a romantic novel of sacrifice,secrets and soulmate

The velvet curtains felt like heavy stones against her back. Eliana could hear the thumping bass of the music through the floorboards, vibrating up into her heels.
"Don't look at their faces, Eli," Anita whispered, adjusting the crimson lace mask that covered the upper half of Eliana’s face. "Just look at the lights. Imagine you’re alone in your room. Do it for your mom."
Eliana took a shaky breath. The scent of expensive cigars and perfume wafted in. She stepped out into the spotlight. The room went silent. She wasn't like the other girls; she didn't move with practiced seduction. She moved like a willow tree in a storm—fragile, elegant, and heartbreakingly beautiful.
In the far corner, tucked away in the shadows of the VIP section, a pair of cold, grey eyes locked onto her. Liam lowered his glass of scotch, his heart doing something it hadn't done in years. It beat.
"Who is she?" Liam asked, his voice a low growl.
"They call her the Girl in Red," his associate chuckled. "New. Mysterious. Doesn't talk to anyone."
Liam didn't hear the rest. He only saw the way her fingers trembled as she reached for the pole, and the single tear that escaped from behind the red lace. In that moment, the billionaire who had everything realized he had finally found something he couldn't resist

Chapter 31: The Knight in a Tailored Suit


Eliana burst through the door of the flat, her chest heaving as if she had run all the way from Victoria Island. Anita was sitting on the floor, painting her toenails a vibrant neon pink, but she dropped the brush when she saw Eliana's face. "Eli? What happened? Did the hospital call? Is it Mama?"


"No, no," Eliana gasped, dropping her bag and sinking onto the edge of the bed. "The hospital is fine. It was at the restaurant. A customer... a horrible man... he tried to..." She trailed off, the memory of Otunba's hand making her shiver.


Anita stood up, her expression turning fierce. "He touched you? Tell me who he is, Eli. I'll go there myself and—"


"Someone stopped him, Anita," Eliana interrupted, a small, dazed smile touching her lips. "A man. He was sitting at the same table. I've never seen anyone like him. He didn't even yell, but his voice... it made the whole room go quiet. He looked at that horrible man like he was dirt under his shoe. He saved me."


Anita crossed her arms, her curiosity piqued. "A man? In that bistro? Probably some old politician looking for a favor."


"No," Eliana insisted, her eyes bright with a spark Anita hadn't seen in weeks. "He was young. And Anita, he was... beautiful. Not just handsome, but powerful. He wore a suit that probably costs more than our rent for five years, but he didn't look like those spoiled rich kids. He looked like a king. When he looked at me, for a second, I forgot I was wearing a stained apron. I felt like I was... seen." She leaned back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling. "I wanted to thank him, but he left before I could even find my voice. I don't even know his name."


Anita watched her friend, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "Careful, Eli. Men like that are dangerous. They save you one day and break you the next." But Eliana wasn't listening. She was still back in the restaurant, feeling the warmth of the stranger's presence. For the first time since her mother got sick, the weight on her shoulders felt just a little bit lighter. 


Chapter 31 - chapter 31