The music faded, but the feeling didn't.
Elina stepped away from Victor, offering a soft smile, something polite, something safe. He held her gaze for a second longer than necessary, like he was trying to understand her beyond what he could see.
"I meant what I said," he told her quietly. "You don't belong hidden behind work all the time."
She let out a small breath, almost amused. "Maybe I do."
Victor shook his head slowly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "No. You really don't."
Back at the table, the energy had changed. It wasn't loud, not obvious, but it had shifted in a way that couldn't be undone.
Belonia hadn't moved much, but there was something different in the way he sat now, more still, more watchful. His glass rested untouched in his hand.
Clara noticed everything she always did.
Elina took her seat again, smoothing her dress slightly as if that could steady her. Her heart hadn't quite fully settled yet, and she hated that it showed in the smallest ways, in the way she avoided looking in one direction, in the way her fingers stayed too still.
Victor sat closer this time not inappropriate, just enough to close a distance that hadn't been there before. Pierre leaned back in his chair, watching the two of them with quiet amusement. "You dance well," he said to Elina.
"Thank you," she replied, her voice calm.
Victor added, "She does more than that well."
Belonia's gaze lifted then slow, direct
It landed on Victor first then shifted to Elina he didn't say anything but the silence said enough. Clara leaned slightly toward Belonia, her voice soft enough that only he could hear. "You're very quiet tonight."
"I usually am," he replied without looking at her. She smiled faintly. "Not like this."
That made him glance at her just briefly long enough for her to see it.
Clara straightened, her attention shifting, but her mind stayed where it was. She didn't like what she was seeing. Not the way his focus kept returning to Elina, not the way he seemed aware of her in a way that went beyond work.
And she didn't like the feeling it stirred in her.
"So," Clara said, louder now, drawing attention back to herself, "we should do this more often."
Victor nodded. "I wouldn't mind that."
His eyes flickered to Elina again.
That didn't go unnoticed.
"Especially if she comes along," Pierre added casually.
Clara's smile held, but something underneath it shifted.
Elina let out a soft breath, trying to keep things light. "I don't think I'm that interesting."
Victor looked at her like she had just said something ridiculous. "You really don't see it, do you?"
Belonia set his glass down then. Quiet, controlled, but the sound cut through the moment.
Everyone looked at him.
"We're leaving," he said simply.
The words weren't directed at anyone in particular, but they carried weight.
Clara blinked slightly. "Already?"
"Yes."
There was no room for argument in his tone.
Outside, the night air was cooler, calmer, but it didn't ease anything.
Elina stepped out last, wrapping her arms lightly around herself as the breeze brushed against her skin.
Victor followed close behind.
"Let me drive you home," he said.
She turned to him, surprised. "You don't have to."
"I want to."
There was something genuine in the way he said it. No pressure. Just interest.
Before she could respond—
"No."
The word cut in.
Low. Firm.
Elina turned.
Belonia....
His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held something that wasn't.
"Her driver is already here," he added.
There was no driver and they both knew it.
Victor's brow lifted slightly, but he didn't push. "Another time then."
Elina didn't miss the way Belonia's jaw tightened again.
Clara stepped forward then, slipping her arm lightly through Belonia's. Natural....familiar... too familiar.
"If we're leaving, we should go together," she said smoothly he didn't pull away elina noticed that and something inside her stilled.
Victor glanced between them, then back at Elina. "I'll see you at the office."
She nodded softly. "Yes."
The ride home was quiet not because there was nothing to say but because too much had been said without words.
Later that night, Clara stood in front of her mirror, slowly removing her earrings, her thoughts anything but calm.
She replayed everything.
The way Belonia had watched Elina.
The way he had interrupted.
The way he had reacted without meaning to.
Her reflection stared back at her, composed, beautiful, confident.
And yet—
Not enough.
Her lips pressed together slightly.
"No," she murmured softly.
She wasn't going to lose before anything had even begun.
Across the city, Belonia stood by his window again, his tie loosened, his mind restless.
He could still see it.
Elina in someone else's arms.
Laughing softly.
Letting someone else get close.
His jaw tightened.
He didn't like it.
Didn't understand why it mattered but it did and that was the problem....