The night everything changed
Elara Vance hated Galas. Too many egos. Too many empty compliments. Too much wine in the hands of people with too much money and not enough morals. But tonight, attendance was mandatory-GRANEX's annual charity ball. And as the company's operations manager. She was expected to smile,pose,and keep the Reeve family's reputation polished and perfect. So of course, Killian Reeve arrived late,underdressed,and looking like trouble in designer form. "Still allergic to ties? ", she muttered as he sat on a chair arranged for him beside hers. A waitress offered him a drink,he took a sip and looked at the annoying lady beside him."Still allergic to smiling?", he replied,raising a brow. "I smile when I mean it." she countered."And yet I've never seen it."
They clashed like that. Always had. She was order. He was chaos. She climbed the corporate ladder with blood and silence. He was born at the top,golden and grinning. "So," he said and leaned casually on his chair,"how much longer do we have to pretend we don't enjoy this little war?". Elara sipped her wine."The only war happening her is me resisting the urge to throw this drink in your face". She stated." Is it that bad?".Killian asked faking concern."Worse" . She nodded."Then do it". He said smirking. She turned to face him,anger flashing in her eyes." You don't get to flirt with me, Killian".
"Why not?". Killian was amused. "Because I'm not one of your bored heiresses. I actually work for a living". "Exactly," He murmured." That's why I notice you."
The music changed. A soft jazz. Dim lights. And suddenly he was holding out a hand. "One dance." he said. "Just so you can say you hated it." She would've have said no. But she didn't. They danced close,too close. They didn't know they were controlled by the wine they had finished. And when the song ended,neither of them let go. Later that night,they ended up in a suite in the hotel. One drink. A thousand consequences waiting to unfold.
(Secret,quiet...but dangerous)
The city slept under a velvet sky,but the hotel suite on the 23rd floor pulsed within something far more restless. Elara Vance stood at the window,arms folded tightly,watching her reflection more than the skyline. Her lipstick was faded. One earring was missing. And the man in bed behind her was very real- Killian Reeve, her boss's son.
The heir to Granex Corp.
The very last man she should have touched-let alone kissed,wanted,and let ruin her judgment last night. "You don't have to keep standing like a statue," Killian said,voice rough with sleep."I already know you regret it". "I don't", she lied." I just don't want to repeat it and we don't know who is behind the spiking of the wine." she said worriedly. Killian's face turned cold when he remembered the spiked wine. "I'll investigate this thoroughly". Elara grabbed her coat. Her purse. Her pride. "This never happened ,Killian." "Funny," he said sitting up,sheet sleeping from his chest,"because it definitely did". she slammed the door before he could say another word.
There were no photos.
No witnesses.
No whispers.
It was just one night, a mistake she thought no one would ever know about.
But mistakes have a way of coming back hungry.