Seraphina's heart raced as she walked through the grand halls, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floors, echoing through the empty space. This was it. The Vale function. The event everyone had been talking about. The event that could define the next few months, maybe even years, for the company. And she, as head coordinator, was responsible for making sure it all went off without a hitch.
The room looked stunning—everything she had envisioned, meticulously arranged and set. From the white roses lining every table to the glimmering chandeliers above, the luxurious atmosphere was palpable. But for Sera, nothing was ever "perfect" enough. Every detail, every inch of space needed to be flawless. There was no room for error.
She adjusted her form-fitting black dress, making sure it didn't wrinkle as she moved, her steps measured and precise. The dress hugged her figure, with the sleek fabric feeling smooth under her fingertips as she straightened her posture. Her hair was neatly pinned up in a classic, elegant bun—simple, but sharp and professional. She needed to look the part, after all. Tonight, she wasn't just Seraphina; she was the one orchestrating it all, the one pulling the strings to ensure that the Vale family's expectations were met.
Sera glanced at her watch. 5:00 PM—Mr. Vale would be here soon. She had only a few more hours to make sure everything was in place.
Guests were starting to trickle in, the first ones entering with hushed conversations and polite smiles. Sera stood by the grand entrance, greeting each one with a practiced, friendly smile, her voice warm yet measured. She had learned long ago to mask her nerves in front of people, to appear confident even when she felt like her heart was about to race out of her chest.
"Good evening, Mr. Montague," she greeted a tall man with a firm handshake, eyes never wavering as she led him inside. She turned to the next arriving guest, a woman in a stunning silver dress, and quickly adjusted her position to ensure the coat check was running smoothly.
Despite the flawless setup, the pressure weighed heavily on Sera. She had no room for mistakes. The room had to be perfect, the timing impeccable. And above all, she couldn't let anyone see the cracks in her composure.
Mr. Vale, the intimidating patriarch of the Vale empire, had made it clear that his approval would be the ultimate verdict. Sera had seen how scary Mr. Vale can be – how he never seemed satisfied, always looking for something more.
But she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. There was no time for distractions. She had to keep everything running smoothly. She needed to make sure that every detail was in place, that no one could point out a single flaw.
She stood tall, her gaze sweeping the room as she silently checked off the mental list. Guests were mingling, drinks were flowing, and everything appeared to be on track. It had to stay that way.
Just as she made her way toward the back of the room to speak with a caterer, a familiar voice echoed through the crowd, cutting through the chatter.
"Seraphina."
Her heart skipped a beat.
She turned, and there he was—Caspian, looking as handsome and dashing as ever. His icy eyes scanned the room with that same detached, calculating air that always surrounded him. His presence, as commanding as ever, sent a rush of adrenaline through her. He was exactly where he needed to be—at the center of his family's empire. But for some reason, seeing him here, in this setting, felt different. His usual cold demeanor seemed to melt away just a little, enough to make her feel... uncertain.
"Caspian", she said, offering him a polite smile as she walked over to greet him. But inside, her pulse quickened.
Caspian's gaze shifted toward her as her voice reached him. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes softened for just a fraction of a second when they locked with hers. He was, as always, impeccably put together—his suit tailored perfectly to his frame, the faintest glint of something elusive in his eyes.
"Seraphina," he replied, his tone as smooth as ever. He gave a nod, though his usual aloofness seemed to dissipate slightly in her presence. "I see you're busy. Running the show, I take it?"
She couldn't help but smile, though she could feel the nerves bubbling beneath the surface. "You could say that," she said, trying to keep her composure. "It's been a lot of work, but we're almost ready. I hope you're enjoying the event so far."
His gaze lingered on her for a moment, something in the way he observed her that made her feel like she was under scrutiny. "I'm sure it's going to be perfect," he said, a slight tilt to his head, as if amused by the way she was fidgeting.
