Chapter 4 The Sparks Ignite

The following morning, Ruby found herself still replaying the memory of the previous night-the opulent ballroom, the endless champagne, the whispers of wealth and power swirling around her like a storm. But more than anything, it was him. The mysterious man with piercing dark eyes, who had left an impression she couldn't shake. His gaze had lingered far longer in her mind than anything else from that evening.

Shaking off the thoughts, Ruby reminded herself that she had a life to get back to-a normal, far-from-glamorous life. She was no stranger to mingling with high society, but she didn't belong in it. These events were simply part of her job, and she couldn't afford to get caught up in fantasies about men who lived in a world of billion-dollar deals and private jets. Still, the pull of those dark, unreadable eyes was hard to resist.

As she headed into the city for work, the mundane rhythm of the day helped push the lingering memories to the back of her mind, but only temporarily. She knew her thoughts would circle back to him-Zane, as she had come to learn from overheard whispers at the event. A name that now seemed to echo in her head, stirring a curiosity she couldn't quite explain.

The next time she saw him, however, came sooner than expected.

---

Ruby had just stepped out of the small café she frequented for lunch when she spotted him across the street. Zane, leaning casually against a sleek black car, his dark sunglasses shielding his eyes from the midday sun. For a moment, she thought she was imagining it. What were the chances of running into him like this in the middle of the day?

He seemed almost too perfect, standing there as if he owned the world. And for all Ruby knew, he very well might. The city buzzed around him, but he appeared detached, as though he was above it all. Then, as if sensing her gaze, he slowly turned in her direction, lowering his sunglasses to meet her eyes.

Ruby's breath caught in her throat. It was as if time had slowed down for that brief moment, the noise of the busy street fading into the background. A half-smile played on Zane's lips as he straightened up and began walking toward her.

Don't be ridiculous, Ruby thought. He's not coming to talk to you.

But he was.

"Ruby, right?" His voice was smooth and deep, just as she'd imagined it would be. How did he even know her name?

She nodded, stunned by the fact that he had not only noticed her at the event but had remembered her name. "Yes, Ruby."

Zane flashed her a charming smile, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. "I thought I recognized you. Small world."

Small world? That's an understatement, Ruby thought, still trying to process how someone like him was talking to her, let alone acting like this was a normal encounter. She forced a smile, attempting to keep her composure. "Yeah, I guess it is."

He studied her for a moment, and Ruby could feel the weight of his gaze, like he was trying to see through the mask of politeness she wore. "I didn't get the chance to introduce myself properly the other night. Zane."

"I remember," she replied quickly, feeling a rush of warmth in her cheeks. She was doing her best to sound unaffected, but it wasn't working.

His smile widened. "I hope you enjoyed the event."

Ruby nodded, her mind racing to find something intelligent to say. "It was... something. Different from what I'm used to."

"I imagine it can be overwhelming," he said, his tone softening. "Not everyone fits into that world."

Ruby appreciated the honesty in his words, the acknowledgment that she might not belong in the glittering circles he was used to. It made her feel a little more at ease. "You're right about that. I think I spent half the night trying to figure out how to disappear."

Zane chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Well, I'm glad you didn't. It's rare to meet someone who isn't swept up in all that nonsense."

His compliment caught her off guard, and for a moment, she found herself smiling back at him. There was something disarming about Zane, something that made her feel seen in a way she hadn't expected. It was a dangerous feeling, but one she couldn't resist.

They talked for a few more minutes, the conversation flowing easily despite the strange circumstances of their meeting. Ruby was surprised by how normal Zane seemed, despite his polished exterior and obvious wealth. He was charming, yes, but there was also a quiet intensity to him that drew her in. It wasn't long before she found herself laughing at one of his comments, feeling more comfortable in his presence than she would have thought possible.

As they parted ways, Zane gave her one last lingering look, his eyes smoldering with something unspoken. "Maybe we'll run into each other again soon, Ruby."

Ruby could only nod, her heart racing as he walked away, disappearing into the throng of people on the busy street.

---

Later that night, Ruby lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind spinning with thoughts of Zane. She could still hear his voice, feel the warmth of his gaze on her, and it made her chest tighten with something unfamiliar-desire, maybe, or something deeper. It was ridiculous to even entertain the idea of being interested in someone like him. Zane lived in a world far removed from hers, a world of power, privilege, and endless options.

But still, her mind wandered. She imagined what it would be like to be with him, to have those intense eyes focused solely on her. The thought made her heart race, a thrill of excitement coursing through her veins. She fantasized about their next encounter, about what he might say or do, and found herself smiling at the thought. It was just a harmless fantasy, after all. What was the harm in dreaming?

Unbeknownst to her, however, someone else was growing increasingly frustrated.

---

Across town, Alex sat in his penthouse, staring at his phone, replaying the brief interaction he'd had with Ruby at the event. The woman had flat-out dismissed him, and while it didn't usually bother him to be turned down, something about this time stung more than he cared to admit. It wasn't just that Ruby had rejected him-it was that Zane had noticed her too.

Alex knew his best friend well enough to recognize the signs. Zane was intrigued by Ruby, and while it had started as an amusing coincidence, Alex could feel the tension beginning to build. He wasn't used to competing with Zane for a woman's attention. Usually, they didn't step on each other's toes when it came to women-there was an unspoken rule between them. But Ruby, with her quiet allure and unexpected charm, was different. And it was becoming clear that Zane wasn't going to back off.

As Alex downed the rest of his drink, frustration gnawed at him. He wasn't the type to sit on the sidelines, especially when it came to something-or someone-he wanted. And right now, he wanted Ruby.

But if Zane was going to make a move, then so would he.

The game had just begun.