Eclipsed Love

Chapter 3: Enigmatic Waltz

"Catherine," my father's firm but cold tone called out, snapping me back from my thoughts.

"Yes, Father. Understood," I replied.

My father ordered me to retrieve the tip from the spy he had sent to Adrian's house. As I left my father's office, I crossed paths with Elias, who was on his way to see my father.

"Good Afternoon, Miss Catherine," he greeted with a gentle smile. His hair, once again, caught my eye, a magical display in the sunlight. He had been staying with us for five days, and encounters between us had become scarce, thanks to Daniel and Ethan's interference.

"Good afternoon, Elias," I replied, offering a gentle smile in return.

Ethan intervened, walking toward us with a glare. "What an idiotic smile."

"Good afternoon to you too, Sir Ethan," Elias replied, seemingly unfazed by Ethan's intimidating look.

"Tsk, you dare look me straight in the eyes?" Ethan remarked, smirking as he crossed his arms.

"How could I not look at the majestic Sir Ethan Montgomery?" Elias replied, maintaining his smile. It is because of Ethan's big ego that Elias's lack of fear annoys him.

"You may enter father's study room, Sir Elias," I intervened before Ethan's annoyance escalated. Elias nodded and left without further confrontation.

"Cat, don't get close to him," Ethan demanded, his eyes still fixed on Elias.

"I don't see the problem with me getting close to our father's esteemed guest," I retorted, emphasizing the word 'esteemed' to remind Ethan to respect our father's guests.

"Listen to me; you don't know what he's hiding behind that kind smile."

"For someone who always throws poisonous knives, you sure are concerned for my safety," I replied sarcastically.

Ethan would always throw knives at me, claiming it was a test, but I knew it was his way of asserting superiority because he always lost against Daniel.

"BECAUSE IF I DON'T DO SOMETHING, MOTHER WILL..." He stopped abruptly, frustration evident on his face.

"Mother will what?" I probed.

"Nothing. It's just a test to see if you're weak," he replied, sounding defeated.

"Yeah, yeah," I replied and walked away, leaving Ethan looking frustrated. For a split second, I wondered what had frustrated him so much that he couldn't say, but then again, it was probably just his mischievous nature.

As evening approached, I tried my best to look not just okay but amazing. Before heading to the party, I caught sight of my mother just arriving home. The timing seemed perfect for a brief exchange, or so I thought. As I approached her, ready to offer a greeting, she looked me up and down with a disinterested gaze and walked away without a word.

This kind of thing wasn't new. It was a momentary encounter, but it spoke volumes. I stood there, a bit taken aback, but not entirely surprised. It wasn't the first time my mother had shown indifference toward me. My mother's priorities had long been clear, and I had grown accustomed to the fact that her caring gaze and warm words were reserved for my brothers. It was a reality I had accepted, even if it still left a lingering ache.

Nevertheless, I straightened my posture and reminded myself that the night ahead was about more than family stuff. The party was waiting, and I had a mission from my father to focus on. So, I straightened up and headed out.

I confidently entered the elegant hall, owning the scene in my long black dress. The daring slit on the side revealed a hint of leg, adding a touch of class and a subtle hint of flirtation. The dress plunged in a deep V at the back, showcasing my confident attitude and creating a perfect blend of sophistication and allure.

With my hair elegantly pulled up, I wore a sparkling black choker around my neck, adding a dash of glamour to the ensemble. The black gloves, matching the dress seamlessly, brought a touch of old money glam to the look, making me feel like a confident leading lady.

As I made my entrance, I carried myself with poise, exuding confidence and acting like I owned the place, embracing the attention with style.

The venue was bathed in a soft, illuminating light that casts a mysterious and alluring ambiance. The party was an only-invite as it was obvious looking at the sea of elegantly dressed high-ranking people adorned in black dresses and sharp suits flirts under the enchanting glow.

When I entered, the air buzzed with excitement and subtle flirtation. The atmosphere was charged with the anticipation of connections forming and alliances shifting. The partygoers, each dressed impeccably in their interpretation of the theme, added to the allure of the night.

Despite the obvious party for flirtation and hookups, my purpose at the party was far from it. I navigated through the crowd, observing the interactions with a discerning eye. I wasn't there to engage in the subtle dance of attraction; instead, I scanned the room, patiently awaiting the arrival of the spy my father had sent into Adrian's house, hoping to gather the crucial information we needed.

In the midst of the vibrant party, I found myself constantly approached by guys, their attempts at flirtation becoming annoying. I figured it was best to wander around to avoid too much attention while I waited for the spy my father sent to Adrian's house.

But my plan backfired. The subtle allure of the black dress I was wearing seemed to attract even more attention, and soon, the hushed whispers and glances made it clear that I unintentionally became the main focus of the party.

In the midst of all this, a guy stood out. He had black hair that seemed to absorb the surrounding light. Tall, like Elias, but with a different air about him. His pale skin contrasted sharply with the darkness of his attire. His broad shoulders and strong features exuded confidence, and his piercing green eyes surveyed the room as if he owned every inch of it.

The mysterious stranger approached, a confident smile playing on his lips. The other guys who had been attempting to engage me now seemed to back away, a hint of fear in their eyes. He extended his hand and, with a commanding yet courteous manner, asked, "Care to dance?"

Accepting his offer, I found myself in his arms, swaying to the rhythm of the music. Despite his intimidating aura, the dance was surprisingly smooth, and I couldn't help but be intrigued by the enigmatic stranger.

While we were dancing, my attention wavered as I continued scanning the room for the spy. Sensing my distraction, he spoke, his voice stern and commanding, "What's taking your thoughts away, my lady? Look at me; let's make this dance unforgettable."

His words snapped me back to the present, and I forced myself to focus on the dance.  It felt like the crowd was making way for us, creating a unique moment. This encounter wasn't just a dance—it felt like a surprising turn in the night's events.

After the dance, the mysterious guy, still intrigued, asked, "Who are you looking for? You seemed lost in thought."

Thinking on my feet, I decided to make up a story. "Oh, just my lover. I heard he's been up to no good, and I'm here to catch him red-handed."

He looked genuinely baffled, holding my face to get a good look at his own. "Forget about him. In fact, if you want, I can take care of him for you."

I didn't like his tone, I was about to retort when he pulled me closer and moved his hand up slowly from my waist to my naked back as if trying to arouse me. I pulled myself away, removing his hand from my back and face, and said firmly, "It's my business to deal with. Back off."

Ignoring his persistent gaze, I walked away, but it felt like his eyes were still on me, like they were penetrating my being. The encounter left me feeling uneasy, and I couldn't shake off the strange energy that lingered from our brief interaction.