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Chapter 3

Eight years ago, I was thrown into a world that felt too big and too cruel. My parents were ripped away from me, their deaths a brutal, senseless act. I didn't even get a chance to grieve, to scream, to cry.

The world just kept spinning, leaving me in its wake, a tiny, shattered piece of losing your loved ones. I thought fate had turned its back on me, leaving me to wallow in the wreckage of my life. But then, he appeared.

My parents' rival, the man who had been their adversary, their competitor, stepped in, a beacon of unexpected kindness in the darkness. He saved me from the abyss.

I used to think it was wrong to live with my parents' business rival. But I had no one else to trust, and I couldn't refuse the security he offered me.

Sir Dimitri had warned me before that entering his world would not be a simple matter of stepping across a threshold. It was a world teeming with enemies, each one a viper coiled, ready to strike. And because they believed I held a key, a piece of the puzzle they sought to control, I became a target for over eight years, a pawn in their deadly game to destroy Dimitri Cox.

“Miss Ophelia?” The voice startled me, and I whipped around to see Sir Dimitri's secretary standing in the doorway. “You need to get yourself ready. Tonight's the banquet for Cox’s biggest international partnership with Huxley’s.”

“I’m all settled,” I said, a breath of relief escaping my lips. Thankfully, while I'd been lost in thought, I'd managed to get myself ready first.

My simple, yet elegant black dress, with its subtle, silver embroidery, felt both sophisticated and comfortable. The sleek lines and the delicate silver accents were perfect for the occasion – a business partner banquet that demanded a touch of formality without being overly fussy.

“You look beautiful, Miss Ophelia…” she murmured, a broad smile spreading across her face.

“It’s all thanks to you for choosing this beautiful dress,” I said, a smile tugging at my lips. I gestured to the sleek black dress, the silver embroidery catching the light. “I wouldn’t have known where to start.”

The secretary, whose name was Elena, chuckled softly.

“I knew you'd look stunning in it. It’s simple, yet elegant, just like you.” She paused, her eyes twinkling. “And it’s perfect for the banquet. You’ll be the picture of grace and sophistication.”

A blush creep up my cheeks. “I’m just hoping I don’t make a fool of myself.” Elena placed a reassuring hand on my arm.

“Don’t even think about it, Miss Ophelia. You'll be fine. Just remember to be yourself, and let your intelligence and charm shine through.” She paused, her gaze turning thoughtful. “Speaking of the banquet, are you familiar with the Huxley family?”

“Only in passing,” I admitted. “I know they’re powerful, but I don’t know much about them beyond that.”

“They're a force to be reckoned with,” Elena said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “They’re known for their sharp minds and even sharper elbows. They’re not afraid to play hardball to get what they want.”

“So, should I be on guard?” I asked, a hint of apprehension creeping into my voice.

Elena chuckled, “Not necessarily, since the boss will be with you. Just be aware. They’re not the type to be trifled with, but they’re also not unreasonable. If you show them respect and intelligence, they'll be more than willing to work with you.”

Her words were a mix of warning and encouragement. I nodded, feeling a surge of both excitement and trepidation. The banquet was shaping up to be a fascinating, and perhaps even a little dangerous, experience.

“Are you nervous?” Elena asked, her voice soft.

“A little,” I admitted, “After all, this is my very first banquet to attend, representing the Cox’s and as Sir Dimitri’s partner. It’s a big deal, a chance to see the world of international business up close.”

Elena smiled. “You’ll do great. Just remember, you’re here because the boss believes in you. And trust me, he wouldn’t bring you along if he didn’t think you could handle it.”

“Thank you for the hearty words. Anyway, will you be the one taking me to the banquet?” I asked, a hint of curiosity in my voice.

Elena smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes, as she shrugged her shoulders. My brow furrowed in confusion. “Actually,” she said, her voice a playful whisper, “the boss is currently waiting for you downstairs as we speak.”

My heart skipped a beat. A wave of nervousness washed over me, a sudden, unexpected jolt of adrenaline. It wasn’t just the thought of seeing Sir Dimitri again, though that certainly contributed to the flutter in my chest.

He’s been away for weeks, and now I'd see him again. The thought sent a shiver of anticipation down my spine. What would he be like? Would he be the same as before, or would the weeks away have changed him? The questions swirled in my mind, a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Has he been waiting long?”

Elena nodded, a broad grin spreading across her face. “He’s been waiting patiently, like a good boy,” she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

I practically bolted out of the room, my heart pounding as I raced down the stairs. Elena was right behind me, her footsteps echoing softly on the polished wood.

“Careful, Miss Ophelia,” she called out, her voice laced with concern. “You might trip. You’re wearing those high heels.” I glanced down at my feet, a fleeting thought of my precarious balance crossing my mind, but I couldn't slow down.

“You should have told me sooner that Sir Dimitri was here,” I said, my voice a mix of exasperation and frustration. “We were chatting and wasting his time.”

“You don’t need to worry, Miss Ophelia. If he could give you all his time, waiting for you, a Dimitri Cox wouldn't get bored,” Elena said seriously.

I paused for a moment, her words hanging in the air, but I didn’t dwell on them. Instead, I pressed on, my steps quickening as I reached the living room.

The sight that greeted me took my breath away. Sir Dimitri stood by the window, his silhouette outlined against the setting sun. He was a vision of power and elegance, his dark suit a stark contrast to the warm glow of the evening light.

“Sir Dimitri…” I called out, my voice a soft whisper that seemed to echo in the stillness of the living room.

He turned, his gaze meeting mine, and my breath caught in my throat. It was as if the world around me faded away, leaving only the intensity of his gaze, the depth of his eyes, and the undeniable pull of his presence. For a moment, time seemed to stand still, the only sound the frantic beat of my heart.

“I’ll leave you two alone, Miss Ophelia,” Elena whispered, her voice a soft murmur that seemed to break the spell of the moment.

Sir Dimitri, his gaze still locked on mine, began to walk towards me, his steps measured and deliberate. The air crackled with unspoken tension, a mix of anticipation and a hint of something more, something that stirred a deep, primal instinct within me.

Sir Dimitri Cox was a force of nature. At 31, he was a seasoned player in the world of international business, his sharp mind and unwavering determination paving his way to success.

His face was striking.

Dark hair, slightly tousled, framed a face that could easily be described as handsome, with strong cheekbones, a chiseled jawline, and eyes that held a depth that hinted at secrets untold.

“Ophelia,” he said, His voice was a deep baritone, rich and resonant, a sound that could both soothe and command. “I missed you.” The words were simple, but they held a weight that surprised me.

The man standing before me, my late parents’ rival, was a puzzle wrapped in an enigma. He lived life on his own terms, a force of nature that commanded respect and fear in equal measure.

He was a man who moved through the world with an air of quiet confidence, his every move calculated, his every word carefully chosen. And yet, there was a raw, untamed energy about him, a spark of something dangerous that simmered just beneath the surface.

His gaze, when it landed on me, sent a shiver through my entire body. It was a gaze that seemed to see right through me, to pierce the layers of my defenses and touch the very core of my being.

Why does this man make my heart race?

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