floors of modern buildings.

Cafés spilled onto the pavements.

Music drifted from lounges and entertainment venues.

Street performers entertained small crowds while people moved between restaurants, cafés, karaoke lounges, and nightlife spots.

Across the road stood a large glass-fronted venue with a glowing sign:

THE BLUE HARBOR — KARAOKE & LOUNGE

Elsie stared at it.

“Oh.”

Livia smiled.

“Pretty, isn't it?”

“Very.”

They stepped onto the pavement.

Elsie looked around curiously.

“There are so many people.”

“Welcome to Newhaven.”

A group passed them laughing.

Music drifted from a nearby restaurant.

Elsie smiled.

“I think I like this.”

“I knew you would.”

They walked along the waterfront, stopping occasionally to look through shop windows.

Then Livia suddenly stopped.

Elsie nearly walked into her.

“What happened?”

Livia stared ahead.

“Oh.”

Elsie followed her gaze.

A group of young men stood outside The Blue Harbor, laughing and talking beneath the glowing sign.

One of them noticed Livia.

His face immediately brightened.

“Livia?”

Livia groaned.

Elsie looked at her.

“You know him?”

“Unfortunately.”

The young man separated from the group and approached them with a grin.

“You disappeared.”

“I didn’t disappear.”

“You stopped answering my messages.”

“Because you send too many.”

He laughed.

“Good to see you too.”

Elsie looked between them.

Then slowly smiled.

“Oh.”

Livia turned toward her.

“Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were about to.”

“I was only observing.”

“Don’t observe.”

The young man laughed.

“Who’s your friend?”

Livia sighed.

“This is Elsie.”

Elsie smiled politely.

“Hi.”

“I’m Ryan.”

He shook Elsie’s hand.

Then he glanced toward the group behind him.

“We're going inside. Come join us.”

Livia hesitated.

Elsie looked at her.

“Are they your friends?”

“Unfortunately.”

Ryan laughed.

“That’s affection.”

“I have no affection for you.”

“Sure.”

Elsie smiled.

“Should we go?”

Livia looked surprised.

“You want to?”

“It looks fun.”

Ryan smiled.

“See? Elsie understands.”

“Don’t encourage him,” Livia muttered.

They entered The Blue Harbor.

The interior was bright and lively.

Colorful lights moved across the walls without making the room dark.

Several private karaoke rooms lined one side of the venue, while the main lounge occupied the center.

Music played from the sound system.

Groups of friends sat around low tables, talking and laughing.

Ryan led them toward a private room where his friends had already reserved a table.

Elsie looked around.

“This is nice.”

Livia smiled.

“I knew you'd like it.”

They settled into the room.

For the first few minutes, everything was perfectly pleasant.

Ryan and Livia argued over which song should be played.

Someone handed Elsie a menu.

She immediately became focused on the food section.

“You're choosing food already?”

Elsie looked up.

“I'm hungry.”

“You ate lunch.”

“That was hours ago.”

Ryan laughed.

“She's serious.”

“She always is about food,” Livia said.

Elsie pointed at the menu.

“Food is important.”

Everyone laughed.

Then one of Ryan's friends approached Elsie.

He was dressed expensively, with a confident smile and the unmistakable air of someone accustomed to getting what he wanted.

“You're new around here?”

Elsie nodded.

“Pretty new.”

“I haven't seen you before.”

“I've only recently moved to Newhaven.”

“Then you should let me show you around.”

Elsie smiled politely.

“That's kind of you, but Livia is already showing me around.”

He laughed.

“Livia?”

He glanced at her.

“She's not exactly the best tour guide.”

Livia raised an eyebrow.

“I heard that.”

Elsie laughed softly.

The young man turned back to her.

“Give me your number.”

Elsie's smile became uncertain.

“Oh, I don't think—”

“Come on.”

He held out his phone.

“Just your number.”

Elsie shook her head.

“No, thank you.”

He didn't move.

“Why not?”

