[01]

...The music was soft, expensive, and boring....

Selene adjusted the strap of her silver gown and stared around the hall like she owned the place. She didn't- but she could pretend.

The party was thrown by Damien's father to celebrate his only son's return from overseas.

Selene wasn't exactly "invited." She didn't need to be.

When you're Selene Hart - CEO of a luxury fashion brand that half the elites wore - invitations usually found you.

She wasn't here for Damien, though.

She was here because she loved parties. The noise, the chaos, the glitter, the quiet envy hiding behind every fake smile - it was intoxicating.

"There you are!"

Selene turned just as Layla Rose, her best friend and partner-in-chaos, waved dramatically from across the room.

Layla - CEO of the most famous restaurant chain in the city, walking scandal magnet, and heartbreak survivor - looked stunning in red.

"Girl, I've been looking for you everywhere," Layla said, brushing her curls back. "You ditched me again!"

"I didn't ditch you," Selene said, smiling. "You were busy flirting with the bartender."

Layla gasped. "He was cute, and he gave me free champagne!"

"Unbelievable," Selene muttered, grabbing two glasses off a tray. "Here. Let's drink to your terrible decisions."

Layla clinked her glass against hers. "Cheers to that."

The night dragged on. Politicians, CEOs, and social climbers filled the room, trying too hard to act important.

^^^Selene didn't care. She just wanted to enjoy the night-until she saw someone enter.^^^

^^^Damien.^^^

He walked in like the air changed for him.

Tall, sharp suit, calm expression - the kind of man that didn't need to demand attention because the room gave it to him anyway.

"Finally," Layla whispered. "The man of the night shows up. Took him long enough."

Selene tried not to look impressed, but she failed miserably. She'd seen him once before - years ago, at a business event - and even then, he'd stood out.

But now? He looked different. Older. Colder.

"Are you actually staring?" Layla teased.

"Shut up."

Layla grinned. "Don't tell me you of all people has a crush."

"I don't," Selene lied, sipping her drink. "He's just... good-looking."

"Sure," Layla sang, "and I'm just tipsy."

Selene rolled her eyes, turning her attention away-just in time to catch another familiar face walk in.

Lucian Virel.

A man with the kind of reputation that made people lower their voices when they said his name.

Ruthless, calculating, and Damien's biggest rival in business.

Selene frowned. What was he doing here?

Lucian's gaze drifted across the crowd until it landed on Damien... then moved lazily toward her. Their eyes met-just for a second-and something sharp flickered in his expression.

Interest? Amusement?

She couldn't tell.

"Isn't that Lucian Virel?" Layla whispered, following her gaze. "God, he's dangerous-looking."

"Which is exactly why you should stay away," Selene said flatly.

Layla snorted. "Relax, mom."

Selene ignored her, pretending not to notice that Lucian was still watching. His smirk deepened before he turned away to greet someone else.

Damien, meanwhile, looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there.

He sat down, nodded politely at a few people, and accepted a drink from a waiter with the expression of a man counting down minutes.

Selene found herself watching him again.

The way his jaw tightened every time someone approached. The way he loosened his tie slightly, like he couldn't breathe in the room he was born to dominate.

And maybe it was the champagne, or maybe it was curiosity, but she found herself drifting closer - just to see.

Layla had already vanished, probably chasing another "hot guy" by the bar.

Selene stopped a few steps away from Damien's table, pretending to check her phone.

Then, his voice - low, tired, but annoyingly attractive - cut through the hum of chatter.

"Enjoying the party?"

She looked up. He was staring right at her.

Her throat went dry. "Trying to."

"Good luck with that," he said, half-smiling. "I've been trying since I walked in."

She smiled back, just slightly. "Then why not leave?"

"Can't. My father would have a heart attack."

Selene chuckled, glancing around. "You don't seem like someone who cares what people think."

"I don't," he said simply. "Except tonight."

Their eyes held for a moment too long.

Then someone called his name - a tall man in a grey suit approached, flashing a smile.

"Damien, it's been forever."

Lucian.

The air shifted immediately. Damien's expression hardened; Selene could almost feel the tension between them.

Lucian's gaze flicked to her and lingered for half a heartbeat before returning to Damien. "Didn't know you'd be back in town so soon."

"Didn't know you'd be invited," Damien replied smoothly.

"I wasn't," Lucian said with a smirk. "I just go where the fun is."

Selene suddenly felt like she was in the middle of something she didn't understand - and yet, Lucian's quick glance at her made her pulse jump.

She didn't like that.

Lucian finally excused himself, leaving a trail of tension behind him.

Selene exhaled. "So... that's your rival?"

Damien nodded. "Yeah. Stay away from him."

She tilted her head. "You don't strike me as the protective type."

"I'm not." He looked at her again, expression unreadable. "Just giving friendly advice."

Before she could reply, a waiter brushed past, bumping her slightly - her drink spilled a little on her wrist.

Damien reached for a napkin immediately, brushing her hand as he passed it to her. "Sorry about that."

She took it, their fingers brushing for a split second.

Something electric passed through her chest.

"Thanks," she said, forcing a small smile.

"Anytime."

And just like that, Damien stood, checking his watch. "I should go before I lose my mind here."

"Already?"

He smiled faintly. "Thirty minutes was the deal."

As he left, Selene watched him disappear through the crowd - unaware that Lucian, standing near the balcony, had seen every second of it.

He wasn't smiling anymore.

.

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