Aria
Aria clung to James's arm the moment they entered the ballroom, her excitement palpable as her gaze darted from one detail to the next. "James, look at the ceiling! I mean, who carves something like that? It's ridiculous—ridiculously beautiful, obviously. And those chandeliers—don't even get me started. Who do you think they hire to clean those? Probably someone who has to sign a contract promising not to sneeze near them."
James chuckled, adjusting his cufflinks as he glanced at her. "You've been here for five seconds, and you're already at peak chatter mode."
"Can you blame me?" Aria replied, giving him a playful nudge. "Look at this place! It's like stepping into a movie. The Dominion doesn't just throw a party—they create an entire spectacle."
James shook his head in amusement. "And you're loving every second of it."
Aria twirled slightly, her dress catching the light as she grinned. "Of course I am. It's breathtaking! Besides, it's not every day you get invited to something like this. I mean, the bride selection alone—it's so dramatic. Poor Ethan, having to decide who to marry while the entire Dominion watches. I'd run for the hills if I were him."
"Well, lucky for the Dominion, Ethan's not you," James teased.
She swatted his arm but didn't deny it. Her attention shifted to Ethan, who stood near the centre of the room, commanding the space with his presence. Aria tilted her head, studying him. "There he is—perfectly composed, perfectly charming, as usual."
James followed her gaze. "Makes sense. He's been groomed for this his whole life."
"Still," Aria said, leaning closer to James, her voice softening slightly, "doesn't it seem like he's carrying the world on his shoulders? I mean, he doesn't show it, obviously—he's too good at the whole 'leader' thing—but you can feel it, you know? Like he's got this weight that he never lets anyone see."
James raised an eyebrow. "I think you're overthinking again, Aria. Maybe he's just enjoying himself tonight."
She sighed, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe. But the bride selection thing—it's a lot. And all these women…" She gestured subtly toward the elegantly dressed figures scattered across the room. "They're all so polished, so perfect. It's like they've been auditioning for this moment their whole lives."
James smirked. "And here you are, running commentary on them like it's a sporting event."
"Obviously!" Aria said with a grin. "I mean, look at the one in gold—she's stunning. Definitely a contender. Or the one in red by the staircase—she looks confident, like she could take charge if she needed to."
She paused, her tone shifting to something more curious. "Do you think Elena King will be here?"
James frowned slightly. "Elena King? EK Enterprises? What does she have to do with tonight?"
"Rowan invited her," Aria said, her eyes lighting up. "Apparently, the Dominion's looking to form a partnership with her company. But you know the rumours—no one's actually seen her before. Not properly, anyway. Just blurry photos and glimpses at events where she stays hidden."
James tilted his head thoughtfully. "Why invite her here, then?"
"Why not?" Aria countered. "She's brilliant, powerful, and supposedly gorgeous. You know what they say—she's this mysterious, untouchable CEO who built her empire from nothing. She'd fit right in with the Dominion's crowd."
James smirked, his tone turning teasing. "Careful, Aria. You sound like you're starstruck."
"Well, can you blame me?" she replied, nudging him. "She's fascinating. If she shows up, she might just steal the spotlight. Can you imagine? Ethan's supposed to make his big decision, and then—bam! Elena King walks in, and suddenly everyone's too mesmerized to care about anything else."
James chuckled, shaking his head. "You really live for the drama, don't you?"
"Of course," Aria said brightly. "This ball is beautiful, but it's also so… predictable. We need someone unexpected to shake things up."
"Well," James said, glancing toward Ethan, "it's not going to be him. He's too good at keeping everything steady."
Aria grinned mischievously. "Maybe not. But the night's still young."
Luelle
Luelle adjusted the edge of her dress, letting her fingers brush the sleek fabric as she leaned subtly into the shadow of a towering plant. The ballroom stretched before her, dazzling in its opulence, the soft hum of the orchestra blending with the murmur of guests. Her disguise—sleek black hair cascading over her shoulders, a figure-hugging gown that drew discreet attention was flawless.
It had been two weeks since the Gerard Aptos incident. Luelle had kept her distance, ensuring there was no further risk of Ethan prying into her carefully constructed life. But being here tonight—attending the ball as Elena King, the enigmatic CEO of EK Enterprises—was unavoidable. The Dominion wanted a partnership with EK Enterprises, and Elena King's presence was strategically necessary.
