AUTHOR'S P.O.V
Ariana walked into the room, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Alistair's birthday is next week. We've been invited. It's a masquerade party."
Nicole raised an eyebrow from her book. "I'm too old for these things. You two should go."
Ariana sighed, glancing at Ava, who was engrossed in her new phone - delivered by Alistair's assistant. Her brows were scrunched together.
"What's wrong, Ava?" Ariana asked.
Ava sighed. "I was trying to get our photos from the event, but there's nothing. It's like someone took it down from the internet."
Ariana frowned. "How's that...oh."
"Oh?" Nicole probed.
"Well, you see, Alistair's friend is a very important figure. He's practically mysterious. He probably took down the photos and everything since he didn't want to risk his identity being found out," Ariana explained.
Ava's interest was piqued. "So why did he have our photos pulled down with his and Alistair's?"
Ariana shrugged. "Probably to keep us out of the limelight. It's good. I don't need media drama."
"Who's he?" Nicole questioned.
Ava sat up straighter, awaiting Ariana's answer.
"Reed Lanchester. He's a billionaire. A very powerful one. Anyway, I've met him once," Ariana replied.
Ava's heart skipped a beat. "How does he look?"
They stared at her.
She blushed. "I'm sorry. He's so mysterious, I'm curious."
Ariana shrugged, but Nicole watched her with keen eyes. Ava avoided her gaze, focusing on Ariana.
"I can only describe him with one word - overbearing," Ariana said.
Ava frowned. "What do you mean?"
"He's... intense. He exudes an innate sense of oppression," Ariana elaborated.
"Is he handsome?" Ava asked, blushing. Ariana and Nicole shared a knowing look.
"Is someone developing a crush?" Ariana teased.
Ava blushed deeper. "N-no. I just want to know how he looks."
They teased her having never seen her like this. "Well, will you tell me or not?" Ava pressed.
"Fine. He's hot, not gonna lie," Ariana said.
"That's not enough! Describe his hair, his eyes..." Ava trailed off, blushing when they grinned.
"I'll have to tell Alistair that his friend's got himself a little admirer," Ariana teased and Nicole smiled. "Stop it, Ari. Just feed her curiosity until she's satisfied," Nicole chuckled.
Ariana laughed. "He's tall, slightly shorter than Alistair. He's lean. His hair is midnight black, and his eyes are a silver-grey. He's clean-shaven and has a slight Australian accent that isn't very noticeable if you haven't been around Aussies much."
Ava's heart raced. A shard of her memories resurfaced: Intense silver-grey eyes fastened on her face, her body hot under his gaze. She couldn't remember how he looked, only his eyes and lips, but there was one thing she was sure of in that moment - she wanted him to kiss her. Her heart and body sang with excitement as he leaned in, his rosy lips inches from her own. He mentioned a name; she couldn't quite catch it, and he kissed her.
