The city was wrapped in the hush of evening light when Liam leaned back in his chair, fingers resting against his temple, his gaze focused on the office monitor that had long gone dim. But his attention was not on the numbers or the contracts lined up before him. It was on the memory of the fire he had seen in Alicia's eyes earlier that afternoon, the raw, unfiltered defiance that had flashed when Selena pushed her too far.
He had seen it through the tinted glass from his office. Alicia, standing at her cubicle, her body trembling but her voice firm, cutting through Selena's false sweetness like a blade. For a moment, he had wanted to step out, to shield her from the venom, to silence Selena in the only way he knew, absolute authority. But then he stopped himself. There was something intoxicating in watching Alicia fight back, something that pulled him deep into admiration.
"That's my tigress," he had murmured under his breath, a faint smile touching his lips as the memory of her voice replayed in his mind.
Now, with the office emptying and the city lights coming alive below, he was still thinking of her, her strength, her silence, the way she tried to hide her emotions beneath that collected expression. He knew her too well now to be fooled.
A soft knock came on his door. His assistant peeked in. "Sir, the car is ready. The dinner event starts in forty minutes."
He nodded without looking up. "Good. Make sure my seat is reserved near the board's front table."
"Yes, sir."
As soon as the door closed, he rose from his chair, buttoning the dark jacket of his tailored suit. It was one of those evenings he could not avoid, business gatherings where alliances were built and rivalries were disguised with champagne. He grabbed his phone, glanced briefly at the wallpaper, an abstract city view and walked out. While he was planning to go check on Alicia, she was also on her way to his office. They met half ways and she is breathtaking.
His car pulled up before the Grand Metropolitan Hotel, a towering glass structure gleaming under the city lights. Before he got out, Alicia told him, she want to use the restroom.
The moment he stepped out, cameras flashed. He ignored them, walking through the lobby with that effortless dominance that made people turn to look twice.
Inside the banquet hall, laughter mingled with the soft rhythm of the live orchestra. The clinking of glasses filled the air, along with the murmur of investors, CEOs and socialites exchanging carefully crafted smiles. Liam scanned the room, his eyes landing on familiar faces, board members from KnightCorp, designers from Laderin's Atelier, a few rival executives pretending cordiality.
Then, a familiar voice cut through the hum.
"Liam Knight, as I live and breathe."
Liam turned. Standing before him, a glass in hand and a smile that managed to be both charming and careless, was Adrian Westbrook. His black hair was neatly brushed back, his expression as effortlessly confident as ever.
"Adrian," Liam said with a small, genuine smile. "You're back."
Adrian chuckled. "Two days ago. I had no plans to attend this, but my parents would not stop talking about duty, inheritance and marriage. So here I am."
Liam raised an eyebrow. "Marriage?"
Adrian sighed, swirling the drink in his hand. "They arranged a blind date. It was disastrous. The woman insulted me before the soup even arrived. Apparently, I didn't look rich enough for her taste."
Liam smirked faintly. "You do enjoy surprising people."
"She called me a low life and a wannabe," Adrian continued with a laugh. "You should have seen her face. She thought she was insulting a nobody."
Liam chuckled, shaking his head. "So, how did you handle it?"
"I let her talk," Adrian replied, his grin fading into something more thoughtful. "People show you who they are when they think you're beneath them."
Liam nodded, his expression unreadable. "Did you get her name?"
Adrian shrugged. "Selena. Selena Hart, I think."
The name hit Liam like the sharp pull of an invisible thread. He masked his reaction well, his expression not shifting an inch, but inside, something tightened. So fate decided to tie the strings this way.
Before he could respond, Adrian's attention drifted past him and froze.
Liam turned slightly. Alicia had just entered the room.
She looked radiant under the golden light, her dark dress hugging her slender frame with quiet elegance, her hair cascading in soft curls over her shoulders. There was a fragile confidence in her step, a cautious grace that drew attention without her even trying.
Adrian's eyes widened slightly. "Who is that?"
Liam's voice came low, measured. "My personal assistant."
Adrian blinked. "That's Alicia?" He gave a small, appreciative smile. "She's… remarkable."
Liam felt the shift in his chest, the subtle stir of something dangerous. "She is."
Adrian turned toward her as she approached their table. "You have good taste, Knight."
Alicia reached them, offering a polite smile. "Mr. Knight, the board requested that you review the presentation outline before the dinner begins."
Liam nodded. "Thank you."
Adrian extended his hand before Liam could say another word. "Adrian Westbrook," he said with a disarming smile. "A pleasure to meet you."
Alicia hesitated a heartbeat, then placed her hand in his. "Alicia."
Adrian leaned slightly, brushing his lips over the back of her hand. "Beautiful name, for a beautiful woman."
