The party was unlike anything Lilly had ever seen. The room pulsed with multicolored lights that bounced off the walls, turning everything into a blur of vibrant chaos. People were scattered across the space—some tossing ping-pong balls into glasses of water while laughing loudly, others downing vodka when they missed. The air was thick with music and voices, and the faint scent of alcohol lingered.
On the dance floor, people swayed, their movements unrestrained, some too lost in the moment to care about their barely-there outfits. In one corner, a couple kissed as though no one else existed. Lilly stood frozen for a moment, taking it all in.
She'd never been to a party like this. Living with a strict dad, her life had always been about rules and limitations. Now, this felt like stepping into another world.
"Mia, this is insane," Lilly whispered, clutching her friend's arm.
"Relax," Mia laughed, dragging Lilly further inside. "You'll love it. Just let go for once."
As they weaved through the crowd, Lilly's eyes scanned the room, trying to make sense of the chaos. That's when she saw him.
Standing across the room, leaning casually against a wall, was a boy—or maybe a man. He had messy dark hair that fell just right, vieny hands that rested in his jeans pockets, and a black leather jacket slung over a simple black shirt. A sleek watch peeked out from under his sleeve.
But it wasn't his clothes that caught her attention—it was his eyes. Sharp, intense, and piercing, they seemed to look straight through her. For a moment, Lilly forgot to breathe.
"Who is that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mia grinned. "Oh, that's Eliss Greyson. He's practically a legend around here."
"Eliss Greyson?" Lilly repeated, the name unfamiliar but somehow electric.
"Yeah, the only son of Greyson Enterprises. Everyone knows him."
Lilly couldn't tear her gaze away. Around her, she heard whispers.
"That's Eliss Greyson."
"God, he's so hot."
"Look at him. Perfect as always."
Lilly's heart pounded in her chest. She didn't know why, but the way he stood there, detached yet commanding, made her feel something she couldn't explain.
Mia tugged her arm. "Come on. Let's go meet him."
"What? No—" But it was too late. Mia was already pulling her through the crowd.
As they got closer, Lilly's stomach twisted into nervous knots. When his eyes met hers, it felt like the world stopped for a second. The intensity of his gaze was almost too much to handle, and she quickly looked away, biting her lip.
"Hey, Eliss!" Mia said cheerfully. "This is my friend, Lilly. She's new here."
Eliss turned his full attention to Lilly, his stare unwavering. "Eliss Greyson," he said simply, his voice low and smooth.
"Lilly… Lilly Collen," she replied, her voice barely steady.
At her name, something changed in his expression. His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened. "Collen?" he repeated, his voice cold now. "Are you related to Ryle Collen?"
"What? No, no!" Lilly said quickly, shaking her head. "I just moved here."
His eyes lingered on her for a moment, as if searching for the truth. The weight of his stare made her shift uncomfortably, her teeth catching her bottom lip.
For a split second, something flickered in his expression—confusion? Relief?—but it vanished just as quickly.
"Hm," was all he said, turning slightly as though dismissing her.
Lilly felt her cheeks flush. She didn't understand why he seemed so distant suddenly. One moment, he was the most captivating person in the room, and now he felt like a storm she couldn't predict.
Mia nudged her playfully. "Well, that went well, didn't it?" she teased, completely oblivious to the tension.
Lilly glanced back at Eliss, who had already turned his attention elsewhere. Yet, despite his mood shift, her heart was still racing.
There was something about him—something mysterious and untouchable. And even though he seemed to keep everyone at a distance, Lilly couldn't shake the feeling that, somehow, she'd already crossed a line she didn't even know existed.
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Eliss returned to the estate just as the sky turned a deep shade of twilight. The chopper landed smoothly on the private helipad, its blades slicing through the crisp night air.
The old house lingered in his mind like a haunting memory, but he wasn't about to let it control him. He had spent enough time there, reading his mother's letters, feeling the weight of her words, and reliving the ache of her absence.
The housekeeper greeted him as he stepped into the foyer, but he barely acknowledged her. His steps were heavy as he climbed the glass staircase to his room, where the setting sun painted the walls in hues of orange and gold. From his window, the ocean sparkled in the distance, the crashing waves echoing the turmoil in his heart.
He threw his jacket onto the bed and headed straight for the bathroom, needing to wash away the day. The hot water did little to soothe him, though. His thoughts raced as he got ready for the party Tom had practically begged him to attend.
"Eliss, it's your last year. You can't avoid people forever," Tom had said.
Eliss scoffed at the memory, but he knew Tom was right. He couldn't keep isolating himself, even if he wanted to.
He stepped out of the shower, his messy black hair still damp as he glanced at his reflection. His sharp jawline and tired eyes stared back at him. He hated how much he resembled his father.
Dressing quickly, he pulled on a black button-up shirt that clung perfectly to his frame, paired it with dark jeans, and slipped on his leather jacket. The silver watch on his wrist gleamed faintly in the dim light of his room.
He grabbed his keys and made his way downstairs, where one of the house staff was waiting with news.
"Mr. Greyson, your father wanted to remind you about the meeting tomorrow morning," she said tentatively.
Eliss smirked bitterly. "Of course he did. Thanks."
The drive to the party felt longer than it should have. Eliss wasn't sure why he was going. Maybe it was Tom's persistence. Or maybe it was just that he didn't want to spend another night alone with his thoughts.
