Twenty eight

The party had been going on for hours, a sea of glittering gowns and tailored suits filling the ballroom. I moved through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with some and keeping my distance from others. My thoughts, however, kept drifting back to Ivy. Her quiet strength had intrigued me from the beginning, but tonight… Tonight, she looked different. Not just the way she carried herself, but something deeper, something I couldn't quite place. I hated how much of my attention she had consumed, even as I tried to stay focused on the night's purpose.

A few hours into the event, I noticed the distinct buzz of excitement ripple through the crowd. I didn't even need to turn around to know who had arrived—Levi Chen and Archer Jett. Their entrances were always dramatic, especially with Archer's celebrity status drawing eyes from all directions. Levi's laughter boomed ahead of them, a mischievous grin already forming on his face as they made their way over to me.

"Ah, look who it is," Levi said, his voice carrying a teasing tone as soon as he reached me. "The devil himself, mingling among the mortals. I never thought I'd see the day."

I gave him a side glance but said nothing. I knew where this was going. Archer, as usual, kept things calm, giving me a slight nod in greeting. The contrast between them was always amusing—Levi the troublemaker, Archer the composed observer.

"Levi," I acknowledged with a slight nod, "I see you've brought a circus."

Archer chuckled softly, always the more composed of the two, while Levi grinned wider, leaning in as if he was about to share some grand secret.

"You know, Archer," Levi began, his voice taking on an exaggerated tone that immediately made me wary, "you won't believe what's been going on here. Our dear Alexander has found someone who might actually manage to—" he paused dramatically, glancing at me with mock surprise—"tame the devil."

Archer raised an eyebrow, his eyes flicking between us. "Tame Alexander?" he said, his tone dry. "Sounds impossible."

"That's what I thought!" Levi exclaimed, clearly enjoying this far too much. "But oh, you should see her. Ivy, isn't that her name?" He glanced around as if searching for her. "She's already got him wrapped around her finger."

My jaw tightened, and I shot Levi a look that should've silenced him, but of course, he wasn't deterred. Levi lived for moments like these, where he could get under my skin. It was his favorite pastime, and to his credit, he was damn good at it.

"Levi," I warned quietly, my voice low enough for only the two of them to hear.

But he was on a roll now. "No, no, seriously. You should see the way she looks at him. It's like she's trying to melt that icy heart of his. And let me tell you, she's close."

Archer chuckled softly. "So she's the one you've been working with?"

"Yes," I replied curtly, unwilling to indulge Levi's antics. "And it's strictly professional."

Levi raised an eyebrow. "Strictly professional? That's what you're going with? Come on, Alex, I'm not blind. I saw you two the other—" He was cut off mid-sentence as his gaze shifted past me, and suddenly, his teasing tone softened. 

I followed Levi's gaze, and there she was, standing alone in the corner of the room, her back partially turned toward us. She was wearing the midnight blue gown the styling team had selected for her, and the sight of her stole whatever composure I had left. 

The dress was stunning. The deep, rich hue of the fabric complemented her skin perfectly, making her look both regal and alluring. The gown hugged her figure in all the right places before flaring into a gentle A-line, and the intricate silver embroidery along the bodice shimmered subtly under the ballroom lights. But it was the daring, low-cut back of the dress that truly had me captivated, offering just a hint of the skin I had been so hyper-aware of all night.

I had spent the entire evening trying not to let my hand rest too long on her exposed back whenever we were near. Her scent—something delicate yet intoxicating—seemed stronger tonight, wrapping around me like a drug I couldn't escape.

"She's... different," Archer noted, his tone thoughtful as he watched Ivy.

"Different?" Levi grinned, leaning in again. "She's got Alexander acting like a man who's seen the light."

"I doubt it's anything so profound," I muttered, but even as I said the words, I couldn't help the way my eyes lingered on Ivy. There was something about her tonight, something that unsettled me.

Levi, as always, sensed it immediately.

"Look at you," he teased. "I swear, if I didn't know better, I'd think you actually care."

"Enough, Levi," I said, my voice sharper than intended. But Levi just smirked.

"Relax, Alex. I'm just saying, it's about time you met someone who makes you feel something. After all, you can't stay an emotionless machine forever."

I shot him a cold look, but deep down, I knew there was some truth to his words. And I hated it.

Archer, ever the peacekeeper, changed the subject. "So, how's the rest of the night looking? I imagine there's more to this event than just tormenting Alexander."

"Of course," Levi replied, though his eyes remained on Ivy for a moment longer. "But tormenting Alex is the highlight."

I forced myself to refocus, to block out whatever thoughts Levi had stirred up. But as I turned back to the party, my mind kept drifting to Ivy. To the way her dress had revealed just enough to keep me on edge. To the way her scent had lingered in the air every time I got close.

Damn it, Levi was right.

I was distracted.