"Anne, wait Anne!"Eric's voice cut through the buzz of the music, but Anne didn't stop. Her heels clacked furiously against the marble floor as she pushed through the side door into the garden. The night air hit her hard cold and unwelcome but not as biting as the thoughts racing through her mind.He was behind her in seconds."You always do this," she snapped, not turning to face him."Do what?" Eric asked, breathless.She finally spun, eyes glassy. "Follow me. Say nothing. Then act like you've never looked at me the way you do."Eric clenched his jaw. "You have a boyfriend.""Don't you dare say his name right now," she hissed, stepping closer. "Because we both know this isn't about him."Eric's heart pounded. God, she looked beautiful in red. And furious. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips trembling not with fear, but with restraint. Just like the last time."I didn't mean for that kiss to happen," he said quietly.Her laugh was sharp and bitter. "But you meant to bring that girl. W
Han's POV. I smiled at Tyler.His face was flushed, just a little, and he wore that familiar, confused expression like he wasn't sure what to do with my attention. It sparked something in me curiosity, maybe something more. I moved toward him."When are your friends coming?" I asked casually, letting the music pulse between us. "The real party just started."He blinked, dazed, like I'd pulled him out of a daydream. "Huh?"I leaned in. "Hey. You didn't drink any of the red wine, did you?"He shook his head quickly. "No, no. I didn't. It's just…""It's just what?" I stepped closer, teasing."When are your friends coming? Your friend and your girlfriend?" His voice came out stiff, and his eyes darted away."Ah," I said, watching him. "They should be on their way now."He nodded, gave me the briefest glance—and then turned and walked away. Avoiding me. Again.But before I could call him back, I heard another voice behind me. Cold. Familiar."So this is it, huh?"I turned.Elvin.He stood
I slipped back into position, blending in with the crowd. The lights dimmed slightly as dramatic music rolled through the hall, and the stage came alive. Han walked up first, flanked by Wayne and a few corporate figureheads, all smiling as if nothing dangerous loomed just beneath their perfectly pressed suits."Ladies and gentlemen," Han said, his voice ringing through the speakers, "thank you for joining us tonight for what promises to be a revolutionary step forward."The crowd erupted in polite applause. I stayed seated, my eyes scanning everything security posts, waiter movement, even the camera angles. Nothing could go wrong. Not tonight.Wayne stepped forward next, holding a crystal-clear glass of red wine. A choice that didn't go unnoticed by any of us."My team and I are proud to be investing in HanTech's vision for the future," Wayne said, his charm slick and his tone practiced. "We believe this innovation isn't just a product. It's a promise. A promise of connection, of tra
Tyler's POVI stood in front of the mirror, letting the maids adjust the final touches of the tuxedo Han had ordered for me.Bright red. Bold. Tailored to perfection.It hugged my body just right, accentuating the way my shoulders tapered and making my blonde hair pop, my soft blue eyes even clearer. A butler was fixing my cufflinks while a maid ran her fingers through my hair, styling it with such care, I almost forgot to breathe. Like I was royalty. A king for the night.Then my thoughts strayed to yesterday.And just like that—my face twitched.No. No, Tyler. Don't go there. Shut it down.I shook it off. Focused on the now.I looked damn good, and I knew it.As I stood to admire myself in the mirror, a knock tapped at the door. My butler entered. I liked the guy—he was one of the few people I could talk to without feeling like I had to perform.I thought he was the one who had dropped my food off yesterday. But instead, it was Anne. And with her came questions I didn't want to answ
Han's POVIt's not like I like teasing him. But there's something about Tyler that pulls me under.Like I'm drowning and somehow, I don't want to come up for air.He has this energy. This… glow. Like the sun and the storm at the same time."Control yourself, Han," I whispered to myself before opening the door.Only to stop dead in my tracks.Elvin was sitting on the bed.Naked.Completely.But my body didn't respond.Not the way it did when I saw him. Not like when I saw Tyler soaked, blonde strands falling over his eyes, water dripping down his skin. His body was lean, tight, the kind of masculine that whispered rather than screamed. His wrists made to be held. His hair long enough to tug when he.....I snapped out of the thought.But Elvin noticed.He smirked. "You're already hard, darling," he purred, stepping toward me. His robe slipped, revealing more skin with every step. He was naked underneath, only that silken belt lazily tied.I looked down and, yeah… I was hard. Thick. Obvi
Soon enough, I was standing in the financial department, leaning against the wall like I owned the place but my heart was hammering. I'd texted Eric, and for once, he actually replied. Said he was on his way.And then I saw him.He looked… different.The usual bright smile? Gone. That laid-back charm he always carried like cologne? Nowhere in sight. Instead, he looked like someone who hadn't slept in days. Shoulders stiff. Eyes tired. Soul heavier than it should be for a Monday morning."Tyler, you look so good," he said as he got close, trying to fake some kind of normalcy. His hands brushed my lapels. "This suit—damn. Looks expensive."I let out a half-laugh. "It's provided. But don't let the aesthetics fool you. I'm working like a damn dog for it."His smile cracked for real that time, but only for a second.Then it faded again."What about Han?" he asked, eyes scanning my face like he was searching for something."What about Han?" I shot back."I talked to him," he mumbled."Great