5

Sebastian

"We've received confirmation that Melissa Atkinson, daughter of this year's gubernatorial candidate, Cedrick Atkinson, and Timothy Ledford, son of our current governor, are set to tie the knot," I heard the familiar voice of the news anchor as I set aside the weights and settled onto the training bench, catching my breath after an intense workout. Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I reached for the remote to raise the volume. "The engagement celebration is scheduled for this Saturday at Mr. Atkinson's private estate. Speculation..." The anchor's voice continued, discussing Melissa and Ledford, but I found it hard to concentrate. Melissa's image flashed on the TV screen mounted on the gym wall in the house I'd recently acquired. With plans to remain in LA for an extended period due to my current task, I had opted for a private residence over hotels, disliking the intrusive surveillance and nosy guests. However, this news hit me unexpectedly. Were Melissa and Ledford really getting married? She hadn't mentioned anything to me. Moreover, the last time I saw her, she didn't appear to be on the verge of engagement. While most women would be buzzing about upcoming nuptials and white dresses, she looked more like someone facing a dire sentence.

I ran up the new, shiny granite stairs to my vast bedroom. I could get used to this place. It had everything I needed and a stunning view of the soothing, sunny beach—something I didn’t have back in New York. I looked across the room for my phone. In my twenty-five years of existence, I could never get used to having it around.

“Boss?” I heard my right-hand man’s deep voice.

“Colin, I need you to get me an invite for Melissa Atkinson’s engagement party.” I went straight to the point. I wasn’t the one to waste my time on superfluous courtesy, even if Colin was not only a member of our Mafia but my most trusted friend.

“How do ya think I can do that?” He scoffed. He was the only one of our men who wasn’t shitting his pants in front of me, and I liked that. I think that’s why I blurred the boss-subordinate line with him. “That’s fuckin’ impossible. They’ll never let ya in. Should I remind ya, you’re a freakin’ Vanderbilt?”

“I don’t care how you do that. You do that,” I said, unfazed. “Or you’re out.”

I heard him sighing heavily before he replied, “Fine. Consider it done.”

I smiled, amused he took me seriously, and I ended the call. I threw the phone on my king-size bed’s black silky duvet and headed to the bathroom for a long, cold shower.

The week flew by in an instant. I busied myself settling into my temporary abode and indulged in the enticing nightlife of vibrant LA. It felt like an elusive vacation, devoid of rules and obligations, a welcome escape from the shadows of my reality. Glancing at my reflection in the mirror, I smoothed down my hair, dressed in a black tailored suit over a slightly unbuttoned black shirt, revealing two olive branches inked above the word PURE on my neck. No tie. Retrieving the keys to my Bugatti, I descended the stairs to the garage, relishing the familiar sound of the engine roaring to life—music to my ears.

"ELLIOT WRIGHT," I met the butler's gaze head-on as he nodded, scanning the guest list.

"Welcome, Mr. Wright," he greeted me with a courteous smile. "May you have an unforgettable evening, sir." I knew Colin wouldn't disappoint in securing my entry.

I nodded, smirking inwardly.

It's bound to be a night to remember, I mused as I passed the elderly gentleman, stepping into the dazzling foyer of the Atkinson residence. Greeted by a stunning brunette with long legs, she handed me a glass of champagne, flashing an alluring smile before guiding me to a lavishly decorated room. Round tables adorned with white flowers filled the space, accompanied by a live band playing classical tunes in the background. Downing the sweet, bubbly liquid in one gulp, I placed the empty glass on a passing waiter's silver tray. Maneuvering through the crowd of extravagantly attired individuals, I found solace at the back of the room, leaning against a wall aglow with the shimmering crystal chandeliers cascading from the lofty ceiling. My hands slipped into my pockets, a less than elegant move, but boredom gripped me fiercely.

People around me were chatting and laughing, jamming my own thoughts. Suddenly, the hall fell silent, and everyone gasped. And I saw her.Melissa, accompanied by her to-be-fiancé, his hand on her back. The guests started clapping, and she blushed. Her gaze dropped to the ground, and she nervously played with her fingers. I couldn’t grasp why she seemed so timid. I thought she’d be used to such show-offs by now. Besides, she looked stunning. Breathtaking. She wore a black, long dress, glimmering in silver, perfectly tightening her slender body, and with a sexy high cut on her left leg. She had her platinum waves half up, half down, with two shorter strands left loose on each side of her beautiful face. Her long, sparkling nails perfectly matched the white-gold rings, bracelets, and a double-layered long choker falling right into her cleavage, bringing attention to the deepVneckline embracing her round breasts. My cock stirred against my zipper, and I straightened up.She looked like a fucking goddess that I’d die to fuck.

