FIFTY-SEVEN
Aliya
PRESENT
The grand reception hall is lavishly decorated, adorned with gold and red ornaments that exude an air of opulence and glamor. The scent of freshly baked pastries and warm mulled wine mingles with the aroma of expensive perfumes. Elegant people in suits and dresses chat and laugh as I weave through them like a shadow.
I decided to accompany Milan, even though the idea didn’t exactly thrill me. He promised me that my mother wouldn’t show up, and sure enough, she’s not here.
That’s odd.
She usually never misses an event like this.
I’m wearing a shimmering midnight blue dress that Silver lent me, since I couldn’t come up with anything appropriate for an occasion like this on such short notice. The V-neckline offers a hint of cleavage, and the back dips down almost to the base of my spine.
We almost arrived late because Milan couldn’t keep his hands off me the moment he saw me in it.
I sip my champagne, watching the wealthy businesspeople around me, until Milan’s grip on my waist tightens, drawing my attention. He leans in, takes my glass from my hand, and sips from it as well.
Milan is dressed in a dark suit that perfectly highlights his broad shoulders and muscular frame. The fitted black shirt beneath it is unbuttoned at the top, giving him a slightly disheveled yet undeniably elegant look. His hair is slicked back neatly, but a few strands have escaped, framing his handsome face in a rebellious way.
It reminds me of the night he spilled red wine on my blazer. Back then, he ignored me, but tonight, he’s mine .
He places the champagne glass on the tray of a passing waiter.
“Ah, there you are!” Elena approaches our table, her sister Raelyn following her with heavy steps.
We’d already spoken before dinner, but we lost track of each other afterward.
Shin, standing beside Milan, grimaces when he notices Raelyn, but he holds back from making any snide remarks.
Milan, meanwhile, is far too busy with how easily his hand can drift from my hip to my waist or even lower, not bothering to acknowledge the Davis sisters.
“Oh, Shidiot is here too,” Raelyn comments quietly.
“Hey, be nice,” Elena chides her sister before glancing around the room. “There’s a friend of mine. I’ll be right back!”
And just like that, there are only four of us.
“Careful, Davis,” Shin warns, narrowing his eyes at Raelyn.
“Whatever. I’m not in the mood to deal with your ego tonight, so I’ll leave you alone for now.”
“A wise decision,” he replies with a smirk, raising his glass to his lips. “You wouldn’t want to say or do something you might regret later, would you?”
Raelyn’s jaw tightens before she plasters on a saccharine smile. “I don’t need your concern, thanks.”
Shin can’t help but laugh at her obvious irritation, which only worsens her mood.
Milan rolls his eyes and shakes his head, unimpressed by their exchange. His thumb lazily rubs circles on my hip as he leans down toward me. “Wanna get out of here?”
“Now?”
“Yeah, now. I’ve got better plans for that pretty dress of yours, and they don’t involve staying here, listening to these two bicker all night.”
Heat rises to my cheeks, and I glare at him. “The dress isn’t mine.”
“I know,” he replies, his lips curling into a grin. “But you look so damn good in it, I’m dying to rip it off you.”
Milan raises his hand and traces a finger down my exposed spine. His touch is light, yet somehow it sends a shiver racing down my back.
“If it makes you feel better, I’ll even apologize to Silver for destroying it.”
The thought of him tearing the dress off me makes my body tremble under his touch. Obvious desire gleams in his dark eyes.
“Apologies are cheaper than new clothes.”
“Maybe,” he agrees. “But I’m willing to make that sacrifice if it means getting you naked in my bed, screaming my name.”
My breath catches in my throat. “Milan!”
I immediately check to see if anyone overheard what he said, but Shin and Raelyn are too wrapped up in their own spat.
He leans down, his lips brushing my ear. “So, is that a yes, sweetheart?”
Milan’s intense gaze holds me captive. The heat in his eyes makes me feel like I’m the only person in the room who matters.
But then, his focus shifts to a point behind me, and his expression changes instantly. The grin vanishes, his face hardens, and his eyes narrow.
I follow his line of sight, letting my gaze slowly sweep across the room until it lands on a man who’s chatting with a woman.
He looks like a typical businessman, dressed in an expensive suit and surrounded by a group of people.
The longer I stare at him, the more familiar his face becomes. It’s like I’ve seen him somewhere before, but I can’t recall where or when.
Whoever he is, he’s definitely caught Milan’s attention.
“I’ve had enough of this. I’m heading home.” Without giving anyone a chance to respond, Raelyn disappears into the crowd, her blonde hair flashing in and out of view as she quickly weaves through the sea of people.
Then it hits me like a ton of bricks.
My eyes widen as I look at the man again, suddenly remembering where I’ve seen him before.
He’s the same man Raelyn met at the street corner in Belmont – the one in the tailored suit who had led her to his Range Rover with a hand on her hip.
Back then, I thought he might be family, but judging by the way Milan and Shin are staring at him, he’s definitely not a relative of the Davis family.
My mind starts racing as I begin piecing things together.
Raelyn’s odd choice to take the bus to a shady area, the unexpected appearance of this man at the party, and her sudden disappearance – it all feels connected.
Who is he?
Just as I’m about to ask Milan, the businessman’s gaze shifts to us. He excuses himself from the woman he was talking to and heads our way.
I can feel my heart pick up speed, and a slow, creeping unease forms in the pit of my stomach.
He approaches us, a treacherous smile on his lips. “Boys, nice to see you here.” He nods at them briefly before his eyes land on me, lingering just a moment too long.
Milan must have noticed too, because he steps even closer, tightening his arm around my waist.
The man’s jade-green eyes gleam with amusement as he extends his hand to me. “Henry Reynolds. And you are?”
My breath hitches, my stomach tightens.
Henry Reynolds.
That’s Damian’s father.
Hesitantly, I take his hand, feeling the firm pressure of his grip. “Aliya Sierra.”
“Aliya.” My name rolls smoothly off his tongue as he lifts my hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss on it. “A beautiful name for a beautiful young woman. I must commend your taste, Milan.”
His eyes roam over my body, taking in how the dress hugs my curves and reveals more skin than it covers. In a strange way, he reminds me of his son.
Milan’s jaw visibly clenches as he watches Henry’s brazen stare.
Henry’s thumb caresses the back of my hand. “I heard my son’s caused you quite a bit of trouble. But don’t worry. I’ve made sure that won’t happen again.”
What was I saying about him reminding me of Damian? Forget it. If Damian is intimidating, his father is terrifying.
Finally, Henry releases my hand, his eyes reluctantly pulling away from me and shifting back to Milan and Shin.
“See you around, boys.” He gives us one last nod before turning and disappearing into the crowd.
The tension in the air is thick once we’re alone again.
Shin takes another sip of his drink, his eyes following Henry’s retreat. “What an asshole.”
Milan’s grip on my waist doesn’t ease, and his body remains tense with anger.
“What was that? Where’s Damian now?” I ask.
“He probably sent him overseas.”
“That’s what it looks like,” Milan agrees with Shin.
“Henry doesn’t want to deal with him any more than he has to, so he likely sent him away to save face.”
For some reason, the idea of Damian being sent away doesn’t bring me the comfort it should. On the surface, it seems like an easy solution – Damian’s gone, he’s no longer my problem, and I can move on with my life.
But something about it feels off, like a piece of the puzzle is missing. And knowing Damian, I have a feeling that I haven’t seen the last of him.
But what’s really giving me a headache is a completely different issue.
What’s the connection between Raelyn and Damian’s father?