“Because I don't want to.”

Her voice remained polite.

The young man smiled as if she hadn't really refused.

“You'll change your mind.”

Elsie frowned.

“I don't think I will.”

Livia immediately stepped between them.

“She said no.”

The atmosphere changed.

The young man's smile disappeared.

“I'm talking to her.”

“And she answered you.”

“Livia.”

“Don't.”

Ryan stepped forward.

“Guys—”

The young man looked annoyed.

“This isn't your business.”

Livia folded her arms.

“She came with me. So yes, it is.”

Elsie gently touched Livia's arm.

“It's okay.”

“No, it isn't.”

The young man scoffed.

“You're making this into something it isn't.”

Livia's expression hardened.

“You asked her for her number. She refused. You kept asking.”

The conversation around them quieted.

Several people glanced toward their table.

Elsie immediately wished she could disappear.

“Oh, dear.”

Ryan rubbed his forehead.

“Livia…”

“What?”

“You're going to start something.”

“He started it.”

The young man stepped forward.

“Do you know who you're talking to?”

Livia smiled without humor.

“No.”

“And you should.”

“I don't.”

Ryan quietly muttered,

“This is going badly.”

Elsie glanced around.

“I agree.”

Then a calm voice came from behind them.

“Elsie?”

She froze.

She knew that voice.

Elsie turned.

Her eyes widened.

“Adrian?”

A tall young man stood near the entrance to the private room, dressed casually but neatly. He carried a jacket over one arm and looked genuinely surprised to see her.

Elsie's face immediately brightened.

“Adrian!”

He smiled.

“I can't believe it.”

Ryan looked toward him.

“Adrian, you made it.”

Adrian nodded.

“Sorry. Got held up.”

Ryan gestured toward him.

“Guys, this is Adrian Cole. He's a friend of mine and also my colleague.”

Elsie blinked.

“Wait… you two work together?”

“Unfortunately,” Adrian said with a small smile.

Ryan laughed.

“He's been saying that for years.”

Adrian turned back toward Elsie.

“What are you doing here?”

“Livia brought me.”

Adrian glanced toward Livia.

“Hello.”

Livia smiled.

“Hi.”

Then she looked at Elsie.

Then at Adrian.

Then back at Elsie.

Something in her expression changed.

Elsie didn't notice.

Adrian's gaze returned to Elsie.

“You look different.”

Elsie looked down at herself.

“Bad different?”

He laughed.

“No. Just…”

He paused.

“Different.”

Elsie smiled.

“I started working.”

“I heard.”

“You did?”

“Your university group chat.”

Elsie groaned.

“Oh no.”

Adrian laughed.

“Everyone heard about your new job.”

Livia leaned toward Elsie.

“Who is he?”

Elsie answered casually.

“Adrian Cole. He was my senior at university.”

Adrian smiled.

“Senior by two years.”

“Exactly.”

He looked at Elsie again.

“Are you okay?”

Elsie nodded.

“Yes.”

His eyes briefly moved toward the young man who had been bothering her.

Then back to Elsie.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Adrian's expression became more serious.

The young man scoffed.

“This doesn't concern you.”

Adrian looked at him calmly.

“I believe it does now.”

Something about his tone made the young man hesitate.

Adrian didn't raise his voice.

He didn't need to.

He simply stood there.

Ryan stepped in.

“Let's just calm down.”

The tension lasted another few seconds.

Then the young man looked away.

“Forget it.”

He walked toward the other side of the lounge.

His friends followed.

The atmosphere slowly relaxed.

Elsie exhaled.

“That was awkward.”

Livia stared at her.

“Awkward?”

“Yes.”

“You were being harassed.”

Elsie blinked.

“Oh.”

Adrian looked at her.

“Are you sure you're okay?”

“Yes.”

He smiled slightly.

“Good.”

Livia watched him.

Then watched Elsie.

Then smiled.

She knew.

Oh, she definitely knew.

A few minutes later, the tension had completely disappeared.