She stiffened slightly, mentally reminding herself to stay professional. "Thank you. I'm just making sure everything's in place." She glanced around, noting how some of the guests were beginning to fill the room. "Would you like a drink?"
Caspian shook his head, but his lips curled ever so slightly. "No, not yet. I'm here for the company, not the refreshments." His gaze moved past her, taking in the guests, but there was a hint of something in his eyes, something like curiosity, that made her feel more exposed than she was comfortable with.
"Right," she said, her heart racing as she tried to keep things light. "Well, I should get back to making sure everything runs smoothly. Let me know if you need anything."
For a moment, Caspian didn't reply. He just stood there, watching her, before his eyes flicked back to meet hers. "You're very good at this," he said, his voice low, almost too soft. It felt personal in a way that made her chest tighten.
Her cheeks warmed. "Thank you," she replied, surprised by the sincerity in his tone.
With a final glance, he nodded, "I'll let you get back to it." But his eyes lingered just a little longer than necessary, before he finally turned away, though something about the way he looked at her made her feel like she wasn't the only one keeping secrets tonight.
As Seraphina busied herself with the final touches, making sure everything was perfectly aligned, her attention was drawn to a new figure entering the room. She straightened up instinctively, her gaze shifting toward the imposing man now walking across the floor—none other than Mr. Victor Vale.
Dressed in a sharply tailored suit, with his commanding presence and intimidating air, he was the embodiment of power, his every step exuding authority. The crowd parted slightly as he moved, and even the air seemed to grow heavier around him. Seraphina's stomach fluttered nervously, unsure if she should go greet him or remain where she was. He was the patriarch of the Vale family—the man whose name carried more weight in the room than anyone else's.
Victor's eyes scanned the room, assessing the guests and the details of the event with the same precision he applied to every aspect of his empire. She couldn't help but notice how his gaze swept over everything, with no sign of approval or disapproval just yet. But then, his eyes landed on his son, Caspian.
The atmosphere between them shifted as Victor made his way over to Caspian, his movements smooth but purposeful. Caspian, who had been standing off to the side, watching the proceedings with his typical detached air, straightened slightly as his father approached. Seraphina watched, trying to remain inconspicuous as she observed the interaction.
"How's everything going?" Victor's voice was low, but sharp, his gaze never leaving the surroundings as he spoke to Caspian.
Caspian's posture stiffened just a fraction, and he glanced at his father. "Everything's fine. The event's running smoothly. You're just on time," he said, his tone neutral, though it didn't escape Seraphina's notice that there was a certain tension in his shoulders.
Victor didn't seem to care about Caspian's response, instead choosing to look around with a critical eye, the faintest wrinkle of disapproval crossing his brow as he surveyed the room. "I trust this isn't a repeat of the last time, Caspian. The presentation needs to be flawless—no mistakes," he said, his voice low, commanding.
Seraphina's breath hitched as she noticed how Caspian stiffened even more, his expression barely flickering. He gave a quick nod, but there was something in the way he stood, his jaw clenched, that made her wonder if there was more to this father-son dynamic than he let on.
"Of course," Caspian replied, his voice tight but controlled. "I'm aware."
Victor's gaze didn't soften. In fact, it grew more intense as he turned to his son, and the tension between them felt palpable. "See that you don't forget it," Victor said coldly. He then turned his gaze to the crowd once more, scanning the room as though he were inspecting something rather than attending his own event.
Seraphina's heart raced in her chest as she watched them interact. It was obvious, even from the distance, that Caspian was under the weight of Mr. Vales expectations. She wondered how many of these events Caspian had endured over the years, each one under the watchful eye of this man, each one seemingly just a means to an end for Victor—an end that Caspian was likely not ready for.
For a split second, their eyes met—Caspian's cool, assessing gaze locking with hers. His expression was unreadable, and the brief moment sent a shiver down her spine. She quickly looked away, focusing on a nearby table as she tried to compose herself.
She couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. The man had everything—looks, power, wealth—but in that moment, it was clear that the pressure of living up to Mr. Vales expectations was weighing heavily on him. As Mr. Vale continued to scrutinize the event, Caspian took a step back, his shoulders a little more rigid now, as if trying to push the interaction aside.
It was then that Seraphina realized—Caspian wasn't just here as a guest, he was here as part of something far bigger than this event. He was part of an empire, and for better or worse, he was still answering to someone.
The evening wore on, and the event was in full swing. The room buzzed with conversations, laughter, and the clinking of glasses as guests mingled, enjoying the exclusive affair. The glittering lights reflected off the marble floors, and the grand chandeliers above cast a warm, luxurious glow on the guests below. Waiters moved gracefully between the tables, delivering delicate hors d'oeuvres and cocktails while guests admired the lavish décor.
Seraphina, in her role as head coordinator, floated between groups, making sure everything was going as planned. Despite the seamless execution, her mind kept wandering back to the earlier interaction between Caspian and Mr. Vale. She couldn't help but wonder about their strained dynamic—the cold, almost suffocating tension between them. It was as if the event itself was just another arena for Victor to display his dominance, and Caspian was his unwilling pawn.
Around 9 p.m., the event seemed to be reaching its peak. The guests were enjoying themselves, but Seraphina couldn't shake the feeling that something was brewing behind the scenes. She had been in and out of the kitchen, checking on the final details for the evening's meal when she caught a glimpse of Caspian and Mr. Vale standing near a private section of the mansion, just outside a set of glass doors that led to a secluded patio. The two were talking—arguing, actually—and though Seraphina initially thought about slipping quietly out of the way, something in their exchange made her pause.
"I don't care how you feel about it, Caspian," Victor's voice was low, but harsh, the tone unmistakably commanding. "This is your responsibility. This event, the company, the future—all of it falls on you."
Caspian's jaw clenched, his usual detached expression slipping for a moment, replaced with an intensity that mirrored his father's. "I'm not here to play your puppet, Father," Caspian shot back, his voice cold and controlled. "You've made your point. I don't need you reminding me every second that I'm 'the heir.'"
Victor stepped closer, his towering presence shadowing Caspian, and for a moment, Seraphina could feel the power in the air shift, like a storm was about to break. The older man's voice grew quieter, but just as dangerous. "You think you have a choice in this? Don't make the mistake of thinking you can walk away from what's expected of you." His eyes bore into Caspian's with an unsettling coldness, and his lips twisted into a sneer. "I built this empire, and you will be the one to inherit it. You will not mess this up. Do I make myself clear?"
Caspian didn't respond immediately, his fists tightening at his sides. The tension was suffocating, and Seraphina found herself frozen in place, unsure if she should intervene or slip away unnoticed.
Victor, however, didn't seem to care who overheard. His eyes scanned the area before narrowing in on her, catching her in the act of listening. A small, calculated smile curled at the edges of his lips, but it was far from warm.
"I see we have an audience," Victor's voice rang out, cool and venomous. Caspian's eyes flicked toward Seraphina, and for a brief moment, she thought she saw something like regret flash across his features. He quickly masked it, retreating into his usual coldness.
Victor turned fully toward her, his smile stretching into something far more threatening. "And what do you think you're doing, Miss De Luca?" he asked, his voice laced with menace. "Eavesdropping on private matters is hardly becoming of someone in your position, don't you think?"
Seraphina's breath caught in her throat, and she immediately straightened up, trying to steady her nerves. "I—" She hesitated, the words catching in her throat as she realized the gravity of the situation. "I didn't mean to intrude. I was just finishing some last-minute checks in the kitchen."
Victor's eyes gleamed, and he stepped closer, his presence pressing down on her like a heavy weight. "You may be working here tonight, but that doesn't mean I won't notice a lapse in decorum. It would be wise of you to remember your place, Miss De Luca." His gaze hardened as he turned to Caspian, dismissing Seraphina with a curt gesture. "Handle this, Caspian. I'll expect more focus on the future of this company. Not distractions."
