Chapter 2- Rising tension

Alex was stunned.

For the first time in a long while, something had thrown him off balance.

The woman who had just collided with him stood mere inches away, her delicate face illuminated under the soft hallway lights. Loose waves of dark hair framed her heart-shaped face, but it was her eyes that held him captive. Bright, almond-shaped, and burning with fierce intensity–a color so deep and vibrant it felt like a memory trying to claw its way to the surface.

She was breathtaking. But more than that—she felt… familiar.

Alex's gaze sharpened, his mind calculating, trying to piece together why this woman’s face stirred something in him he couldn’t explain. His pulse quickened, a rare reaction he immediately resented.

"What the hell?" the woman grumbled, clutching her reddened nose. "Are you blind? Why the hell were you standing in the way?"

Alex’s brows creased. His momentary fascination vanished, replaced by icy detachment. Did she just snap at him?

His gaze swept down to the phone on the floor between them—the screen shattered beyond saving. His eyes narrowed slightly before lifting back to hers. Her anger was palpable, radiating from every inch of her small frame.

"Excuse me?" His tone was quiet, almost dangerous.

Eve's eyes flashed with defiance as she crouched down to retrieve the broken phone. She pressed the power button—nothing.

"Just my luck," she muttered, shaking the lifeless device before lifting her glare to him. "Do you know how many sleepless nights I had to endure to buy this phone?"

Alex watched her silently, the storm of anger in her eyes almost amusing. Almost.

"I can replace it with ten new ones," he said coldly. His tone was casual, dismissive.

Eve’s mouth fell open. "What?"

His gaze remained impassive. "Or twenty, if you prefer."

Her face twisted in outrage. "So because you're rich, you think you can fix everything by throwing money at it?"

Alex’s expression darkened. Most women would have softened at the prospect of being spoiled by his wealth. But this one? She was practically baring her teeth at him.

"Careful," he murmured, his gaze sharp as steel. "You’re treading dangerous ground."

Eve scoffed. "Oh, please. You think I'm scared of you?"

Alex stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Eve instinctively took a step back, feeling the sudden shiver down her spine. His tall frame loomed over her, his gaze penetrating.

"You should be." His voice was low, lethal.

Eve's heart hammered painfully in her chest. But she held her ground, chin tilted defiantly. "Why? Because you're rich? Powerful? That doesn’t impress me."

A flicker of something–amusement, perhaps—passed through Alex’s gaze. "Then what would you prefer for compensation?"

Her eyes sharpened. "An apology."

Alex's brow lifted. "An apology?"

"Yes," Eve bit out. "Normal people apologize when they crash into someone and destroy their stuff."

Alex’s lips curved slightly—not a smile, but close enough to infuriate her.

"Why should i apologized? You were the one who crashed on me. Well, unless you intended it so you can throw yourself at me."

Eve's chest rose and fell rapidly, her breathing shallow. He was too close—his fragrant scent, invaded her senses. His hand brushed casually against the wall beside her head, caging her in.

"You—" Her words faltered.

Alex’s eyes flicked down to her lips, then back to her heated gaze. His head lowered slightly, just enough to make her breath hitch.

"Be careful what you wish for," he murmured.

Her breath hitched uncontrollably, but her glare didn’t waver.

"You’re unbelievable," she whispered, forcing herself to push past him. Her shoulder brushed his chest, and Alex’s gaze darkened as he watched her retreating figure.

Unbelievable.

No one—absolutely no one–had ever dared speak to him like that.

His grandmother, business moguls, competitors—they all feared him. Yet this woman, with her fiery eyes and sharp tongue, had just stood her ground like he was nothing more than an annoyance.

He watched her disappear down the hall, the memory of her eyes burned into his mind.

A dangerous glint settled in his gaze.

Interesting.

*****

In the locker room, Eve tossed her broken phone into her bag, her hands still trembling from the encounter.

"Evie, you’re almost late!" Kelly’s voice broke through her thoughts. "Manager Dunne wants us to serve food and wine to room 619."

"Got it," Eve said, breathing through her frustration as she quickly changed into her uniform.

She followed Kelly down the hall toward the private boxes. Her mind was still racing from her encounter with the arrogant bastard who’d destroyed her phone.

Of all the people to run into—literally–it had to be some entitled, rich jerk who thought the world revolved around him.

When she and Kelly entered the room, two men sat on one side of the long couch. She recognized them—they were regulars at the pub.

But the third man…

Her breath caught.

Seated across from them, his long legs crossed lazily, was the same cold-eyed man from earlier.

Alexander.

His gaze flicked toward her, sharp and calculating. Recognition flashed in his stormy eyes.

Eve’s grip on the tray tightened. Her pulse spiked.

‘Stay calm. You need this job. Don’t let him get to you.’

"Be careful," Kelly whispered beside her.

Eve carefully set the tray down—but the moment her hand released the bowl of soup, it wobbled dangerously.

"Oh no–"

The bowl tipped. The contents spilled forward, splashing directly onto Alex’s crisp white shirt.

A collective gasp filled the room.

Eve froze. Oh. Shit!

For a moment, everything stood still.

Alex slowly lifted his gaze to her, his shirt soaked in dark broth. His expression turned glacial.

"Oh my God, I’m so sorry!" Eve panicked, grabbing napkins and dabbing at his chest. "It was an accident!"

Alex’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist tightly. Her breath caught as his long fingers wrapped around her skin.

His eyes were lethal.

"Stop," he said, his voice cutting through the room’s silence like a knife.

Eve’s heart thudded wildly. His grip wasn’t painful, but the dominance in his hold made her freeze. His gaze bored into hers, cold and calculating.

"I…" Her voice failed. Her wrist throbbed beneath his hold.

"Get lost," he shoved her hand harshly.

Eve’s face burned with humiliation as she stumbled back from the force.

"You arrogant–" Her voice shook with anger. "I said I was sorry!"

Alex’s gaze remained emotionless.

"You really are unbelievable," she seethed. "No wonder you’re so miserable—you think you can control everyone with that cold attitude of yours!"

A dangerous flicker passed through Alex’s gaze. But Eve didn’t wait for a response. She turned on her heel and stormed toward the door, Kelly hurrying after her.

The door slammed shut behind them.

Luke’s jaw hung open. "Did she just–"

"Scold Alex?" Travis finished, wide-eyed.

Luke whistled low. "She’s dead."

But Travis’s gaze lingered on Alex. Despite his icy expression, there was a dangerous glint in his eyes—a spark of intrigue beneath the fury.

"Or…" Travis smirked. "This just got interesting."

Alex’s hand brushed his shirt, his jaw tightening. His gaze remained on the door Eve had stormed through.

His mind was already working. Calculating.

That woman…

She’s going to regret this.