"Why is she not on any social media handle? I mean, she is pretty."
He paused, "Pretty wealthy. She doesn't want to show off her wealth? But nowadays isn't everyone basically on social media to show off their wealth."
Damian Frost threw the file again for the third time in frustration.
Not because he needed more information about her.
But because he got limited things about her, even after digging into her background.
"Could you just stop being so nosy on this beautiful morning? Studying the same document won't give you a better advantage." Kairo Blaze, who sat upright at the sound of the file clicking on the table with a sharp noise.
"Studying my prey before I strike. It will only make the ending sweeter."
Damian stood up with sparkle in his eyes as he picked the file again. He spread the documents across his desk like a surgeon preparing for an operation.
Photos.
Reports.
Surveillance Notes.
A neat, clinically organized violence, with her picture in the centre of the table.
Ivy Veilith
"That's why every girl who had a crush on you back then in our school, without asking you out, changed their crush," Kairo noticed a sudden spark in his eyes. He walked slowly to Damian, "What are you looking- She has a soft smile. I love-"
But before he could finish his sentence, Damian folded a useless paper, with his flash energy filled Kairo's mouth, "Bring an americano for me, and whatever suits you." With this, he, showing his fake sweet gentle eye-smile, shoved him off to the door.
With annoyed Kairo, as the door closed, he muttered, "Too soft for this world. Just perfect. Breaking gentle things is always easier and won't make me act for longer."
Damian leaned back in his chair, letting the city lights from the penthouse windows paint sharp angles across his face. His fingers tapped the table lightly from the excitement; he was getting several plans in his mind.
It was not at all an obsession with her.
Obsession with the end.
Taking back what the Veilith stole once.
With the watching their empire collapse.
Ivy wasn't his target.
She was the opening. The gate that could prove his worth to his family, which would make his family notice him, too.
He picked up her photo between two fingers, examining it like a piece of art he intended to burn for entertainment.
Her file said she was kind, naive, quiet, and sheltered. Raised like a porcelain doll inside a mansion built on stolen wealth. Unaware of the fact that she was born from the sins that ruined Frosts decades ago. That Frosts were plotting for years to take everything back.
Damian flipped the page.
Notes written in his own sharp handwriting filled the margins:
1. Weakness- wants to be loved
2. doesn't know the difference between real and fake affection
3. seeks validation- easy to manipulate
He smirked. He knew he wasn't going to be someone's hero/protector/savior.
He was the storm, walking towards her, dressed like a harmless cloud.
If she fell for him? Good.
If she trusted him? Even better.
If she loved him? Perfect.
Because that would make the moment he tore her world apart... Delicious.
He stood up from his chair, walking toward the door, he murmured, "Ivy Veilith... I hope you fell for my handsome face." He paused.
"Because once you do," his smile widened, dark and slow, "I will be the perfect villain in your polite society."
As he opened the door, Kairo offered him an americano, while sipping his beer can, "Thank you for-"
"Drink it while we go on a drive." Damian pulled his jacket as he picked up his car keys.
"I knew you loved me, but sorry, dude, I am not into guys," Kairo said while he threw the crashed can into the dustbin from afar.
"I think before any other work, first of all I should stop investing in your company," Damian said as he side-eyed Kairo.
"I was just joking, you see. I am sober now. Sir, where do you want me to drive you to?"
As they both got settled inside the car, Damian said while putting on his seat belt, "Veilith Mansion."
The Veilith mansion grounds were buzzing with noise: champagne glasses clinking, champagne laughter, champagne people.
After few minutes, Damian stepped out and watched from the shadows.
Predators don't walk into the main light first, and that's how he noticed her in the end.
Ivy wasn't in the crowd.
She was in the back garden, near the marble fountain, surrounded by her friends- the type who praised her dress while calculating its price in their heads.
Three girls. Two boys.
All glitter, no substance.
Ivy stood in the middle, smiling... but something about it was wrong.
Too perfect.
Too still.
Too polite.
The smile of a girl who thought being tolerated was the same thing as being loved.
He couldn't help the slow curl of satisfaction in his chest as he muttered, " She's even easier to break than I expected."
Meanwhile, one of the girls leaned in with her too sweet voice, "Your father must be thrilled since you are finally back. I mean, look at this party. Only the Veilith can throw money like this."
Another laughed, "Well, she has to enjoy it before she gets married off to some business heir. You know how rich families are."
Ivy's fingers tightened around her clutch, just barely.
A tiny movement.
But Damian noticed it. He noticed everything.
She gave them another soft, practiced smile, "Maybe... Maybe not. I don't... think about that much."
Liar.
Everything about her posture screamed the opposite.
She felt trapped.
Caged.
On display.
And the worst part- the people around her didn't see it or didn't care.
Perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
Damian took a slow step forward, deliberately letting his shoes brush against the gravel so the sound would travel.
He judged the distance.
Three metres.
Two.
One.
But before he could get closer, Kairo's shoulder unintentionally brushed against a small silver tray left on top, knocking it to the ground.
A crisp, metallic crash echoed through the quiet garden.
Every head turned.
Including hers.
Ivy looked up sharply, surprise widening her soft eyes.
Soft brown.
Pretty.
Pretty enough to stop Damian from turning his head back to Kairo, who was standing to his left.
Damian lowered his gaze to meet hers, which shifted Ivy's gaze on him, letting their eyes lock for a slow, deliberate second.
Just enough.
Not too long.
But long enough for her heartbeat to stutter.
"Just a matter of champagne slip," Kairo said with his charming smile, as everyone returned to themselves.
Damian broke eye contact and turned to screw Kairo's nut bolt.
Her lips parted slightly.
"Who-" she whispered, almost too soft to hear.
Damian gave a glance to her, dipped his head with a polite, almost apologetic, half smile, the very kind of smile that looked like someone noticed her for real.
She blinked, startled by the unexpected softness from a stranger.
The moment was stretching naturally, as if she could only hear his actions, despite her friend's conversation.
Then a servant hurried toward them, bowing deeply, "Miss Ivy, the hostess is requesting you inside."
Ivy flinched slightly, not at the request, but at how fast the moment broke.
She turned away, giving Damian one last, tiny glance over her shoulder, and followed her friends toward the glowing ballroom.
Damian watched her go. He let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh. "She looked back," he murmured.
"Of course she would, I created a moment, thanks to me," Kairo said with a proud grin.
"Oh yeah, you created a moment," Damian paused as he went back to Kairo and put his arm around his neck, "A moment of mess. You want me to choke you?"
Kairo tapped on his arm, "No, no. I'm sorry. I am ready to serve you, master."
Damian left him as they walked back to his car. Now he was framing his first plan, having seen her prey for once.
Let her forget the moment.
Let her wonder.
Let curiosity soften her defenses.
The first phase had begun.
Ivy Veilith had noticed him.
Damian was fastening his seatbelt when a sharp knock hit his window.
Kairo froze.
Damian lifted his eyes.
A girl, almost breathless, flushed from running.
Eyes wide with something between curiosity and disbelief.
It was none other than Ivy Veilith.
Kairo pulled the mirror down. Damian went still, as she came out of the syllabus, out of nowhere.
She wasn't supposed to come after him.
But there she stood, hands on her knees, catching her breath, like she'd run through the garden just to reach him before he left.
And for the first time, the predator felt the faintest echo of surprise.
Why is she here?