Chapter 6 Velvet Nights and Steel Eyes

Zolina's POV

My phone buzzed in my bag as I was exiting the Chanel store at Dubai Mall. After the meeting, I decided to go shopping a little to unwind from my encounter with Eros. I got myself the new perfume by Chanel and a couple of pieces of clothing from other stores. Shopping is one of my many guilty pleasures.

I pulled out my phone and saw Evara's name flashing on the screen. "Where are you?" she asked, skipping any formalities. "At Dubai Mall," I said, adjusting the bag on my shoulder. "You didn't even call me after the meeting! I've been waiting like a desperate ex," she huffed. "Get your fashionable butt over to my penthouse. I want all the tea."

I smiled. Of course, she couldn't wait. "Alright, I'm coming." Less than half an hour later, I was standing in front of her door. As soon as I rang the bell, the door swung open. "Zolinaaa!" Evara squealed, practically dragging me inside before I could even respond.

Her penthouse was exactly what I expected-a riot of beautiful chaos. Colors danced from every wall, pillow, and rug, yet nothing felt overwhelming. The pieces somehow complemented one another in a way only Evara could pull off. How could I forget my best friend was a wildly talented interior designer?

A weirdly shaped, moss-green couch curved through the living room like a sculpture. Evara tugged me toward it with urgency, making me sit beside her. "Okay. Spill. Now," she said, eyes wide and expectant.

I laughed, sinking into the oddly-shaped couch that turned out to be ridiculously comfortable. "You're not even going to offer me water first?"

"I'll get you a drink after you tell me what my brother said to you."

"Greek tyrant, you mean," I muttered under my breath. Her eyes sparkled. "Oooh, it's juicy. I can feel it. Start talking."

And so I did, leaving out the part where her brother and I had a stare down in the hallway of his building. I wasn't ready for her to start shipping us together because it's Eva, and I wouldn't put it past her.

"You shook his hand?" Evara blinked, frozen mid-sip of her overpriced herbal tea. "Like body contact and all?" I nodded, leaning back into the couch. "Yes," I repeated, a little slower this time. "He offered first. And... he didn't let go immediately either." I muttered, which she seemed to have heard either way.

Evara put down her mug with dramatic flair and stared at me like I'd just said her brother proposed. "He offered? And he lingered?" I raised an eyebrow, amused. "You're being a little dramatic."

"Z," she said seriously, shifting to face me fully. "My brother doesn't touch people. I'm not joking. He flinches when I hug him. One time, I held his arm, and he wiped it off like I had leprosy. And you're telling me he not only offered to shake your hand but held on for longer than normal?"

I shrugged, trying to act like it was no big deal. But deep down, I couldn't stop replaying the moment in my head. The way his hand engulfed mine, warm and firm. The tension between us-not just business tension-felt electric, like something neither of us could quite explain.

Evara gasped again, louder this time. "OMG, he likes you." I choked on my drink. "What? No, he doesn't."

"Oh my god," she said, her voice going up an octave. "This makes so much sense. If my brother hates someone, he doesn't even consider doing business with them. But he considered investing in you even after your argument at the event."

I waved her off. "Stop it. Eros? Please. That man is doing this to show he is stronger and has more power than I. This is a power play for him. Even if he did like me, which he doesn't-I wouldn't care. I don't have time for a control freak who thinks money excuses his attitude. He's my potential investor. That's it."

Evara gave me the most annoying side-eye I'd ever seen. "Mmhmm. Sure. Totally buying that."

"I mean it."

"Right. Because Zolina Lanconi, the girl who blushes at compliments and glares at billionaires, is totally unaffected by the man who shook her hand and stared into her soul." I narrowed my eyes on her. "You are so irritating. I mean, I keep complaining to you about him, and what you get from all that is that I like him?"

She only grinned wider. "And you're in denial. Very much in denial."

I threw a pillow at her, and she caught it with one hand like a ninja. "Anyway," she said, brushing her hair behind her ear, "we need to go out tonight."

"Nope. You made me mad," I pouted.

"Yes."

"Evara-"

"Nope," she said, standing. "We're doing something fun. No thinking about investors or emotionally stunted billionaires. Just music, drinks, dancing, and being the hottest girls in Dubai."

