Chapter 2

- Champagne, miss? - A blonde girl in a black uniform with a friendly smile offered me a glass.

I smiled back at her before accepting her offer.

- You're doing a great job... - I tried to read the small badge on her blouse. -Bruna. Thank you.

The girl, who must have been around twenty-two like me, was surprised by my compliment, but then smiled.

- You're very kind. - She returned my compliment and then left, leaving me alone once again.

I sighed and looked back the way Arianna had come, hoping to see her, but I was disappointed. I then began to study the architecture of the hall carefully, while mentally comparing it to other classical works.

Everything had been very well designed, I concluded. Who had been the architect?

The decoration was impeccable and the crystal chandelier was the first to attract my attention. Soon after, my eyes caught sight of the tables decorated with crystal vases filled with roses of the most diverse colors. On them were also fine delicacies that I had never seen before.

Then I heard the sound of someone's laughter and automatically turned around.

I then saw a group of people, some distance from me, all laughing at the same time while a man gestured with his hand, probably telling a joke.

I couldn't help but smile at the boy's energy. He seemed really happy.

I took my eyes off the boy when my attention was caught by the vase of roses on the snack table in front of me. I walked over and couldn't resist the urge to touch the flowers. I had never seen such perfect bouquets.

Suddenly, I had a strange feeling. As if someone was watching me.

Calm down, Ellen. It's all in your head. Breathe and enjoy your champagne.

I was a master at giving myself good advice, but I couldn't follow any of it because the uncomfortable feeling was growing in the pit of my stomach, making me more and more nervous.

I put the glass of champagne to my mouth and stopped concentrating on the flowers to wander around the room looking for Arianna, and that's when I realized I wasn't being paranoid. On the other side of the room, a little away from another group of people, a man wearing a black tuxedo stared at me with interest. He looked like he'd jumped out of a modeling catalog.

I was suddenly caught in that gaze that I strangely knew from somewhere. Until, to my dismay, the man took my continued gaze as permission for him to approach and started walking towards me. I was confused and nervous. All I wanted was to catch someone's eye at that damn party!

Panicked, I started looking for an escape route. I spotted a space between some people chatting behind me. I left my glass of champagne on the tray of an approaching waiter. Then I turned my back and started walking in that direction. I passed people quickly and suddenly found myself in another hall. This one had a golden dome coming down from the center of the ceiling. There was also a dance floor with lighting and a stage next to it.

I looked back and didn't see the stranger with the intense eyes again.

I sighed with relief as I concentrated on the band, which to my surprise was playing "I'm in the mood for love" by Rod Stewart, a song from 1935. I smiled. It was good to know that I wasn't the only one who appreciated old things.

- Running away from someone? - The deep voice sounded in my ear and I jumped a little.

I turned quickly to face the Greek god. He had a mischievous smile on his lips. His eyes were deep blue and even more intense up close. I couldn't think of a plausible answer to give him. - I confess I'm impressed. Women usually run to me, not the other way around. - He gave a smug smile and his cheeky gaze traveled down my body.

At first I was flattered when I saw the admiration in his gaze. It was then that I understood where exactly I recognized the arrogance in his voice and the impertinence in his words. The Greek god in front of me was the same handsome man who almost ran me over a few days ago. The mixed feelings at that moment left no room for anything but indignation inside me:

- I wasn't running from you. - My words came out more acidic than I'd intended.

His smile widened and he captured one of my hands.

- Really? - His blue eyes flashed provocatively and his voice was laden with irony. - Forgive me if I got that impression, miss... What's your name? - He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it, making my skin burn at his touch.

- Ellen. - I answered, still caught in his intense gaze, but regretted it a second later. I shouldn't have said my real name.

- Nice to meet you, I'm Damien Mason.

I felt my throat go dry.

Oh my God! I was standing in front of the party's guest of honor, and the greatest coincidence in the world is bumping into the owner of the party twice on the same day. My hands were freezing and a new wave of nervousness rose in the pit of my stomach. This was it. He would find out that I had invaded his party.

I quickly looked for an excuse to get rid of him:

- I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Mason. - I tried to speak without stuttering and pulled on the hand he was holding. - But I need to find my friends now.

- So you came with your friends. - He seemed pleased with the information.

I wondered why and realized a moment later that for him, it meant that I was single and that he could continue flirting with me.

Damn it, damn it, damn it! I should have lied and said I was with a man.

- Yes, I did. - I smiled yellow. - Now if you'll excuse me... - I turned to leave. At this point, the lights in the hall dimmed and Rod Stewart was replaced by Michael Bolton, in his best performance of "When a man loves a woman".

- I don't think you'll be able to find anyone now. - Damien whispered in my ear behind me. Then he stood in front of me. - How about giving me the pleasure of your company on the dance floor? He smiled seductively and I felt my knees tremble. Why did he have to be so handsome? That and Michael Bolton made it difficult for me to think logically.

- I can't dance. - I lied quickly.

- I'm no dancer either, but we're just going to sway from side to side, my Darling.

Damien smiled, but his smile didn't reach his eyes and the blue spheres glowed in a way that told me he wouldn't take no for an answer. I sighed and cast a defeated glance in his direction.

- A song. - I gave in.

He smiled, now seeming to actually find the situation amusing.

- I'm sure that will be enough. He took my hand in his and pulled me towards the dance floor. When we got there, he wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me close to him and forcing me to rest my hands on his shoulders.

Our closeness soon got my heart racing and I concentrated on staring at his starched collar to get my pulse back to normal.

- You lied. - He said suddenly.

- What? - I replied, confused. Had he already been aware of my impostor status?