Chapter 2

“I would like to raise a toast to Mia Anderson, the best lawyer in Newyork.” The crowd cheered as Christopher Sterling raised the toast in her honor. There was no need for such exaggerations, but Christopher was the type of person who likes to flaunt his achievements. This party is also an obvious message to his rivals, his drumroll of victory. A very effective and fun way to stir jealousy among his rivals.

“The dress is beautiful, thank you for gifting it to me.” Mia thanked him for the red dress that fit her, it was a beautiful knee-length gown that made her feel as beautiful as she looked, and she had gotten tons of compliments already.

“My wife chooses it for you. I knew she has great taste,” he bragged, staring at his wife, who was talking to someone from a distance. A big smile appeared on his face as he saw someone behind me. “Ethan! Where were you?” he asked the newcomer.

“Sorry I am late,” a somewhat familiar voice called from behind Mia. Mia tried to place where she had heard this voice, but her mind blanked.

“Mia, meet Ethan Parker.” Mia turned to greet the newcomer with a warm smile on her face, but as she took in the newcomer her smile vanished, surprise rendered her speechless. “He is someone who helped me a lot.” Christopher’s voice sounded in the back, but she was not paying any attention to him. She was busy staring at the guy she thought she would never meet again. She thought she was hallucinating at first, but it was true. He was real. She knew that her imagination could not conjure such a sharp image of him and not to mention he looked 1000 times better than he looked this morning.

The black suit fit him, accentuating his broad shoulders and the sleeves clung to his biceps. She did not doubt that he must have six packs under his dress shirt. Mia shook her head, shocked by her improper thoughts. He did not look like a crook now.

“Ethan, this is Mia Anderson. She is a criminal lawyer and the person this party is for.” Christopher introduced Mia to Ethan. “Mia, this is Ethan parker a police officer,”

A Police officer? A wave of embarrassment washed over her. Had she called a police officer a thief? Not only that, I called the cops on him. Mia turned away from him to hide the blush that was rising to her cheeks. No wonder he was laughing at her.

“Hello, Mia,” Ethan called, as she turned to him again. She schooled her expression a little. He extended his arm towards Mia with a teasing smile on his face. Mia shook his hand, saying nothing or meeting his gaze. She wanted to retract her hand, but he held her hand until she raised her eyes to glare at him. With a smirk, he released her hand, making her roll her eyes.

“Have you guys met before?” Christopher asked, eyeing our interaction.

“Have we?” Ethan asked, raising a brow and staring at me in a challenge.

“I think not, or maybe I forgot, as you have a very unremarkable appearance.” Mia lied through her teeth. He looked quite remarkable, but hell if she let him know that. And she was not going to accept her mistake in a room full of people. It will be a big stain on her reputation. “Besides, what gave you a reason to believe you may have met me?”

“Hmmm... I guess it was someone else that I met.”

“Who could you mistake Mia for? Look at her. She is one of a kind,” Christopher added, slightly offended on my behalf.

“you are right, she does look remarkable,” Ethan replied, his gaze roaming over her form apprehensively, making her shiver. “You won’t believe when I tell you this. She thought I was a crook.”

“What? How could anyone presume such a thing of you?” Christopher asked astonished, totally invested in the story. “This lady could only be blind if she made such a mistake after looking at your handsome face.”

“What do you think, miss Anderson? Do you think the lady was right to assume such a thing?” Ethan asked, making her bristle with anger. He was teasing her intentionally.

“He might be handsome, Christopher.” Mia started fully ready to beat him at his game. “but let’s not forget that he might not be the lady’s type of guy. Or maybe she has seen many handsome crooks to assume him to be one, too.”

“I’ll let you guys talk.” Christopher wisely excused himself, sensing something brewing between them.

“I am everyone’s type,” Ethan said to Mia, not taking his eyes off her.

“such arrogance,” Mia tsked in disappointment.

“It’s my confidence,” he countered, “and from the way you were checking me out, I would say I am right to be confident.

Mia scoffed at his wild accusations. “In your dreams.” ready to make her escape, Mia turned away from him, letting him know she had no desire to chat with him.

“Wait,” Mia halted when she felt a hand holding her arm. Surprised by his boldness, Mia stared at Ethan. “Dance with me.”

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As soon as Ethan arrived at the party, his eyes caught sight of a beautiful woman in a red dress. He had been trying to see who it was. He could not look away from the way she had been gracefully moving in the party. He noticed that she was the center of attention. When he saw the mystery woman with Christofer, Ethan knew it was the right moment to make his move. Imagine his surprise when he found that she was the same woman whom he met that evening.

The slow music and the lights made her look like a beautiful princess.

He could not let her leave. Not when he had the chance. He didn’t know what prompted him to be so bold, but before he could fully comprehend what he was doing, he was holding her arm and asking her to dance.

His heart beat uneven waiting for her response.