CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ADRIAN
The buzz in the grand hall didn't immediately dissipate after Mr. Gavin's final words. The tension lingered, floating in the air like smoke that refused to clear. Representatives from the ten companies whispered amongst themselves, eyes scanning the faces of competitors and judges alike. There was relief in the air—but also unease.
Adrian sat back slowly, his fingers loosely clasped together on the table. He could hear Rachel whisper something, but the words didn't reach him right away. His ears rang with the weight of all that had just unfolded.
Rachel leaned in with a bright smile. "We did it, Boss. Top three!"
Adrian blinked, then returned the smile with a nod, though the knot in his stomach refused to loosen. "Yeah. We did."
But he knew better than to celebrate too early. This was only the beginning of the end.
Mr. Gavin returned to the stage, his presence commanding immediate silence. His eyes, clear and unreadable, scanned the room as if weighing every soul present.
"Thank you once again to everyone who presented today," he began, his voice calm and steady. "Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and narrowing it down to just three was one of the most difficult decisions I've had to make."
He turned slightly, directing his attention to the three tables that remained: Veymar Entertainment, Spotlight Media, and Vision Entertainment.
"For this final phase," Mr. Gavin continued, "I've decided to take a different approach. I'm looking not just for a pitch that dazzles me, but for a partnership that speaks to the heart of this story. That requires a more personal setting."
A ripple of surprise moved through the room.
"Over the next week, my team will reach out to each of the final three companies to schedule a private dinner. This won't be a formal presentation, but a conversation—a chance for us to connect on a deeper level."
Gasps and murmurs erupted at the unexpected announcement.
"You will receive further information within the next three days. Until then, congratulations to our finalists, and thank you again to all who participated."
As Mr. Gavin stepped off the stage, a fresh wave of anticipation swept through the room. This twist had changed everything.
Adrian stood slowly, his gaze sweeping the crowd. Spotlight's team huddled with stiff professionalism. Vision's lead looked confident, if not slightly smug. Rachel reached for her bag with one hand and nudged Adrian with the other.
"Dinner with the legend himself," she said. "No pressure, right?"
Adrian exhaled through his nose, a small laugh escaping. "No pressure at all."
---
Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the skyline, Adrian sat alone in the back seat of the company car. The quiet hummed around him. He didn't tell the driver where to go right away—he needed a moment. Just one.
He pulled out his phone and called his parents first. His mother cried. His father simply said, "I'm proud of you, son," in that gruff, quiet way Adrian had always understood to mean more than it sounded.
Then, almost instinctively, his fingers found Max's contact.
"Hey," Max answered on the second ring, his voice soft and tired.
"Hey," Adrian replied. "Where are you?"
"Home. Just got back from the café."
"Can I come over?"
A pause.
"Of course. Sending you the location now," he said.
---
Max's new apartment was a modest space tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. When Adrian arrived, Max greeted him barefoot, wearing sweats and a faded tee. His hair was slightly tousled, his eyes curious and warm.
"You look like someone who's been through a war," Max teased, stepping aside to let him in.
Adrian huffed a breath of amusement, stepping inside. I have, he thought to himself—not just from today, but from the constant weight of carrying everyone's expectations.
Max padded into the kitchen. "Coffee?"
"God, yes."
As Max prepared the drinks, Adrian wandered into the living room and sank onto the couch. The space smelled faintly of cinnamon and old pages. There was a record player near the window, a half-read book on the armrest, and a blanket that looked like it had been loved for years.
They sat together in silence, warm mugs nestled in their hands. The first sip burned slightly—bitter and grounding.
"Top three," Adrian said quietly.
"I'm proud of you," Max replied.
---
After the coffee, Max offered him a spare t-shirt and some quiet. They changed, the silence between them now easy, soft. When they slipped under the covers, Adrian felt the last layers of tension begin to fall away.
He lay there, staring up at the ceiling, the faint hum of the city outside their window.
"He said he'll let us know in three days," Adrian murmured.
"You'll be the one he picks," Max said with conviction, without hesitation. "I can feel it."
Adrian didn't respond. He just shifted slightly, wrapped an arm around Max, and let himself breathe—for the first time in days.
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TO BE CONTINUED...
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Next updates: Monday at 7:30 PM GMT. Adjust for your local time!
WEEKEND TEA
"If you're like me, you're probably carrying more than you let on. Expectations. Pressure. Doubt. But if this week taught me anything, it's that even in the middle of uncertainty, you deserve to rest. You deserve to exhale.
So this weekend, don't rush to fix everything. Let yourself feel what you feel. Make coffee. Call someone who makes you feel safe. Remind yourself that you're still in the running, even if you can't see the finish line yet.
You've done more than you think.
And you're not alone."
💜Adrian