The moment Aurora stepped into the office, the energy was off.
People were buzzing. Whispering. Fixing their hair in their reflection on the coffee machine. And every single person looked like they were heading to a Vogue cover shoot, not work.
Mia rushed over in sky-high heels and glossy lips, practically vibrating.
"Guess what!" she whisper-squealed.
Aurora blinked. "You finally kicked Lisa in the throat?"
"God, I wish. No! There's a company dinner party tonight! Real fancy. The kind with chandeliers, free alcohol, and probably drug dealers in suits."
Aurora raised a brow. "So… River's house?"
Mia laughed. "Close. One of the five-star venues he owns downtown."
Aurora's heart skipped — then stuttered.
"Why's everyone invited?" she asked, suddenly suspicious.
"They're not," Mia grinned. "Only selected staff. You made the list."
"…I made what now?"
"Check your email, babe."
Aurora fished her phone from her bag and checked.
Sure enough: An invitation from HR.
Tonight. 8 PM. Black tie. Location: "The Valen Grand Ballroom."
She felt heat creep up her neck. Why would she be invited?
"I'm not going," she muttered.
Mia gasped. "Like hell you're not! You're coming, looking hot, and showing that mafia bastard what he's missing."
Aurora rolled her eyes. "You act like we dated."
"You act like you didn't spend the night in his penthouse after being ruined in his backseat."
"MIA!"
Mia just shrugged. "If he's not haunted by the memory of your thighs, he's not a real man."
Aurora laughed in spite of herself.
Just then, the office quieted.
And she didn't have to turn around to know why.
River Damon had entered.
His aura walked in before he did — crisp suit, colder stare, that untouchable godfather vibe that made every woman's knees weak and every man slightly afraid.
Aurora tried not to look.
Tried.
Failed.
Their eyes met. For half a second.
She looked away first.
"Ms. Lane," he said, cool and sharp like black coffee.
She turned to face him.
"Yes, Mr. Damon?"
"You got the invitation?"
"I did."
"You'll attend."he said coldly it's not a choice
It wasn't a question.
Aurora straightened her back. "I'll think about it."
River's eyes darkened just a little. "Don't."
Then he walked off without another word.
Mia nearly fainted beside her. "Oh my god. He wants you there."
Aurora turned back to her screen, pretending her heartbeat wasn't trying to break out of her chest.
"Yeah?" she whispered. "Let him
8:03 PM — The Valen Grand Ballroom
The room was dripping with elegance.
Crystal chandeliers. Velvet curtains. Golden lights bouncing off champagne flutes. Mafia men in tailored suits that probably cost more than her rent.
Aurora walked in in a sleek black dress that hugged her like sin. Her hair up. Her heels dangerous. Her mood? Bulletproof.
The moment she stepped in, conversations paused.
Even the violinist missed a note.
Eyes followed her. Jealous. Curious. Hungry.
River Damon stood near the bar, speaking to a group of high-profile men in tuxedos. When he saw her, his words froze mid-sentence.
And when he didn't look away?
Everyone noticed.
Aurora lifted her chin and walked in like she didn't care. beside her was mia who wasn't invited but aurora had told beg her to.
But inside?
Her heart was playing drums. Her skin buzzed.
Because tonight wasn't just some party.