The doors of The Elites opened, and Amelia felt as though she'd stepped into a movie set. Golden walls reflected the warm glow of chandeliers, marble floors gleaming as if they were polished every hour. Velvet ropes guided the VIPs, waiters in crisp uniforms floated by with trays of sparkling drinks, and everywhere she looked, expensive jewelry glittered beneath the lights.
Beth was already swept up in the glamour, twirling and laughing. "See? Isn't this amazing?" she whispered, eyes sparkling.
Amelia forced a smile, gripping the strap of her bag. "Amazing is one word. Overwhelming is another."
Kale appeared beside them, effortlessly smooth in his designer suit. "I insisted on hosting tonight," he said, voice low but confident, his eyes flicking toward Amelia. "You two deserve the best."
Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Is this your way of saying I should pretend to be impressed?"
Kale chuckled, brushing past her sarcasm as though it was nothing. Amelia resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
As they moved through the crowd, Beth stopped to greet someone she knew. Amelia stepped aside to let another guest pass an then.. she bumped into someone. A hand caught her arm, steadying her before she could stumble.
"I'm so sorry!" Amelia looking up. And stopped.
The man in front of her was… striking. Sharp features, dark hair, piercing eyes that settled on her with a quiet intensity. His tailored jacket was understated but immaculate, every detail deliberate without being flashy. For a moment, Amelia forgot what she had been about to say. His gaze lingered on her face. Not casually. Almost as though he were trying to figure her out.
"No harm done," he said, voice smooth and measured, with just enough amusement to make her wonder if he had noticed her staring. A subtle smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Amelia straightened. "Thank you"
Before she could say anything else, Beth appeared beside her. "Oh, wow." Amelia glanced at her. Beth was staring at the man." He—he's… wow." Amelia frowned. "Don't start. I barely know him."
The man tilted his head slightly, his eyes met Amelia's once more. Then he disappeared into the crowd.Amelia watched him go for a second longer than intended. She quickly looked away. What was that?
"Lia?" Beth whispered, leaning closer her eyes gleamed with excitement. "That was Xavier, isn't it?"
Amelia blinked. "Xavier… who?"
"Xavier Steel." Beth lowered her voice as though she were sharing a secret. "One of the top execs around here. Big name. Rich, handsome… basically everything this place screams."
Amelialet out a small laugh "Great. Just what I needed tonight. Wealthy strangers judging my lack of sparkle."
Beth chuckled, but Amelia noticed the curious look she gave her. Something about the way Amelia's reaction had clearly caught her attention.
Kale tried to get Amelia's attention several times, but her mind kept drifting to the man who had disappeared into the gold-lit crowd. She didn't know why. She barely know him. Yet she could still remember the weight of his gaze.
By the end of the night, Amelia felt flustered, unsettled, and…against her better judgement.... curious.
She didn't like him. At least that's what she told herself. She wasn't supposed to be interested.
And yet, a small, stubborn part of her couldn't stop thinking about that brief encounter. For all its glitter and glamour, The Elites had given her something she hadn't expected. A reason to wonder what happen next.