Ch-5

ELARA’S POV

The man's grip on Adrian's wrist was firm. I could see Adrian wince in pain as he tried to pull away.

"Who the hell are you?" Adrian snapped, trying to sound tough but failing miserably.

The stranger didn't even look at Adrian. His eyes were on me, scanning my face like he was checking for injuries.

"Are you hurt?" he asked. His voice was deep and calm, but there was something dangerous underneath.

I shook my head, still processing what just happened. "I'm... I'm fine."

"Good." He finally turned to Adrian, and I saw something cold flash in his eyes. "Now get lost before I make you."

Adrian's face turned red. "You can't just…."

"I can." The man's voice dropped lower. "And I will."

For a moment, Adrian looked like he wanted to argue. But something about the stranger made him think twice. He looked between us, then straightened his jacket.

"This isn't over, Elara," Adrian muttered before walking away.

I watched him disappear into the crowd, my heart still racing. When I turned back, the stranger was still standing there, watching me.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

He nodded once. "Killian Dreven."

My breath caught. Everyone knew that name—the Ice Monarch. The youngest CEO to ever take over a billion-dollar company. The man who destroyed his enemies without breaking a sweat.

"I know who you are," I said, then felt stupid for saying it.

A small smile played at the corner of his mouth. "Do you?"

"Elara Revas," I introduced myself, even though he probably already knew.

"I know who you are too."

The way he said it made my stomach flutter. There was something intense about the way he looked at me, like he could see right through me.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked again. "He was gripping you pretty hard."

I rubbed my arm where Adrian had grabbed me. "I'm fine. Really."

Killian's eyes followed my movement, and his jaw tightened. "He hurt you."

"It's nothing I can't handle."

"You shouldn't have to handle it at all."

Before I could respond, a woman in a red dress appeared beside us. She had perfectly styled blonde hair and looked like she belonged on a magazine cover.

"Killian!" she said, completely ignoring me. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

He didn't even glance at her. "I'm busy, Victoria."

Victoria's smile faltered for a second before she turned to me. "Oh, you must be the granddaughter everyone's talking about. How... interesting."

The way she said 'interesting' made it sound like an insult.

"Victoria Chen," she introduced herself to me, extending a perfectly manicured hand. "I work with Killian at Dreven Enterprises."

I shook her hand briefly. "Elara Revas."

"Yes, I heard about your... situation. Things can be so messy, can't they?"

My face heated up. Of course, people were already talking about what just happened.

"That's enough," Killian said coldly.

Victoria looked surprised. "I was just…"

"You were just leaving."

The tone of his voice left no room for argument. Victoria's face turned red, but she forced a smile.

"Of course. See you at the office, Killian." She shot me one last look before walking away.

"Sorry about that," Killian said once she was gone.

"Is she always like that?"

"Unfortunately."

I couldn't help but smile a little. "She seems to know you well."

"She thinks she does."

There was something final about the way he said it that made me curious, but I didn't push.

"Can I ask you something?" I said.

"Go ahead."

"Why did you help me back there?"

Killian was quiet for a moment, like he was choosing his words carefully.

"No man should put his hands on a woman like that," he said finally. "Especially not in public."

"Most people would have just walked away."

"I'm not most people."

No, he definitely wasn't. Everything about him screamed power and control. The way he stood, the way he talked, even the way he looked at me. It was intimidating and exciting at the same time.

"Besides," he continued, "I've been wanting to meet you."

"Me? Why?"

"Your grandfather and I have been discussing some business opportunities."

Of course. Business. For a second, I thought... but no. Men like Killian Dreven didn't waste time on women unless there was something in it for them.

"What kind of business?" I asked.

"The profitable kind."

I raised an eyebrow. "That's not really an answer."

"No, it's not." He seemed amused by my reaction. "But it's the only one you're getting right now."

"Mysterious."

"I prefer strategic."

A waiter walked by with champagne, and Killian grabbed two glasses, offering me one.

"To strategic mysteries," I said, raising my glass.

"To new beginnings," he countered.

We clinked glasses, and I took a sip. The champagne was expensive, the kind that went down smooth and left you wanting more.

"So what's your story?" I asked.

"My story?"

"Everyone knows the business side. Young CEO takes over family company, makes billions. But what about the rest?"

"There isn't much rest."

"Come on. There has to be something. Hobbies? Interests? Secret talents?"

Killian studied me for a moment. "You're different from what I expected."

"What did you expect?"

"Someone more... broken."

The word stung, even though he said it matter-of-factly.

"Sorry to disappoint you."

"You didn't. It's refreshing, actually."

"What is?"

"Meeting someone who isn't afraid to challenge me."