Liam's jaw tightened. The sound of the orchestra faded, replaced by the steady thud of his heartbeat. Adrian meant no harm, he was always the charming one, but the sight of another man's lips on Alicia's skin was something he could not easily dismiss.
Alicia, visibly flustered, withdrew her hand quickly. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Westbrook."
"Adrian," he corrected softly. "Please. I don't stand on formality."
Liam's voice cut in, deep and even. "Alicia, let's review the documents before dinner starts."
She nodded, stepping slightly closer to him. Adrian's eyes flicked between them, reading more in their proximity than words could admit.
"You two seem… close," Adrian remarked lightly, his smile playful.
Liam met his gaze directly. "I trust her."
Adrian tilted his head, watching the tension spark in the air. "That says a lot, coming from you."
Before the conversation could deepen, the event host called for attention. Glasses lifted, laughter echoed again and the dinner began.
They sat together at the long glass table, Liam at the head, Alicia at his side, Adrian across from them. The meal was exquisite, fine wine, roasted lamb, truffle risotto, but Liam barely tasted any of it. His eyes flickered between Adrian's easy charm and Alicia's polite composure. She avoided looking at him, perhaps sensing the quiet storm behind his stillness.
When the toast began, Adrian raised his glass first. "To old friends reunited," he said, smiling at Liam. "And to new faces worth remembering." His gaze slide to Alicia, lingering a heartbeat too long.
Alicia lifted her own glass hesitantly. "To success and peace," she said softly.
Liam's fingers brushed hers as they clinked glasses. She trembled slightly and he noticed.
Adrian laughed. "I think I'll be coming around KnightCorp more often, Liam. Your assistant might make work less dull."
Liam smiled faintly, but his eyes were cold. "We have high standards at KnightCorp. Not everyone fits."
"Then perhaps I'll just visit socially," Adrian replied, his grin widening. "You won't mind, will you, Alicia?"
Alicia froze, the wine glass halfway to her lips. "I—I don't—"
"She's very busy," Liam interrupted smoothly, placing his glass down with deliberate calm.
Adrian leaned back, his eyes narrowing slightly, reading what was left unsaid. But he only smiled again. "Of course. I'll be sure to call ahead next time."
The rest of the dinner passed under a strange current. The guests laughed and networked, but the quiet war between Liam's control and Adrian's curiosity burned beneath the surface. Alicia remained silent, trapped between politeness and fear, her gaze occasionally meeting Liam's only to find unreadable darkness there.
By the time they left the hall, the night had deepened into a silvery calm. The valet brought their car around. Adrian clasped Liam's hand with easy warmth. "It's good to see you again, old friend. Let's have a proper catch up soon."
"Soon," Liam said.
As Alicia moved toward the car, Adrian caught her gaze once more. "Goodnight, Alicia," he said gently. "I hope this isn't the last time we meet."
She managed a faint smile. "Goodnight, Mr. Westbrook."
When she slipped into the car, the door closed behind her with a soft thud that echoed louder than it should have.
The drive back to the penthouse was silent.
Liam sat beside her, his eyes fixed ahead, his mind replaying every second of Adrian's smile, the touch of his lips on her hand, the way Alicia had looked away. His jaw flexed. The engine's hum filled the void between them.
Alicia shifted uneasily, finally daring to speak. "Liam, I…."
"Not now," he said quietly, his tone low but sharp.
She bit her lip, looking down at her trembling hands.
When the car pulled into the underground parking and the doors locked behind them, he finally turned to look at her. The storm that had been simmering all night was there in his eyes, possessive, cold and burning all at once.
"You should not have let him touch you," he said softly, dangerously calm.
Alicia looked up, startled. "He just greeted me"
"That was not a greeting," Liam cut in, leaning closer. "That was him testing limits."
"I didn't know"
"You never do," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face with the back of his fingers, his touch paradoxically gentle. "And yet you set everything in motion without trying."
The elevator doors opened. They stepped inside together, the silence heavy enough to choke the air.
As the doors closed, Liam's hand slipped around her waist. Kisses her like his life depends on it, he didn't give her chance to breathe, he pulled her so tight to his body, like he want to infuse her into his body. He tugged her ear, not harshly, but firmly, as though reminding her of where she belonged. She said nothing, but her heart pounded.
When the elevator reached the penthouse, he released her slowly and walked ahead. The night outside the tall glass windows shimmered with city light. He stood there for a long moment, his back to her.
Finally, he said, "You make me forget reason."
Alicia's voice was barely a whisper. "I didn't mean to."
"I know," he replied, turning to face her. "That's what makes it worse."
And though he did not touch her again, the look in his eyes told her that the real reckoning would come later, in ways neither of them could yet name.
The night had not ended. It had only begun.