As the car pulled up to the grand venue, Eva stepped out and was immediately confronted by the imposing structure, its lights shimmering beneath the evening moon.
Two bodyguards flanked her, guiding her toward the entrance.
Inside, the hall was a stunning display of wealth. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft, golden glow over the room, where conversations hummed in the background and laughter floated like a quiet murmur.
The crowd's movements were fluid, polished, their smiles carefully measured. Eva felt the sharpness of their gaze as they took her in.
One of the bodyguards leaned in. "Ma'am, this is where we part ways. We were instructed to bring you here, but now we'll leave you to it."
Eva gave a brief nod, her face an impassive mask. "Thank you." The guards bowed slightly before vanishing into the crowd, leaving her alone at the edge of the room.
Her eyes swept across the crowd until they landed on him—Lucian. Surrounded by a group of people, his dark suit fit him perfectly, his presence undeniable even in silence.
They laughed at something, but Eva noticed the faint edge of irritation in his expression.
She hesitated, a tightness in her chest. They hadn't spoken since that night, a night he was convinced had been manipulated.
Eva's confidence wavered as the weight of the crowd's curious glances pressed in on her. She could feel the unspoken judgment, the assessment of her every move.
With a sigh, she tightened her grip on her purse and glanced away. I don't belong here, she thought, lips pressing into a thin line.
Scanning the room for a quiet spot, she spotted an empty seat at the bar. Navigating through the crowd, she kept her face neutral, ignoring the whispers and sidelong glances.
As she sat, a waiter appeared, tray in hand. "Good evening, ma'am. May I offer you a drink?" he asked, polite but detached.
Eva nodded, offering a soft "Yes, thank you." She accepted the glass of wine, its cool surface a welcome distraction.
The first sip was sharp, unfamiliar, but she welcomed the numbness. She barely noticed the elderly man until he was standing in front of her, his shadow stretching across the table.
"I couldn't help but notice you from across the room," he said, his voice rich with confidence. He was impeccably dressed, though his round belly strained against the buttons of his suit.
His slicked-back gray hair and twinkling eyes gave him an air of self-importance. "You look… splendid. Whose daughter are you?"
Caught off guard, Eva blinked. "Oh, um, thank you," she stammered, her cheeks flushing.
The man chuckled, gaze lingering a moment too long. "You're a rare find here. I don't think I've seen you at one of these events before."
"Well," Eva said, scrambling for an answer. Admitting she was engaged to someone she didn't love seemed too humiliating. "I'm just here for fun tonight," she added with a tentative smile.
"Fun?" He grinned, revealing perfectly white teeth. "Then let me be the first to welcome you to the world of indulgence."
He reached into his pocket and handed her a card. "Call me. I know how to make life… entertaining."
Eva's smile faltered, but she took the card, offering a polite "Thank you."
"Enjoy yourself, dear," he said with a wink before walking away, leaving a lingering scent of expensive cologne.
Eva glanced at the card, flipping it between her fingers before slipping it into her purse without reading it. She took another sip of wine, her thoughts growing hazy.
The buzz of alcohol settled into her, and by the time she reached her seventh glass, the room tilted slightly. Her limbs felt light, her thoughts fuzzier.
She stood, her legs unsteady. A man nearby noticed and stepped closer. "Are you alright, miss?"
Eva waved him off. "I'm fine," she muttered, defiant. "I don't need anyone."
She staggered forward, catching herself on a nearby table. A woman gasped and reached out to steady her. "Are you sure? You don't look—"
"Don't touch me!" Eva snapped, shoving the woman's hand away. "I'm fine!"
Her attention shifted immediately to Lucian. He stood at the center of the room, a picture of effortless authority.
His sharp jawline caught the light, and beside him, a slender woman with blonde curls leaned in a little too close, her laughter light as she touched his arm.
Eva's chest tightened. A flicker of something possessive stirred within her. He's mine. The thought surged, irrational and fueled by the wine coursing through her veins.
She moved toward him, her heels clicking erratically on the polished floor. The crowd parted in her wake, but no one dared approach.
When she reached him, she didn't think. She shoved the blonde woman aside with enough force to make her stumble. "He's mine," Eva said, her voice loud and unsteady.
Lucian turned slowly, his face a mixture of surprise and irritation. "May I help you?" he asked, his tone cold. His gaze took in her disheveled state.
"You…" Eva slurred, her words thick. "You belong to me."
The blonde woman, recovering from the shove, glared at Eva. "Who the hell are you?"
Without responding, Eva grabbed Lucian's face, pulling him down toward her. She kissed him, her touch desperate and unyielding.
The room fell silent. Gasps rippled through the crowd, the shock palpable. The blonde woman shrieked in outrage.
Lucian stood frozen for a moment, his shock quickly replaced by irritation. He grabbed Eva's arms and pushed her back.
"Who the hell are you?" he demanded in a low, furious voice.
The crowd murmured, but no one dared approach.
The blonde woman, now furious, marched forward. "Lucian, who is this woman?" she cried. "
Lucian's expression hardened. His eyes narrowed, his voice cutting through the tension.
"Don't make a scene," he said, his words icy.
Eva, still too far gone, hiccupped and swayed on her feet. "Scene? You want a scene?" she spat, her voice rising. "I'll give you a scene!"
Without warning, Lucian grabbed her wrist, his grip unyielding. "Let's go," he ordered, dragging her out of the hall.
"Lucian!" the woman called after them, but he didn't respond.
Eva twisted in his grasp, struggling, but Lucian's grip never faltered. When she refused to stop, he swept her off her feet effortlessly.
"Put me down!" she yelled, but he didn't even flinch.
"Quiet," he snapped, his voice sharp.
The entire room watched, utterly still, as Lucian's reputation weighed heavy in the air. No one dared intervene.