I tried to protest again, but she raised a perfectly manicured finger. "No excuses. I know the owner of this exclusive club. We'll have our own VIP suite, drinks flowing, everything sorted. Just say yes, Z. Trust me, you need it."

I hesitated. I wasn't really in the mood... but maybe that was the exact reason I should go. I needed to shake off whatever Eros-related spell was trying to latch onto me.

"Fine," I sighed. "One night. No creepy networking. Just fun."

"YES!" Evara squealed, already dancing her way to her closet.

-

By 9 PM, I was standing in front of my full-length mirror.

And honestly? I looked hot.

The Sawyer Mini Dress I'd chosen for the night was... dangerous. Black suede, skin-tight, with a halter neckline that dipped so low it defied gravity. The bodice was connected with horizontal straps that teased just enough skin to make my reflection smirk. The hem stopped dangerously high on my thighs, and my strappy stilettos made my legs look endless.

I could have dressed up in one of my designs, but I couldn't risk another one getting destroyed by another arrogant rich person, so this will do.

I'd gone with a messy updo, letting a few tendrils fall loosely around my face. Diamond drop earrings sparkled under the soft light, and my makeup was bold-glossy lips, smoky eyes, just the right amount of highlighter to make me look like I'd been kissed by the moon.

I turned slightly, admiring the curve of my hips. Damn, mama really did give me something to work with.

Tonight, I wasn't going to overthink. Tonight, I was going to dance, drink, and forget all about mysterious grey-eyed investors and their strange hand-holding habits.

Ping.

Evara: "I'm downstairs. Our chariot awaits, Cinderella."

I grabbed my clutch and headed out, my heels clicking confidently against the floor. When I reached the car, Evara was already inside, glowing in a bronze satin dress that clung to her like liquid gold.

"Oh my God," I said as I slid in, "you look like sex on legs."

"You're one to talk," she replied, eyes widening when she saw my dress. "Zolina! You're going to give my brother a heart attack."

I laughed. "He'll live. And besides, he's not going to be there, is he?" I looked at her suspiciously. "The owner is one of his friends, Zozo. So I think he'll be there, especially since he knows I'll be there. He's about to go all big protective brother and all. I'm sorry I didn't inform you in advance. I knew you wouldn't have agreed if I told you he was going to be there."

Damnit!! I thought I was going to have a night away from him and those confusing thoughts about him, and let loose. Seems like the universe is against me. Arghh!!

"Forgive me, Zo. Pretty please," she gives me those puppy dog eyes that I can't resist. I sigh and nod my head, then she engulfs me in a hug.

We clinked champagne glasses in the back of the sleek black SUV as her personal driver took us to the club. The music was already pumping through the doors as we stepped out. Velvet ropes were pushed aside, bouncers nodded in recognition, and within minutes, we were in our private VIP suite surrounded by two gorgeous guys and two equally gorgeous girls. They were Eva's schoolmates from University.

All dressed to kill. All exuding that Dubai-rich-young-and-wild energy. The shots arrived quickly, and soon after, we were on the dance floor.

The music was electric, dark, sexy, and alive. I moved with the beat, hips swaying, head thrown back in laughter as I danced with Evara. The lights pulsed in time with the bass, and for the first time in days, I felt free.

Then... I felt it.

A gaze.

Hot. Heavy. Intense.

My body stilled for a second, an instinct I couldn't control. I glanced around the crowd, but no one nearby was looking at me. And then I tilted my head up.

Oh. There he was. Eros.

Seated in the elevated VIP area with a group of men I didn't recognize. But I barely noticed them. All I saw were his dark grey eyes locked onto mine. Unblinking. Piercing. A glass of scotch in his hand, the same hand that had shaken mine just hours earlier.

He raised it slightly toward me, a slow, deliberate toast. I swallowed. My heart thudded in my chest. I turned back to Evara, grounding myself in the music again, but I felt his eyes follow me, felt heat rise under my skin.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Evara looking up, too. But not at Eros. She was eyeing the man seated next to him. Her gaze lingered.

Hmm. Interesting.

I smirked to myself. It's my time to tease. Just wait until we get back home. Queue the evil laugh in my head. Oh, I can't wait.

And just like that, the thoughts of Eros had eroded from my head.