I stood in front of my mirror, adjusting the sleek black dress that I’d picked out after trying on at least six others. It wasn't really my thing to attend this kind of grand party. After all, I am not the type of person who likes this luxurious event. I would rather lay on my bed, wearing sweatshirts, and watch a movie.
I sigh.
Tonight’s charity gala wasn’t something I was looking forward to, but it came with the territory of my job. Why does she have to get sick at this time? Why? I wanted to smack my friend's head for getting sick at times like this, but what would it do?
I sighed, smoothing a stray lock of auburn hair behind my ear. These events always felt like a chore—a room full of people pretending to care about each other while secretly calculating how they could get ahead.
I really hate this. Just now I feel so tired; I haven't been to that party yet.
“Alright, Aliyah, let’s get this over with,” I muttered to myself as I grabbed my clutch and headed out the door.
There is nothing I can do, even if I complain. Antonette is sick, and she always attends this kind of thing. Usually, I'm always put in formal meetings because that's what I want. Because everyone knows that I don't like luxurious parties, they never put me in this kind of event. When I arrived, I was immediately amazed. I'm not amazed because I've only seen something like this, but how magnificent it is.
The venue was every bit as grand as I’d expected, with crystal chandeliers, expensive champagne, and people dressed to impress. I slipped into work mode, offering polite smiles and firm handshakes as I made my way through the crowd.
Of course, they know me. It's not because I don't go to this kind of party; I'm not known anymore. Well, they knew me because I am one of those hard people to deal with when having business talks. Those honest business people liked me, but those who don't wish they had never met me. Because I'm not defeating them. They thought I didn't know anything.
These events were about networking, making connections that would push my career forward, and also about the company I work for. I am an executive, so this is normal for me. But tonight, I couldn’t shake the feeling of exhaustion that had been creeping up on me all week. Maybe it was just one too many late nights at the office.
If only I could go home immediately, I couldn't.
“Aliyah, over here! ”Marianne’s voice rang out above the hum of conversation. I spotted her waving at me from across the room. Finally, I also know a lady that I agree with. I've been looking for this woman for a while, but I just found her now.
I pasted on a smile and made my way over, already preparing for a night of small talk. This kind of event is boring to me, so I really need someone to talk to.
As Marianne chattered on about the latest office gossip, I let my eyes wander. There is nothing new in the gossip that Marianne tells me. I knew about it, but I couldn't confirm it. Now that Marrianne is telling me that one by one, it's confirmed. After all, Marianne is the type of lady who won't tell a lie. But it will spit the turth.
While looking around, that’s when I saw him—Logan Pierce. The name was familiar, of course. He was one of those tech billionaires who seemed to have it all: money, power, and the works. But seeing him in person was different. He is different from the ones I see on television, magazines, news papers, and even the internet. He had this presence that was hard to ignore, even from across the room. He was surrounded by people, yet he looked detached, almost like he wasn’t really there.
I should’ve looked away; I should’ve focused on the conversation I was barely part of, but something about him caught my attention. Maybe it was the way he stood—confident but somehow weary. Or maybe it was just that he was different from the usual crowd of self-important executives I was used to dealing with. Either way, I told myself it didn’t matter. I had enough on my plate without adding someone like Logan Pierce to the mix.
I don't want to have more problems. It's okay that after the party, I'll leave and rest in my condo instead of dealing with other problems.
But, of course, fate had other plans.
So sometimes I get really annoyed with fate. It's like fate doesn't want to silence my world.
“Aliyah Whitmore,” a voice said from behind me, smooth and authoritative. Shit. I turned and found myself face-to-face with Logan Pierce. Up close, he was even more striking. His eyes were dark and intense, and they seemed to see right through me. Why is this man here right now in front of me? “I’ve heard about you,” he continued, and there was something in his tone—like he was testing me.
“Likewise,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. Who will not hear news about this man? He is the content of news outlets almost every day. He even beat actors and other people in the entertainment industry. “Though I doubt we travel in the same circles.”
That's right, we're not in the same circle. So, please, get your ass out in front of me.
“Maybe not,” he said, a small, almost teasing smile on his lips. “But your name has come up quite a bit lately. You’ve made an impression.”
I raised an eyebrow, not sure what he was getting at. “Is that so? I wasn’t aware I was on your radar.”
He shrugged, still smiling, but there was something guarded in his eyes. “I’m curious about people who stand out. And you do, Ms. Whitmore.”
I wasn’t sure if that was supposed to be a compliment or something else. “I’m not easily impressed by names, Mr. Pierce. I prefer actions to words.”
His smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. “Then I guess I’ll have to show you what I can do.”
Before I could respond, someone called his name, and he glanced over his shoulder. His attention was pulled away. He looked back at me for a moment, his eyes lingering like he wanted to say more, but then he nodded and walked off.
The really rich, what? There is no respect at all. I just left suddenly and didn't say goodbye. He was the first to come. Oh my gosh, I'm getting annoyed.
I watched him disappear into the crowd, feeling a mix of curiosity and caution. There was something about Logan Pierce that felt like trouble—the kind of trouble I’d learned to avoid. But as much as I wanted to shrug it off, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the last time our paths would cross. Whether I liked it or not, something told me that Logan Pierce was going to be a part of my life, one way or another.
