𝐀𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏

𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟗

Three, two, one...

For the last time, she looked at her reflection, a dangerous smile painted on her face. One of the men in dark suits opened the door for her as she slowly stepped out of the sleek black Audi. With grace, she threw him a small smile that made everyone else outside hold their breath.

Chin raised, she made her way inside, mouths gaping and eyes following her every move, her grin widened at her effect. The security's responsibility, which was to check and verify visitors coming in to see if they were on the list, had long been forgotten.

She wore a grin that invited anyone in, a smile that can make anyone forget their names – only hers on their lips.

The soft tempting notes of the music from inside beckoned to her. The party hadn't even begun yet, and she was already attracting too much attention...as usual.

She sashayed down the stairs and into the hall. A walk almost as powerful as her body, it radiated off of her, and everyone can see it even from the distance.

The song gradually became more intense, as did the looks she received from those around the room. Her neck was encrusted with heavy jewels, and her fingers were adorned with shimmering gems. They couldn't help but wonder... and what if they stared too closely?

She'd blind them.

She had entered the room with confidence, winking at a waiter who almost tripped before taking a glass of champagne for herself. The crimson of her gown glistened romantically under the mellow chandeliers above. Nothing was more perfect scenery than her, as if the lights were meant to gleam beautifully down on her figure.

Even now, as she glanced around the room, she could sense the electricity that hung around her. The poor, the privileged, and, of course, the filthy rich and powerful. They all desired nothing but a glimpse of her.

It was a shame that was all they were going to get.

Tonight, was all about enslaving one particular heart - for reasons of her own. As if by clockwork, she heard footsteps nearing her direction. Ones she had memorized all too well.

Placing the champagne glass at one of the empty tables beside her, she turned around. She couldn't help but smile at how predictable people are.

"I sense that smile is for me."

One of high society's more lucrative members stood before her, dressed in a black suit with a smolder she wished to slap off. His confidence, for some inexplicable burning reason, ravished her body.

Deep blue eyes collided with her dark brown eyes – like the sea and the forest on a bleak winter night. But if one dared to look closely into her dark eyes, one could see an untamed flame just waiting to be unleashed. It was the same blaze – a raging storm she saw in his ocean eyes that now bedeviled her thoughts and ignited a wildfire in her soul. She wanted it to burn her skin and leave a mark...

His face hardened as if he had read her thoughts and sensed her desire to close the gap between them.

"Will you do me the honor of dancing with me?" His baritone voice echoed in her ears, almost as if enticing her to surrender to temptation.

The watch upon his wrist glinted under the dull lighting as he grasped her hand, leading her onto the dance floor, and twisting her to the thundering tango of the band. He didn't even wait for her response; her answer seemed obvious in her eyes, but still, it vexed her how he could read her like an open book. Her gown bounced to his command. She cursed quietly.