She reached a large window at the edge of the room, and the moonlight filtered through, catching her gown just right, illuminating the fabric, and casting a soft, ethereal glow on her lonesome figure.
She positioned herself perfectly in the silver light. She knew that every gaze she had drawn would see her lonely and lost in thought, so she played to just that.
Gaze empty yet somehow beckoning, plump lips set in a straight line, absentmindedly bringing the appetizer up to her lips with slow, deliberate grace.
She turned her head in a calm, deliberate sweep. Her eyes automatically landed on him, locking onto his gaze. She didn't look away and took a small bite, chewing with the same composure. The slightest smile played on her lips; to everyone else, she looked to be savouring the taste of the food, but he could tell exactly what she was doing, holding his attention, and enjoying the power she now held over him.
He knew exactly what she was doing; he could look away, but the idea of prying his eyes away from hers stung his chest. He was trapped and didn't want to leave.
She could see the way his eyes darkened, and she held the distaste from her eyes. She widened her smile for a second longer before turning away and looking back out the window. She could hardly believe how easy it had been. It was disgusting but necessary.
Now all she needed to do was wait.
Through the earpiece in her ear, Li Hao's voice came through. "I'm going up soon. How are things on your end?"
A light tap on her left earpiece, "I just need a few minutes more."
Hardly a minute had passed before she was approached by a man in a crisp suit. He bowed a little before speaking, "Good evening, Miss. Mr. Romano would like the pleasure of your company. If you would be so kind to join him".
She observed the man's hard-set face, a professional smile remained on his lips as he spoke, but his eyes remained as unreadable as stone.
She allowed herself a small, polite smile as she met his gaze and asked softly. "And if I say no?"
"It would be a wise decision to not disappoint Mr Romano."
She nodded. "And it would be an even wiser decision not to pressure me. Tell him to come meet me." Her smile remained unwavering as she met the assistant's shocked expression.
She knew what type of man Mr Romano was; she had met them all around at The Organization. As the organization's biggest beneficiaries, they were never seen without a woman adorning their arms, and they never held the same woman twice. Piquing his interest this way would ensure she could pry as much information as possible out of him.
Seeing as she was serious with her request, he bowed and left to relay her message. Turning back, she counted down the exact seconds of how long it would take him to approach her. As prideful as he might be, she knew exactly when she had won, again it was only a matter of time.
"I must admit" he began, voice low and velvety, lips curling up in a slow smile "It's not every day I get my offer turned down by a woman who's mastered the art of standing out by doing nothing"
She turned her head slightly, unhurriedly, expression composed. She lifted her lips in a smile. "Well Mr Romano, I believe a woman must know when to stand still and let the word come to her"
Let the games begin
A glint of admiration flickered in his eyes, he had not been expecting such a witty retort. He took a step forward, his gaze never wavering, as if trying to peel back the layers she held behind her mask. "And I here I thought the art of being coy had gone out of fashion," he said, his tone teasing, "But you, Miss—"
"Yumei" she supplied smoothly lying through her teeth. As if she was going to give out her real name to this man.
"Miss Yumei" he repeated as if savoring the way the name rolled off his tongue. "You seem to have perfected it. But you're not just a pretty face standing by a window, you have a reason for being here tonight, am I right?"
Liling was completely calm as she turned the rest of the champagne in her glass. 'Yh, I'm here to put you in jail', she retorted inwardly.
Opting to continue with her built facade, she continued, "What if I say I'm just drawn to places where the company is as...intriguing as the host"
He chuckled, the sound, a deep rumble from his chest, "Then I'd say you have excellent taste in places Miss Yumei. Intrigue can be a rare commodity in our society these days"
"Well, perhaps, Mr. Romano, we can find someplace... more private to continue our conversation." She pushed down the bile rising to her throat, turning her lips up in a provocative smile and lowering her voice.
"Miss. Yumei," he said, a hint of laughter in his voice, "You do know how to make a man curious". Despite his words, he offered her his arm with a nod. She slipped her arm through his, hiding a grimace.
He led her through the sea of masked faces in the room, occasionally greeting people he recognized with a nod. They reached a quiet section of the mansion and stood before ornate double doors. He pushed open the doors to reveal a private lounge, oozing sophistication and luxury, it was equipped with a well-stocked bar, plush velvet sofas, and wood-paneled walls, all bathed in a low warm glow. The air was alive with the faint scent of a cigar and the faintest whisper of something sharper—something darker.
Letting go of his arm, she exhaled the breath she had been holding in. Now that they were alone together, the rest of them could carry out the rest of their tasks without a hitch. Now all that was left for her was to render him unresponsive for the rest of the evening.
Enzo walked to the bar, his movements fluid, as if completely acknowledging that this space was his domain, he had complete control.
Well at least that was what he thought.