Lucien led Aria through the quieter side of the ballroom, past towering golden columns and softly murmuring guests. The noise of the gala faded behind them, replaced by the subtle hum of their own proximity. Every step they took made the air between them heavier, charged with a tension neither could name aloud.
"You have a remarkable eye," Lucien said, gesturing toward her sketches. "Each piece… it tells a story."
Aria's lips curved slightly, a faint acknowledgment. "Thank you. Every line is intentional — every detail, considered."
He studied her carefully, as though trying to read her thoughts, his dark eyes probing. "It's… familiar. Somehow."
She allowed the faintest hesitation, just enough to stir curiosity, but quickly regained her composure. "Familiar can be comforting, or dangerous," she said smoothly. "Depends on who notices."
Lucien's frown deepened, a subtle frustration threading through his features. "I feel like I've met you before… yet I know I haven't. It's maddening."
Aria smiled, keeping her tone professional, almost teasing. "Perhaps it's your imagination, Mr. Kane."
Meanwhile, across the room, Vivienne Wynn leaned against a marble pillar, her posture casual, eyes sharp. Every subtle gesture Aria made was catalogued, every interaction noted. "Who is she?" she whispered to a nearby socialite, voice like honey laced with venom.
"She's Aria Vale," the socialite replied. "Designer from Milan. Fresh in the city, but already… impressive."
Vivienne's lips pressed together. "Fresh? She looks like she belongs here… as if she's reclaiming what's mine."
Back in the corner, Aria sensed Vivienne's gaze — sharp, calculating, poisonous. A ghost of a smile tugged at her lips. Let the games begin.
Lucien broke the momentary silence. "I need to know your thoughts on the gala collection itself. Which pieces are your favorites?"
Aria carefully chose her words, each one precise. "The centerpiece dress, of course. It embodies elegance and power. But the accessories… they are what bring the collection to life."
He nodded slowly, impressed. "You have a vision… it's rare. Most designers are swept up in aesthetics alone, but you…" His gaze softened momentarily, caught off guard by the quiet authority in her voice.
A small bell chimed from the ballroom — a reminder that the public event continued outside. Lucien glanced toward the open doors, the crowd still mingling, unaware of the subtle duel unfolding in this quiet corner.
Aria inclined her head gracefully. "I should return to the crowd. Visibility is part of the strategy."
Lucien hesitated, as if reluctant to let her go. "Of course… but one day, Aria… I hope you'll tell me the truth about that familiarity I feel. There's something behind those eyes, something I can't place."
Aria's lips curved into the faintest, almost imperceptible smile. "Perhaps in time, Mr. Kane. But not tonight."
As she walked back toward the gala, every step was deliberate, every glance measured. Vivienne followed, silently fuming, sensing that Aria was no ordinary newcomer. And Lucien, standing alone in the quiet corner, couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was only the beginning — that the woman before him was far more dangerous, and far more unforgettable, than he could ever imagine.