Chapter 1 Who Is That Girl?

• The air crackled with anticipation as Nero Zephyr Valiente entered the opulent ballroom. His presence felt like a chilling breeze that swept through the room, silencing the chatter and drawing all eyes to him. His presence commanded elegance, respect, and even fear.
• His tailored suit, a midnight blue that seemed to absorb the light, was impeccably cut, a testament to his wealth and power. A diamond tie pin, the size of a small coin, glittered on his crisp white shirt, reflecting the chandelier's glow like a beacon. His face, etched with the lines of a life lived on the edge, was a study in controlled intensity. His dark eyes, sharp as a hawk's, scanned the room, taking in every detail, every whispered conversation, every nervous glance.
• Nero's arrival was a subtle shift in the atmosphere. The music, a lively jazz ensemble, seemed to soften, its notes taking on a more subdued tone. The laughter, once boisterous, became more restrained, laced with a hint of apprehension. Even the clinking of champagne glasses seemed to echo with a new, unspoken tension.
• He moved through the room with a quiet confidence, a predator surveying his prey. He greeted his associates with a curt nod, his lips barely moving as he exchanged a few words in a low, gravelly voice. He lingered by the buffet, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, assessing their loyalty, their worth.
• He was the master of his domain. His presence, a silent threat, a promise of both reward and retribution, permeated the room. He was a reminder that even in this gilded cage of wealth and privilege, the shadows of the underworld were never far away.
• He looked around the vast room, taking in the diverse crowd. The ballroom was filled with people from all walks of life, but many recognized him, not only in the business world but also in the underworld.
• He slowly applied his mascara, intending to show others who he truly was. He looked around and saw his people, fully aware of their intentions for being there.
• On the second floor, he spotted a woman wearing a dress that seemed to be made of fire. As she walked, the dress flowed with her, revealing the curves of her body. As she descended the stairs, the slit in her dress drew attention to her porcelain legs, offering a glimpse of her beauty.
• Her face was obscured by a mask of gold and red, concealing her true identity. But despite this, her chocolate-brown eyes were captivating and undeniable. They were the only feature visible, yet they held a magnetic allure, inviting him to get to know her.
• As they stood facing each other from a distance, he felt a strange aura emanating from her, something dangerous and mysterious.
• Ring...ring...
• Nero's thoughts were interrupted by a beeping sound. He looked away from the woman and reached into his trouser pocket.
• He furrowed his brow when he saw the caller ID, which displayed "Dad."
• He looked back towards the woman, but she was gone. He searched around, but she was nowhere to be found, so he decided to answer his father's call.
• He stepped outside the ballroom.
• "What is it, Dad?"
• "Your uncle Felix says that you abandoned Shaira?"
• He massaged his nose before answering. "And so?"
• "So, it's true." He could clearly hear the sarcasm and a hint of anger in his father's voice.
• "Yeah. That's right. After all, I never want a woman like her,"
• "You are going to marry her." It wasn't a question but a statement with the sound of a command.
• "How many times do I have to tell you Dad that marrying is still not on my plan. I can handle the business if that's what you're worrying about. This damn setup is a bullshirt!"
• "Watch your words, Nero. I am your father, not your people."
• "We already talked–"
• "Yes, we did. As I could remember—you agreed. Marriage is not all about business. It's about your life in the future."
• "Then, why don't you look for a woman for Justin instead of me."
• "Because you are handling the business...."
• He gasped. "See, I told you, business."
• "Nero, sweetie. You should understand the purpose of your father and especially me. We want you to have a family in the near future."
• "I know, Mom. I get you, but I don't want that woman."
• "And who else do you want? Your ex who almost destroyed your life, huh."
• "Jet..stop it."
• Nero's jaw clenched when his father mentioned that woman. He would rather choose not to marry than to meet a lot of gold diggers in his life.
• "Cut the crap. You'll marry Shaira whether you like it or not. Remember the business, Nero."
• "Sweeties, don't stress yourself too much. We'll talk about this when we get home after the business. Alright?"
• "Yeah, Mom. I'll marry Shaira."
• "Alright. See you later darling."
