Christian stood tall, his chiselled features and piercing gaze commanding attention in the crowded auction room. Annaliese Carroway, his partner, stood beside him.
"We're here for one reason, my dear," Christian whispered, his voice low and smooth. "To identify the mysterious buyer known only as 'Eclipse'. I have a feeling tonight's going to be interesting."
Annaliese nodded, her eyes locking onto his. "I heard they plan to bid on a rare pocket watch."
Christian flashed a disarming smile. "Well, let's make sure we're the ones leaving with it, shall we? You're brilliant, Annaliese. I'm counting on you." He grasped her arm before she could walk away. "You still have no clue about the value of that watch," he said in low volumes, and she replied. "No."
As bidding began, Christian's charm was on full display. He effortlessly charmed the auction staff, extracting valuable information with ease. "I must say, you have an exquisite taste in timepieces," Christian said to the auctioneer's assistant, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Tell me, what's the story behind this pocket watch?"
The auctioneer's assistant blushed, handing Christian a confidential dossier on the pocket watch. Christian's gaze swept the room, searching for the attendees. That's when he felt it - a piercing malicious stare amongst the crowd laid vast before him.
His eyes narrowed, finding the source. He almost didn't recognise her, Maeve Brooklyn Donahue, his mischievous niece. Last he heard of her, she caused quite a ruckus in his brother's household. He wondered what trouble she could be planning next for him. She had grown out of her shell. However, it was the least of his concerns. He noticed she had bid for a piece of artistic jewellery. His expression remained neutral.
"No distractions." He said to himself. His focus snapped back to the task.
Christian's phone buzzed discreetly in his pocket. He glanced at the screen, his heart racing.
"Change of plans." Annalise's text read.
Christian swiftly exited the auction booth, weaving through the crowded room. Reaching the exit, seeing as Annalise was nowhere to be seen. He checked his phone once more and still no message after that.
Annaliese stepped out of the auction house, scanning the crowded sidewalk for Christian. She spotted him, tall and imposing, amidst the crowd. But her gaze faltered as she took in the scene. Christian stood with a young woman, their conversation intense. Annaliese's eyes narrowed, her stride lengthening. As she approached, Christian's stoic expression focused on the heated young female glaring daggers at him. Yes, she had known him to be a heartthrob amongst women, but not women this young.
Annaliese's instincts flared, possessiveness creeping into her veins. "darling" she cooed beside him, as her hands wrapped firmly around his hands. Her eyes glared down at the young female as if to warn her to step back.
Their encounter was brief, but Annaliese had one clear word to say, "back off" she said, after realising she had just been his relative. Her nerves calmed, however, the possible history between them didn't allow her heart to keep still. Just what exactly happened between them that she wasn't aware of.
After Maeve had left with her personal bodyguard, Annaliese turned, her expression serious. "Something happened, and I only knew too late," she said to him.
"What was the change of plan you talked about?" Christian asked, his gaze tore off the road seeing as Maeve's car had disappeared down the road and out of sight.
"Eclipse never bid," Annaliese replied. "It was a setup. The watch is gone, and our suspect is still at large." Christian's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. "How did they get away?"
"It was never Eclipse bidding on the watch, "Annalise revealed. "It was Victor Laurent, a rival businessman."
Christian's expression darkened. "And the connection between Laurent and Eclipse?"
"Laurent never met Eclipse," Annaliese explained. "But he had a deal with him. The watch was his reward." Christian's anger simmered, his voice low and menacing. "So Eclipse used Laurent to distract us." Annaliese nodded. "looks like it."
Christian's gaze glanced back at the road, his eyes scanning for Maeve. Annaliese noticed the tension in his shoulders, the edge in his voice. "Christian, I know this is frustrating," Annaliese said cautiously, "but we'll regroup and-"
"Frustrating?" Christian repeated, his tone biting. "That's an understatement." Annaliese's eyes narrowed. Christian's anger was expected, but this was different. "Christian, what's going on?" Annaliese asked, her voice soft. Christian's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes flashing with seething rage.
"Nothing, Annaliese," he growled. "Just focus on Eclipse." He left.
Christian stood at his apartment's floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing out at the city's twinkling lights. The silence was a welcome respite from the evening's tension. Behind him, Annaliese closed her laptop, her eyes fixed on Christian's broad shoulders.
Christian's expression remained impassive, but his mind churned with unease. He couldn't explain what affected him deeply the most out of the events that unfolded that evening. His mind unwillingly drew back to Maeve. Her outburst had been...predictable. He should have forgotten it the minute she left, yet he couldn't.
"She hadn't moved on from that day," he thought, a hint of amusement in his mind. He recalled that day when boredom had driven him to toy with her. She sparked fiercely against his antics, but there she was seething with rage at him. "It had been a diversion," he reminded himself. "A momentary amusement."
"Long night," Annaliese said softly. It snapped him out of his thoughts.
Christian nodded, his reflection staring back at him from the glass. Annaliese approached him, her heels clicking on the marble floor. "Maybe I can help you unwind," she whispered, her hands tracing his spine. Christian's muscles tensed, his eyes closing. Not tonight.
"Annaliese, I'm not in the mood," Christian said, his voice firm but gentle. Annaliese's hand faltered, her eyes searching his.
"But... I thought..." she trailed off. Christian turned his expression neutral. "I know. Tonight's different. Go home, Annaliese. Get some rest." Analiese's face fell, her eyes clouding. "Okay," she whispered. She gathered her belongings, her movement swift and silent. At the door, Christian caught her hand. "Annaliese?"
"Yes?" she replied, her voice barely over a whisper. "Comeback tomorrow to organize the files." Annaliese's smile was faint. "Of course," The door closed behind her, leaving Christian to his thoughts. He returned to the window, his gaze lost in the city's lights. Something about the air in the evening lingered fueling his turmoil.