The city glittered that night. Every window shimmered like glass stars as black cars lined the entrance of the Lucid Grand Hotel the venue of her father's company's annual gala,Nessa stepped out of the car, the evening air cool against her skin, the red dress fit her perfectly, smooth silk hugging every curve, its neckline daring but tasteful, the fabric catching the light like fire, She hadn't planned to wear it, but something about it felt inevitable ,like he had known she would, Riah appeared beside her in the silver masterpiece gown,silky, sleek, hugging her petite body like it was made for her, It exposed her bare back to her waistline and shimmered under every flicker of light, her messy bun framed her delicate features, leaving loose strands that danced against her cheek. Together, they looked like sin and purity walking side by side.The ballroom glimmered with chandeliers and laughter. Powerful men and women filled the space, glasses of champagne glinting under golden light, eyes turned when the two women walked in, the orchestra shifted into a waltz soft, haunting, and deliberate, and then there was Riah, standing in the crowd like a piece of light carved out of the moon, her silver gown shimmered with every movement, the fabric whispering against her skin, businessmen,directors after another approached Riah , asking for a dance, only to be met with her polite refusal.
From one of the upper balconies, Lucian watched, for someone so composed, so detached, he felt his control unravel piece by piece, his piercing blue eyes followed her every move, his chest tightening as jealousy clawed at him, not being able to contain his emotions, lucian walked gracefully towards her,he move toward her, slow, sure, a predator masking itself in grace, The crowd seemed to part without realizing it.
"Dance with me ?" Lucian asked when he reached her, his voice low, smooth as silk but carrying a dangerous undertone,Riah froze, caught between fear and fascination, when Riah turned, her eyes met his,Tall, devastating, his dark suit molded to perfection, the faintest smirk playing on his lips, the kind that warned you he already knew what you were thinking, the world around them fell away, Lucian extended his hand, elegant, patient. But his eyes, those glacial blue depths, told her he was anything but calm.
"Hi…erm… yeah…. eer…I mean I don't think that's a good idea."Riah replied blushing, Lucian leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "Then it's perfect."Riah's fingers slid into his,the touch sent a shock through both of them— something alive, electric, the moment their hands met, the orchestra swelled,Lucian drew her in, his hand firm at her waist, his other guiding hers as they began to move, their steps fell perfectly into rhythm — though she swore he wasn't following the music; it was as if the music followed them,their bodies found rhythm — fluid, slow, hypnotic, his touch was warm, steady, but the heat it left on her skin was anything but calm.
You're different tonight," he murmured.
"different how?," she replied, refusing to look up, he chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "different in a good way,you look rather ravishing , i mean, you make defying reason seem effortless."She blushed, hating how easily he could make her flustered.
"You look good" Riah added, making Lucian chuckle inwardly, " you can say that" lucian added his gaze fixed on her.
"You think too highly of yourself."Riah muttered shyly,
"I think highly of what makes me lose control," Lucian whispered, eyes glinting. "You're one of them."Her heart thudded painfully. "Lucian…"Riah called?
"Yes?" His voice dipped, teasing, as his thumb brushed lightly against her waist — barely a touch, but enough to make her breath hitch, "Stop that," she said, trying to sound stern. "Stop what?" he asked innocently. "Dancing?"
"Teasing."
"Oh, but that's the only part I'm good at."
Riah looked up sharply, intending to glare — but the look he gave her wasn't playful anymore, it was focused. Hungry. Unreadable, he held her gaze, and for a moment, the room disappeared — no orchestra, no crowd, no air, just the thundering of her pulse and the ghost of his hand at her back. "You remember the club," she blurted out suddenly — the memory flashing in her mind of how he'd disappeared that night, leaving her cold and confused, "why'd you leave like that" Riah said slowly bowing her head down, but was caught by the Lucian's hand, " why did you look for me after I left.?" Lucian's lips curved with a smile answering her question with his question,
Riah's eye widened " I didn't—."
You did," Lucian said softly. "You looked. And when you couldn't find me, you sighed like I'd stolen something from you."
The words hit harder than they should have, Riah unable to answer his question,
The song slowed, their movements easing to a stop. Lucian's hand lingered against her back, his thumb tracing a soft circle. "Careful, Riah," he murmured, "if you keep looking at me like that… I might not leave this time." Riah's heart skipped a bit, his hands on her back made her loose the sense to think, she couldn't handle the emotion swelling inside her, Lucian could read her like a book so he bowed, kissed her hand with a smile that made her excused herself dashing to the restroom,but midway Riah paused to loo back but he was gone, the space empty,the warmth of his hand remained on her skin,her pulse still raced, her heart whispering his name.
