"You always pick the best spots," Derek said with a grin. "Good investment."
Aaron barely responded.
His attention had shifted.
The moment the doors opened.
⸻
Elara walked in.
Flanked by Maya and Zara.
She hesitated for half a second—the music louder than she expected, the crowd thicker—but Maya grabbed her hand.
"Relax," Maya said with a grin. "Tonight, you're not overthinking anything."
Zara smirked. "You're here to be seen."
Elara let out a small breath.
Then nodded.
And stepped in.
⸻
Upstairs—
Aaron went still.
"What?" Derek asked, noticing the shift.
Aaron didn't answer.
His eyes were locked on her.
Elara.
She looked… different again.
Confident.
Alive.
Her dress fit her perfectly, moving with her as she walked. Her ass and curves are very visible through the fitting of her dress. Her hair framed her face in soft waves, catching the light every time she turned.
"Fuck me," he cursed under his breath
She wasn't trying.
And somehow—
That made it worse.
Derek followed his gaze.
"Oh," he said slowly. "That's your wife?"
Aaron didn't react; he just nodded.
Derek let out a low whistle. "You've been holding out, my friend."
⸻
On the dance floor, Elara laughed softly as Maya pulled her toward the bar.
"Drink first," Maya said. "Then dancing."
Zara leaned casually against the counter. "I approve of this plan."
Elara smiled, feeling lighter already.
⸻
At the bar—
Elara leaned forward slightly as the bartender placed their drinks down, throwing her a seductive once-over.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Maya nudged her. "Relax. No one's attacking you."
"I know," Elara said. "Just… adjusting."
Zara raised her glass. "To adjusting."
They clinked lightly.
⸻
Elsewhere—
A staff member approached Elena quietly.
"Ma'am… Mr. Blackwood is here."
Elena stilled.
Then smiled slowly.
"Of course he is."
She grabbed her clutch and stood.
This night just became interesting.
⸻
Back at the bar—
Maya was mid-sentence when she suddenly stopped.
"Oh, I don't like that look."
Elara frowned. "What?"
Maya nodded toward the entrance.
Elena.
Walking in like she owned the place.
Zara muttered under her breath. "This should be fun."
Elara's shoulders straightened.
She didn't move.
Didn't retreat.
She just… stayed.
⸻
Upstairs—
Derek groaned softly. "You've got to be kidding me."
Aaron didn't look away from the floor. "What?"
"Elena," Derek said flatly. "I can't stand her."
Aaron finally glanced at him. "You've made that clear."
"She's always circling you like a vulture," Derek added. "Never trusted her."
Aaron didn't respond.
But his jaw tightened slightly.
⸻
Before Elena could make her way over—
Something else happened.
⸻
Elara turned slightly—
And collided with someone.
"Oh—!" she gasped as she stumbled back slightly.
A hand steadied her almost instantly.
"Careful," a smooth voice said.
Elara looked up.
"Well, that's on me," he said lightly. "I wasn't watching where I was going."
Elara blinked, slightly flustered but composed. "No, it's fine. I wasn't looking either."
Leon smiled.
Charming. Easy.
"Mall girl? He said, "Feigning surprise
Now that we've officially bumped into each other," he added, "it would be rude not to introduce myself."
Elara hesitated for a fraction of a second.
Then—
"Elara."
"Leon," he said.
His eyes studied her—not obviously, but carefully.
Measured.
"You don't look like you're enjoying this place as much as you could," he said.
Elara let out a small laugh. "I'm trying."
"Trying is boring," Leon replied smoothly. "You should let me help with that."
Maya stepped in slightly, her expression guarded. "She's fine."
Leon glanced at her briefly, then back at Elara.
"Dance?" he asked.
A pause.
Elara hesitated.
Not out of fear.
Just… uncertainty.
Then she nodded.
"Okay."
⸻
Upstairs—
Aaron saw everything.
The bump.
The conversation.
The way Leon leaned in slightly.
The way Elara smiled.
The acceptance.
The invitation.
The dance.
Something in him snapped tight.
"Who's that?" he asked, his voice lower now.
Derek squinted slightly. "Don't know. But you look like you want to throw him off the balcony."
Aaron didn't respond.
Because it wasn't entirely wrong.
⸻
On the dance floor—
Leon guided Elara smoothly.
Not too close.
Not inappropriate.
Just enough to look natural.
Comfortable.
Calculated.
"You're a fast learner," he said.
Elara smiled faintly. "I'm not doing much."
"You don't have to," Leon replied. "That's kind of the point."
Elara laughed softly.
And for a moment—
She forgot everything else.
⸻
Except she wasn't the only one watching.
⸻
Elena had seen it.
Every second.
Her eyes slowly lifted—
To the VIP section.
To Aaron.
And there it was.
Clear as day.
Jealousy.
Possessiveness.
Unhidden.
Her lips curved slowly.
So… that's where the crack is.
⸻
She didn't go upstairs.
Instead—
She turned.
And walked straight toward Maya.
⸻
Maya saw her coming.
"Oh no," she muttered. "Not tonight."
Elena stopped in front of her.
Composed.
Smiling.
"Still playing bodyguard?" Elena asked lightly.
Maya laughed sharply. "Still pretending to be relevant?"
Zara took a slow step back. "I'm just here for the show."
Elena ignored her.
Her gaze stayed on Maya.
"You should really learn your place."
Maya's smile dropped instantly.
"My place?" she repeated.
"Yes," Elena said calmly. "You're loud. Defensive. Predictable."
"And you're fake," Maya shot back. "Manipulative. And desperate."
That landed.
Elena's eyes flickered.
Just slightly.
"Be careful," she said quietly.
"Or what?" Maya stepped closer. "You'll do what you always do? Smile in public and scheme in private?"
Elena leaned in slightly.
"You have no idea what I'm capable of."
Maya didn't back down.
"Try me."
The tension snapped.
People around them started noticing.
Whispers spreading.
Eyes watching.
⸻
On the dance floor—
Elara turned slightly—
Noticing the shift.
The confrontation.
"Maya…" she murmured.
Leon followed her gaze.
And smiled faintly.
Everything was unfolding exactly as planned.
⸻
Upstairs—
Aaron's focus snapped between two points.
Elara.
And the confrontation.
His jaw tightened.
His posture stiffened.
The control he usually had—
Slipping.
Derek watched him carefully.
"…Yeah," he muttered. "You're in trouble."
Aaron didn't respond.
Because for the first time—
He didn't feel in control of anything.
⸻
Below—
Elena straightened slowly.
Her expression was calm again.
But her eyes?
Cold.
"This isn't over," she said quietly.
Maya smirked. "It never is with you."
Elena turned—
Her gaze briefly passed over Elara…
Then Leon.
Then back up—
To Aaron.
And she smiled.
Because now—
She knew exactly where to strike next.