Chapter 5 Walking into the Trap

Ruby arrived at another high-society event, dressed in an elegant, form-fitting black dress that clung to her curves, her hair swept up in a sophisticated bun. As she stepped into the opulent ballroom, she couldn't help but feel the familiar flutter of nerves. These events always made her feel out of place, as though she were a visitor in a world she didn't quite belong to. The wealth, the glamour, the sense of ease everyone else seemed to exude-it was intoxicating and intimidating at once.

But tonight, there was something else that kept her nerves in check, something-or rather, someone-that had been occupying her mind since the last event. Zane. His piercing eyes, his calm demeanor, the way he spoke with such precision yet left her wanting more... She hadn't been able to stop thinking about him.

As she scanned the room, her gaze searching for him almost subconsciously, she felt her heartbeat quicken. She had no idea if he'd be here tonight, but a part of her hoped he would. And then, as if the universe had read her thoughts, she spotted him.

Zane stood near the back of the room, his broad shoulders perfectly framed by a sleek, tailored black suit. His eyes scanned the crowd, though they seemed distant, almost bored. But then, as if he sensed her gaze, his eyes met hers across the crowded room. Time seemed to stop for a moment, and Ruby felt a strange warmth rush through her.

He smiled-just a small, barely noticeable curve of his lips-but it was enough to send a shiver down her spine. Zane was a man who didn't need to speak to command attention, and in that moment, Ruby felt like she was the only person in the room.

Gathering her courage, she started to make her way toward him. Every step felt more deliberate than the last, her pulse racing with a mix of excitement and anxiety. As she approached, Zane shifted slightly, his attention now fully on her.

"Ruby," he greeted her with a smooth, low voice, his eyes gleaming with a mix of intrigue and something darker. "I'm glad to see you."

Her heart leapt at the sound of her name on his lips. "Likewise," she replied, hoping her voice didn't betray her nervousness.

For a moment, they stood there, exchanging pleasantries, but underneath the surface, Ruby could feel something electric between them. Every word Zane spoke seemed carefully chosen, every glance calculated to draw her in closer. It was as though he knew exactly how to make her feel like the center of his world, even in a room full of powerful people.

They talked about the event, the people there, but Ruby barely registered the conversation. Her mind was spinning, replaying every glance, every subtle touch. She found herself captivated by his confidence, the way he seemed so effortlessly in control of everything around him.

As the evening wore on, Ruby felt herself falling deeper under Zane's spell. There was something intoxicating about him, something she couldn't quite put into words. He wasn't just handsome-though he was certainly that. It was the way he made her feel seen, as though he could look right through her, past the surface and into the parts of herself she kept hidden.

But as she was wrapped up in the warmth of their conversation, a shadow loomed over them.

"Ruby, there you are," a voice interrupted, cutting through the moment like a knife. Ruby turned to see the man from the last event-Alex. She remembered him, mostly because of how he had tried to flirt with her that night. She had dismissed him, not because he wasn't attractive, but because he hadn't been Zane.

Her eyes flicked from Zane to Alex, noticing how Zane's expression shifted ever so slightly-was it amusement she saw there?

"Alex," Zane greeted his friend with a cool nod, as though their interaction was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

Alex, however, didn't seem deterred. His charming smile was back in full force as he stepped closer to Ruby. "I didn't get a chance to properly introduce myself last time. I'm Alex," he said, offering his hand.

Ruby hesitated, glancing at Zane, who simply raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. She finally took Alex's hand, but the moment felt awkward, and she quickly dropped it.

"I remember," she said politely, though her tone lacked the warmth she had shown Zane. "We met briefly."

"Briefly, yes," Alex replied, his smile never faltering. "But I was hoping we could get to know each other a little better."

Ruby shifted uncomfortably, her focus still primarily on Zane. There was something about Alex that felt... off. Maybe it was the way he tried too hard, or maybe it was simply the fact that Zane had already claimed so much of her attention that anyone else felt like a distraction.

"I'm afraid I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment," she said, her gaze drifting back to Zane, who remained silent but watchful.

Alex chuckled, a sound that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Preoccupied with Zane, I see."

Ruby froze, realizing how obvious her interest in Zane had become. Her cheeks flushed, and she opened her mouth to say something, but Zane stepped in smoothly, placing a reassuring hand on the small of her back.

"Alex," Zane said with a calm, almost teasing tone, "it seems Ruby and I were in the middle of a conversation."

There was a subtle tension between the two men, one that Ruby couldn't quite place. She glanced between them, feeling a strange sense of unease.

Alex's smile thinned, but he nodded. "Of course. My mistake."

With that, he gave a slight bow, his eyes lingering on Ruby for just a moment longer before he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

Ruby let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "I didn't mean to be rude," she said softly, looking up at Zane.

"You weren't," Zane assured her, his hand still resting on her back, the heat of his touch sending shivers through her body. "Alex can be... persistent."

Ruby laughed nervously, trying to shake off the awkwardness of the situation. "He seems... nice enough, I guess."

Zane's lips quirked in a half-smile. "Nice isn't always what you want, though, is it?"

His words sent a thrill through her, and Ruby found herself at a loss for how to respond. There was something dangerous in the way Zane spoke, something that made her want to step closer to him, even as a small voice in the back of her mind warned her to be careful.

But that voice was drowned out by the pounding of her heart and the heat of Zane's gaze.

"No," Ruby said softly, "nice isn't always what I want."

Zane's smile deepened, and for a moment, the rest of the room seemed to fade away. It was just the two of them, standing on the edge of something unknown, something thrilling and potentially dangerous. Ruby didn't know where this would lead, but as she looked into Zane's eyes, she found herself wanting to find out.

Little did she know, the game had already begun, and she was falling right into their trap.