Mom couldn't stop introducing me to

, this is my d

broad shoulders perfectly. His deep brown eyes sparkled under the soft chandelier light, and his well-groom

ria," he said, his voice

eplied politely,

Aria?" he asked, til

tola Corp," I said si

. "Impressive. You must be under a l

I replied, smiling. "What ab

said, adjusting his cufflinks. "I

g. "And how many businesses

second before chuckling. "

change, and she wasted no time steerin

s, have you me

was tall and lean, with skin so smooth it looked airbrushed. His sharp cheekbones and piercing black eyes gave him an air of myster

e that revealed perfectly straight teeth.

y?" I asked, genuinely curio

ous, and..." he paused, his smile w

replied, smiling back. "What about you,

less saving lives and more improvi

aid. "I'm sure you've

a chuckle. "But none for tonig

rowd. "But it seems my mother has tur

"I'll let you get back to y

ryly, before Mom whis

m exclaimed, practically beamin

e anyone stop in their tracks. His smooth, chocolate-toned skin seemed to glow under the ambient lighting, and his almond-shaped eyes he

e carrying a hint of amusement.

my arms. "And what exactly

g at his lips. "CEO at such a young age, sharp business ac

at?" I p

ng," he fini

ad. "I hope you didn't reh

said, grinning. "I

hand, "if you're trying to impress

uine. "Good to know. Maybe

st word as Mom's hand landed on my shoulder,

m to the other. It was exhausting, not just physically but emotionally. I couldn't decide i

r, I excused myself from her compan

a drink, I bumped

rprise to meet you here," I

out you," he replied, smirking

ht smile. "I hope your father is doing well. What

te as it raked over me from head to toe. His smil

ping with condescension. "You need a man to put you i

ir eyes on me, the weight of their agreement heavy in the air. The

his. Men like Michael often felt threatened by me,

plied, keeping my tone steady. "And

tanding there, his mouth slightly agape. I refused to let his

e. The garden stretched out before me, illuminated by soft golden lights. The hum of the party faded

t faze you," a deep

rtially hidden by an intricate black-and-gold mask-the only pers

ng my posture. "If I let every remark people sa

ocking grin Michael had given me. It was warm, a

r but maintaining a respectful distance. His voice

a mask?" I asked, ti

ainst the railing beside me. "I w

laugh escaping me. "But nob

ing with amusement. "I can't really sh

s, smirking. "Ho

e a person forget the world around them. "Your eyes

y cheeks, betraying my usual composure. "Thanks," I

ht?" I asked, trying to steer the c

same for you," he

audacity. "I can't go in. My mom

he replied, his tone

rprised at how easy i

ed, raising an eyebrow. "Why are

I had to make sure the beautiful gir

ompletely off guard. "I can take ca

tone light but sincere. "But that d

the usual walls I kept up around strangers. For a moment,

have help," I said after a pause

deserve it," he countered so

. "You sound like someone who's

tugging at his lips. "Or maybe I ju

said, though I couldn't stop th

he sincerity in his voice makin

ough sharing a secret. "You take care of e

asked, narrowing

e laced with genuine regret. "I was jus

s hand. "I'm Ni

his hand, his grip warm an

have to admit, I wasn't expecting to meet someone

asked, raisi

finished, his voice

rking. "That's not what most

" he asked, tilting

I replied witho

enuine. "I can see why they'd thin

ne light but teasing. "Let's

ent as he leaned back slightly