As Melissa and Hayden arrived at the grand venue for the party, the air was thick with the aroma of expensive cigars and fine perfume. The entrance was framed by towering marble columns, casting elegant shadows over the stone walkway. The opulence of the place wasn't lost on Melissa, who felt a subtle tightening in her chest as they approached the entrance, arm in arm with Hayden. He glanced at her, his usual confidence palpable, while she couldn't shake the tension building in her stomach.
Waiters dressed in crisp black uniforms weaved through the crowd inside, silver trays in hand, offering drinks to the well-dressed guests. The clinking of glasses and the low hum of conversation filled the room, creating an atmosphere of sophistication. As they entered, Melissa couldn't help but scan the room, her eyes briefly catching a glimpse of some familiar faces—powerful people, influential people. People she'd only heard whispers about.
Just then, a sharp voice cut through the air. "Well, well, well... the new leader of the Torex gang... in the flesh. And daddy? Won't he be showing himself anymore?"
The voice belonged to a man in his late fifties, standing not far from the entrance. His short, well-kept gray hair contrasted with the dark black of his three-piece designer suit, and his neatly trimmed beard framed a face that radiated authority. He was holding a fat cigar, which he brought to his lips as he spoke, a smirk dancing on his face. It was clear from the way the room subtly shifted that he was the host, the man of the evening—and not someone to be taken lightly. Three bulky bodyguards hovered close to him, their eyes scanning the room for threats.
Melissa froze, her heart skipping a beat. She didn't dare look up, keeping her eyes on the floor. Hayden, however, remained composed. His grip on her arm tightened slightly, as if to reassure her.
"He couldn't make it this evening," Hayden said calmly, locking eyes with the host. His tone was steady, assertive. "But he sends his best wishes for your birthday. This is Melissa... my wife."
The word "wife" hung in the air, and Melissa couldn't help but smile shyly at the mention. She wasn't used to hearing it yet, but it warmed her nonetheless. The host's gaze shifted from Hayden to Melissa, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Ohh... bellissimo," the man said, his voice dripping with charm and a hint of menace. He took Melissa's hand gently, leaning in to kiss it while maintaining eye contact. Melissa's cheeks flushed, but she stayed quiet, feeling the weight of the moment.
Hayden gave her a reassuring look. "Melissa, this is my good friend, Josh," he said, gesturing toward the man who had been standing next to the host. Josh was an average-looking man with blonde hair and a casual demeanor, though there was something sharp behind his eyes. He hadn't spoken until now, content to observe.
"I'll be right back," Hayden continued, speaking softly to Melissa. "Just try to have some fun." He gave her a small, reassuring smile before he turned to leave with the host, disappearing through a door that likely led to his private office. Melissa's stomach knotted as she watched him leave, feeling a sense of abandonment in the midst of this unfamiliar world.
Josh stepped closer to her, breaking the silence with a chuckle. "Quite the leap, yeah? From doctor to mafia boss... a fascinating career shift, don't you think?"
Melissa blinked in surprise, her brow furrowing. "He studied medicine?" she asked, her voice betraying her shock. She had known Hayden for some time now, but he rarely spoke about his past—especially not his life before stepping into the world of organized crime.
Josh grinned, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Oh, didn't he tell you? Yeah, top of his class in med school. The guy could've had a brilliant career in hospitals, maybe even as a surgeon. But, well... family business called. Torex was in need of a new leader, and here we are."
Melissa's mind spun as she processed this information. It didn't fit. The image of Hayden as a compassionate doctor, someone who healed people, clashed violently with the man she had come to know—the calculated, fearless leader of one of the most feared criminal organizations in the city. She found herself wondering what could have driven him to make such a drastic change.
Josh seemed to sense her unease and took a sip of his drink. "He doesn't talk about it much, does he?" he asked, his tone softer now, almost curious.
Melissa shook her head. "No, he doesn't. I... I had no idea."
Josh shrugged, leaning against the bar as he gestured for a waiter to bring them another round of drinks. "Yeah, well, not exactly dinner table conversation, is it? It's complicated. The kind of life we lead, you know?"
She nodded slowly, feeling the weight of his words. Life in the Torex gang was indeed complicated, filled with secrets, shadows, and danger at every turn. But the idea of Hayden as a healer, someone who once devoted himself to saving lives, haunted her. She couldn't reconcile the man she knew with the image Josh was painting.
As they continued to talk, Josh's tone grew more casual, almost friendly, as if he was trying to put her at ease. He asked her about her background, what she did before meeting Hayden, and whether she was adjusting to this new world. Melissa found herself opening up a little, though she remained guarded.
"Which school did he study medicine?" Melissa asked Josh, her voice laced with curiosity.
"Stanford Medical School," Josh replied casually. "He wanted to become a doctor, but after his brother's car accident five years ago... he had to come back to help his father."
Melissa's eyes widened, stunned by the revelation. She struggled to find the words. "Uh..." was all she could manage, completely taken aback by the unexpected. Should she ask Hayden about it later?