40. SCREAM

Taliya leaned over the desk, her eyes scanning the security footage with laser focus. The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the glow of the monitors in front of her. She felt a mix of frustration and determination, hoping to catch any sign of the suspicious activity she had been warned about. However, as the minutes ticked by and the footage revealed nothing unusual, her hope began to wane.

"Come on, there has to be something," she muttered under her breath, rewinding and fast-forwarding through the clips. But no matter how many times she replayed the scenes, the outcome was the same: nothing.

"Ugh, just my luck," she cursed, slamming her hands on the desk. The disappointment was palpable as she stood up abruptly, her chair rolling back with a squeak. She stomped out of the security office, her mind racing with thoughts of what to do next.

As she exited the office, she was too lost in her thoughts to notice Haroon running towards her, clearly in a hurry to hide. Before she could react, they collided. The impact was sudden and jarring, sending both of them stumbling backward.

"Watch it!" Taliya snapped, her irritation flaring up even more.

Haroon, catching his breath, looked up at her with wide eyes. "I'm sorry! I didn't see you there!"

Taliya took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. "It's fine. What are you doing running around like that anyway?"

Haroon glanced around nervously, his gaze shifting from Taliya to the hallway behind her. "I... I was trying to avoid someone. It's complicated."

Taliya raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued despite her frustration. "Avoid who?"

Before Haroon could answer, footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing louder with each passing second. Taliya grabbed Haroon's arm, pulling him into a nearby alcove just in time to avoid being seen.

"Stay quiet," she whispered, her heart pounding as they pressed against the wall. The footsteps passed by, and after a tense few moments, they faded away.

Haroon let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Thanks," he whispered back.

Taliya nodded, her earlier irritation melting away. "Just be careful next time. We both need to stay out of trouble."

Haroon managed a small smile. "Got it. And Taliya... thanks again."

As they cautiously stepped out of the alcove, they were greeted Murad. A gasp escaped Taliya as she saw Murad leaning against corridor.

"How do you always find yourself in a situations like this?" He signed his question raising his eyebrow at Haroon behind her.

"Mind your own business." Muttering under her breath she pinches her bridge of nose and walks away with Haroon letting her know about the after meeting with the staff.

"Com'on we gotta a last meeting to attend."

"Hmm," she hummed with her black eyes rounding on Murad's figure. He wasn't here? Was he?

~☆~

Taliya sat at the head of the table in her cabin, surrounded by her dedicated team. The room buzzed with a palpable sense of accomplishment as they reflected on the success of their recent event, Ethereal Elegance: The Summer Theme's Launch.

"First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you for your hard work and dedication," Taliya began, her smile radiating pride. "This event wouldn't have been the success it was without your efforts."

The team exchanged gratified glances, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the glow of their achievement.

"Rebecca, your coordination with the models was flawless. They were on point and looked amazing," Taliya continued, nodding towards her lead coordinator.

Rebecca beamed. "Thanks, Taliya. It was a team effort, and the models were fantastic to work with."

"And Carl, the stage design was breathtaking. It truly embodied the ethereal theme we were going for," Taliya added, turning to her creative director.

Carl chuckled, a hint of relief in his voice. "I'm glad it all came together in the end. The lighting really enhanced the whole look, thanks to James."

James, the lighting technician, gave a modest nod. "Just doing my job, but it feels great to be part of something so beautiful."

Taliya took a moment to look around the table, feeling a swell of gratitude. "We've received amazing feedback from the attendees and the press. This launch has set a new standard for us."

The team cheered, the sound echoing through the cabin.

"Alright, let's talk about winding up. We need to pack up the props and make sure all the rentals are returned," Taliya instructed.

"On it," Carl said, making a note on his tablet. "I'll coordinate with the crew and ensure everything is taken care of by tomorrow."

Rebecca chimed in, "I'll handle the model releases and ensure all payments are processed. They've been asking about the next event already."

Taliya laughed, "That's a good sign. Let's keep them excited and engaged."

As the meeting wrapped up, Taliya felt a sense of satisfaction. "Once everything is settled, let's head back to New Downtown. We all deserve a good break after this."

"Absolutely," James agreed. "I hear there's a new rooftop bar that's just opened. Perfect spot to celebrate."

Taliya nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Let's finish strong and then enjoy the evening. Great job, everyone."

With a collective sense of accomplishment, the team dispersed, ready to tackle the final tasks and then head to New Downtown for a well-deserved celebration. The event had been a resounding success, and Taliya couldn't have been prouder of her team.
Just when she felt like her life was going on a smooth road a heavy shout from the back of the cabin came through the window making all of them alert.