INICIAR SESIÓNCassian’s POV “Cut that out,” Slash muttered under his breath, his lips curved into a charming smile as his eyes scanned the room like he owned it.“What is your problem now?” I asked quietly, not even bothering to look at him fully.“Your face,” he replied instantly. “You look like you’re attending a funeral, not a party.”I scoffed softly.Before I could respond, he waved toward Tricia the moment she glanced our way.She stood surrounded by a group of elegantly dressed women, laughing softly; her posture was perfect, and her smile controlled. They looked like they were hanging onto her every word.“Well then, excuse me, ice king,” Slash added and walked off before I could stop him.Of course.I was left standing alone again.My hands slipped into my pockets as I looked around. Conversations filled the room: soft laughter, the clinking of glasses—but none of it reached me.What I hated most was the attention.Eyes were on me, watching and judging.Yet no one dared to approach.Path
Arielle’s POVI stood quietly, watching Soraya as she spoke to Angelina in a low tone.The moment we arrived, the sky had already dimmed into evening, and the place was glowing with soft golden lights that made everything look… beautiful and different.Angelina had been waiting for us at the entrance.She greeted Soraya like they were close, as if they had known each other for years instead of barely speaking.And when her eyes landed on me,I felt it.The shift that was followed by a silent judgment.Her eyes said it all. She was silently questioning who the hell I was and why I was there.“And she is…?” she asked with a polite smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.“My little sister, Arielle. She’ll be helping us around.”The moment Soraya said that, Angelina’s expression changed.It was quick, almost too quick to notice if I wasn't paying attention.But I saw it.The warmth disappeared, and her smile faltered.And before I could even react, she grabbed Soraya’s hand and pulled her
Cassian’s POV I didn’t even realize how late it had gotten until the door to my office swung open without a knock. Only one person did that. “Tell me you didn’t forget.” I didn’t even look up from the file in my hand. “Get out.” Slash chuckled as he walked in. “No, seriously,” he said, stopping in front of my desk. “Don’t tell me you forgot about the wine party.” I sighed and dropped the file on the desk before finally looking at him. The damn bastard looked like he was already ready to attend a damn fashion show. He had on a fitted black suit tailored perfectly to his body, with a crisp white shirt underneath. The top two buttons were undone, like he was trying too hard to look effortless. His hair was styled neatly, slightly pushed back, and his shoes were polished enough to reflect my irritated face. “You look ridiculous,” I muttered. “And you look like a man who is about to ruin a very important connection,” he shot back. “I’m not going.” He blinked.“W
Soraya’s POV I dragged my suitcase onto the bed and unzipped it, a smile slowly spreading across my face as I began pulling clothes from my wardrobe. I didn’t even know why I was smiling this much. Maybe it was excitement. Maybe it was hope. Or maybe… it was just the feeling that something... anything... was finally going to change. Because for once, life wasn’t just about surviving. It felt like an opportunity. A real one. Still… I paused, holding a dress in my hands. “What if it’s a scam?” I muttered under my breath. Angelina and I weren’t exactly best friends. Back in high school, I had friends. Real ones. People I laughed with, studied with, and even shared secrets with. Angelina… She was just there. She was loud, pretty, and very friendly. She was also always surrounded by attention. And always using people when it suited her. Even after graduation, we barely spoke unless she needed something.So when she called me out of nowhere asking if I wa
Slash’s POV I still couldn’t believe this bastard had dragged me along. A whole dinner. A whole damn *date*. And not just any date—one with a high-class heiress whose name alone could move markets. I had no say in it. Absolutely none. The moment we stepped into the restaurant, I already knew who owned the place. The place screamed money, from the lighting to the quiet music, even the way the staff moved like they were trained to breathe in elegance. And then there was her. Tricia. She stood up the moment she saw us, surprise flickering across her face when her eyes landed on me. But just as quickly, it vanished, replaced by a perfect smile. Exactly what you would expect from someone of her status. “Cassian,” she greeted warmly before shifting her gaze to me. “And… Mr. Johnson. I’m glad you could make it.” Like I was *invited*. I forced a polite smile. “The pleasure is mine.” It wasn’t! Not even a little.We took our seats, and from that moment on, I knew
Cassian’s POV “You look very distracted. Are you okay?” Slash asked, his tone softer than usual as he leaned back in his chair across from me. I sighed and straightened in my seat, rolling my shoulders as if that alone could shake off the weight sitting on my chest. “Have you ever felt like everything going on in your life… isn’t how it’s supposed to be?” I asked, my voice low, almost careless. He smirked immediately, as if I had just handed him a joke. “Absolutely,” he said, nodding. “Because I know for a fact I wasn’t meant to inherit shit from my parents. If they had a second child, that life would be his, and I’d be somewhere traveling the world, drinking expensive liquor and flirting with danger.” I gave him a murderous glare. “What?” he asked, raising a brow. “That’s not what I mean,” I muttered. What he felt was completely different. He felt trapped in a life he didn’t want. I… I felt like I was in the wrong one entirely.Like something was missing. Like
Arielle’s POVI walked out of class feeling lighter. The exams weren’t too bad, and maybe it was because, after the weekend getaway, I still carried that warmth from being with Cassian. Everything between us felt different now—closer and more intimate. I could still imagine the feel of his hands, h
Soraya’s POVMom sat at the edge of the pool, her feet swaying gently in the water as she stared in the direction Arielle had stormed off. The sun was just right—warm and nice—but the mood between us had cooled the moment she told me how Arielle was upset.“Should I go in and talk to her?” Mom aske
Arielle’s POVI walked downstairs feeling drained. My eyes stung from lack of sleep, and my head felt heavy. I’d tossed and turned all night, replaying every second of what happened between Cassian and me.Everything had been perfect — or so I thought. The way he kissed me, the way his hands moved
Cassian’s POVI could see the doubt flicker in her eyes, and damn, it hurt more than I wanted to admit. The kind of hurt that crawled beneath my skin, burning slow and sharp.It wasn’t the first time someone had tried to drug me. I’d been there before—women who smiled too sweetly, laughed too loudl







