Chapter 1 The mysterious man

RIVER'S P.O.V

"This party is buzzing girl" Angel, my best friend said,as she set the tray on her hand "Too bad we can't party with them" and then she walked away.

The party hall was alive, a pulse of energy running through it, shaking the very walls. The thumping music could be heard through the polished marble floors, the beats blending effortlessly with the clinking of crystal glasses and the murmur of conversation from Russia's elite.

The chandeliers hanging above sparkled, casting clear light on the sea of expensive gowns and tailored suits. Everything was magnificent. It felt like another world,one I did not belong in.

I scanned the crowd while balancing a tray of champagne flutes, trying to stay unnoticed. It was the only way to survive here, where every corner of the room was packed with people who had more money than I had ever seen in my lifetime. People who lived lavishly, who wore their wealth on their clothes like badges of honor.

Unlike me, who had practically pleaded to be here, in this glittering hall, just to earn enough cash to cover my rent and send money over to my grandma and sister over in Russia. I choose to stay here because they are also struggling over there.Rent was fast approaching and threatening to end me if I did not figure out a way to pay it. Being a waitress wasn't big, but it was the best I could do for now.

The weight of the tray in my hands was balanced but the weight in my chest was heavier, a reminder of how far removed I was from the riches and glamor around me. Still, I tried to toss the thought aside, focusing instead on making way through the sea of people without spilling anything. Just stay out of their way, I reminded myself. Serve drinks, smile, and keep your head down.

But, of course, things could not be that simple.

I didn't even see her coming. One second I was gliding through the crowd, and the next, I was moved sideways, nearly losing my balance. A woman, a blonde in a shining, curve-hugging gown had bumped into me, her cold blue eyes narrowing as if I had committed a grievous crime.

"Watch where you are going!" she snapped, her voice hard enough to slice through the air. "Can't you even maintain your own lane as a server? Or are you too busy moping at the crowd like a lost puppy?"

Heat crawled up to my neck, spreading across my face. I bit down hard on my lip to stop the comeback that burned in my throat, threatening to escape. How tempted I was to say something, to bite back at her and tell her that she had been the one to bump into me.

But I couldn't afford that. Not tonight. Not when this job was the only thing keeping me from falling back on my rent. So instead, I lowered my gaze and swallowed my pride murmuring, "Sorry, I'm really sorry."

But she was not done.

"Honestly, you should stick to serving drinks. What are you even looking at? Do your job and stop standing around like you belong here."

My fingers tightened around the tray as if holding it together was the only way to keep myself from breaking apart under the gravity of her insults.

And then, just as suddenly as the insult had started, it stopped. I blinked, confused until I noticed the shift in the woman's gaze. She was not looking at me anymore; her focus had shifted to something or rather someone across the room.

I followed her gaze and that's when I saw him.

He had just entered the party hall, and the atmosphere switched in an instant. The entire hall seemed to stand still as if time itself paused to acknowledge his presence.He was tall, impossibly tall, with broad shoulders that filled out his perfectly tailored black suit like he had been born to wear it.

His dark hair was combed back, revealing a face that could have been made from marble sharp, greek features that held a quiet aur. His eyes were what caught me first, though icy blue, cold and piercing, like they could see right through you. He had the kind of face that made you stare, a face so handsome that it was almost impossible to look away.

The man moved with a boldness that was not just noticeable it was commanding.

I released a deep breath, shaking off the shame I had felt earlier and turning my focus back to my work. The tray of champagne flutes still held,steady in my grip, but my heart had not quite calmed down from the encounter. I could not afford to mess up now. Not with so many wealthy people around, and definitely not after being lashed at, by some rich woman who probably didn't know what it was like to struggle for rent.

But no matter how hard I tried to shake the mystery man off my mind, my thoughts kept going back to him. The mysterious man with the cold blue eyes. He had moved deeper into the party now, his presence, a dark shadow in the glowing room. He had not spoken a word since his entry but everyone seemed to feel his presence.

The bodyguards followed him like silent ants, making sure no one got too close. Not that anyone would dare to, with the way he carried himself like he was both untouchable and dangerous at the same time.

Just as I gathered the last of the glasses, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. At first, I thought it was another guest looking for champagne but when I glanced up, I saw that it was the same woman who had bumped into me earlier, the blonde who had made me feel two inches small with her harsh words.

Her face looked calmer now, though. She wasn't looking at me anymore. Her gaze was fixed on him. She had that same look in her eyes that everyone else had...a mixture of awe and something stronger, something almost... fearful.

She was not alone either. A small group of women have gathered closeby, all of them whispering amongst themselves, their eyes never trailing off the man by the window. They weren't the only ones either. It seemed like half the room was still watching him, even as the party progressed around them.

I could not blame them. There was something about him that required attention, something more than just his looks or the power that reel off from him. It was as though he commands the very air in the room.

One of the women, a tall brunette with a bold red dress, finally worked up the courage to meet him. I watched as she walked over, confidence oozing from her every step. She smiled, moving her head flirtatiously as she reached out to touch his arm.

But he barely even looked at her. His gaze flicked over her, not interested, before he turned back to his companion, continuing their conversation as though she did not exist. The rejection was calm but unmistakable, and the brunette's face grew red with embarrassment before she quickly returned back to her friends

I did not know if I should feel sorry for her or happy that I wasn't the one being dismissed so easily. Either way, it was clear that this man was not here for unnecessary talk or flirtation. He had a purpose, and whatever it was, it had nothing to do with anyone in this room.

I busied myself again, trying to remain focused on my job, but the more I watched the scene happen, the more curious I get.Who is this man? Why did he have such an effect on everyone here?

But no matter how much I asked myself that, my eyes still found their way back to him.

He had moved again, now standing close to the bar with his friend, still accompanied by bodyguards, still demanding the attention of everyone in the room. And for a brief moment, just a second, his gaze flicked toward me.

Our eyes connected across the room, and it felt like the air had been knocked out of me. His blue eyes pierced onto mine, piercing through the crowd, through the noise and through everything.

He did not smile nor did his facial expression of indifference change,he just looked hard and long, like he was trying to see something inside me that even I didn't know existed.

And then, just as fast as it had began it ended. He looked away, turning back to his friend, and the moment was gone.

But I was left standing there, my heart beating fast, my pulse picking pace, and I could not help but wonder what had just happened?

And why did it feel like my life had just shifted in an irreplaceable way?