Chapter 03. Someone Hacked

LINA 

"Stop, I said stop. DON'T CHASE ME. stay away." Suddenly I open my eyes, I won't able to breathe properly. I know it was a nightmare but the feelings are still real. I turned off my alarm. It's morning at 3.30 am. I got out of bed and went to shower.

I looked at myself in the mirror "Good morning, Lina" There was still some mysterious redness in my hazel brown eyes which I wanted to avoid. I closed my eyes to take a deep breath. after a few minutes, I opened my eyes, and that mysterious redness had already faded away. I take toothpaste to brush my teeth. I soaked myself in the cold shower and chanted repeatedly "I am safe. I am secure. I am healthy. Universe protecting me." for some unknown reason, I chant these words every day whenever I feel something is wrong with me.

I walked out of the shower and reached into the closet to pick clothes for the shoot and as usual, I chose to wear black. Black turtle top paired with black straight pants and put a beige trench coat over it. I paired my Chanel earrings and bracelets with my outfit and tied my hair with a rubber band.

Sarah knocked at my door. I opened the door Sarah and Miles both were ready with 4 huge suitcases. I looked at Sarah and Miles were wearing opposite color pallets. Sarah in a white crop top and blue denim jeans and Miles in his casual black t-shirt and denim jeans.

"Did you put clothes separately according to sequence?" Sarah nodded at me "Yes, it's only 4.30 am We are early on time." Because this time with crew members they booked the hotel for shooting. 

"You and Miles will take separate cars; I asked Luca to send his cars." I paused for a moment I know they already saw the group text last night. Six years ago, Addison made this secret code when we needed to meet in a specific location.

"Wait for 2 mins let me wear my boots" I put on my black sock boots hung a black Chanel Cambon Linge bag on my shoulder and locked the room. "let's go."

We reach Jennifer's room and the makeup artist doing her makeup. I looked at Jennifer and took a seat beside her "Jennie I have to leave urgently today; I will be there for today's first two sequences. Last sequence another assistant will handle it for you. Don't worry I already prepared everything for you."

Jennifer snapped at me "Last time you promised me that you would be there till the last sequence" I replied "We are already done with 85% of your MV shooting."

I patted her shoulder "The last sequence will be shooting at midnight, probably if I make it by evening. I will also be there for the last sequence but can't promise you." Jennifer and I have known each other for more than 2 years. She knows I won't leave unless it's important. "ok"

I smiled at her, she continued with her makeup. After 30 mins she was done with her hair and makeup. Sarah gave her first sequence clothes and helped her to put on her body. She looked beautiful in a blue embroidered floral gown. Sweetheart neckline overlapped with white pearl embellished crop shrug. Her straight long hair and elegant Asian face perfectly blend with an outfit.

One of the makeup artists exclaimed, "Oh my god Jennie, you look so beautiful and this dress." She looked at me and then stood in front of me. "You look good Jennie." She laughed.

Her manager knocked at the door and shouted from outside "Jennie we have ten minutes left for sunrise, are you done? We have to go now" Jennie put on her heels and followed outside.

Sarah followed me outside and we went to the lobby. Miles was already waiting for us. I stood beside the photographer. He took a few random shots of Jennie and showed it to me. director and the cameraman taking shots to test lighting around the lobby when Jennie shoots the sequence the morning rays are captured on camera. The location manager and director decide to first shoot the lakeside. Everyone moves to the lakeside hotel already prepared the setting arrangement for the crew member. I seat beside the director and cameraman, and we successfully shot the first sequence.

For the second sequence, Sarah gave her a black transparent puff dress. There was black crystal embellishment over the cuff sleeves. Her hair is tied into a half-messy bun and her bold makeup gives a black swan vibe. The next location was the banqueting hall. This time she has shot with the back dancers. After 1 hour continues shoot the second sequence is done.

Veronica texted me she was waiting for me in the lobby. when I reached the lobby, she handed me the keys and I took her to the restaurant. Jennie and her manager were waiting for me. I introduced them to Veronica and sent her the document and sequence of last quarter's shoot. I and Veronica worked together for Milan Fashion Week. She's Luca one of the trusted people, I know she will handle this smoothly.

I looked at the watch it was ten past twenty am and I have to reach the location by eleven. After The shoot, everyone decides to have brunch at the restaurant. I walked towards Sarah and Miles who were standing together at the hotel entrance. I threw the car key to Miles.

We went to the parking lot and pressed the key button. Two black Mercedes Benzes bling at the end of the row.

 Miles hands me and Sarah a tactical ear gadget.

I said "Cover me" Both of them nodded at the same time. We separately entered our cars. I wore a black mask and threw my bag in the passenger seat.

I started the car and put the location on the navigation. I put on my tactical earbuds. On the other side, I know Sarah was busy on her laptop and a series of codes flooded into her screen. after ten minutes we reach the hotel. Sarah already hacked the hotel security system and registered my fake identity into their guest list. I reach to lobby and hand them fake IDs. After a few minutes of verification, they hand me another room card.

 When I reached the floor, I knocked on the door but no one opened the door. I heard a noise from my earbuds "Boss, I hacked into the 14th-floor system, scan your card." I scan the card and get inside the room. 

When I entered the room, the whole room was a mess scattered with glasses and blood on the floor. By looking at the bloody floor It looks like it happened a few hours ago. My eyes stopped at the golden bracelet on the corner of the bed. I gave it to our youngest team member on his last birthday. It means he was here when all these things happened. I picked it up from the floor. before I could react I heard some noises coming from the bathroom, with my quick reflex my hands grabbed the broken vase from the floor. before I opened the bathroom door someone opened the door.