As Christian obediently follows his mother through the crowded ballroom, he can't help but feel a sense of resignation settling over him. The prospect of spending the evening engaged in polite conversation with a string of eligible bachelorettes holds little appeal for him, but he knows better than to defy his mother's wishes.
As they approach a group of guests gathered near the bar, Christian's eyes lock onto the figure of Nina, his mother's friend's daughter, who stands amidst the crowd with a bright smile on her face. Despite his reluctance, Christian forces a polite smile and extends his hand in greeting as his mother introduces them.
"Nina, darling, this is my son, Christian," his mother chirps, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "Christian, this is Nina. I've told her all about you!"
