The Price Of Power

ated smiles-Hollywood was a stage where everyone played the

force. A queen in a kingdom of illusions. Dressed in a midnight-black gown that hugged her body like a se

untou

omething a

she's seeing

est of smirks. Lucas-the industry's golden boy, the man ev

him in

ever stayed b

Ballroom

suit, he looked every bit the leading man Hollywood adored. But

searche

he saw he

wrapped in elegance. His greate

rning inside him. She smiled sweetly at the cameras, her

livin

trice k

dden touch. It lasted only a second, but it was enough. Enough to make

dn't n

e came

od, it only took one moment

ip on Amy's waist tightening. She leaned into him, the picture-perfe

noticed. She

ked onto Lucas like a silent challenge. It was a game they had played for months-the stolen gla

er, something

had grown louder. The press had been circling, hungry f

nes – A Privat

slipped away from the grand ballroom, the weight of th

she

y from prying eyes, Beatrice

ed, her voice as smooth as s

you're pushing too hard." He met her gaze, frustration and de

, her perfume intoxicating.

, feeling his heartbeat quicke

rip firm, his breath unsteady

amusement dancing in her

heavy with unsaid words. Lucas

s answer. She leaned in, her lips br

, Lucas, you'll

m standing alone in the darkness-trapped between

was that tonight,

wasn't play

t scent of Beatrice's perfume lingering in the air. Hi

mn

o pull away, she pull

Amy was waiting. As he stepped back into the glow of the chandeliers and flash

he met Amy's ga

atching h

sweet and innocent,

, something

wing Su

Amy's fingers fidgeted with the hem of her gown. Lucas sat beside her, his body

y, she

peared for

It was subtle,

cing a casual smile. "

ickering to the city lights flashin

first crack in th

or a fraction of

hing his face. "You were

pounded in h

r voice was calm, but there was an ed

y feeling suffocated. Th

on her lap. "If there's some

g her the truth. Ending this tangled mess be

eyes-the hope, the lo

new he c

what he

l

othing goi

longer, then looked away, sta

elieved. He had

he t

n't done search

found them, every

– Beatrice

lounge in her penthouse, a glass of w

seed. Now, all she

l resisting, b

lips. Soon, the world would know exa

d

ely collate