Page 119 of Push My Buttons
I nod, letting him lead me through the throng of industry professionals. Every face I pass could be Levi's; every shadow could hide his watching eyes. The confidence I felt walking in has evaporated, replaced by the hypervigilance I've lived with for months.
The bar area Theo mentioned is indeed quieter, separated from the main party by a decorative partition. Only a handful of people mill about, most already drifting toward the main stage where Jace will soon begin his presentation. Beyond the bar, a sleek door marked with a "Staff Only" sign indicates the entrance to the building's offices, cordoned off with a velvet rope.
"Better?" Theo asks, positioning himself so his back is to the wall, giving him a clear view of anyone approaching.
I nod, though "better" isn't quite the right word. Less exposed, perhaps.
A server approaches with a tray of champagne flutes. "Drink?" Theo offers, snagging two glasses.
I accept one gratefully, the cool glass steady against my trembling fingers. The champagne bubbles tickle my nose as I take a sip, the alcohol doing little to calm my frayed nerves.
"There he is," Theo says suddenly, nodding toward the main stage where Jace has appeared.
The crowd applauds as Jace steps up to the microphone. Even from this distance, I can see the subtle signs of his anxiety—the way he adjusts his glasses, the slight rock of his weight from heel to toe, the careful way he positions his hands to avoid unconscious gestures.
"Ladies and gentlemen," his voice carries clearly through the speakers. "Thank you for joining us tonight for this milestone in the Wasteland Chronicles journey."
As Jace launches into his carefully rehearsed introduction, I feel some of my tension ease. He's in his element now,his passion for the game overriding his social discomfort. The screens behind him light up with gameplay footage, and I watch his hands move as he demonstrates the new features.
"This expansion introduces a revolutionary adaptive quest system," Jace continues, his voice growing more confident as he loses himself in the technical details. He's rocking slightly on his feet—most wouldn't notice, but I notice everything about him.
"Watch how the environment responds to player choices," he says, demonstrating a sequence where the wasteland terrain morphs based on in-game decisions. The crowd murmurs appreciatively.
I feel Theo shift beside me, his attention torn between watching Jace's triumph and scanning for any sign of Levi.
"Mr. Dawson?" A harried-looking woman in a Nexus Gaming polo approaches us. "I'm so sorry to interrupt, but there's an urgent situation with the marketing materials in the press room."
Theo frowns. "Can't it wait? I'm a little busy at the moment."
She shakes her head apologetically. "The CEO specifically asked for you. Something about the press kits missing crucial information about the expansion features. They're about to distribute them to journalists."
Theo's jaw tightens. "Fuck," he mutters. "That could be a disaster." He looks at me, conflict clear in his eyes.
"Go," I say, forcing confidence into my voice. "I'll be fine. I'm right here in plain sight."
His hesitation is palpable. "I'll be right back. Two minutes, tops. Promise me you won't move from this spot."
"I promise."
Theo squeezes my hand, then follows the woman toward the press area, glancing back twice before disappearing around the corner.
I turn my attention back to Jace, who's now demonstrating the expansion's new character customization options. The crowd is completely captivated, all eyes fixed on the massive screens showing the intricate details of his creation.
"As you can see," Jace says, his hands moving with precision as he manipulates the demo, "players can now choose from over two hundred unique facial features, creating truly personalized avatars that—"
A hand clamps over my mouth from behind, an arm like steel wrapping around my waist. I'm yanked backward so quickly my feet barely touch the ground. My champagne glass shatters on the floor, but the sound is swallowed by a swell in the music and Jace's amplified voice.
My assailant drags me past the velvet rope, through the door marked "Staff Only" before I can even process what's happening. The door clicks shut behind us, cutting off the sounds of the party.
I thrash wildly, my elbow connecting with something solid. A grunt of pain in my ear, but the grip doesn't loosen.
"Still fighting, little Lily?" Levi's voice, silky and amused, sends ice through my veins. "I've missed that spirit."
He spins me around, shoving me against the wall hard enough to knock the breath from my lungs. His hand remains firmly over my mouth, the other pinning my shoulder.
"Look at you," he breathes, his eyes traveling over my elaborate costume. "You've become quite the performer, haven't you? First the camming, now this dramatic entrance. All for me, I assume."
I bite down on his palm as hard as I can. He hisses, jerking his hand away.
