5. Third Meeting

I’ll try to get used to Bastian’s cynical gaze. I’m sure I haven’t done anything wrong right now, so why is he looking at me with that irritating smirk?

My eyes drift back to the large mirror in front of me, reflecting my figure wrapped neatly in a simple cream dress, its long sleeves finished with delicate lace at the cuffs.

I thought only English aristocrats would wear something like this. And yet, here it is, clinging perfectly to my body.

“You look like—”

I clamp my hand over Bastian’s mouth before he can finish. Nothing good ever comes out of that man’s mouth. I can guarantee it.

“You look perfect,” Jaden cuts in, now standing by the doorway of my room.

Of course he would say that. The dress was his choice, after all.

“Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t choose it without a reason. It may look a bit old-fashioned, but it carries history. I’m sure it’ll give you strength and motivation,” Jaden explains as he walks over to me.

He stops right in front of me and gently smooths the stray strands of my hair.

“Ah, and which noble wore it to make it so ‘historical’?” Bastian asks reluctantly.

“It belonged to Lady Lily, a family heirloom she inherited from her mom,” Jaden replies.

No wonder it felt familiar. So this is my grandma's treasure. I’m certain my mom would have given it to me on my wedding day, just as Grandma did. I just never expected that treasure to be… a dress.

“You’re right. I do feel motivated now that I know its story,” I murmur softly. “I’ll remember that its owner died a tragic death at the hands of those ruthless mafia bastards.”

I let out a heavy breath the moment I step into the grand, spacious church hall. Honestly, this is my first time setting foot in a place like this. It’s also the first time I’ve learned that a charity event could host guests as wealthy as these.

My breath grows heavier when someone I recognize begins walking toward me. With his usual cocky air, Brian flashes a teasing smile.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” he says, his tone laced with meaning.

“I’m even more surprised. I thought you were an atheist,” I snap.

Instead of getting offended, Brian lets out a bright, ringing laugh. So loud, I’m sure everyone is staring at us now.

Then I catch sight of the man I’ve been searching for.

Nicholas Sokolov.

Standing among several men in black suits, he’s watching me—his lips curved into a faint, crooked smile.

Another bad sign?

“So, you’re here to donate for the orphanage under this church? How noble,” Brian says warmly.

“Yeah. I have too much money. I don’t know how to spend it,” I reply lazily.

No, I’m not usually this arrogant. But when it comes to someone as irritating as Brian, I turn sharp, cold, and insufferably proud in an instant.

Blame him for being so annoying. He even spread rumors that we were dating. What a narcissistic jerk.

“Are you going to keep standing here? The children will be performing soon,” Brian says, grabbing my hand and half-dragging me to a seat not far from the stage.

I lean back in my chair, thinking hard about how to approach Nicholas—especially with Brian hovering around.

“Enjoying the show, Miss?”

I nearly jump out of my seat in shock. I was just thinking about him, and now his voice rings clearly in my ears.

My eyes widen as I find Nicholas already sitting casually beside me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, confused.

“Shouldn’t I be the one asking that?” he replies calmly.

I fall silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh. My question must have sounded ridiculous.

“Just enjoy the performance first. After that, we can talk over at an ice cream shop nearby. You like ice cream, don’t you?”

I blink at him, stunned.

No… something isn’t right. I haven’t even done anything yet. There’s no way he’s suddenly interested in me just because he thinks I’m some kind-hearted girl who donates to churches, right?

We both fall silent, focusing on the stage where the children begin singing soulful hymns that tug painfully at the heart.

Once the event ends, Nicholas leaves to speak with a priest beneath the stage. Of course, I don’t follow him, I’m not that foolish.

They talk for quite a while before he finally returns to me.

“Let’s go,” he says, already heading toward the exit.

“Jasmine, where are you going?” Brian stops me just as I’m about to follow Nicholas.

“Why do you care? I can go wherever I want,” I snap.

“No, I just wanted to invite you somewhere. Lisa’s throwing a party, I think you should come. It’ll be fun,” Brian says quickly.

A party? My parents haven’t even been gone for long, and he has the audacity to invite me to a party?

What is wrong with him?

“Have fun. Don’t bother me,” I say, brushing his hand off my wrist before walking away.

I move quickly toward the parking lot, searching for Nicholas. I was so close to getting nearer to him, it’s infuriating to lose him now.

“Looking for me?”

Once again, I nearly jump in surprise. At the same time, relief washes over me when I see him standing beside me, though I have no idea where he came from.

“I thought you ditched me after promising me ice cream. That’s incredibly rude,” I say, annoyed.

Nicholas doesn’t answer. He simply smiles faintly.

“That man seems to like you. He’s been staring at you since you walked into the hall. It makes me wonder, what charm I might have missed,” he says casually.

I glance at Brian, who’s still standing not far away, glaring at Nicholas with clear displeasure.

Idiot. He shouldn’t be looking at Nicholas like that. What if Nicholas’s men decide to shoot him in the street, later?

“You’re worried? Relax. I don’t kill people who have nothing to do with me. Shall we go now? We have a lot to talk about, don’t we?”

Nicholas looks at me meaningfully as he says that.

And just like that, my heart starts pounding—so hard it tightens my chest, as if sending me a warning.

Even so, I won’t avoid him. He’s the key to finding my parents’ killer.

“There’s a cafe nearby that sells premium chocolate ice cream. It’d be a shame to miss it,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

“Don’t you prefer strawberry?”

My eyes snap wide open at Nicholas’s words. How does he know that?