Riah needed air she walked into the garden, the cool night wrapping around her like silk blond hair, her heels clicked softly against the cobblestone, her sliver gown trailing like starlight behind her, then she saw him, Lucian,standing under a marble arch, his tall frame cloaked in black, the moonlight outlining the hard edges of his face, hos eyes, deep and stormy blue, found her instantly as if he had been waiting,Riah's breath hitched, her heart thundering against her ribs. "Why do you keep showing up everywhere I go, why you always there, even haunting my dreams, why?" she asked softly, her voice trembling between awe and frustration, Lucian's lips quirked faintly. "Maybe because you keeps pulling me there." she took a step closer. "Or maybe because you can't seem to stay away."
Lucian inhaled deeply, that same strange sensation stirring again something that made his chest tighten and his control slip.
"And what if I can't really stay away, what then, will you tell me not to come to your dreams again, I'm curious as to know what you'll do… little vixen" Lucian muttered with a mischievous smile on his face, Riah's pulse quickened,the night seemed to hush around them, " don't call me that". Lucian took one step closer, his gaze locked on her lips, the air thick between them,but then she broke the silence, her voice trembling but fierce.
"Do me a favour ," she said quietly, her eyes shining, "don't show up in my dreams like you own them, don't come there to hunt me, make me feel like you bring me peace and longing, don't be sweet and charming , don't touch me, nor get close to me,don't give ne warmth and make me yearn for it when I wake up, lastly don't make me….. fall, with no plans of catching me….
she was confessing her emotions without even releasing it, she got startled by her own outburst she looked him in the eyes, still couldn't understand his expression,she didn't know if she should run away, how was she going to face him. For a moment, neither of them spoke,the world stood still just the sound of their breathing, the whisper of the wind, and that unspoken truth hanging between them.
On the other side of the party, Louis kept looking at Nessa, as he couldn't fight that urge to stay back, she was breathe taking in the dress he got her, as if he had masters every inch of her body before costuming the dress for her, he approached her asking for a dance, only to be met with coy refusal,
" you look very beautiful, I'm glad you wore the dress, now please can I show you how sorry I am, by asking you to dance with me."
" I'm not much of a dancer myself Mr louis, but allow me,also thank you for the dress, do you mind stepping outside with me, I want to pick up where we left on the other day." Nessa smiled.
The left the banquet and went outside where the cold breeze could touch there skin, outside , under the moonlight, Louis and Nessa leaned against the balcony, enjoying the city view, there was a magnetic silence that neither of them broke until Louis whispered.
"I also want to pick on from last time." Louis stepped closer closing the gap between them, their eyes locked, hearts racing, as Louis playfully played with her hair and brush her skin with his thumb, lightly placing a kiss on her knuckles, caressing her hand, Louis looked straight into Nessa doll black eyes, deep enough to see her needs, she wants him, and he could see that, Nessa kept staring at Louis lips, as if pleading for a kiss,she needed to feel his lips, she needed to know how it feels to be kissed by him, and Louis could see it all, that she desired him,
Louis wanted her just as much, but he knew if he kissed her it won't end there, as he tries so hard to keep calm.
Nessa didn't want him to leave again, she wouldn't be able to let him go, she was rapidly falling for him and she wasn't scared of falling, she was scared of not being caught by him, and it made her teary, she didn't want it to end before it even began.
"Do you like me Louis" Nessa whispered scared of the answer that might follow,
" you know how I feel about you, don't you?,"
"Did you stay away all this while because you didn't want to see me or am I wrong?"
"You might not feel the same way I feel, but I'm not going to stop liking you ….."Nessa added "I'm going to chase you, I'll follow you to the moon and down I'll chase you until you like me….so should we give it a try, I don't want you running away from your me, I'm not going to let you leave or push me away, I'll make my feelings for you clearer, just like I'm doing now, I find you very attractive since day one and I want you to find me attractive too,just give me a chance, date me." Nessa added her heart beating like crazy, she had gathered the courage to stand in front of him and say all those things, as she seized the distance between them. "I want to kiss you, just as much as you want to, go on kiss me I won't stop you....,I….i…very much want you to kiss me.., I'm curious as what those lips taste like… so please let me have a taste of them, I'm starving and it's just you who can quench this taste",Nessa added.