The luxury car glided silently along the winding roads, cutting through the amber glow of the setting sun. The late afternoon light spilled across the windows, painting the two figures inside like a living oil painting. Yet inside the car, the air was tense and heavy, charged with emotions that neither could name.
Trach Dong leaned back, eyes half-closed, letting the wind brush past him as if his thoughts were drifting with it. Under the soft glow, every feature of his face became sharper: high nose, tightly pressed lips, thick lashes dusted like a veil of mist. His beauty was distant and cold, yet undeniably magnetic.
Bach Lan sat upright beside him, careful to keep a proper distance, her body taut with caution. But her eyes betrayed her, flicking toward him again and again. She watched, then sighed softly, scolding herself: What's happening to me? He's the one who kidnapped me!
At that moment, Trach Dong opened his eyes. His deep gaze met hers, wide and startled. He raised a corner of his lips, clearing his throat with a faint, teasing sound:
"Hmm..."
Then he turned his face away.
Bach Lan felt her cheeks burn and quickly faced the window, heart pounding wildly. She bit her lip, whispering to herself: Don't... don't let yourself feel anything.
"Screech!"
The car came to a halt in front of one of the city's most luxurious hotels. Trach Dong stepped out first, holding the roof above her as he turned toward her with an outstretched hand.
Bach Lan flinched slightly, but the unwavering determination in his eyes made it impossible to refuse. She placed her hand over his, feeling warmth seep into her skin, stirring a strange flutter in her chest.
Oh no, my heart is racing again.
The ballroom was bathed in golden light, dazzling and opulent. Every step they took seemed to make the space pause. Eyes from the crowd followed them, filled with curiosity, suspicion, and envy.
"Who is she?"
"Trach Dong's new girlfriend?"
"That dress... I've never seen it on any runway!"
Bach Lan caught every whispered word, her hand trembling slightly. Yet Trach Dong walked with calm assurance, sliding her hand into his arm, and leaned down to murmur:
"Walk beside me. Don't get lost."
His voice carried the weight of command, yet it made her heart leap as if struck by the first chime of spring bells.
A little later, while he was chatting with a group of partners, she gently withdrew her hand and whispered,
"I'll go over there to get some drinks."
Trach Dong merely nodded. She walked quietly, but before she got very far, three girls stepped in front of her, eyes scanning her from head to toe.
"Which family are you from, little lady?"
"I... I'm just an employee at the company." – Bach Lan stammered, flustered.
"Oh? An employee invited to accompany the CEO?"
"She must have some special talent, huh?"
Bach Lan pressed her lips together, about to reply when a sharp, cold voice came from behind:
"Seems like some of you have too much free time lately, don't you?"
The three girls paled and lowered their heads.
Trach Dong stepped forward, his gaze icy as it swept over them. He didn't spare them another glance, simply extended his hand toward Bach Lan:
"Dance with me."
She hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand in his. As the soft music flowed around them, they stepped onto the dance floor. His hand rested on her waist, his breath brushing close.
"Just stand here, and everything will fall into place." – He murmured.
Bach Lan shivered slightly. His voice, his tone, felt strangely both unfamiliar and yet intimately familiar.
She whispered back, barely audible,
"Thank you."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Huh?"
"Because... you helped me out of that awkward situation earlier."
"But... isn't this a bachelor party?"
He didn't answer.
"Why did you bring me here without explaining the purpose?"
Trach Dong paused for a moment. He looked deep into her eyes, his voice no longer icy but hoarse, carrying a hint of fatigue.
"Because I thought you wanted it."
Bach Lan blinked, flustered.
"Me?"
"You looked at me that way, several times." – He gave a slight, half-smile, but his gaze flickered elsewhere for a moment. – "I thought you wanted to get close to me, like everyone else."
She fell silent. Her heart skipped a quiet beat.
"Was I wrong?" – He asked, not teasing, just gently and sincerely.
A moment of silence hung between them.
"It's not what you think," she whispered.
Trach Dong slowly let go of her waist, holding her hand more gently instead, pulling her closer. He tilted his head, warm breath brushing her ear.
"Then tell me... how should I understand this?"
Before she could answer, he suddenly leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her lips. Not rushed, not possessive, but slow, as if gauging her feelings carefully.
She quickly pulled back, her voice sharp with indignation.
"You think I have some ulterior motive? Ridiculous!"
"Then what did your gaze mean?"
"You... don't get too arrogant!"
She struggled to free herself, but he didn't hold her. Trach Dong's eyes darkened slightly, yet he remained still, his gaze fixed on her.
"Sorry." – He murmured. – "If I made you uncomfortable, I won't do it again."
Those words made Bach Lan freeze. She looked at him, her eyes trembling with a mix of anger and confusion. But the emotions were too strong, she accidentally stepped on his foot, then spun away, tears streaming uncontrollably.
The ballroom fell suddenly silent.
Trach Dong stood motionless, his hand still relaxed at his side. After a moment, he lowered his head and let out a quiet sigh.
Outside, the streetlights flickered. Bach Lan walked aimlessly, ignoring Hoan's calls behind her.
Why didn't I resist? Why did I let him do that? Why... did I feel a strange sense of pleasure when he kissed me?
Her heart raced, each step pressing against some old, hidden feeling she couldn't name. Yet she remembered the breath, the gaze, as if it had once enveloped her somewhere else, in another time.
In the empty corridor, Trach Dong leaned against the wall, eyes gazing into the distance, as if recalling something long forgotten. His fingers unconsciously touched his lips.
"Clearly she likes it... and yet she runs." – He muttered to himself.
Hoan approached: "Young master, miss Bach has left."
"Mm."
"Did you two argue?"
He didn't answer, only smiled faintly.
"It's fine... I probably excited her too much."
Hoan frowned.
Excited... yet tears streaming and running away in the middle of the ballroom? He couldn't make sense of it.
"Ah, right." – Trach Dong turned to him. – "What happened today... make sure it stays between us. I don't want personal matters turned into entertainment."
"Yes." – Hoan nodded, though a thousand questions still swirled in his mind, unsaid.
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