The party was already in full swing by the time he arrived. Music boomed from the house, and the lights flashing through the windows gave it an almost surreal glow. Eliss parked his bike and walked up to the door, where a group of people whispered and pointed as he passed.
"Eliss Greyson's here," someone said, their voice full of awe.
He ignored them, as usual.
Inside, the party was chaotic—people laughing, drinking, dancing. But none of it interested him. He spotted Tom near the kitchen and made his way over.
"There he is!" Tom grinned, clapping Eliss on the shoulder. "I wasn't sure you'd show."
"You're lucky I like you," Eliss said dryly, grabbing a soda from the counter.
Tom laughed. "Oh, come on. Lighten up. It's a party."
Eliss scanned the room, his eyes landing on a girl he hadn't seen before. She stood near the edge of the crowd, looking slightly out of place but captivating nonetheless. Her black dress hugged her frame, and her dark hair fell softly over her shoulders. She seemed nervous, her lips slightly parted as she took in the scene.
"Eliss?" Tom waved a hand in front of his face.
"Hm?" Eliss blinked, snapping back to reality.
Tom smirked. "You were staring. Who caught your eye?"
"No one," Eliss muttered, but his eyes betrayed him as they flicked back to her.
Tom followed his gaze and grinned. "Ah, that's Lilly. New girl. Mia's friend."
Lilly. The name rolled around in Eliss's mind, and for reasons he couldn't explain, it stirred something in him. He watched as Mia grabbed Lilly's hand and led her toward them.
"Eliss, meet Lilly," Mia said with a wide smile. "She just moved here."
Lilly looked up at him, her wide eyes meeting his piercing ones. For a moment, the noise of the party seemed to fade away.
"Hi," she said softly, her voice tinged with nervousness. "I'm Lilly Collen."
Collen. The name hit him like a punch to the gut. His expression hardened instantly. "Collen? Are you related to Ryle Collen?"
"No," she said quickly, shaking her head. "I just moved here."
His eyes searched hers, and for a brief moment, he wanted to believe her. But the name lingered like a bad omen. He nodded stiffly and turned to Tom, his mood darker than before.
Lilly bit her lip nervously, unsure what she had done wrong. But despite his sudden coldness, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him. There was something about Eliss Greyson that she couldn't shake—something that made her want to understand him, even if he was a storm she wasn't ready for.
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The party was alive with energy, lights flashing in rhythm with the pounding bass of the music. Lilly stood by Mia near the drinks table, her eyes scanning the crowded room. She couldn't help but notice the way people's attention shifted, a ripple through the crowd, as Eliss Greyson entered the scene.
He moved with a quiet confidence, his tall frame and sharp features impossible to ignore. Even with his messy hair and casual leather jacket, he carried an air of authority that silenced the whispers around him. Lilly caught herself staring, captivated by the way he seemed so detached yet commanding at the same time.
But then, another figure broke through the crowd—Ryle Collen. His cocky swagger was as loud as his voice, and Lilly didn't miss the smirk on his face as he approached Eliss.
"Well, if it isn't the great Eliss Greyson," Ryle called out, his tone mocking. "What's it like being the guy everyone pretends to like but secretly pities?"
Eliss didn't react at first, leaning against the wall with an almost bored expression. But Lilly noticed the way his jaw tightened, his fingers curling into fists at his sides.
Tom, standing beside him, nudged Eliss and muttered something, but Eliss didn't move.
Ryle stepped closer, his grin widening. "What? No comeback? Or are you still too busy sulking over your mommy issues?"
Eliss's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing into sharp slits. "Watch it, Ryle," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
Ryle laughed, looking around as if inviting the audience to share the joke. "Oh, come on. Everyone knows your mom left because she couldn't handle you. It's not a secret, Greyson."
The air in the room grew thick, the tension palpable. Lilly felt her stomach twist as she watched Eliss push off the wall and step toward Ryle, his movements deliberate, almost predatory.
"Don't talk about her," Eliss said, his voice like ice.
Ryle leaned in, his grin taunting. "Why not? Afraid the truth hurts? Face it, Greyson. She didn't want you. That's why she left."
Before anyone could intervene, Eliss swung, his fist colliding with Ryle's jaw. The sound echoed through the room, silencing the music for a moment as gasps rippled through the crowd.
Ryle stumbled back but quickly recovered, throwing a punch that barely grazed Eliss's shoulder. "That all you got?" he sneered.
Eliss grabbed him by the collar and shoved him against the wall. "You don't know anything about her! Say one more word, and I'll make sure you regret it."
Tom rushed forward, pushing himself between the two. "Stop it, both of you!" he yelled, trying to separate them.
Ryle wiped the blood from his lip, still smirking. "You're just like him, Greyson. All anger, no control. Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Eliss froze for a moment, his breathing heavy, his fists still clenched. Then, with a glare that could cut steel, he released Ryle and stepped back.
Tom grabbed his arm. "Eliss, let it go. He's not worth it."
Eliss didn't respond. His eyes flicked to the crowd, meeting Lilly's for a brief moment before he turned and walked out of the room, his shoulders tense with suppressed fury.
The whispers followed him as the music started back up. Lilly couldn't shake the look in his eyes—anger, yes, but beneath it, something much deeper. Something broken.