Chapter 5: A Night of Secrets

Mia had been to fancy events before—well, she had served at them as a waitress—but nothing compared to being inside as a guest. The grandeur of the gala was overwhelming, the soft hum of a string quartet filling the air as elegantly dressed guests floated across the ballroom.

She tried to steady her breath as Adrian led her deeper into the crowd, his grip on her waist firm, possessive even. She should have been used to his intensity by now, but something about tonight felt different. Maybe it was the way he had looked at her when she arrived. Or the way his fingers had lingered just a little too long when he took her hand.

"You're staring," Adrian murmured, his lips close to her ear, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.

Mia snapped out of her thoughts. "I'm just—this is a lot."

His smirk was barely visible in the dim light of the chandeliers. "Get used to it."

A waiter passed by with a tray of champagne, and Adrian grabbed two glasses, handing one to Mia. "Try to relax."

Relax? That was impossible with him standing so close, his cologne intoxicating, his presence consuming. She took a sip, trying to ignore the way her pulse quickened whenever he leaned in to whisper something in her ear.

Before she could respond, a voice called out. "Blackwood! Didn't expect to see you here with a date."

Mia turned to see a tall, silver-haired man approaching them with a knowing smirk. He exuded confidence, his sharp blue eyes studying her with interest.

"James," Adrian greeted, his tone measured.

The man extended a hand to Mia. "And who might this be?"

Before she could answer, Adrian spoke for her. "Mia Donovan, my executive assistant."

Something flickered in James' gaze—curiosity, maybe even amusement. "Ah, I see. Well, it's a pleasure, Mia."

Mia forced a polite smile. "Nice to meet you."

James chuckled, sipping his drink. "I must say, Adrian, this is unexpected. You don't usually bring… company."

Adrian's jaw tightened. "Times change."

James raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, he turned his attention back to Mia. "I hope you're enjoying the gala. Blackwood's world can be quite overwhelming."

Mia hesitated before nodding. "It's certainly… different."

James grinned. "That's one way to put it."

As James drifted away into the crowd, Mia turned to Adrian, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Who was that?"

Adrian took another sip of his champagne, his expression unreadable. "James Lockwood. An old business rival."

Mia frowned. "He seemed… friendly for a rival."

Adrian let out a low chuckle. "That's what makes him dangerous."

She shivered, not from the cold, but from the cryptic weight of Adrian's words. Was this world always filled with hidden agendas and unspoken battles? And what did it mean for her?

Before she could ask more, Adrian set down his glass and turned to her fully. "Come with me."

Mia hesitated. "Where?"

His gaze locked onto hers, intense and unwavering. "Somewhere quieter."

Something in his tone made her pulse spike, but she nodded, allowing him to take her hand and guide her away from the prying eyes of the crowd.

The night was just beginning, and Mia had a feeling that whatever Adrian had planned, it was going to change everything.