“Thank you, everyone, for coming,” Ledford said, wearing a shit-eating grin. “It is a meaningful evening for us. I’m going to ask my beautiful girlfriend, Melissa, one of the most important questions, and we want you all to be here with us when it happens.” I narrowed my eyes as I watched the golden boy giving the speech proud as a peacock. He pulled Melissa’s body closer to his, grinning like a Cheshire cat, but she… She seemed upset as if it was a performance, a shit show in which she was forced to participate.

Melissa hesitantly looked around the room until her gaze met mine. Her gleaming yet sad eyes grew wide with pure shock and confusion. It was apparent the sight of me had taken her aback. Suddenly, everything around me was a blur. It felt like there was only Melissa and me, staring into each other’s eyes like hypnotized, helplessly trying to break the invisible, electric attraction between us. She bit her lower lip involuntarily, and her chest was moving up and down heavier and slower.

“Enjoy your evening, everyone! We’ll gather here again at eight!” Timothy exclaimed, and the guests applauded before the band started playing music and everyone was off to dance.

I rushed toward her. My gaze never left hers as I approached her. I could sense her heart beating faster and stronger with every step I took. Her petite body was quivering.

“Hello, Miss Atkinson,” I said, nodding slightly and smiling. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.” Melissa was rooted to the spot. It seemed like she wanted to say something, but no words would come out of her mouth. She just kept glaring into my eyes.

“I don’t believe we’ve been introduced to each other, Mr.…?” Ledford slid his hand around Melissa’s waist as if my presence alone felt like a threat to him, and I smirked.

I switched my attention to him. “Wright. Eliot Wright,” I said, unfazed, and from the corner of my eye, I noticed a puzzled expression written all over Melissa’s beautiful face. “May I say your date looks ravishing?” I stated, looking back at the face of an angel.

“She does,” he replied dryly. “Excuse us, Mr. Wright, but I need a moment alone with my fiancée.”

“Future fiancée,” Melissa cut him off, and it was the first time I’d heard her soothing voice this evening. Ledford’s face went red. He clenched his teeth, seething. I barely refrained from laughing.

“Melissa—” He started, but I cut him off before he could continue.

“May I have this dance?” I said, loud and clear, my gaze fixed on Melissa’s as I reached my hand to her.

“With pleasure.” She rested her slim palm on mine, and I smiled, unable to fight the urge to run my thumb over her soft skin.

I escorted her to the dance floor, leaving the astonished bystander gaping in disbelief. Twirling Melissa around, I admired the way her shimmering dress accentuated her flawless curves. Sliding my hand around her waist from behind, I pulled her close to me, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. Gripping her slender forearm, she clutched onto my collar as she tilted her head to meet my gaze, leaning into my chest and melting into my embrace. Our eyes locked, mere inches apart, our breaths heavy and mingling in the air. Her other hand rested on her waist, just below mine, our fingers lightly touching.

"Why are you doing this?" I murmured, swaying our bodies to the rhythm of the music.

"Doing what?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

"Marrying a man whom you don't want to marry."

“How can you know what I want?” She objected before I whirled her around again. She fell into my arms, and I slid my hand to the small of her back, claiming her as if she belonged to me. I didn’t give a fuck that all the guests kept glancing at us, whispering, gossiping. Melissa didn’t care either. She set her gaze on mine again, resting one hand on my arm and the other left cupped in mine as we kept dancing. “You don’t even know me.”

“Hardly,” I said before leaning down to whisper against her ear, “But I know you feel it too.”

“What exactly?”

“The attraction,” I stated, satisfied like the cocky bastard I was. “I see how your body trembles at my touch. Even though you try to hide it, I can see it, Melissa. Feel it.”

“Who the hell are you?” She stepped back to look at me.

I moved closer to her and gazed down into her puzzled eyes. “Tonight, I’m Elliot Wright, whoever the hell he is. I’m also your savior.”

“My savior?” She scoffed. “What are you going to save me from?

“The biggest mistake you’re about to make,” I stated firmly, unfazed. She gave me the most perplexed look I’d ever seen and said nothing. The music stopped playing, and I nodded, thanking her for the dance before kissing her hand. As I lifted my head to meet her luminous eyes, I whispered, “Meet me upstairs at the library in fifteen minutes,” before leaving her, completely flabbergasted, to her boyfriend heading her way.