Ryan returned to the karaoke machine and started arguing with Livia over song choices.

Elsie stood beside Livia while Adrian remained nearby.

Livia leaned closer.

“So…”

Elsie looked at her.

“So what?”

“You know Adrian likes you, right?”

Elsie blinked.

“Who?”

Livia stared at her.

“Adrian.”

Elsie looked toward him.

He happened to glance in their direction.

Their eyes met.

He smiled.

Elsie smiled back.

Then turned to Livia.

“He's just being friendly.”

Livia stared.

“Elsie.”

“What?”

“He has had a crush on you since university.”

Elsie laughed.

“No, he hasn't.”

“Yes, he has.”

“You think everyone of the opposite gender has a crush on me.”

Livia's mouth fell open.

“Because apparently everyone does!”

Elsie shook her head.

“That makes no sense.”

“You're impossible.”

Elsie smiled innocently.

“I think you're imagining things.”

Livia sighed.

“Fine.”

She looked toward Adrian.

“Let's ask him.”

Elsie's eyes widened.

“No!”

Livia grinned.

“You're suddenly nervous?”

“I'm not nervous.”

“Then why are you stopping me?”

“Because you're embarrassing.”

Livia laughed.

“Exactly.”

Elsie shook her head.

“Come on. I want dessert.”

“That is your solution to everything.”

“It usually works.”

Adrian approached them.

“Dessert?”

Elsie nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes.”

Livia smiled.

“Apparently that's more important than everything else.”

Elsie looked offended.

“Dessert is extremely important.”

Adrian laughed.

“I remember.”

Elsie looked at him.

“You remember?”

“You used to disappear from the library whenever someone mentioned cake.”

“That happened once.”

“Three times.”

Elsie frowned.

“You have an excellent memory.”

Adrian smiled.

“For certain things.”

Livia looked away to hide her grin.

Elsie didn't notice.

She was already studying the dessert menu.

For the first time since arriving in Newhaven, she wasn't thinking about deadlines, corporate meetings, intimidating executives, or the strange atmosphere surrounding Veyr Group.

Tonight was simply bright lights, laughter, friends, and dessert.

A small piece of ordinary life.

She closed the menu.

“I want the chocolate cake.”

Livia laughed.

“Of course you do.”

“It has chocolate.”

“That is your entire argument?”

“Yes.”

Adrian smiled.

“Some things really haven't changed.”

Elsie looked up.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

She shrugged and returned to the menu.

Across Harbor Street, a black vehicle slowed beside the curb outside another entrance to the waterfront district.

The rear door opened.

Two bodyguards stepped out first.

Then several executives.

Finally, Zavian Veyr emerged.

Even beneath the warm lights of Harbor Street, his presence seemed strangely out of place.

Immaculate black suit.

Perfectly composed posture.

Sharp features.

Dark hair.

An almost unnaturally handsome face marked by an expression that gave nothing away.

His executives spoke quietly around him as they approached the restaurant.

Zavian's gaze moved across the street.

Then stopped.

Through the large glass windows of The Blue Harbor, Elsie was visible beneath the warm lights, laughing at something Livia had said.

Her expression was bright.

Completely unaware of the world around her.

Adrian stood nearby.

Livia was teasing her about something.

Elsie shook her head, smiling.

Zavian's steps slowed.

Only slightly.

His gaze remained fixed for a moment.

Then one of the executives quietly said something beside him.

Zavian turned his attention away.

He continued toward the restaurant.

Inside, Elsie suddenly sneezed.

Livia stared at her.

“Bless you.”

Elsie rubbed her nose.

“Thank you.”

Adrian smiled.

“Still allergic to—”

“Don't.”

Elsie pointed at him.

“Whatever you're about to say, don't.”

Livia burst out laughing.

Elsie sighed.

“I don't understand why everyone finds my suffering entertaining.”

And just like that, the moment passed.

Neither Elsie nor Livia noticed the man who had paused across Harbor Street.