THE UNSEEN HAND

Lily held the woman's gaze, her pulse steady even as her mind raced through possible responses. The air between them was charged, a silent battle unfolding in the depths of their eyes. Whoever she was, this woman wasn't just another party guest. She was someone who knew how to read people, someone who had already decided that Lily didn't belong.But why? Had Lily made a mistake? Was it a slip of posture, a hesitation in her speech, or had the woman simply been watching for anomalies all along? She needed to tread carefully.Lily let out a soft laugh, tilting her head slightly as if amused by the accusation. "You make it sound like an interrogation," she said smoothly, retrieving her hand from the woman's grasp. "Are the guests always screened this thoroughly?"The woman's red lips curled into a smile, but there was no warmth in it. "Only the interesting ones." Lily's fingers tightened around the stem of her champagne glass. A test. That's what this was. The woman was pushing, waiting to see if she would crack.She wouldn't. "Then I'm flattered," Lily replied, taking a small sip of champagne, more for show than anything else. "I wasn't aware that being new was a crime."The woman's gaze flickered with something unreadable before she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping into something just above a whisper. "Not a crime," she said, "but in a place like this, unfamiliar faces attract attention."Lily allowed her smile to falter just enough, feigning a touch of unease. "Is that a warning?" "Consider it… friendly advice."Lily didn't believe that for a second. There was nothing friendly about this woman. She was dangerous, not because she had exposed Lily yet, but because she had the potential to.The woman pulled back, her eyes scanning Lily's face once more before she finally stepped away, her crimson gown swaying elegantly as she disappeared into the crowd.Lily exhaled slowly. That was close, too close. She forced herself to remain still, to resist the urge to glance over her shoulder. Instead, she shifted her focus back to Cross, who was still engaged in conversation with the unknown man near the staircase. Whatever they were discussing, it had kept them locked in place for far too long.It meant something. Lily adjusted her posture and moved deeper into the party, weaving between guests until she found a position near the grand piano—a vantage point that allowed her to listen in without drawing attention.She took a slow breath and focused. "…not an option," Cross was saying, his voice low but firm. "We proceed as planned."The other man, older and sharp-eyed, frowned. "You're not hearing me. We have complications." "Handle them." Lily's grip on her glass tightened.A pause, then the older man's tone turned grave. "If we don't, we'll be looking at more than just a setback. People are watching, and if we slip"Cross's expression darkened. "Then don't slip." The older man exhaled sharply, clearly frustrated, but said nothing more. Instead, he nodded once and strode away, disappearing through a side door. Lily's mind raced. Cross was hiding something, something big enough to cause concern among his own people. The pieces weren't fitting together just yet, but she had enough to know that whatever was going on, it was volatile. And dangerous. But before she could process her next move, something shifted in the air again.Lily knew it before she turned. The woman in the crimson dress had reappeared, this time standing just a few feet behind her. Watching. Lily forced herself to remain composed as she slowly turned to face her. "Still enjoying the party?" the woman asked, her voice laced with amusement.Lily's lips parted into a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "It has its… interesting moments." The woman hummed in response. "Funny, I was about to say the same thing." She stepped closer, eyes sharp. "You're quite the observer, aren't you?"Lily's pulse kicked up a notch. A test. Again. She shrugged lightly. "A habit of mine. People are fascinating." "Especially Cross?"Lily felt the trap before it was even sprung. The woman was leading her, seeing if she would react. She couldn't. Instead, she let out a small laugh. "Isn't everyone fascinated by Cross? He's the reason half the people in this room are here."The woman studied her. Then, after a long pause, she smiled. "You're good," she murmured.Lily throws a gentle smirk and walks away hoping not to draw any more attention from the room.The music was old school jazz and the room was filled with murkiness in the atmosphere. Lily takes a close observation at the room when she discovers something. A body has been tailing her every move, where ever she went, a man in dark tuxedo was tailing her.This made her a more tensed but she tried her best to keep her calm. She reaches out for her purse and takes out her red lipstick and applies it while looking at her mirror to gain better glance on the one tailing her.She takes a deep breath, brace herself up and apprehended him while he was unaware of the situation. "Are you stalking me" she said to him in an overly manner to portray irritation. "Or is this how you treat all your guest with an uncomfortable welcome". But remained calm and reach out for his ear communications device and respond to an unknown figure."The boss Seeks an audience with you" he said in a very terrifying manner. At this point, Lilys heart could literally be heard by anyone passing by as it raced so heavily."Cross, you mean Nathan cross wishes to have my audience" she responded trying her best to remain calm as possible."yes" he said "he wishes you meet with him at his private chambers where he only entertains guest of honor. Lily said to herself as she followed the man, could this be it, would this be my end or the beginning…???