Frozen Desire

the empty space. This was it. The Vale function. The event everyone had been talking about. The event that could define the next few mo

ng every table to the glimmering chandeliers above, the luxurious atmosphere was palpable. But for Sera, nothing

g smooth under her fingertips as she straightened her posture. Her hair was neatly pinned up in a classic, elegant bun-simple, but sharp and professional. She needed to look th

would be here soon. She had only a few mor

rand entrance, greeting each one with a practiced, friendly smile, her voice warm yet measured. She had learned long ago to

ring as she led him inside. She turned to the next arriving guest, a woman in a stunning si

d no room for mistakes. The room had to be perfect, the timing impeccabl

at his approval would be the ultimate verdict. Sera had seen how scary Mr. Va

me for distractions. She had to keep everything running smoothly. She needed to ma

d off the mental list. Guests were mingling, drinks were flowing,

oom to speak with a caterer, a familiar voice ech

aphi

t skippe

rounded him. His presence, as commanding as ever, sent a rush of adrenaline through her. He was exactly where he needed to be-at the center of his family's empire. B

lite smile as she walked over to greet

softened for just a fraction of a second when they locked with hers. He was, as always, impeccably put

nod, though his usual aloofness seemed to dissipate slightly in

e surface. "You could say that," she said, trying to keep her composure. "It's be

t made her feel like she was under scrutiny. "I'm sure it's going to be perfect

you. I'm just making sure everything's in place." She glanced around, noting h

not the refreshments." His gaze moved past her, taking in the guests, but there was a hint of somethin

things light. "Well, I should get back to making sure eve

is eyes flicked back to meet hers. "You're very good at this," he said, his voi

u," she replied, surprised b

a little longer than necessary, before he finally turned away, though something about th

her attention was drawn to a new figure entering the room. She straightened up instinctively, her

. The crowd parted slightly as he moved, and even the air seemed to grow heavier around him. Seraphina's stomach fluttered nervously, unsure if she sho

on he applied to every aspect of his empire. She couldn't help but notice how his gaze swept over every

ssian, who had been standing off to the side, watching the proceedings with his typical detached air, straightened

was low, but sharp, his gaze never leavin

fine. The event's running smoothly. You're just on time," he said, his tone neutral, thou

faintest wrinkle of disapproval crossing his brow as he surveyed the room. "I trust this isn't a repeat of t

arely flickering. He gave a quick nod, but there was something in the way he stood, his jaw

lied, his voice tight bu

them felt palpable. "See that you don't forget it," Victor said coldly. He then turned his gaze to the cro

r the weight of Mr. Vales expectations. She wondered how many of these events Cassian had endured over the years, each one under

. His expression was unreadable, and the brief moment sent a shiver down her spine.

lear that the pressure of living up to Mr. Vales expectations was weighing heavily on him. As Mr. Vale continued to scrutin

he was here as part of something far bigger than this event. He was part

njoying the exclusive affair. The glittering lights reflected off the marble floors, and the grand chandeliers above cast a warm, luxurious glow on

ept wandering back to the earlier interaction between Cassian and Mr. Vale. She couldn't help but wonder about their strained dynamic-the cold, almost suff

nd out of the kitchen, checking on the final details for the evening's meal when she caught a glimpse of Cassian and Mr. Vale standing near a private section of the mansion, just outside a set of gl

w, but harsh, the tone unmistakably commanding. "This is your respon

hat mirrored his father's. "I'm not here to play your puppet, Father," Cassian shot back, his voice cold

ce grew quieter, but just as dangerous. "You think you have a choice in this? Don't make the mistake of thinking you can walk away from what's expected of you." His eyes bore into Cas

des. The tension was suffocating, and Seraphina found herself froz

a before narrowing in on her, catching her in the act of listening. A small,

flicked toward Seraphina, and for a brief moment, she thought she saw something like reg

d what do you think you're doing, Miss De Luca?" he asked, his voice laced with menace. "Eave

nerves. "I-" She hesitated, the words catching in her throat as she realized the gravity of the s

oesn't mean I won't notice a lapse in decorum. It would be wise of you to remember your place, Miss De Luca." His gaze hardened as he turned to C

he conversation was over. She glanced briefly at Cassian, unsure if he'd come to her defense or if he was too caught up in his father's world to not

ad happened. "Let's get back to the party, then," he said, his voice now com

ly vanished, replaced by the cold exterior he always wore around his father. He walked past her, not sparing another gl