Seraphina felt a chill run down her spine as the threat in Victor's words hung in the air. Her heart raced as she quickly lowered her gaze, hoping the conversation was over. She glanced briefly at Caspian, unsure if he'd come to her defense or if he was too caught up in his father's world to notice. Caspian didn't look at her again. Instead, he gave a brief nod, his jaw tight. He was under his father's control, and nothing could change that.
Victor turned away, his attention shifting back to the event as if nothing had happened. "Let's get back to the party, then," he said, his voice now completely neutral, as if the tension from moments before had been wiped clean.
Caspian's eyes flicked toward Seraphina again, and there was a brief moment of shared understanding. But the look quickly vanished, replaced by the cold exterior he always wore around his father. He walked past her, not sparing another glance, while Seraphina remained rooted to the spot, her mind racing with the unsettling encounter she had just witnessed.
As the sounds of the party continued on in the background, the weight of what she had overheard settled heavily on her shoulders. Caspian, the aloof man she had met on the train, was trapped in a world she could only begin to understand. And now, more than ever, she had a feeling that this event—this night—was just the beginning of something far more complicated than she had anticipated.
The moment Victor and Caspian disappeared back into the crowd, the weight of the encounter settled heavily on Seraphina's chest. Her hands trembled slightly as she turned away, her mind racing with what had just happened. The cold warning in Victor's voice, the way Caspian had barely looked at her, the suffocating pressure in the air—it was all too much.
She needed air.
Slipping past the bustling servers and elegantly dressed guests, she made her way through the corridors of the grand mansion, her heels clicking softly against the marble floors. She didn't know exactly where she was going—only that she needed to be somewhere quiet, somewhere away from the suffocating weight of expectations, power, and the tangled mess she had just found herself caught in.
Finally, she reached a secluded balcony at the far end of the house. The glass doors were slightly ajar, letting the cool night air spill into the dimly lit hall. She stepped outside, wrapping her arms around herself as she leaned against the stone railing, inhaling deeply to calm the erratic pounding of her heart. Below, the city glittered like a sea of stars, oblivious to the chaos brewing inside her.
She hadn't meant to eavesdrop. She hadn't meant to get involved. But something about Caspian—about the way he had looked at his father, the way he had stood his ground even when he was clearly trapped—stirred something deep inside her.
She closed her eyes, exhaling shakily. "What have I gotten myself into?" she whispered to herself.
"You tell me."
Her breath hitched, and she spun around.
Caspian stood in the doorway, his frame half-illuminated by the warm glow from inside, half-shrouded in shadow. He had discarded the charming mask he wore at the party, his usual cool expression replaced by something unreadable—something almost… weary.
"I—" Seraphina swallowed, suddenly aware of how small the space felt with him standing there. "I didn't think anyone would find me here."
Caspian stepped forward, his hands slipping into the pockets of his tailored suit. "Well, you were wrong." His voice was quieter now, softer, but still held that underlying sharpness he always carried. His icy blue eyes studied her intently, and she hated how her pulse reacted under his gaze.
She exhaled, her fingers tightening on the railing. "I'm sorry, Caspian. For earlier. I wasn't trying to pry, I swear. I just—" She shook her head, frustrated with herself. "I keep making things uncomfortable for you, and that was never my intention."
He let out a low scoff, his lips curling slightly in amusement. "You think this is about comfort?"
Seraphina hesitated. "Isn't it?"
Caspian was silent for a moment, his gaze unwavering. Then, he took another step toward her, his voice low and controlled. "I don't get the luxury of comfort, Seraphina." His words carried a weight she hadn't expected, and it sent a shiver down her spine.
She bit her lip, her hazel eyes searching his face. "Who are you, Caspian? Really?"
The question hung between them, thick with tension.
