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Chapter 18 - 17 | Piercing Green Eyes

Chapter 17: Piercing Green Eyes

The ice in Lara's glass clinked softly as she reached for the bottle to pour herself another drink.

The world around her blurred slightly, the low hum of conversation fading into background noise. She wasn't drunk yet, but the pleasant numbness settling in her limbs was a welcome relief.

Just as she lifted the glass to her lips, the door to the VIP room swung open. The sound wasn't particularly loud, but something about it made Lara glance up.

And that's when she saw him.

A pair of striking green eyes met hers, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe.

Lara's mind scrambled to process the man standing before her. The same one she had seen in Duke's Instagram posts. The one she had been irrationally curious about.

Seeing him in pictures was one thing, but in person…

Damn.

The photos hadn't done him justice.

He was tall, easily over six feet with broad shoulders and a lean, muscular build that was obvious beneath his black dress shirt. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing his toned forearms. His skin was sun-kissed, a warm tan that contrasted sharply against the deep green of his eyes. Thick, dark brows framed his sharp features, his jawline was strong, and his slightly tousled black hair gave him an effortlessly attractive look, the kind that suggested he either didn't care or simply woke up looking that good.

There was something about him, an air of quiet authority, of confidence that didn't need to be announced.

Lara barely caught herself staring before Duke's voice cut through her daze.

"Reagan! You're finally here!" Duke called out, grinning. "I was starting to think you ditched us."

Lara quickly averted her gaze, pretending to be far more interested in her drink than she actually was.

The man—Reagan—let out a low chuckle as he stepped further into the room, his deep voice carrying over the music. "Got held up. Had a meeting with the legal and tax consultants. There were a few things to finalize before the company's operations officially begin. By the time we wrapped up, it was late, and traffic was hell."

His tone was calm but firm, like a man used to being in control.

"No worries, man," Duke said, waving him over. "The important thing is you're here now. Loosen up a little, yeah?"

Reagan walked toward the couch, settling into the seat across from Lara. The way he moved, unhurried and confident, made it clear he wasn't a man easily fazed by anything.

Lara, despite herself, glanced up.

And the moment she did, his green eyes met hers. Those piercing green eyes. They weren't just looking at her. They were studying her. As if he was trying to place her. Trying to figure her out.

A strange heat curled in her stomach.

Duke, ever the social one, quickly made introductions. "Oh, right! Reagan, you remember the best friend I told you about?" He gestured toward Lara. "That's her. Lara."

Lara mustered a small smile, nodding politely. "It's nice to meet you."

Reagan didn't respond immediately. His gaze lingered for a beat longer before he finally gave a slight nod.

"Likewise," his voice was deep and smooth, carrying an effortless authority that sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.

Duke continued, "And that one over there, getting all cozy with Zach?" He jerked his chin toward Ali. "That's Ali."

Ali, who had been mid-laugh, turned and gave Reagan a dazzling smile. "Pleasure to meet you," she said, her tone carrying its usual playful edge.

Reagan gave her a polite nod, but his expression remained unreadable.

"And this guy right here—" Duke clapped a hand on Reagan's shoulder with a grin. "—is Reagan. A good friend of mine… and also my boss."

Lara raised an eyebrow, looking between the two. "Your boss?"

Duke grinned. "Yep. Reagan owns the company I work for."

Ali's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Ooh." She leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "What kind of boss are you, Reagan? The intimidating type? Or the cool, laid-back one who buys everyone coffee and lets them leave early on Fridays?"

Reagan's lips curled slightly. "Depends."

Duke scoffed. "Don't let him fool you. He's intimidating as hell at work. The whole 'silent but deadly' vibe. The second he walks into the office, everyone suddenly remembers the deadlines they've been avoiding and becomes twice as productive."

Ali raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? So, strict and terrifying?"

Duke laughed. "More like a perfectionist. He doesn't say much, doesn't raise his voice, doesn't micromanage, but when he speaks, people listen. And you really don't want to be the one who screws up in front of him." He shot Reagan a pointed look. "But, to be fair, he's not a complete tyrant. He pays well and actually knows what he's doing, so no one complains… much."

Reagan let out a low chuckle but didn't bother denying it. Instead, he poured himself a drink, his movements unhurried, as if he'd heard this conversation a hundred times before.

Lara, still processing the information, glanced at Reagan again. She had assumed he was just another one of Duke's friends, but now that she thought about it, it made sense. Everything about him, the way he carried himself, the quiet confidence, the sharp gaze that missed nothing, it all screamed authority. And somehow, she thought, it suited him.

