Chapter 2 Secret Under The Sparkle

I quickly looked up; fu*k, it was Alexander's chest. I took in a heavy breath when my gaze met that of Alexander Wolfe. His arms encircled my waist, preventing me from falling down.

The touch electrified me. His appearance was more impressive than what I had expected-his intense steel-blue eyes met mine, causing my heart to beat uncontrollably fast.

"Wow," he whispered, speaking softly, that single word tinged with amusement and shock. I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"Oh no." This was not the way it was meant to occur. I was expected to be in charge-elegant, strong, composed, but instead I accidentally bumped into him. "Pull yourself together," I scolded myself. I tried to make the blush on my face disappear.

"I'm okay," I stuttered. My voice exposed my agitated condition as I hastily withdrew from his grasp. Alexander's grip on my weakened, though his thumb made contact with the base of my back, a subtle and nearly intimate motion that caused an unexpected shiver to run down my spine. He retreated slightly, giving me room, yet his gaze fixed on me.

"Are you okay?" He had a playful, light tone. "Because it seemed like you were going to fall."

I smoothed out my dress, trying to regain my sense of dignity. "Indeed," I replied with a firm tone with greater determination. "I am okay." His face gradually lit up with a deliberate smile.

He quickly looked at me before focusing on my eyes again. I could sense his expression hidden behind his intense blue eyes. He said, "You appear in need of a beverage," with his voice maintaining that annoying hint of amusement.

I blinked; I was surprised by his charm. This wasn't part of the original plan. My role was meant to be the one leading him on, enticing him with my cunning, not the opposite. However, the way he looked at me and spoke with a certain tone made it difficult to concentrate.

Despite knowing it wasn't the best decision, I gave a nod. "Perhaps only one," I responded, trying to make my voice sound nonchalant, unaltered. However, my heart's quick rhythm suggested otherwise. His smile grew wider, and he moved towards the bar with a casual wave of his hand. "Following you, next. While we walked side by side, the sounds of the ballroom appeared to gradually diminish.

My head was filled with inquiries and uncertainties. What led me to agree at first? I ought to be the one taking charge in this situation, not trailing after him. Somehow, he had managed to reverse the situation.

Taking a quick look at him from the corner of my eye, I observed his seamless movement through the crowd, his presence drawing attention. However, at this moment, he was completely concentrated on me. A rush of excitement coursed through me-a risky, intoxicating sensation I couldn't quite get rid of.

We arrived at the bar, and Alexander signaled to the bartender, ordering two glasses of champagne without inquiring about my preference. Usually, I would have been annoyed by that, but instead, I felt strangely fascinated by his confidence.

"What has led you to attend this event?" He interrupted my thoughts with a casual yet curious voice as he passed me the glass. I paused, sensing the heaviness of his stare. This was the moment I had been getting ready for. I had dedicated months to refining my narrative and shaping my true identity.

However, my meticulously crafted disguise mask seemed to feel delicate under the weight of his intense gaze. "I'm only here to enjoy the beautiful evening," I stated, putting on a wide smile while lifting the glass to my lips and taking a quick sip to give myself a moment to think.

"What about you?" Alexander gave a soft chuckle; the sound was deep and velvety. He noticed that I didn't appear to attend these events simply to 'have fun', he said, with a playful glint in his eyes. "There's always something more happening behind the scenes, isn't there?"

My heart raced. Is he aware? The intense gaze he gave me made me feel exposed, causing a chill to run down my back. "I'm not sure what you're trying to say." I quickly responded; my tone was a bit too sharp, too defensive.

I could sense the situation slipping away from my control, and I hated it. Alexander arched an eyebrow, keeping his smile steady. "I believe you do," he calmly replied, his tone aggravating. Leaning in a bit, he whispered, "Everyone has a hidden motive, Miss...?"

My heart rate increased. I had to quickly regain control. "Lana," I exclaimed, the fake name slipping out easily. I had intended to use that name if needed, but now it didn't feel right; it felt unnatural. However, it was already too late to retract it.

