NOVEL NEXT Chapter 855: Unvoiced Thoughts
Villain Ch 855. Unvoiced Thoughts
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"Nothing major?" Allen asked, his eyebrow arching in a mix of curiosity and skepticism. He leaned back in his chair, fixing Azura with a gaze that was both probing and gentle.
Azura shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She felt the weight of Allen's gaze like a spotlight, exposing all the thoughts she was desperate to keep hidden. 'Of course, he wouldn't believe it's nothing. He's too perceptive for that,' she thought ruefully. The last thing she wanted was to reveal her turmoil—especially not here, not with everyone watching.
"Yeah, nothing. I was just thinking about a few things. Like my family and my audience. This is the first time I've taken a break from streaming," Azura replied, her voice a little too casual. She toyed with a strand of her hair, avoiding Allen's eyes.
Allen's look softened. He knew Azura well enough to recognize the signs of her discomfort.
"If you have a problem and don't like something here, just say it, okay?" Jordan's voice broke through the tension, his tone firm yet caring.
Azura nodded, shooting a quick, telling glance at Allen. Her eyes betrayed her true feelings, and Allen caught the flicker of sadness in them. It was clear, her issues weren't just about her career pause or her audience. They were about him.
Emma, picking up on the silent exchange, exchanged a look with Allen. They both understood. Emma's look was one of caution. An unspoken agreement to tread lightly around Azura's unvoiced thoughts.
The rest of the dinner passed uneventfully. The warm, comforting ambiance of the dining room couldn't mask the undercurrents of unspoken thoughts and emotions. Each person at the table seemed lost in their own world, barely touching their food. Azura, in particular, was preoccupied, her fork tracing idle patterns on her plate rather than eating.
She seemed detached, her thoughts far away from the conversation that occasionally flickered between Jordan and Allen about the party planning.
Allen watched Azura out of the corner of his eye. He wanted to reach out to her, but the right words eluded him. He decided to let it be for now, hoping that time would bring clarity and perhaps an opportunity for a more private conversation.
Jordan tried to keep the conversation light but found it challenging. He exchanged a few words with Allen about the logistics of the party, but the discussion lacked the usual enthusiasm. Emma, who had been so animated earlier, now sat quietly, her thoughts seemingly miles away.
Eventually, dinner concluded, and the family dispersed. Allen excused himself, heading to his room where he planned to meet with Alex and Kai. He needed to focus on the practical aspects, to bury his worries in planning and details.
Once in his room, Allen settled on the sofa. He called in Alex and Kai, who entered with a quiet efficiency that spoke of their long service to the Goldborne family. They greeted Allen with respectful nods before taking seats across from him.
"Let's get started," Allen said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "We need to review the updates from yesterday."
Alex began. "Regarding the venues, we have encountered some issues. Two of the places we were considering have already been booked on the dates we wanted. That leaves us with fewer options, but I've contacted the remaining venues to confirm their availability."
Kai handed Allen a list. "These are the remaining candidates. I've also updated our notes with any feedback from the venue representatives. Additionally, we've compiled a list of reputable event organizers. All of them have excellent track records and have managed events for the Goldborne family before."
Allen glanced at the list, noting the impressive credentials of each organizer. It was a difficult choice, but he knew the importance of selecting someone who could handle the event's scale and significance. "I think it would be best to conduct face-to-face interviews," he said thoughtfully. "Not formal interviews, but informal chats over dinner.
It's important to gauge their personality and approach."
Alex nodded approvingly. "A good idea, sir. It will allow you to get a better sense of who they are and how they work."
The discussion continued, focused and efficient. They went over the remaining venues in detail, assessing each one's suitability and availability. The conversation was strictly business. The rhythm of planning and decision-making provided Allen with a sense of control.
After half an hour, they had covered all the necessary points. The venues had been narrowed down, and they had a shortlist of event organizers to meet. Allen felt a bit more settled, though the weight of the day's earlier events still lingered in the back of his mind.
"Thank you, both of you," Allen said, standing up as the meeting concluded. "I appreciate your hard work. Let's schedule the meetings with the organizers as soon as possible."
Alex and Kai nodded, rising from their seats. "We'll make the arrangements and keep you updated," Alex said.
Kai added, "We're here to support you, sir. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything else."
Allen offered a small smile. "I will. Thank you."
After concluding his discussion with Alex and Kai, Allen decided a shower would help clear his mind. He walked to the bathroom, turned on the hot water, and let the steam fill the room. Stripping off his clothes, he stepped into the shower, letting the warm water cascade over his body. The water soothed his tense muscles.
The shower helped, if only momentarily. He dried off and changed into comfortable clothes, opting for a simple t-shirt and sweatpants. He then grabbed his phone and lay down on his bed, feeling the soft mattress beneath him. Staring at the ceiling, he thought about what he wanted to say to Gerry. They hadn't seen each other in a while. Especially, since he was busy moving into Goldborne mansion.
He opened his messaging app and began typing.
Allen: Yo, wanna hit the gym tomorrow morning?
Gerry's reply came almost immediately.
Gerry: Uh, did you just get hit on your head? Usually, I'm the one who asks you that question.