Cassian, the aloof man she had met on the train, was trapped in a world she could only begin to understand. And now, more than eve

a's chest. Her hands trembled slightly as she turned away, her mind racing with what had just happened. The cold warni

eeded

heels clicking softly against the marble floors. She didn't know exactly where she was going-only that she needed to be somewhere

ll into the dimly lit hall. She stepped outside, wrapping her arms around herself as she leaned against the stone railing, inhaling dee

about Cassian-about the way he had looked at his father, the way he had stood

akily. "What have I gotten mysel

tel

tched, and sh

e, half-shrouded in shadow. He had discarded the charming mask he wore at the party,

ow small the space felt with him standing the

e wrong." His voice was quieter now, softer, but still held that underlying sharpness he always c

r. I wasn't trying to pry, I swear. I just-" She shook her head, frustrated with he

curling slightly in amusement.

hesitated.

rd her, his voice low and controlled. "I don't get the luxury of comfort, Seraphina."

eyes searching his face. "W

between them, th

, something guarded. For a moment, she thought he might tell her the truth. Th

y as it had appeared, th

tly who you think I am," he said smoothly, but t

furrowed. "That'

irk fading as his gaze li

her red hair loose from its bun. Cassian's fingers twi

her head. "You confus

itched slig

espite herself, rolling her ey

his eyes-his guarded, unreadab

unspoken thing kept pulling them into e

, Seraphina wasn't sur

vent, to put everything back in place. The last thing she wanted was to be caught lingering, especially after the conve

nding mere inches from her. His presence was overwhe

off his body. She could see the fine cut of his jaw, the sharpness of his features, and the slight curve of his lips as they

feel the tension in the air betwee

as she took a breath, t

murmured, trying

apping her. His gaze lowered, lingering on her dress, the way it fit he

eone so stunning, you really do know how to hide it well." He leaned in just slightly, his lips

ed as she tried to think of something to say, but her mind s

aught in his, as his words san

s eyes flicking over her one last time as he slowly turned away, le

lance over his shoulder. "I'll leave you to your

dor, trying to catch her breath. Her heart pounded in her chest, her thoughts

or a moment by the door, watching as the last few details were wrapped up. Her body felt drained, the weight of the evening settling heavily on her shoulders. I

ing their way toward the exit. Her heart gave an unexpected flutter, and she

ead to toe. There was something about his gaze-cold, assessing-that made her feel uncomfortable. He nodded

"You've done well... but next time, make sure the event runs smoothly from the start." His tone was mea

weight of his gaze. She forced a polite smile, nodding. "

ng out to Cassian, his voice commanding. "Cassian. Let's go." His tone was a clear dismi

moment, Sera caught his gaze, and something flickered in his eyes-a look

already walking toward the waiting vehicle. The sleek black car

r chest, but she pushed it away, focusing instead on the task

------------------------------------

the back seat, his eyes staring out the window, his thoughts clearly on something

rolled. "Did you deal with it?" His words were more of an order than a

emained calm. "Yes, Father. I spo

is gaze narrowing. "Good. That woma

ess in his words,

he air. His mind, however, wandered back to Sera, to the way she had looked at him, to the wa

ied, his voice steady, thoug

ide the car. "Good. Keep it that way. We have bigger th

lwind of the evening's events. Despite his father's words, there was something about Sera-something that made him un

distance. Cassian didn't move as his father stepped out of the vehicle, his tall figure silhouetted against

eating form. Once the door clicked shut behind him, Cassian finally turned to th

id, his voice low but firm. "Everything-backgr

ded without question. "Of course, sir," he replied, but before he c

n added, his voice sharper now. "Do

then nodded again, understanding the g

rn more about Sera De Luca. There was something about her-something that stirred up emotions he didn't want

e penthouse, starring out the window, his thoughts preoccupied