Caspian stared at her, something flickering in his icy gaze—something hesitant, something guarded. For a moment, she thought he might tell her the truth. That he might break past the cold, unshakable mask he always wore and let her in.
But then, just as quickly as it had appeared, the vulnerability vanished.
He smirked, tilting his head slightly. "I'm exactly who you think I am," he said smoothly, but there was something hollow in the way he said it.
Seraphina's brows furrowed. "That's not an answer."
"No," he murmured, his smirk fading as his gaze lingered on her. "It's not."
A gust of wind swept past them, sending a stray lock of her red hair loose from its bun. Caspian's fingers twitched at his side, as if fighting the urge to reach out.
She exhaled, shaking her head. "You confuse me, you know that?"
His lips twitched slightly. "Good."
She huffed out a small laugh despite herself, rolling her eyes. "That wasn't a compliment."
Caspian's smirk deepened, but his eyes—his guarded, unreadable eyes—never wavered from hers.
Whatever this was between them, whatever unspoken thing kept pulling them into each other's orbit, it wasn't going away.
And for the first time, Seraphina wasn't sure if she wanted it to.
Seraphina took a step toward the door, her pulse still erratic from their conversation. She needed to get back to the event, to put everything back in place. The last thing she wanted was to be caught lingering, especially after the conversation she had just had with Caspian. But before she could reach for the handle, Caspian's tall frame blocked her path.
She froze, caught off guard by how close he was, standing mere inches from her. His presence was overwhelming, almost suffocating, yet it felt oddly magnetic.
Her breath caught in her throat as she realized just how close they were—close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off his body. She could see the fine cut of his jaw, the sharpness of his features, and the slight curve of his lips as they hovered in a barely perceptible smirk. His eyes—those icy blue eyes—seemed to pierce right through her, searching, calculating.
And for the first time, she could feel the tension in the air between them, thick and almost unbearable.
Her heart skipped a beat as she took a breath, trying to remain composed.
"Excuse me," she murmured, trying to step around him.
But Caspian, without even looking away, stepped forward, effectively trapping her. His gaze lowered, lingering on her dress, the way it fit her form in a way that made everything else in the room blur out of focus.
"You know, I was just thinking," he began, his voice low and smooth, almost a whisper. "For someone so stunning, you really do know how to hide it well." He leaned in just slightly, his lips barely brushing the air between them. "Such elegance wrapped in mystery… It's almost a crime."
Seraphina felt the heat rush to her cheeks. Her breath hitched as she tried to think of something to say, but her mind seemed to have gone blank. How could she even respond to that?
She swallowed hard, her gaze caught in his, as his words sank in. Was he flirting with her?
Before she could gather herself, Caspian smirked, stepping back, his eyes flicking over her one last time as he slowly turned away, leaving her standing there, speechless, as he walked toward the door.
He paused just before exiting, casting a final glance over his shoulder. "I'll leave you to your...mystery," he said, a teasing note in his voice.
And with that, he was gone, leaving Seraphina standing in the dimly lit corridor, trying to catch her breath. Her heart pounded in her chest, her thoughts a tangled mess of confusion and exhilaration. What the hell had just happened?
The event had finally drawn to a close, the last of the guests filtering out of the grand ballroom, their voices fading into the cool night air. Sera lingered for a moment by the door, watching as the last few details were wrapped up. Her body felt drained, the weight of the evening settling heavily on her shoulders. It had been a long, tense night, and though she was proud of the work she'd done, all she wanted now was to retreat to her apartment and put the night behind her.
As she passed through the hall, she caught sight of Mr. Vale and Caspian making their way toward the exit. Her heart gave an unexpected flutter, and she quickly pushed the feeling aside, reminding herself that she had a job to do.
Mr. Vale, tall and imposing as ever, spotted her as she approached, his sharp eyes scrutinizing her from head to toe. There was something about his gaze—cold, assessing—that made her feel uncomfortable. He nodded slightly as if acknowledging her hard work, but the way his eyes roamed over her didn't escape her notice.