Alexander's eyes briefly turned dark, then he nodded in agreement. "Lana," he echoed, as though trying out the name for himself. "It's a pleasure to meet you." I gave a fake smile, but my thoughts were racing. Concentrate, I told myself. I couldn't allow him to gain the advantage. I was not close enough. However, as time went by, it seemed like I was being pulled deeper into his scheme-one that I wasn't sure I could overcome.

"What are your plans, Lana?" He inquired, his voice lowering and his gaze locking onto mine with such intensity that it caught my breath. I felt my heart beating rapidly in my chest. I sensed the walls drawing near, the tension growing tighter like a noose. I needed to leave the conversation before revealing too many details.

The way he gazed at me made it seem like he was already aware of the truth. "I didn't have one," my voice sounded more composed than I actually felt. "I am only present to savor the champagne." Although Alexander still smiled, his eyes revealed a contrasting narrative. I sensed he wasn't convinced. Not even for a moment. Raising his glass in a sarcastic toast, I felt a sinking realization that the actual game had just started.

I was unable to concentrate on anything else besides Alexander, despite the laughter and clinking glasses in the room. His voice, his aura, every aspect of him was drawing me in further, like an irresistible magnet.

"Your perspective on the world is truly captivating," Alexander commented, gently swirling the champagne in his glass while his gaze remained fixed on me. "Majority of the individuals present in this room-" he glanced around the ballroom, "are all about the show, but you? You are different."

I drank my drink slowly, giving myself time to calm my thoughts. "What is the reason for your statement?" He was slightly inclined towards me, lowering his voice enough to be heard only by me. "It all depends on how you present yourself." "You are not concerned with the things they are concerned about. Status and wealth are not your only motivations, are they?"

I felt my heart rate increase. He is trying to catch fish. He didn't understand my true intentions for being here, but his ability to effortlessly understand me made me uncomfortable.

I managed to muster a gentle grin. Perhaps I simply derive pleasure from observing others. A smile formed on Alexander's lips as his eyes sparkled with amusement. Observing people, eh? What have you noticed about me? I paused a bit, unsure of how much to disclose. However, he was pressuring me already, and I couldn't risk showing any doubt. "You're... complex," I started cautiously, my eyes quickly scanning his face.

"You project a facade as a charming, successful CEO, but there is a hidden layer underneath." He lifted one eyebrow, curious. "What is your opinion on that?" I paused to breathe, carefully selecting my words. "You're not as apathetic as you pretend to be." "Your true essence goes beyond what is readily visible."

His eyes became slightly darker, his smile fading enough to indicate that my words had struck a nerve. "I could say the same comments regarding you, Lana," he responded smoothly, but his tone now had a hint of sharpness. "You may act like you're here to have a good time, but I'm not convinced. You also have secrets."

I felt my heart skip a beat. I briefly thought about rejecting it, shrugging it off with a laugh. However, a certain intensity in his look prevented me from moving, causing me to remain in place, feeling the tension that lingered between us. Instead of backing down, I responded to his challenge with a calm, deliberate grin. "I might."

Alexander tilted his head, observing me intently, as if he were attempting to unravel a mystery. His intense gaze caused a shiver to run down my back, yet I remained composed.

Just as I felt the tension would break, he reclined with his smirk coming back, while seconds passed between us. "You are quite surprised, aren't you?"

I lifted my shoulder, sensing my confidence coming back. I enjoy adding variety to keep things engaging. Our dialogue fluctuated, transitioning from casual chatter to deep discussions, with each interaction becoming increasingly revealing.

He passionately discussed his business, recounting stories of tough negotiations and crucial conversations that took me by surprise. However, underneath the display of confidence, I felt a deeper emotion-a subtle feeling of being lonely, of being cut off from others, like he had created a powerful kingdom just to end up by himself at the pinnacle.

"What about you?" he inquired, redirecting the conversation back towards me. "Lana, what motivates you? What is your goal?"

I took in a deep breath. It was too dangerous out here. I needed to be cautious; any mistake, any indication of my real intentions, could destroy all of my plans. "I guess I simply desire to live life according to my own rules." Alexander chuckled, a menacing sound that made my heart pound. "A woman of her dreams. Admired that."

I was about to respond when his gaze hardened, his smile faltering for just a split second, enough to make my heart skip a beat.

Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But don't think for a second you're fooling me, Lana. I know exactly what you're after."