Lila's POV
I stood like a statue in the middle of the extravagant ballroom, my hands shaking, but clutching tightly the thin stem of a champagne flute. My mother, Grace Monroe, in her over ambitiousness, had spared no expense for her break through campaign gala. Every direction you turned were glittering chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their piercing light reflecting off the polished marble floor, and in the same vain, the political elites and socialites were seen milling around in of course their designer gowns and tailored suits.
I wasn't in anyway supposed to tag along, to be here. Diana had wasted no time in making that very clear. She had been kind enough to inform me that this event was "too important for someone like me, and wouldn't want me to embarrass the family." But Mom had managed to overrule her, saying that appearances like this one were everything. I was surprised to hear that, judging that she always support her. I had no idea she was planning something and needed me there.
As I made to adjust the hem of my simple black dress—something Diana had made disgusting face at earlier—I tried to calm my nerves in the process, to least not make a mess of everything for myself. My mother had said it casually that tonight was about making connections, but I knew she had other plans. My mother seemed not to care about me being here; it was another opportunity to of course remind me of my place.
"Stop embarrassing me by standing there like a lost puppy," Diana hissed, clearly disgust as she dramatically past me, her designer gown flowing behind her like liquid gold. "Try not to embarrass us."
I only rolled my eyes at her childishness but said nothing. Engaging with Diana in a heated argument was like playing with fire; she will always have her way, coming out unscathed while I nursed the burns from it.
The sound of polite applause from the crowd pulled my attention back to the stage, and there stood my mother, Grace with a microphone in hand. She smiled, and from where I was, I could see how firmly her politician's mask was in place, as she introduced her "special guest of honor."
"It is my absolute pleasure, a great honor to have one of the most influential businessmen of our time here tonight, and it's worth knowing that he's supporting our cause tonight," she said, her voice vibrating through the room. "Please join me everyone in welcoming the most influential businessman, Mr. Sebastian Knight."
I froze instantly.
No, this can't be. It couldn't be true.
My heart pounded heavily as I watched him take his place on the stage, and he climbed there, he was exuding power and cold confidence. His well tailored suit made justice in fitting his body perfectly, his dark hair flowing back, and his piercing blue eyes dangerously à scanning the crowd.
The ruthless billionaire, Sebastian Knight.
The very man whose house I had just left in days ago. The man I had mistakenly slept with in a moment of intense reckless passion. The man I had purposed in my heart not to cross paths with, that I would never see again.
And right now, this very moment, he was here, not with any other person, but with my mother, Grace, and the crowd clapped enthusiastically.
My stomach churned at the mention of his name. This couldn't be happening to me.
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I couldn't tell how the night blurred after that. I wasn't even able to hear my mom's speech in honor of Sebastian Knight or the polite chatter from the invited elites around me. My eyes made no mistake of losing contact with Sebastian, but it remained glued on him alone. From where I was, I could sense how he was completely at ease, enjoying the moment to the fullest.
When the necessary formalities ended, the crowd dispersed into clique, each one joining their class, and my mother wasted no time in working the room like the seasoned politician she was. I did myself the favor of staying near the edges, hoping to not to encounter Sebastian altogether.
But that wasn't going to happen, fate had other plans in store for me.
"Lila," Mom finally called out, her tone was not kind, but as sharp as ever. "Come this moment. Right now, sweetie."
I reluctantly made my way toward her direction, my heels made a silly sound as it clicked against the floor. My mother stood with Sebastian, her smile was strained but she still harbored a polite mood.
"This is my first daughter, Lila Monroe," she said, gesturing toward me in an attempt to introduce us. "Lila dear, this is my friend, an influential business man, Mr. Sebastian Knight."
Sebastian's piercing eyes met mine briefly, and at that moment, I saw a flicker of recognition, or was I overthinking things. Then, it was gone, flashy as it came, and replaced by a cold, unmistakable expression.
"It's a pleasure," he said, extending his masculine hand.
I paused to study his expression before shaking it. His grip was firm at first, then came his touch, sending an unwelcome shiver all over my being.
"The pleasure is all mine," I managed to say in a whisper.
My mother narrowed her eyes, clearly noticing every of my body movement, my unease. "Lila, Mr. Knight has been supportive to my campaign in the most incredible and generous manner. You should thank him for me, you know."
I swallowed hard knowing she was setting a trap for me, then I forced myself to look at him. "Thank you, Mr. Knight for everything. Your immerse support means a lot to us."
He smirked, and it was the kind of smirk that suggests something sinister, and it made my skin crawl. "Anything for your mother, for a good cause though."
It's true that the words came out polite, but his tone obviously dripped with sarcasm.
As Mom continued hovering around every single space, singing his praises, I couldn't help but notice the odds that I am likely the pawn in some game I didn't understand. Sebastian's intense gaze lingered on me for some time, but one thing was sure, it wasn't the warm, passionate look I remembered days ago. It was too calculating, almost predatory all over me.
Finally, Mom stylishly excused herself, intentionally leaving me alone with him. The silence that followed became suffocating.
"You look totally different," he said after much hesitation, his tone casual but still, something was off.
I frowned at his statement. "Different, how?"
He shrugged in a carefree manner. "More... or maybe out of place."
The insult was masked, still, it hit its mark. I clenched my fists, but I know better not to allow him get under my skin.
"What brought you to this place tonight?" I asked, my voice a whisper.
He raised an eyebrow in an annoying manner. "I could ask you exactly the same question."
"I didn't know you were the guest of honor," I admitted truthfully, my cheeks burning from shame.
"And I didn't know you were related to Grace, and you are even her first daughter," he said, ensuring to increase his smirk.
The discovery hit me hard than expected. He hadn't known, not even a clue. All this time, he was clueless of my identity.
"Well," I said, to sound bold and confident, "now you know everything."
He carefully studied me for a moment, his gaze not helping matters, as it pierced through my soul. "Indeed, open secret."
The conversation ended with his last statement, and he walked away, saying not even a word to me again.
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I tried, I did my best to avoid him like a plague, not to cross paths with him for the rest of the night, but it was totally impossible. Every corner that I turned, he was right there—charming as always, commanding an unmistakable presence.
By the time the campaign gala ended, I was no more myself, physically and emotionally drained by the events that took place.
"Lila," Mom said as we made our way toward the car, her tone brisk and icy. "I trust you won't disappoint me, but will be on your best behavior moving forward. Mr. Knight as I told you earlier, is an important ally."
I didn't respond to her blabbering. My mind was still recovering from the night's events.
Mr. Sebastian Knight. The ruthless billionaire who had rushed into my life without warning, turned everything upside down.
And right now, he was crawling his way to become the most undesirable thing ever; a permanent fixture in my life.
Now, as the pieces of Grace, Lila's mother's plan had fallen into place, how will Lila manage the growing entanglement with Sebastian imposed on her by her mother? And what secrets could Sebastian be hiding behind his cold exterior?