The invitation came casually too casually to mean nothing "You're coming tonight, right?" Clara asked, leaning lightly against Elina's desk as the office slowly emptied around them elina looked up from her screen, slightly distracted. "Coming where?"
Clara smiled, like she already knew the answer didn't matter. "Dinner small thing, just a few people."
A brief pause..."Belonia will be there."Of course he would...Elina's fingers stilled over her keyboard. She had planned to go home, to retreat into her quiet space where things made sense again where she didn't have to think about glances, or moments that lingered longer than they should but something in her resisted the idea of staying away "Alright," she said after a second . Clara's smile shifted, subtle but satisfied "Good."
The evening carried a different kind of weight from the start elina stood in front of her mirror once again, but this time, there was less uncertainty in her movements. She reached for a dress—simple, elegant, but fitted just enough to follow the natural curve of her body it didn't try too hard well... it didn't need to. The fabric rested smoothly against her waist and hips, moving softly with her. Her long, coily hair fell freely down her back, full and soft, framing her face in a way that made her features stand out without effort her lashes were naturally full, casting faint shadows beneath her eyes. Her lips, shaped and soft, held a quiet glow and her presence…It wasn't loud but it stayed.
She held her own gaze in the mirror for a second then exhaled "Just dinner."
But even she didn't believe that completely.
The restaurant Clara had chosen was refined in a way that didn't need to announce itself. Low lighting, soft music, polished surfaces the kind of place where people spoke in controlled tones and everything felt intentional. Elina stepped inside, her eyes adjusting slowly—And then she saw them...
Belonia and the world he moved in so effortlessly. He stood near a private section, dressed in dark tones, his posture relaxed but controlled. Around him were familiar faces not strangers..victor and Pierre.
Elina had seen them a few times at the office. Sometimes during meetings that didn't involve her directly but still placed her in the same space. They were business partners, men who moved in the same circles as Belonia, from the same kind of generational wealth that shaped everything about them they weren't unfamiliar Just… distant kinda
Victor noticed her first.
"Well," he said, a slow smile forming as recognition settled in, "we meet again."
Elina's lips curved slightly. "Seems like it."
Pierre chuckled softly. "You've been hiding in the office all this time."
"I've been working," she replied calmly.
"Clearly," Victor added, his gaze lingering just a little longer than necessary. "Still… didn't expect to see you here."
Clara stepped in beside her smoothly. "She's with me."
That explained everything.
Belonia hadn't spoken yet elina felt it before she even looked his attention.
When she turned slightly, their eyes met.
It wasn't a soft look it wasn't distant either it just held something heavier something that stayed just long enough to mean something… before he looked away they all took their seats the table filled with quiet confidence, easy conversation, expensive habits worn like second nature elina fit into it in her own way not like them but not out of place either although her inner thoughts screamed at her making it feel like she didn't belong there...
Victor leaned slightly toward her as the conversation flowed. "So, you work closely with him?" Elina followed his gaze briefly toward Belonia before answering. "Close enough."
Pierre smirked faintly. "That doesn't sound very convincing."
She let out a soft breath, amused despite herself. "It's accurate."
Victor's attention didn't waver. "You don't seem like the type to stay behind a desk all day."
Elina tilted her head slightly. "And what type do I seem like?"
His smile deepened. "The kind that should be somewhere more… interesting."
She laughed softly, shaking her head.
Across the table, Belonia's fingers tightened slightly around his glass.
Subtle.. controlled...but there. Pierre leaned in next, his tone lighter but just as deliberate. "He's not wrong. There's something about you."
Elina shifted slightly, aware now of the attention settling around her It wasn't overwhelming Just… focused and still—
Belonia said nothing he just watched quietly listened as Victor spoke a little closer than necessary, as Elina responded with small smiles, as the space between her and the others softened it shouldn't have mattered.
But it did.
"Elina," Victor said after a while, his voice lowering just enough to pull her attention fully, "do you dance?"
She blinked, caught slightly off guard "not really, maybe a few times"...
"Well then you owe me one."
He stood before she could think too much about it, extending his hand toward her.
There was a pause a small one then she took it the music wasn't loud, just slow enough to guide movement without demanding it.
Victor's hand settled lightly at her waist, respectful but steady elina moved with him naturally, her body following the rhythm without effort.
But her mind didn't stay there it drifted back to the table to him and when she looked—
Belonia was already watching this time, he didn't look away his gaze was steady and sharp.Something darker sitting just beneath the surface not cold not distant but possessive. The realization came quietly, but it settled deep.
Elina's breath caught slightly, her steps faltering for just a second before she steadied herself again.
At the table, Clara leaned back in her chair, her eyes moving between them, taking in every silent exchange.
A slow smile curved her lips.
"Now this…" she murmured softly, almost to herself, "is getting interesting."