5

At the end of the day, the listeners left, leaving behind them an atmosphere heavy with relief mixed with worry. Adrien felt empty, but he knew this was not the end of his ordeal. Nathan showed up at the end of the day, an expression that didn't bode well.

"How was the day? Nathan asked, his tone neutral but his gaze piercing.

"We did our best," Adrien replied, feigning confidence. "I think we were able to answer all their questions. »

Nathan stared at him, as if trying to read the truth in his face. "I hope so for you, Vincent. Listeners are not known for their indulgence. Keep an eye on this folder. If any issues arise, we will need to address them immediately. »

Once Nathan left, Adrien sank into his chair, exhausted and anxious. He knew he had to solve the mysteries surrounding Vincent to maintain his deception. The secrets buried beneath that shiny surface were menacing, and he had to uncover the truth before everything came crashing down.

As he looked at the documents scattered across his desk, a feeling of despair came over him. Vincent Delacroix was a man who hid much more than Adrien imagined. And now it was up to him to deal with the consequences.

Adrien collapsed onto the leather sofa in the living room, his shoulders heavy under the weight of the day. The large room was silent, the only light coming from the elegant floor lamps that cast soft shadows on the walls. The huge television screen was off, the papers scattered around it were a palpable mess. Adrien wondered how long he could continue to maintain this facade without breaking down.

Recent events had left him on edge. The endless meetings, the incessant questions from Vincent's employees, the financial secrets that seemed to multiply in every corner of the office – all of this was beginning to weigh heavily on him. He often felt as if the walls of the house, with their impeccable decor and ostentatious luxury, were closing in around him, becoming a golden trap from which there was no escape.

That evening, as he tried to relax, an unexpected ringing from his phone startled him. He picked up the device and saw Lisa's name displayed on the screen. Lisa, an old flame of Vincent's, was a figure he had heard about while looking through Vincent's files. Their relationship seemed to have been passionate but tumultuous, and he knew that seeing her again could complicate his situation further.

With palpable hesitation, he responded. " Hello ? Lisa? »

There was silence for a few seconds before Lisa's voice was heard, full of confusion and surprise. "Vincent? I...I didn't think you'd answer. »

Adrien tried to keep his voice calm, but he could sense a palpable nervousness in his words. "Lisa, it's really me. How are you ? »

"I'm fine. I heard the news. I just...I wanted to make sure everything was okay. It must be difficult, all of that. »

He felt a knot forming in his stomach. Lisa's words, full of compassion, seemed to resonate in a strange way. He tried to imagine how Vincent would have reacted to a call from his former girlfriend at a time like this. "Yes, it's...difficult. But I manage. What are you doing here in Paris? »

He heard a sigh on the other end of the line. "I came for business. I'm at the hotel, not very far. Maybe we could meet? I would be delighted to see you, Vincent. It's important for me to support you at this time. »

Adrien hesitated. The prospect of seeing Lisa again distressed him as much as it intrigued him. But he knew this kind of meeting could be risky. "I...I think that would be a good idea. We could meet for coffee tomorrow afternoon. »

" Perfect. I'll see you at the hotel. Thank you for your availability. »

Adrien hung up, rubbing his eyes as if trying to erase the accumulated fatigue. It had been a long day, and having Lisa back in his life made things even more complicated. He wondered how he was going to handle this meeting without revealing the truth. How would Vincent have interacted with her? He had so many details to absorb and reproduce, and now he also had to navigate the turbulent waters of Vincent's personal life.

The night passed in a whirlwind of thoughts, each minute seeming to stretch into hours. Adrien finally fell asleep, but the sleep was far from restorative. He woke up suddenly in the middle of the night, sweating, his heart racing. He had had a strange dream where Vincent, or rather Vincent's spirit, wandered the corridors of the house, muttering incomprehensible words.

He got up and headed to the kitchen to make himself some coffee, hoping it would help him wake up fully. As he poured the boiling water over the coffee, he heard a light sound, like a breath, in the living room. He turned around suddenly, but there was no one there.

His heart was beating even faster. He wondered if he had just imagined the sound or if he was really losing his mind. He had become increasingly aware that what he was experiencing was not simply a matter of maintaining a facade. There were layers of tension, fears and secrets eating away at him from the inside.

The next day, he went to the hotel where Lisa was waiting for him. The meeting took place in the elegant lobby, amid the bustle of customers and employees. Lisa stood up when she saw him, and her eyes lit up with a mixture of relief and sadness. "Vincent, it's good to see you. You look tired. »

Adrien did his best to maintain a smile, despite the fatigue that showed on his face. "Lisa, thank you for coming. I'm glad to see you too. »

They took a seat in the hotel lounge, and Lisa began talking about days gone by, trying to create a light atmosphere. But Adrien couldn't help but feel uneasy, like he was playing a role he couldn't really understand.

"So, how are you feeling after everything that happened? » asked Lisa, looking at Adrien with genuine concern.

Adrien fumbled for words, trying to maintain the facade. "It's...complicated. Everything is so sudden. I'm just trying to keep my head above water. »

Lisa nodded, looking understanding. "I can imagine. Vincent, I know you've never been very open about your personal life, but I want you to know that I'm here for you. If you want to talk about anything, I'm willing to listen. »

Adrien swallowed hard. He had always heard about the depth of Vincent and Lisa's relationship, but it was difficult to play the role of someone he knew so little about. "Thank you, Lisa. It means a lot to me. »

They spent a few hours together, talking about everything and nothing. Lisa seemed sincerely eager to comfort Adrien, but every smile, every worrying look, was a reminder of reality. He couldn't afford to reveal himself. Every gesture, every word had to be calculated to maintain the illusion.

The evening came too quickly, and Adrien found himself returning home, exhausted by the double life he was forced to lead. He was relieved to have finished this meeting, but the anxiety did not leave him. He wondered how he was going to continue juggling all these responsibilities.

The night was even more disturbing than the previous one. As he lay in bed, ready to fall asleep, he felt a strange cold fill the room. The sheets seemed to tighten around him like a cold embrace. He stood up, eyes wide, peering into the darkness.

That's when he saw it: a pale, blurry figure, hovering near the bedroom door. The apparition had the features of a familiar face – Vincent. The ghost seemed to be watching Adrien, his eyes empty and piercing as if peering into his soul.