"Thank you for your services tonight, Ms. De Luca," he said, his voice as cold as the ice in his eyes. "You've done well... but next time, make sure the event runs smoothly from the start." His tone was measured, almost patronizing, and there was an undercurrent of something more in the way he looked at her.
Sera stiffened, fighting the urge to shrink back under the weight of his gaze. She forced a polite smile, nodding. "Of course, Mr. Vale. It was an honor to work on this event."
Mr. Vale didn't offer a smile in return. Instead, he gave her one last look before calling out to Caspian, his voice commanding. "Caspian. Let's go." His tone was a clear dismissal, and without another word, he turned toward the door, his presence imposing as ever.
Caspian followed his father, his expression unreadable. But for a brief moment, Sera caught his gaze, and something flickered in his eyes—a look that was hard to decipher. Was it acknowledgment? Was it something else?
Before she could dwell on it further, Mr. Vale and Caspian were already walking toward the waiting vehicle. The sleek black car was parked outside, the engine running, ready to take them away.
Sera watched them leave, feeling a strange unease settle in her chest, but she pushed it away, focusing instead on the task at hand. The event had ended, and now it was time for her to go.
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Inside the car, the tension between father and son was palpable. Mr. Vale sat in the back seat, his eyes staring out the window, his thoughts clearly on something else. Caspian sat beside him, his posture rigid, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.
After a long silence, Victor Vale finally spoke, his voice low and controlled. "Did you deal with it?" His words were more of an order than a question, as if he expected Caspian to have handled everything perfectly.
Caspian's jaw tightened, but he remained calm. "Yes, Father. I spoke with her. It's taken care of."
Victor's eyes flicked to his son, his gaze narrowing. "Good. That woman—she's not to become a distraction.
There was a coldness in his words, a clear warning.
Caspian didn't respond immediately, but the weight of his father's words settled heavily in the air. His mind, however, wandered back to Sera, to the way she had looked at him, to the way she had almost made him feel something. He shook his head, trying to push the thought aside.
"I understand," Caspian replied, his voice steady, though his mind was anything but.
Victor nodded, his attention returning to the view outside the car. "Good. Keep it that way. We have bigger things to focus on, and we can't afford any distractions."
As the car continued its journey through the city streets, Caspian remained silent, his thoughts tangled in the whirlwind of the evening's events. Despite his father's words, there was something about Sera—something that made him uneasy in a way he hadn't anticipated. And for the first time in a long time, he wasn't sure he could just push it away.
The car came to a smooth stop outside the entrance to the penthouse, the lights of the city twinkling in the distance. Caspian didn't move as his father stepped out of the vehicle, his tall figure silhouetted against the penthouse building. Victor strode toward the entrance, his purposeful steps echoing in the quiet night.
Caspian waited until his father was out of sight, his gaze lingering on his retreating form. Once the door clicked shut behind him, Caspian finally turned to the driver, his expression unreadable, his mind racing with thoughts of the evening.
"Find the details for Ms. De Luca," Caspian said, his voice low but firm. "Everything—background, contacts, any information you can dig up."
The driver, a man who had worked for the Vale family for years, nodded without question. "Of course, sir," he replied, but before he could start, Caspian held up a hand, his gaze steady and commanding.
"Keep this request private," Caspian added, his voice sharper now. "Do not let my father know about this."
The driver hesitated for only a moment, then nodded again, understanding the gravity of the request. "Understood, sir."
Caspian leaned back in his seat, his mind swirling. He couldn't pinpoint exactly why he felt the need to learn more about Sera De Luca. There was something about her—something that stirred up emotions he didn't want to acknowledge. She wasn't like the women he was used to, and that in itself made her all the more intriguing.
He got out the vehicle and made his way up to his bedroom in the penthouse, starring out the window, his thoughts preoccupied with the enigmatic woman he couldn't seem to shake from his mind.