The Devil's Witness

CHAPTER2

Old Friend

(Alan's pov)

Forty minutes later, the group finally started to disperse, heading out to the main floor while still throwing jokes about how uptight I always seemed.

They always threw teasing remarks like this and that was why tonight took them by surprise. I wasn't usually like that. People knew better than to mistake my silence for an invitation.

They teased me for being so serious all the time.

I kept on the facade, playing it cool as always.

But if only they knew.

Soon, the VIP booth was empty, leaving only me and Mark, the owner of the club.

Mark leaned back, arms crossed, with his eyes piercing through the dim lighting.

He didn't see me as the rest of the world did, as Alan Voss, the genius business executive who shocked the industry within a few years. He was the only person who knew the man hiding behind that name, the one without the carefully built facade.

"Spill it," Mark said, his voice flat and serious. "What's the game, Alan?"

"Oh, nothing," I replied smoothly, adjusting the cuffs of my white shirt.

Mark let out a dry, knowing laugh. "Oh, please. Don't show that serious straight face to me like I'm Leo or Damien. We both know what's hidden behind that serious-boy facade. So spill it. Who was she?"

I looked toward the exit where she had disappeared, a faint yet knowing smile appearing on my lips.

"An old friend," I whispered, my voice dropping. "And a very stubborn one at that".

"You don't look at friends like that Alan," Mark said with a questioning look.

"She seemed to be running from something," I said to myself.

Elena Valemount didn't run from danger. She ran towards it. That had always been her greatest strength…... .yet her greatest weakness.

So what had scared her enough to make her hide behind a stranger?

"Are we still discussing her?" Staring at me for a while, he asked.

But I completely ignored him.

What was she doing here?

Why now?

When did she come to the capital?

And more importantly…….who had managed to scare Elena Valemount.

"Hey," Mark snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Hmm. Find out what happened tonight". I stood up, then adjusted my tie.

"You want me to investigate her?"

"I want to know why she looked terrified."

I made my way to the exit. It was getting late, and I had other things to do.

"Your men are usually better at finding answers than me," Mark smirked lazily, leaning into the chair.

Pausing for a moment, I looked like I was pondering on something, then I turned my head to the side.

"Your men are less predictable "

"Tsk... I'm not seeing you off then."

"Hmm" then I strode out.

Elena's Pov

Marcus and his men wouldn't stay at the club for long; they should have probably left .

My heart was still beating frantically as I rushed into the women's restroom and locked the door behind me.

My hands were still shaking as my legs nearly gave out.

I hated that Marcus had managed to drag me back into that feeling I spent years burying.

I stared at my reflection. My eyes looked exhausted. Fear lingered behind them no matter how hard I tried to hide it.

Eyes that once held hope, happiness, joy now contained fear, panic and tiredness.

Staring at the mirror, I could see it. The necklace my father had given me years ago, the only thing I carried from the night that changed my life forever.

I stared at it, fighting every urge to cry.

'You're incompetent Elena, your little certificate won't save you, you think the world works by law, just quit Elena'

Those voices kept coming to me.

Calm down.

I exhaled as I shut my eyes to take out the negative thoughts.

I stared at the necklace once more and memories of childhood pulled in.

A part of me wanted to believe him.

I wanted to believe maybe I was just a girl holding onto a childish idea of justice.

But then I remembered my father's voice.

The Vale mount never quit.

Something reignited within my chest.

I opened my eyes and saw my reflection in the mirror.

But this time it wasn't only fear.

It was fear yet mixed with the will to fight.

“I won't let them decide what justice means. Not anymore.

My hands shook slightly as I uttered a silent promise.

Yet no matter how hard I tried to bury it, Marcus' words lingered.

For the first time in years, doubt found its way in.