She hesitated for a moment before asking, "So… what kind of company do you run?"

Reagan took a slow sip of his drink before answering, "A tech company. We specialize in developing gaming apps, consoles, and virtual reality technology."

Lara's eyes widened slightly. "That's… impressive."

Duke grinned, leaning forward. "Oh, it's more than impressive. The guy's a genius. You should see the stuff they're working on, it's next-level. Their VR simulations feel almost real."

Lara found herself looking at Reagan with newfound admiration. A man who not only exuded confidence but had the brains to back it up.

And then, just as she let her thoughts settle, his gaze flicked back to her.

Steady. Intent. Almost unnerving.

Heat crawled up her neck, and suddenly, she felt self-conscious under the weight of his stare. Was there something on her face?

Without thinking, she turned her focus back to her drink, taking a slow sip, as if that would somehow make her invisible.

The conversation around her carried on. A few moments later, Noah and Giovanni returned, seamlessly joining Duke, Ash, and Reagan in a discussion she had no interest in following. She kept her attention on her drink, letting the ice clink softly against the glass as she swirled it absentmindedly.

Duke, ever the observant one, turned to her with a small frown. "You okay, Nics?" His tone was laced with concern. "You've been quiet."

Lara forced a small laugh. "I'm fine. Just enjoying my drink."

Duke didn't look convinced. He leaned closer. "Are you sure? If you're not feeling well, I can take you home."

She quickly shook her head, forcing a reassuring smile. "I'm really fine, Duke. You worry too much."

He sighed but didn't push further. "Alright. But if you want to leave, just say the word."

Before she could respond, Reagan's deep voice cut through the space between them.

"You two seem really close," His tone was casual, but there was something in his gaze, something almost amused. Then, with a smirk, he added, "Someone might get jealous."

Lara followed his line of sight, straight to Ash.

Ash scoffed. "In his dreams."

Duke laughed, shaking his head. "Lara's practically family to me. Nothing to be jealous about," he leaned back against the couch, grinning. "Besides, she's married."

At that, Reagan's eyes flickered back to her. His expression didn't change, but there was something almost… intrigued in his gaze.

"Married, huh?" His voice was unreadable.

Lara felt a strange, uneasy flutter in her chest.

There was no mockery in his tone, no judgment. But the way he said it.. slowly, deliberately, made her feel exposed.

She nodded, taking another sip of her drink. "Yeah."

Reagan tilted his head slightly, his green eyes sharp. "Then where is your husband?"

The question was simple. Innocent, even.

But to Lara, it felt like a blade slicing through the thin walls she had built around herself.

Her fingers tightened slightly around her glass.

Where is my husband?

At home, probably. Or worse, he was with Riah.

She forced a small, empty smile. "Busy."

Reagan hummed, his expression unreadable. "Busy," he repeated.

Something about the way he said it made her stomach twist.

Ali, sensing the sudden tension, jumped in smoothly. "Lara's husband is just… a workaholic," she said, voice light but her eyes sharp. "That's all."

Lara shot Ali a grateful look.

Reagan leaned back against the couch, his fingers tapping lazily against his glass. "Must be one hell of a job to leave his wife drinking alone at a bar."

Lara exhaled through her nose.

It wasn't a question. It was an observation.

And yet, it felt heavier than anything else that had been said that night.

She took another sip of her drink, letting the warmth of the alcohol settle in her chest.

She didn't owe him, or anyone an explanation. And yet, she hated that a part of her wanted to give one.

Because the truth was, Lucas didn't leave her alone at a bar. She came here because she had already been alone. She came here because, earlier that night, she had watched her husband smile for another woman in a way he had never smiled for her. Because no matter how much she tried to hold on to their marriage, no matter how many times she told herself she just had to endure it a little longer, she was starting to feel like a woman without a husband.

And wasn't that the cruelest part of all?

That she was married, bound by vows and love that only she seemed to believe in, and yet, she was more alone than she had ever been.

Lara inhaled deeply, forcing the thought away before it could settle too deeply in her chest.

Lifting her glass, she downed the rest of the whiskey in one swift gulp, welcoming the burn.

But even as the warmth spread through her, she couldn't shake the feeling that Reagan's eyes were still on her.

And for the first time that night, it wasn't the alcohol making her feel lightheaded.

It was him.

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