• "See you too, Mom. You two take care. I need to go. I still have business to do."
• He sighed before placing the phone back in his trouser pocket.
• "You should cherish your parents."
• Nero turned around angrily, shocked overwhelming his body, but he composed himself and faced her.
• "And who are you to meddle in my business."
• "Push, when did your parents become a business?" She said with a lot of sarcasm.
• "Shut the fuck up, will you?"
• "Manners, gentleman." The moment she smiled, he was captivated by that smile, but at the same time, he found it insulting. "Have some to calm your nerves," she added before placing the glass in front of his face.
• "Tsk,"
• He accepted it before drinking the wine.
• "You dare to come near me?"
• "Why? Are you a ghost for me to be afraid?"
• "Nonsense." He was about to turn around and walk out when the lady grabbed his hand, making him stop moving.
• Her hands were so soft.
• "Wait up."
• He slowly turned around and looked at her before shoving her hands away.
• "The fuck, what is your problem? Really?" He said annoyingly.
• "Call your parents and don't let them attend that deal."
• Nero furrowed his brows when he heard that.
• "Who the fuck are you, woman?!" He said angrily and was about to hold her firm, but someone called him from behind.
• "Nero! There, I found you!" Nero looked and saw Shaira walking in his direction.
• 'This woman is also a headache'
• She didn't mind Shaira and looked back to the woman, but she was nowhere to be found. He clenched his hand and unclenched it.
• "Nero, you didn't wait for me earlier."
• "You are already grown up." He said coldly.
• "Relax, Nero. What is the problem?"
• "None of your fucking business," he stated.
• "Come on, I am your fiancee. Here, have a toast with me."
• Nero accepted it and drank it in one gulp.
• "Let's enjoy the party, Nero. Let's go inside, shall we?"
• Shaira didn't wait for Nero's consent and immediately took his hand, pulling him. Nero annoyingly shoved her hands away and walked inside on his own accord.
• He talked to some businessmen at the party while Shaira elegantly poured wine into his glass and those of others in the company.
• Minutes later, Nero felt something was off. He grabbed Shaira's hand and looked at one of the investors.
• "If you excuse us," he said arrogantly before pulling Shaira with him.
• "Nero, it hurts. Let me go."
• Nero didn't listen to her but instead brought her to a less crowded area. As they walked, memories kept appearing in his mind, and the words of the woman earlier kept echoing too.
• "Nero, you need to be brave so that no one can bully my son. Do you understand?"
• Little Nero nodded as he wiped his tears. "I understand, father."
• "Good boy."
• "Nero, eat first before you play with your gadgets."
• "But, father…"
• "Eat or I'll get that thing. It will only affect your eyesight."
• "Father…"
• "Nero, what?"
• "Get out!"
• "But, why?"
• "I said get out of my sight!!"
• Frightened, Shaira ran away into the crowd, leaving Nero behind.
• "Boss, what happened?"
• Nero's four people saw him and his state.
• "Nothing, I need to go to that fucking meeting. How's the deal?" Nero asked as he touched his head.
• "Not done yet."
• "Finish the deal, and I'll follow my parents."
• "But, boss. I think you got drugged." One of them said to him, but Nero insisted.
• "No, I'm fine. I will stop my parents." He declared before leaving the place.
• He was already feeling dizzy, but he sensed that somehow what the woman said to him earlier was true, and he needed to go there to find out.
• As he drove, he continued to call his parents, but no one answered. The effects of the drug were consuming his body, and his eyes were already blurry.
• Ring…ring…
• "Finally." He stated before answering the call. "Hello, Dad. Where are you? How's the….”
• "Hello, this is the police, and I want you to inform that the owner of this phone is found dead."
• "Dead? What?"
• "Yes, Sir. You are the person in the call history, that's why I intend to call you. We are going to send the victim to the Villa Lourdes Hospital."
• "Victim…you are talking…" As he felt dizzy, his grip on the phone loosened, and he tried to pick it up, but he saw headlights in his windshield, and he saw a car coming towards him. Intending to kill him, he thought.
• All he could see was light, and sudden memories came into his mind like a waterfall. His memories with his parents, especially his father, until everything went black