Her gaze landed on Ethan across the room. Even from a distance, he commanded attention effortlessly, the charisma cultivated through years of careful grooming shining through. He was the epitome of composure, charming and seemingly unburdened, as though he carried none of the weight his future role demanded. But Luelle knew better. She had always known better.
You've always carried too much, she thought quietly, her chest tightening as her memories stirred.
Her attention shifted instinctively, catching sight of two familiar figures in the crowd: Aria and James. The sight of them sent a pang of nostalgia through her, a fleeting ache she hadn't allowed herself to feel in years. They were laughing, Aria's gestures animated as her words spilled out in rapid succession, James smirking beside her as he humoured her commentary.
It had been thirteen years since she'd last spoken to them, thirteen years since her life had been torn away after that fateful day in high school. The day she'd been shot. The day she'd been taken from the only friends she'd ever had. Losing them had felt like losing part of herself—a part that still felt hollow even now.
She listened to Aria's words, her voice carrying over the chatter of the ballroom. "Do you think Elena King will be here?" Aria asked, her excitement palpable.
"She was invited," Aria continued brightly. "The Dominion wants a partnership with her company. But no one's really seen her before. I mean, not properly. It's all rumours, you know? They say she's gorgeous, brilliant, untouchable. The kind of person who walks into a room and makes everyone stop and stare."
James chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Sounds like the kind of person you'd dream up just to keep things interesting."
Aria grinned. "Maybe! But wouldn't it be amazing if she actually showed up? Imagine Ethan finally making his big announcement, and then—bam! Elena King walks in, and suddenly no one can think about anything else."
Her attention shifted as she caught sight of Rowan. He was moving toward her, his expression sharp yet unreadable. He'd arranged this meeting, citing her expertise as Elena King and EK Enterprises' reputation for innovation. But as the General Manager of Frost Enterprises, Rowan's perceptiveness was a danger she couldn't afford to underestimate.
The moment came when Rowan stepped in front of her, his demeanor polite but direct. "Miss King," he greeted, extending a hand. "Thank you for attending on such short notice. Frost Enterprises greatly appreciates your presence."
Luelle forced a small smile, reaching out to meet his handshake with poise. "Of course, Mr. Rowan. It's an honour to be here."
Rowan's eyes lingered on her for a beat longer than she liked, and she had to suppress the instinct to shift under his gaze. Was he studying her? Questioning her? Or was it just the normal scrutiny of someone in his position? She couldn't tell.
The conversation began smoothly enough—talks of partnerships, innovation, opportunities—but Luelle felt her nerves spike when she realized Rowan wasn't just asking questions. He was measuring her responses, weighing her demeanour, probing in subtle ways. Her answers came effortlessly, her years of training allowing her to glide through the discussion, but inside, her mind raced. Stay calm. Stay Elena.
And then, her father appeared.
She saw him before he saw her, his tall frame unmistakable as he entered the ballroom. The sight made her breath hitch for a split second, though she recovered quickly. He moved through the crowd with the confidence of someone who belonged here, stopping to exchange pleasantries with familiar faces.
Rowan noticed her reaction—brief as it was—and turned to follow her gaze. "Mr. Mars," he said simply, nodding in acknowledgment.
Her father approached them both, his gaze flicking to Rowan before landing on her. For a moment, Luelle worried she had faltered, worried he'd see through the carefully constructed mask of Elena King and recognized her.
But his expression remained neutral, courteous. "Miss King," he said, his tone polite but distant. "A pleasure to meet you. Your reputation precedes you."
Luelle's heart pounded as she extended a hand, her smile steady though her thoughts were anything but. "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Mars."
He shook her hand briefly, his grip firm but professional, and turned his attention back to Rowan. Luelle took the opportunity to compose herself, watching him closely while feigning interest in their conversation. Her father had always been perceptive—dangerously so—but the years had added an air of authority that was almost intimidating.
The moments passed, and Luelle managed to keep her composure, her mask intact. But the tension beneath it all was razor-sharp, the fear of exposure pressing against her resolve like a weight she couldn't shake.