HIDDEN FATE AND FRAGILE HEART.

CHAPTER FIVE.

During rehearsal for a runway show, the heat of the spotlights pressed down too heavy. Halfway across the stage, her chest clenched sharply, the rhythm of her heart stumbling like a skipped beat in a record. She faltered, one hand flying to her side.

"Elysian, are you okay ?" one of the designers asked, concerned. She had noticed her sudden change in behavior.

"I'm fine," she said quickly, forcing a smile. Her voice was steady, and practiced. She waved them off, stepping into the wings. But as soon as she was out of sight, back in her dressing room, she leaned against the wall, dragging in careful breaths.

The ache subsided slowly, leaving behind a familiar dread. She reached for her small table nearby and dug into her clutch, fingers trembling as she swallowed one of the small pills. The bitterness coated her tongue, as she gulped down a glass of water.

Her heart was a cage of glass, and every day she wondered when the crack would finally spread too far. When she returned, they saw her again minutes later, she was perfect, like nothing ever happened, hair smoothed, lips curved, eyes bright. No one would ever know. That was how it had to be.

But when she lay awake that night in her penthouse, staring at the city lights, her thoughts circled back to the figure who had vanished but somehow remained, etched into her head.

"Who are you?" she whispered into the darkness. Her chest rose and fell, her heart thudding unevenly. "And why can't I forget you?"

Her reflection in the glass gave no answer. Only the city lights blinked back, and the moon glowing brightly on her face.

The next morning brought distraction in the form, shoots,contracts, name it. William, strode into her penthouse with his usual energy, holding a folder before sitting on the sofa close to her.

"Morning ma'am" he greeted.

She stared at him, "Ma'am? Don't you think that is too professional for someone you have basically known all your life?" She teased.

"Whatever" he replied.

William and Elysian grew up together, their parents were best buddies in their neighborhood, it's like a bond passed down to the next generation, William is like the big brother she never had.

"We have a busy day ahead, you know" he said

"Coffee first, contracts later," she said, lifting the mug in her hand.

He ignored her, as always. "You're not going to want to wait on this one." Passing her the folder.

Elysian arched a brow, flipping open the folder. A neat letterhead stared up at her in a bold font.

'Blackwood Enterprises.'

Her fingers stilled on the page. Her pulse fluttered in her throat.

"They are requesting for you, personally," William said, watching her closely. "A follow up campaign. Apparently, the boss, I mean , the CEO himself approved your name."

Her stomach dipped. That company again. The memory of the departing figure surged back, vivid as lightning.

"Did they say what kind of campaign?" she asked.

"A luxury branding series, prints, digital, commercials maybe. This is something big, Ely. This is the gig, the kind of exposure we have been waiting for." He grinned.

But she wasn't excited.

Her eyes lingered on the bold letters, tracing the curve of the letters.

"Do you want to do it?" William asked. He had noticed her silence and she was not excited too.

Of course she should, it was career gold. Yet she hesitated,

"Yes," she said finally, though the word came out softer than she intended. "I will do it." She said again, loud.

William beamed. "That's my girl. I'll confirm with their team right away."

But when he left, folder in hand, she stood by the window, her mug cooling in her grasp. Something in her whispered that this was not a chance. That she was stepping closer to the shadow that haunted her dreams.

And for reasons she couldn't name, she both feared it and longed for it.