Chapter 2: Seren's Friends

The city buzzed faintly outside Seren Delyth's penthouse, the glow of lights from towering skyscrapers painting the room in shades of amber and silver. Seren sat curled up on her velvet chaise, a glass of wine in one hand and her phone in the other. Her mind, however, wasn't on the city's beauty or the drink. It was stuck on him.

Kael.

The memory of their dinner played on repeat, every word and glance analyzed to exhaustion. She hated how calm he had been, like nothing about their situation fazed him. It wasn't fair. She'd been the one blindsided by her father's demands. The thought of Kael's piercing eyes and that stoic expression made her groan aloud.

"This is insane," she muttered, rubbing her temples.

Her gaze fell to her phone. One name stood out in her contacts list: Vivia Castor. Seren smirked as she tapped the call button. If anyone could help her make sense of this ridiculous situation, it was her best friend.

The call barely rang twice before Vivia's teasing voice came through. "Well, if it isn't Miss Rebel herself. What's the drama this time?"

Seren rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "I need a drink. Meet me at The Velvet Room in twenty minutes?"

"Twenty minutes? What, no warning?"

"You're already dressed, aren't you?" Seren shot back.

There was a pause, followed by a laugh. "Fine. But you're paying for springing this on me."

"Deal," Seren replied, hanging up.

She stood, tossing her phone onto the chaise. Tonight, she wasn't going to sit at home brooding over Kael Velyne. She needed to let loose.

---

Seren arrived at The Velvet Room twenty minutes later, turning heads the moment she stepped through the door. She wore a fitted black leather skirt paired with a crimson jacket and towering stiletto boots. Her jet-black hair was swept into a loose bun, with strands framing her face in a way that looked effortlessly elegant.

The bar, known for its exclusivity, was dimly lit and buzzing with low chatter. Seren walked straight to the counter, her heels clicking confidently against the polished floor. She leaned against the bar and ordered her usual, letting her gaze sweep the room.

As she sipped her drink, a familiar voice broke through the crowd.

"Well, well, if it isn't Seren Velyne."

Seren didn't even have to turn to know who it was. Selina Crest. The heiress of Crest Fashions was practically a walking billboard for pettiness and envy, always trying to measure up to Seren but never quite reaching.

Ever since they were kids, the two have always been rivals with the latter trying to measure up with the Seren in every single opportunity.

Seren turned her head slightly, raising an unimpressed brow. "Selina. Fancy seeing you here."

Selina strutted closer, her emerald green dress clinging to her as if it were desperate to stay relevant. "I couldn't resist. After all, it's not every day I get to see you in public. Tell me, what brings the untouchable Seren to a place like this?"

Seren took a slow sip of her drink, her smirk as sharp as the blade of a knife. "I thought I'd slum it for the night. And look, here you are. Guess I made the right choice."

Selina's painted smile faltered, just for a moment. "Funny," she said, her voice tight. "But we both know who really owns this city."

"Do we?" Seren leaned closer, her voice dropping to a low, cutting whisper. "Because from where I'm standing, you've been chasing my shadow for years."

Selina stiffened, her mask of confidence slipping just enough for Seren to notice. But before Selina could retort, Seren had already turned her back to her, dismissing her entirely.

"Enjoy your evening," Seren said over her shoulder, returning to her drink.

As she settled into a quiet corner, Seren's thoughts drifted to the past.

University had been a different beast entirely. Back then, she hadn't been the polished, commanding figure she was now. She'd been fiery, sure, but also guarded and distrustful. Vivia Castor had been the last person she'd expected to become her closest friend.

Their first meeting was burned into her memory. It had been during a debate tournament—an event Seren hadn't even wanted to attend. Vivia had walked into the room like she owned it, her presence larger than life.

Seren had been silently prepping her arguments when she'd felt Vivia's sharp green eyes on her.

"You're in my seat," Vivia had said, her tone haughty.

Seren had glanced up, unimpressed. "I don't see your name on it."

The room had gone silent, everyone watching to see what would happen.

Vivia's lips had twitched into a smirk. "Bold. I like that."

"Good," Seren had replied, leaning back in her chair. "Because I'm not moving."

What had followed was a clash of wits and stubbornness that had left everyone else in awe. By the end of the debate, neither of them had backed down, but there was a grudging respect in Vivia's eyes.

"You're something else," Vivia had said as they walked out.

Seren had smirked. "You're not so bad yourself."

From that moment on, they'd been inseparable.

Two fiercely independent forces who somehow balanced each other out.

Seren's thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

"There's my favorite troublemaker!"

She looked up to see Vivia striding toward her, wearing a sleek emerald jumpsuit that perfectly matched her vibrant personality.

Seren stood, a genuine smile lighting up her face. "Viv!"

The two women embraced, their laughter cutting through the hum of the bar.

"You look incredible, as always," Vivia said, stepping back to take in Seren's outfit. "Making a statement tonight, huh?"

"Always," Seren replied with a smirk.

They settled into their seats, and after ordering drinks, Vivia leaned forward eagerly. "Alright, spill. What's going on? You sounded way too serious on the phone."

Seren sighed, swirling her drink. "It's about Kael Velyne."

Vivia's eyes widened. "Wait. The Kael Velyne? You actually met him?"

"Yep."

"No freaking way..., how was he like?"

Seren shrugged, feigning indifference. "Nothing, really.. He's cold, calculated, and honestly not that interesting. I don't see what the big deal is."

Vivia stared at her, slack-jawed. "Ash, are you even hearing yourself? Kael Velyne is like, the most eligible bachelor on the planet. People write articles about him."

"And? He's still just a guy," Seren said, sipping her drink.

Vivia let out an exaggerated groan, throwing her hands up. "You're hopeless. Absolutely hopeless."

Before Seren could reply, another voice joined the conversation.

"Are you two at it again?"

They turned to see Maya Sinclair, their lawyer friend, walking toward them. Dressed in a tailored blazer and sleek trousers, Maya looked every bit the consummate professional.

Maya is a lawyer, and most of the time she is busy, so it quite a surprised for them to see her.

"Maya!" Vivia exclaimed, waving her over.

"Don't stop now," Maya said, settling into a chair. "I could hear Vivia's dramatics from across the room."

"She's overreacting," Seren said, rolling her eyes.

"Overreacting?" Vivia repeated, scandalized. "Maya, she just brushed someone off like he's some random guy on the street!"

Maya raised a brow, her lips quirking into a half-smile. "Oh..., what is it this time?"

Seren leaned back, crossing her legs. "I met someone"

Maya looked up in surprised. "Who?"

"KAEL VELYNE" Viv whisper-screamed

"Oh my God, really, you met that frost king?" Maya asked Seren questioning her with her eye.

"Is it for a business proposal"

Nodding her head, Seren wondered at her friends reactions.

Well, Kael Velyne actually worth the reaction, because he is practically the coldest person on earth. He hardly talks, and when he talks when he's always replying in a word or two.

"Oh... no..."

"Talking about the devil"