SCARRED HEARTS

CHAPTER 2: THE GAME BEGINS

Lila barely made it through the rest of the gala without feeling like she was being watched. Every step, every movement, seemed to echo with the weight of Sebastian Hawke's presence lingering behind her. He hadn't left her side after the dance. And though he hadn't said another word to her, the air between them was thick with unspoken tension. It wasn't just that he had power—it was how he made her feel small, like a moth caught in the unrelenting pull of a flame.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur, her mind too preoccupied with his touch, his gaze, the quiet intensity of his every word. People smiled at her in passing, complimenting her dress or offering her a drink, but none of it seemed to matter. She was aware of nothing but him.

After what felt like an eternity, the gala finally began to wind down, the guests murmuring their goodbyes and slipping out into the night. Lila's eyes scanned the room, searching for Emma, but she couldn't find her. Not that it would have mattered. She knew she'd never be able to focus on anything else now.

She was just about to leave when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Leaving so soon?" Sebastian's voice was low, smooth as silk, but the undercurrent of something darker threaded through his words. She turned slowly, and there he was, standing so close that she could feel the heat of his body against hers.

Lila fought to keep her composure, pretending she wasn't rattled. "I was waiting for my cousin. She told me to stick around, but I think I've seen enough for one night."

"Is that so?" His lips quirked into a smile that was far too knowing. "You don't strike me as someone who's easily swayed by parties or people who pretend to be something they're not. I imagine you'd rather be somewhere quiet, far away from all this."

She felt her pulse quicken at his words. How did he know? She couldn't shake the sense that he could see through her, all the way to her bones.

"I prefer simplicity," she said, choosing her words carefully. "I don't belong in places like this."

Sebastian's gaze darkened, as though he was considering something far deeper than her words. "No, you don't," he agreed softly. "But sometimes... simplicity is overrated."

His hand brushed against her arm as he motioned toward the exit, his gaze not leaving hers for a second. "Let me drive you home," he offered, his tone all but commanding.

Lila hesitated. There was no way she should get into a car with him—no way she should let this powerful, dangerous man have any more access to her life. Yet, the words to refuse seemed to die on her tongue, replaced by an urge she couldn't quite explain. The pull of him was magnetic, like gravity, and it was becoming impossible to ignore.

"I'm fine," she said, her voice firm. "I'll take a cab."

Sebastian's smirk widened, though his eyes remained unreadable. "I think you'll find I'm a far more reliable option than a taxi, Lila." His gaze flicked over her, calculating, before it softened, just a fraction. "Unless, of course, you're afraid of me."

The challenge in his words hit her like a slap. She wasn't afraid. She wasn't. She had nothing to fear from a man like him—right?

But she was aware, all too aware, of how much his presence stirred something deep inside her—something she didn't fully understand.

"I'm not afraid," she said, her voice steady even as her heart raced in her chest. "But I think it's best if we keep our distance."

He didn't push. Instead, he nodded once, as if he respected her decision, though she could see the flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Very well," he said, his tone oddly approving. "But remember, Lila, everything comes at a cost. I may not always give you a choice."

And then, before she could respond, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd, leaving her standing there, heart pounding, mind reeling.

The next morning, Lila was already regretting the entire evening. She'd stayed up too late, replaying the night in her head over and over again. His words. His touch. His eyes. It had all felt too intense—too much.

But what was she supposed to do? He had a way of making her feel like she was walking a razor's edge, always on the verge of falling but never quite able to escape the pull.

She was just sitting down to breakfast when her phone buzzed on the table. Her heart skipped when she saw the number on the screen.

Sebastian Hawke.

She stared at it for a moment, debating whether to pick up. What could he possibly want? They'd barely exchanged more than a few words. It didn't make sense. Still, something inside her told her not to ignore it.

"Hello?" Her voice was quieter than she intended, betraying the unease in her stomach.

"You're late," came his voice, smooth and insistent. "We agreed you'd be at the office by ten."

Lila blinked, confused. "I—what? I'm not—"

"Don't play games with me, Lila," Sebastian interrupted, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. "You're starting at the firm today. I'll have someone pick you up. Be ready."

Her mind went blank. "I never agreed to anything like that," she said, though her words were barely a whisper of resistance.

There was a long pause before he spoke again, his tone darker now. "You don't have to agree. I've already made the arrangements."

Lila's heart thudded in her chest. "What do you mean?"

"Consider it a... professional opportunity," he said. "You'll start today. Don't keep me waiting."

Before she could protest, the call ended, leaving her standing there, phone still pressed to her ear.

Her stomach twisted into knots. She didn't know whether to be angry, confused, or... something else entirely. She hadn't asked for this. She hadn't asked for him to enter her life, much less drag her into his world.

But it was clear now: he wasn't giving her a choice.

And asmuch as she wanted to refuse, a part of her—something dark, somethingcurious—wondered just how far this game of his would go.

thank you for reading, get ready for some tension in the next chapters the games are about to begin!

<3