Chapter: 1830
Three days later, New Year's Eve brought a lively buzz to the streets, each corner teeming with festive energy.
Rosa dropped Maya off for her morning training, then dashed back to the studio; her artists’ schedules for the new year awaited her careful planning.
The previous night had been a juggle between lulling Maya to sleep and poring over pending business proposals-unfortunately, the proposals lost out to bedtime stories.
Stepping into the studio, Rosa was met with the receptionist's startled gaze. "Rosa, you're already here?"
Her question hung in the air, puzzling Rosa. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
The receptionist glanced at the office behind her, then quickly turned back with an apologetic grin. “Sorry, it's just that you're here earlier than usual. You're typically in by ten, right?"
Rosa felt her phone buzz with an incoming message. She didn't notice the change of the expression on the receptionist's face.
“I've got a bunch of work to do, so I came here early." While explaining, she checked the message.
It was from Jeanne. "Where are you? You still at home?"
“Nope, made it to the studio. What's going on?"
No sooner had she sent her reply than Jeanne burst through the door, breathless. She latched onto Rosa's wrist with an urgency that left no room for questions.
"We need to go out," Jeanne insisted.
Snapping back to reality at the studio entrance, Rosa planted her feet. "Head out? To where exactly? Don't you have a mountain of work today? And why the rush?"
“Just trust me; let's go," Jeanne frowned and said impatiently.
Rosa's confusion deepened. She wriggled out of Jeanne's grip, her voice firm. "Hold on, you need to give me the full picture. Why the sudden dash outside? Is something wrong?"
“I'll tell you later."
“But why not now?" Rosa's confusion grew with each exchange. Only now did she realize the underlying tone of the receptionist's question earlier.
Her early arrival at the studio was unusual, yet not unprecedented.
Normally, the receptionist would offer a routine greeting, nothing like a surprised remark displayed this morning.
"Is someone in there? Who?" Rosa's sharp intuition tingled, something felt off. She shifted her gaze towards the studio, then locked eyes with Jeanne.
Jeanne pressed her Lips and then asked, “Who? What are you talking about? I just have something very important to tell you."
Rosa remained silent; yet, the skepticism in her eyes spoke volumes—she didn't believe Jeanne.
"Who is inside? Does this person want to see me?" Rosa continued to guess.
"No," Jeanne answered without hesitation.