Chapter 3 Games of the Elite

Ruby wandered through the lavish ballroom, still shaken by her encounter with the mysterious man. The memory of his gaze lingered like a ghost, haunting her even as she tried to engage in polite conversation with the elite of the business world. She had hoped the event would be an opportunity for her to network and maybe, just maybe, feel like she belonged. But the weight of the glamorous surroundings and the sharp judgmental eyes of those around her kept her on edge.

She drained the last of her champagne and turned to find another waiter with a tray. The night was dragging on, and she hadn't quite figured out how to leave without offending her boss. Just as she was about to slip into the shadows, someone stepped into her path.

"Excuse me," a deep voice said, smooth and charming.

Ruby glanced up, forcing a polite smile. Standing before her was a man she hadn't noticed before. His suit was sleek and tailored, and his smile radiated confidence. He was undeniably handsome-chiseled jawline, perfectly tousled brown hair, and piercing green eyes that sparkled with mischief. He was the type of man who could easily make any woman swoon.

But not tonight. Not Ruby.

"I don't think we've met," the man said, his smile widening as he extended a hand. "I'm Alex."

Ruby hesitated. Something about his approach felt too practiced, too smooth. The last thing she wanted was to spend the rest of the evening entertaining yet another rich bachelor looking for a fleeting distraction.

"Sorry," she said, her tone more dismissive than she intended. She stepped around him, barely making eye contact. "I'm just on my way out."

Alex's smile faltered slightly, though he quickly recovered, watching in amused disbelief as Ruby brushed past him without a second glance. He chuckled under his breath, shaking his head as he watched her disappear into the crowd.

"Well, that's a first."

He didn't take rejection personally-at least, not the kind that came from a woman like her. Ruby's indifference piqued his curiosity more than it wounded his ego. She was different. Most women, especially in this environment, would have jumped at the opportunity to talk to someone like him, but she had shrugged him off as if he were just another face in the crowd. That intrigued him.

Still grinning, Alex made his way through the ballroom, weaving between groups of elegantly dressed guests until he reached the bar at the far end of the room. Leaning against it, Zane was already waiting, a whiskey in hand and that same brooding look that he always carried.

"Rejection looks good on you," Zane said, raising an eyebrow as Alex approached.

Alex smirked, grabbing his own drink from the bartender. "She had no idea who she was turning down."

Zane took a sip of his whiskey, his dark eyes glittering with amusement. "And let me guess-you're not used to that."

"Not at all," Alex replied with a laugh. He leaned against the bar, glancing over his shoulder in the direction Ruby had gone. "She was different, though. Most women in this crowd see me, and they're already plotting how to get me to ask for their number."

"Maybe she wasn't impressed by your usual charm."

Alex pretended to be wounded, placing a hand over his heart. "Ouch. Low blow, man."

Zane smirked, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "You know, maybe she just wasn't interested in what you were selling. Women like that... they're not so easy to figure out."

"Women like that?" Alex asked, raising an eyebrow. "You mean women who don't care about the money, the lifestyle, the status?"

Zane's gaze grew more distant, thoughtful. "Exactly."

Alex followed his best friend's gaze, noticing for the first time how Zane's eyes seemed to follow the woman who had rejected him. Ruby, the same woman who had made an impression on Zane earlier. He chuckled under his breath.

"Oh no, don't tell me she caught your attention too?"

Zane shrugged, but his expression betrayed the slightest hint of interest. "I don't know what it is. There's something about her. She doesn't belong here, that much is obvious. And yet, she holds her own in a room full of sharks."

Alex leaned closer, his smirk deepening. "So, let me get this straight: I try to talk to her, she blows me off, and now you're interested in her too? We've got quite a situation on our hands."

Zane chuckled softly, his eyes still following Ruby as she moved through the crowd. "It's not like that."

"Isn't it?" Alex pressed, his tone teasing. "Come on, Zane. We both know how this goes. You see someone intriguing, someone who doesn't fawn over you the way most women do, and suddenly you're hooked."

Zane shot him a sidelong glance. "Don't make this into something it's not."

Alex raised his glass in a mock toast. "Fine, but I'm just saying... if she wasn't interested in me, good luck charming her. She's not the typical type, clearly."

Zane didn't respond, but the challenge lingered in the air between them. He was used to the effortless attention women lavished on him, drawn by his success, his power, his status. But Ruby? She didn't even know who he was, and that fascinated him.

"What's her name?" Alex asked after a moment, turning to the bartender who had been standing by quietly.

The bartender, a young man in a sharp uniform, hesitated before responding. "I believe she's Ruby. Came with Clarissa, if I'm not mistaken."

"Ruby," Alex repeated, rolling the name on his tongue like he was trying it out. "A fitting name for a hidden gem."

Zane set his glass down, his eyes darkening with interest. "She didn't just reject you because you're a bad flirt, Alex. She rejected you because she's smarter than that."

Alex laughed. "You're really leaning into this whole 'mysterious woman' vibe, aren't you?"

Zane shrugged but didn't deny it. There was something different about Ruby, something refreshing compared to the usual women who crossed their paths. In this world of wealth and power, everyone had an angle, but Ruby didn't seem to be playing the same game. It intrigued him more than he cared to admit.

"She probably doesn't even know who we are," Zane mused, staring into the distance.

Alex nodded. "Which makes her even more interesting, doesn't it?"

Zane leaned back, the corners of his lips curving slightly. "I think we'll be seeing more of her."

Alex smirked, taking a swig of his drink. "Careful. We wouldn't want to scare her off too quickly. You know how these things go. She might get curious."

"Oh, she'll get curious," Zane replied, a glint of mischief in his dark eyes. "But when she does, she won't know what hit her."

The two of them shared a knowing look, one forged from years of friendship and shared experiences. Zane and Alex had always been a team, navigating the world of high society with ease. They knew how to play the game, and they knew how to win. But this time, the stakes felt different.

Ruby had unknowingly stepped into their world, and now they both found themselves drawn to her in different ways. Whether it was the thrill of the chase, the allure of the unknown, or something deeper, neither of them could quite put a finger on it. But one thing was certain: Ruby had caught their attention, and their paths were bound to cross again.

Zane raised his glass in a silent toast, his eyes following Ruby's figure one last time before she disappeared from view.

"To the game."

Alex smirked, clinking his glass against Zane's. "To the game."