Chapter 1 The Mysterious Man

• River's p.o.v
• “This party is booming, girl,” Angel, my best friend shouted with a grin, adjusting the tray on her hand. “Too bad we can’t be part of the fun.”
• I laughed softly at her words.“Yeah, too bad ‘fun’ was not in the job description.”
• Angel rolled her eyes, then slipped into the crowd, leaving me to the sea of glittering gowns and tailored suits.
• The party hall was alive, a pulse of energy running through it, shaking the very walls. The thumping music could be heard through the polished marble floors, the beats blending effortlessly with the clinking of crystal glasses and the murmur of conversation from Russia’s elite.
• The chandeliers hanging above sparkled, casting clear light on the sea of expensive gowns and tailored suits. Everything was magnificent. It felt like another world,one I did not belong in.
• I took a deep breath, trying to ignore the envy bubbling up inside me as I watched the crowd, the glittering gowns, sleek suits, the glitz that felt like a world away from anything I’d ever known. But for these people,life is like one endless party. For me? Tonight was about survival.
• Rent was due, I was barely surviving. I had begged to work in this party, practically pleading for a spot. Just one night’s tips could make a huge difference, enough to cover the rent and send a little extra to help with Nana’s dialysis treatments. She was all I had, my hope through every hardship. And every time I glance at her, the worry of those bills hangs heavier on my chest.
• But of course, things couldn’t stay simple.
• A blonde lady in a silver gown bumped into me, making me stumble. “Watch where you are going!” she snapped, her green eyes narrowing. “Can’t even walk straight, can you?”
• My cheeks grew red in embarrassment. “I’m…really sorry, ma,” I murmured, lowering my gaze.
• She frowned. “Stick to serving drinks and keep your head down. You don’t belong here.”
• I bit down on my lip, swallowing the comeback burning on my tongue.
• My fingers tightened around the tray as if holding it together was the only way to keep myself from breaking apart under the gravity of her insults.
• She tossed her hair, dismissing me like I was nothing, then turned her gaze toward the entrance, eyes suddenly wide.
• Curious, I looked over my shoulder. That’s when I saw him.
• A man walked in with a powerful, commanding presence. He was incredibly tall, his perfectly tailored suit clinging to his broad shoulders, and his dark hair combed back to reveal handsome features that could have been molded straight from greek. His eyes, a deep icy blue, scanned the room like he owned it.
• “Who… who is that?” I heard myself whisper as Angel returned, leaning in to set her tray down beside mine.
• “Who’s who?” She asked and followed my gaze and sucked in a breath. “Oh, him. I heard whispers earlier… People call him ‘the Ghost.’”
• “The Ghost?” I echoed, half-amused, half-intrigued.
• Angel shrugged. “Apparently, no one really knows who he is, but he’s important enough to make everyone stop and stare. Even the rich and snobby ones are afraid of him.”
• We watched as a brunette in a sleek red dress made her move, sauntering up to him with a confident smile. “Looks like someone is going to try her luck,” Angel whispered, wiggling her brows lightly with a grin plastered on her face.
• I observed the scene, watching as the woman reached out, touching his arm lightly. He didn’t acknowledge her, just looked her way for a brief second before shifting his gaze, utterly uninterested. The woman turned red in embarrassment, mumbling something before retreating back to her friends.
• Angel shook her head, eyes sparkling with amusement. “Ouch. Poor girl didn’t stand a chance.”
• I kept myself busy again, trying to remain focused on my job, but the more I watched at the scene,the more curious I get.Who is this man? Why did he have such an effect on everyone here?
• But no matter how much I asked myself that, my eyes still found their way back to him.
• He had moved again, now standing close to the bar with his friend, still accompanied by bodyguards, still demanding the attention of everyone in the room. And for a brief moment, just a second, his gaze flicked toward me.
• Our eyes connected across the room, and it felt like the air had been knocked out of me. His blue eyes pierced onto mine, piercing through the crowd, through the noise and through everything.
• He did not smile nor did his facial expression of indifference change,he just looked hard and long, like he was trying to see something inside me that even I didn't know existed.
• And then, just as fast as it had begun it ended. He turned away, looking back to his friend, and the moment was gone.
• But I was left rooted there, my heart picking pace, and I could not help but wonder what had just happened?
• And why did it feel like my life had just changed in an irreplaceable way?
• Angel’s voice broke the silence. “River, you are staring,” she teased, giving me a hard nudge. “I’m pretty sure he is out of our league.”
• I took in a deep breath, shaking my head, but I could feel the glimpse of excitement in my chest. “Yeah I know,” I said calmly, looking back once more.
• But as I watched him venture into the shadows and glimmer of the night, I
• could not help but wonder why it felt like this was just the beginning?