Mere greetings

Elias POV

My legs felt like they weighed a thousand pounds as I walked back into the main ballroom. The music, the laughter, and the clinking of glasses seem to be mocking me.

Emily’s words kept echoing in my head — face your fear — but my hands were still trembling slightly at my sides. I wiped the thin layer of sweat from my forehead and adjusted my mask, hoping it would hide the panic in my eyes.

I scanned the room until I spotted him.

Damien Voss stood near the edge of the crowd, tall and imposing in his all-black suit. The black mask covered the upper half of his face, but there was no mistaking that commanding presence. Even surrounded by wealthy guests, he seemed to own the space around him.

I swallowed hard and forced my feet to move forward.

“Mr Damien...may I know thy humble self," I said, stopping a respectful distance away.

My voice came out softer than I expected. “I’m Elias Carter. My father asked me to personally welcome you to tonight’s event. We’re honored you could join us.”

Damien turned slowly. Even behind the mask, I could feel his sharp gaze studying me. He tilted his head slightly, as if trying to place something.

“Elias Carter,” he repeated, his voice low and smooth, carrying that same dangerous edge I remembered from the hotel. “The son who does all the real work while his brother takes the spotlight. Interesting.”

I felt my stomach drop, but I kept my expression polite and professional. “You flatter me, Mr. Voss. Tonight is about celebrating the first phase of our new residential complex. Fred has put a lot of energy into making it happen quickly.”

Damien let out a low chuckle that sent chills down my spine. He took a sip from the whiskey glass in his hand. “Energy? Or money? I heard he burned through quite a bit of the company’s reserves to rush this launch. Tell me, Elias — are you here to babysit your brother, or does your father actually trust you with important guests?”

I clenched my jaw behind my smile. “I’m here to ensure our valued guests like yourself have everything they need. Can I get you another drink? Or perhaps something to eat? The chef prepared excellent hors d’oeuvres tonight.”

He stepped closer, towering over me. The familiar scent of his cologne hit me like a wave, triggering flashes of that night — his weight, his hands, his relentless rhythm. I fought the urge to step back.

“No need for drinks,” Damien said, his tone almost amused. “I’m more interested in conversation. Tell me about this project. Your brother claimed it was all his vision on stage. But from what I’ve heard around the room, you were the one who found the land and handled the negotiations. Which version is true?”

I hesitated for a split second. “Fred has been instrumental in the execution phase. I simply laid some groundwork. Teamwork is important in a family business.”

Damien’s lips curved into a smirk beneath the mask. “Teamwork? How noble. Most men in your position would be bitter about having their efforts stolen. Yet here you are, smiling and defending him. Are you always this… accommodating, Elias?”

The way he said my name made my skin prickle. I forced a small laugh. “It’s not about me, Mr. Voss. It’s about the success of Carter Group. We hope this project will bring new opportunities for partnerships. Would you be interested in reviewing the full development plans? I can arrange a private meeting next week if you’d like.”

He studied me again, longer this time. “You’re good at deflecting. Smiling through discomfort. Tell me something — why do you let your brother parade around like the golden child when everyone here knows the truth?”

I met his gaze with as much courage as I could gather.

“Because family comes first, Mr. Voss. Blood is blood. I’d rather see the company succeed than fight over credit. What about you? What brings a man like Damien Voss to a relatively small launch like ours? Surely you have bigger things to attend to.”

Damien’s chuckle was darker this time. “Curiosity. And perhaps… opportunity. Your father’s empire is interesting. Fragile in some places, but with potential. Especially with the right guidance.” He leaned in slightly. “Tell me, Elias. If you were in charge, how would you handle the next phases? Be honest with me and don't mention any corporate bullshit.”

I took a careful breath. Talking business helped calm my nerves. “I’d focus on sustainable long-term value instead of rushing for quick headlines. Better materials, stronger community integration, and phased financing to avoid straining cash flow. Speed is good, but quality and stability matter more for legacy projects.”

Damien nodded slowly, clearly intrigued. “Smart. Wasted on playing second fiddle. Your brother is all flash. You… you seem like someone who understands real power.”

My heart raced. I needed to steer this away from myself. “Thank you. But Fred has his strengths too. He’s very good at public relations and attracting investors.”

Damien took another sip of his drink, eyes never leaving me. “You defend him so well. Does he appreciate you? Or does he treat you like the help, the way he ordered you to serve drinks earlier?”

I froze. Had he seen that?

“It was nothing,” I said quickly. “Just a misunderstanding between brothers.”

“Misunderstanding,” Damien echoed, sounding unconvinced. “You’re an intriguing man, Elias Carter. I think I’d like to see more of what you can do. Perhaps we should have that private meeting sooner rather than later. Just the two of us.”

The suggestion made my throat tighten. Memories flooded back again — his hands pinning me, his voice growling commands. I forced them down.

“I’ll check my schedule and have my assistant reach out,” I replied politely. “Is there anything else I can do for you tonight, Mr. Voss? Any particular guests you’d like to be introduced to?”

Damien stepped even closer, his presence overwhelming. “For now, your company is enough. You’re more interesting than most people here. Tell me — do you always wear that mask so well? Or is there something underneath you’re trying to hide?”

I smiled, even though my hands were shaking again. “We’re all wearing masks tonight, Mr. Voss. It’s part of the theme.”

He laughed softly, a sound that was both charming and terrifying. “True. But some masks slip eventually. I look forward to seeing what’s beneath yours, Elias.”

I bowed my head slightly. “Please enjoy the rest of the evening. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to find me.”

As I turned to walk away, I could still feel his eyes burning into my back. My heart pounded wildly.

He didn’t know.

At least… I prayed he didn’t.

But the way he looked at me made me wonder how long that would last.