"Should I be afraid?"

"Most people are."

I looked at him, really looked at him. He was handsome in a dangerous way, like a knife with a pretty handle. But there was something else there, something almost lonely.

"I'm not most people either," I said.

"No, you're not."

The way he said it made my heart skip a beat. There was something happening here, something I didn't quite understand.

"Elara!"

I turned to see my grandfather approaching with a group of important-looking men in suits.

"There you are, my dear. I'd like you to meet some business associates."

I glanced at Killian, who had stepped back slightly but was still watching me.

"Of course, Grandpa."

As I walked toward them, I heard my grandfather say, "Gentlemen, my granddaughter, Elara Revas. The future CEO of our company."

Future CEO. The words felt strange and exciting at the same time.

For the next hour, I was introduced to what felt like half the city's business elite. Everyone wanted to meet the Revas heiress, to shake my hand, to make connections.

Through it all, I could feel Killian's eyes on me. Every time I looked in his direction, he was watching. Not in a creepy way, but like he was studying me, trying to figure something out.

When I finally got a break, I found him standing by the window, looking out at the city lights.

"Enjoying the view?" I asked, walking up beside him.

"It's adequate."

"Just adequate? That's the whole city spread out below us."

"I've seen better."

"Where?"

He turned to look at me. "That's classified."

I laughed. "You really don't give much away, do you?"

"Information is power. Why would I give away power?"

"Maybe because I asked nicely?"

"You'll have to do better than nice."

There was something playful in his tone that I hadn't heard before. It made me bold.

"What would it take?"

"For what?"

"For you to tell me something real about yourself."

Killian was quiet for a long moment, and I thought maybe I'd pushed too far. But then he said, "I don't sleep much."

"That's it?"

"You asked for something real. That's real."

"Why don't you sleep?"

"Too many enemies. Too many people who would love to see me fail."

"That sounds lonely."

"Loneliness is a luxury I can't afford."

The sadness in his voice caught me off guard. For just a second, the ice in his eyes melted, and I saw something vulnerable underneath.

"Everyone needs someone," I said softly.

"Do they?"

"I think so."

"And what about you? Do you have someone?"

The question hung in the air between us. After everything with Adrian, after feeling so alone and used, I didn't know how to answer.

"I'm working on it," I said finally.

Killian nodded slowly. "Good answer."

Before I could ask what he meant, my grandfather appeared again.

"Elara, there you are." He looked between Killian and me with a knowing smile. "I see you've already met your fiancé."

My blood turned to ice. "My what?"

Killian's expression didn't change, but I saw something flicker in his eyes.

"Grandpa, what are you talking about?"

"The condition I mentioned, my dear. To come back to the family, you need to marry someone worthy. Someone who can help expand our business empire." He gestured toward Killian. "Mr. Dreven has agreed to the arrangement."

I stared at Killian, my mind racing. "You knew about this?"

"I did."

"And you didn't think to mention it?"

"I wanted to meet you first." He paused, his eyes never leaving mine. "Didn't you hear what I told that guy earlier? I said not to touch what belongs to me."

I felt my heart racing. I knew this was coming, but I didn't expect it to be him.

"I need some air," I said, turning to leave.

But Killian caught my arm gently. "Wait."

I looked down at his hand, then back at his face. "Let me go."

"Not until you hear me out."

"I knew I would have to marry someone, but you? You've been planning this the whole time!"

"Yes."

His honesty caught me off guard. At least he wasn't lying to me like Adrian did.

"So everything tonight was fake? You're protecting me, the conversations..."

"No," he said quietly. "That was real."

The certainty in his voice made me pause.

"How do I know you're not just another Adrian?"

"Because I'm not Adrian."

The way he said it, so calm and sure, made my heart skip a beat. But I wasn't ready to trust another man with my life.

"I don't even know much about you," I whispered.

"You don't need to. Not yet."

His bluntness should have annoyed me, but somehow it was refreshing after years of Adrian's lies.

"So what? I'm just supposed to trust you?"

"No," he said simply. "You're supposed to marry me. Trust is something we'll figure out later."

I stared at him for a long moment, my mind racing. After Adrian, I'd sworn I'd never let another man have power over me. But standing here, looking into Killian's intense eyes, I felt something I couldn't quite name.

"This isn't how I imagined my life would go," I said quietly.

"Plans change," he replied. "The question is, are you willing to see where this leads?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't. Because deep down, a part of me was curious about the man who commanded rooms with just his presence, who protected me without knowing me, who spoke like he could see right through my walls.

Maybe getting to know Killian Dreven wouldn't be the worst thing that ever happened to me.