Greek God in Corporate Attire

The girls and I settle into the couch, making ourselves comfortable. I couldn’t stop glancing around the bar, hoping to catch sight of that guy from earlier…the one who made me feel things I wasn’t sure I wanted to feel.

But he had vanished after our little conversation. Disappeared into the crowd without a trace.

“I heard Free’s cousins are coming tonight,” Desiree says casually as she picks at an appetizer from our table.

I raise an eyebrow, trying to focus on the conversation and not on my wandering thoughts. “Really? I didn’t know she was close with her paternal side,” I comment, taking a sip of my drink. “I always see her with her cousins from Aunt Fatima’s side, like Natasha.”

“Well, apparently, they’re more focused on business. You know, the serious, no-nonsense types.”

“Oh, so they’re boys?” Hailey chimes in.

“If they are, I bet they’re middle-aged with wrinkles from sitting in an office all day,” I joke, making the girls laugh.

But before I can continue with another joke, I hear Freesia’s excited voice ring out from across the room.

“Finally! Dmitri, Flavian, Stacey! I was looking for you since earlier!”

I turn to look, and instantly, I spot them.

The girl is dressed in a sleek black dress and white heels, looking lovely but a little out of place in the lively bar. She has that polite, slightly uncomfortable smile on her face, the one people wear when they’re not used to being in such loud chaotic environments.

But it’s not that girl that has my full attention.

No, it’s the two men standing behind her.

The first one is all smiles and easy charm. He’s dressed casually, like he fits right in with the party atmosphere, and there’s something about his vibe that screams “playboy.” He looks like the type who could chat up any girl in the room and leave her swooning.

And then there’s the other one.

That guy! Again!!

I just noticed he is dressed in a white shirt, the sleeves rolled up just enough to show off his strong forearms. His black pants fit him perfectly, and he looks like he just walked out of a high-end boardroom and into this bar without missing a beat.

Ooh, a Greek God in a corporate attire, huh.

There’s something about him that makes it hard to look away. He has this aura of power and control that pulls you in, whether you want it to or not.

“Uh-oh! Amber, you are totally wrong,” Desiree whispers excitedly beside me. “I don’t see any wrinkles on these guys. They’re hot! Especially that one in the white shirt. Let’s go over there! This night just got a lot more interesting!”

I swallow hard, feeling a strange mix of emotions twist inside me.

I knew I was wrong the moment I saw him walk in. But now, with him standing just across the room, it feels like the challenge has just begun.

But before I can gather my thoughts, Freesia is already heading toward us, leading her cousins in our direction.

My heart skips a beat as I realize what’s about to happen.

This is it!

“Amber, Desiree, Hailey!” Freesia calls out with a wide grin as she approaches. “Meet my cousins! Dmitri, Stacey, and Flavian.”

Flavian. Of course.

Of course, he’s Free’s cousin.

My brain scrambles to make sense of it all as Freesia continues her introductions. Stacey gives us a shy smile and a polite wave, while Dmitri flashes us a grin that could melt butter. He’s already making small talk with Desiree.

And then there’s Flavian, standing slightly behind them, his eyes locking onto mine with that same intensity.

But this time, there’s something else there…something that looks a lot like… disinterest? Annoyance? It’s hard to tell, but it definitely isn’t the reaction I’m used to getting from men.

Freesia pulls Flavian forward. “This is Amber, one of my closest friends. You’ll like her, Flavian. She’s the life of every party.”

I force a smile, trying to play it cool even though my heart is racing.

“Nice to meet you,” I say, extending my hand.

Flavian hesitates for a split second before taking my hand in his. His grip is firm, but there’s no warmth behind it.

“Likewise,” he replied.

I can’t help but feel a little thrown off.

This is not how these interactions usually go. Men are supposed to be drawn in by me, not indifferent.

But Flavian isn’t playing by the rules. And for some reason, that makes me want to try harder.

“So, you’re Free’s cousin,” I say, trying to fill the awkward silence. “I didn’t know she had such handsome family members.”

He raises an eyebrow, not even cracking a smile at my attempt to flirt.

“Yes, we’re cousins. I don’t have much time for… this,” he says, gesturing vaguely to the bar scene around us.

Ouch.

I try not to let his words sting, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that he’s clearly not interested. Not in me, not in the party, not in anything that’s happening here.

He’s checked out, and I don’t know why it bothers me so much.

“Well, I hope you can relax and enjoy yourself tonight,” I tried to keep the conversation light.

Flavian nods, but his eyes are already drifting away from me, scanning the room as if he’s looking for something or someone more interesting.

“We’ll see,” he mutters.

Freesia jumps in with her usual enthusiasm. “Come on, let’s all grab drinks! Amber, you’re coming with us, right?”

I plaster on a smile and nod, following the group toward the bar.

But inside, I’m fuming.

I’m not used to this. I’m not used to being ignored, especially not by someone like Flavian.

And yet, here I am, trailing behind him, trying to figure out why his indifference is getting under my skin.

Dmitri orders a round of drinks for everyone, and I find myself standing next to Flavian again.

The silence between us is heavy, but I’m determined to break it.

I lean in slightly, lowering my voice so only he can hear. “So, is this how you are with everyone, or just with me?”

“I’m just not a fan of… games,” he says simply.

“Games?” I repeated in disbelief. “You think I’m playing games?”

He shrugs, taking a sip of his drink. “Aren’t you?”

I feel a flare of anger rise up inside me. Who does he think he is, judging me like this? He doesn’t even know me.

“If you’re trying to insult me, you’ll have to do better than that.”

“I’m not trying to insult you. I’m just stating a fact. You like to play, don’t you? Flirting, teasing, keeping everyone guessing. But that’s not my style.”

I open my mouth to snap back, but the words catch in my throat.

He’s not wrong.

I do like to flirt, to keep things light and fun. But hearing him say it like that, so bluntly, makes me feel exposed in a way I’m not comfortable with.

Before I can respond, Dmitri interrupts, handing me a drink and pulling Flavian back into the conversation with the rest of the group.

I take the drink, but my mind is still spinning.

Flavian’s words keep echoing in my head.

He’s not interested. He doesn’t play games.

And for some reason, that makes me want to prove him wrong…..