Chapter 44: Come To Me

She reached a large window at the edge of the room, and the moonlight filtered through, catching her gown just right, illuminating the fabric, and casting a soft ethereal glow on her lonesome figure.

She positioned herself perfectly in the silver light. She knew that every gaze she had drawn would see her as a lonely mysterious lady lost in thought— so she played to just that.

Gaze empty yet somehow beckoning, plump lips set in a straight line, absentmindedly bringing the appetizer up to her lips with slow deliberate grace.

She turned her head in a calm deliberate sweep of her head. Her eyes automatically landed on him, locking onto his gaze. She didn't look away and took a small bite, chewing with the same composure. The slightest smile played on her lips, to everyone else she looked to be savoring the taste of the food, but he could tell exactly what she was doing, trying to hold his attention, and enjoying the power she knew she held over him.

He knew exactly what she was doing, he could look away, but the idea of prying his eyes away from hers stung his chest. He was trapped and didn't want to leave.

She could see the way his eyes darkened, and she held the distaste from her eyes. She widened her smile for a second longer before turning away and looking back out the window. She could hardly believe how easy it had been. It was disgusting but necessary.

Now all she needed to do was wait.

Through the earpiece in her ear, Li Hao's voice came through. "I need to go up soon. How are things on your end"

A light tap on her left earpiece, "Going well. Just a few minutes more"

Only a minute passed before she was approached by a man in a crisp suit. He bowed a little before speaking, "Evening Miss, Mr. Romano would like the pleasure of your company. If you would be so kind as to join him".

She observed the man's hard-set face, a professional smile remained on his lips as he spoke, but his eyes remained as unreadable as stone.

She allowed herself a small polite smile as she met his gaze and asked softly. "And if I say no?"

"It would be a wise decision to not disappoint Mr Romano"

She nodded. "Okay then. Tell him to come to me" Her smile remained steady meeting the assistant's now shocked expression. She knew what type of man he was, she had met them all around at The Organization, they were the organization's biggest beneficiaries, always with a woman on their arm, and never the same woman twice. She knew she wouldn't have his attention for as long as she needed, he would quickly have his way with her, by having him engaged for longer, she could pry as much information as possible out of him.

Seeing as she was not joking, he bowed and left to relay her message. Turning back, she counted down the exact seconds of how long it would take him to approach her. As prideful as he might be, she knew exactly when she had won, again it was only a matter of time.

"I must admit" he began, voice low and velvety, lips curling up in a slow smile "It's not every day I get my offer turned down by a woman who's mastered the art of standing out by doing nothing"

She turned her head slightly, unhurriedly, expression composed. She lifted her lips in a smile. "Well Mr Romano, I believe a woman must know when to stand still and let the word come to her"

Let the games begin

A glint of admiration flickered in his eyes, he had not been expecting such a witty retort. He took a step forward, his gaze never wavering, as if trying to peel back the layers she held behind her mask. "And I here I thought the art of being coy had gone out of fashion," he said, his tone teasing, "But you, Miss—"

"Yumei" she supplied smoothly lying through her teeth. As if she was going to give out her real name to this man.

"Miss Yumei" he repeated as if savoring the way the name rolled off his tongue. "You seem to have perfected it. But you're not just a pretty face standing by a window, you have a reason for being here tonight, am I right?"

Liling was completely calm as she turned the rest of the champagne in her glass. 'Yh, I'm here to put you in jail', she retorted inwardly.

Opting to continue with her built facade, she continued, "What if I say I'm just drawn to places where the company is as...intriguing as the host"

He chuckled, the sound, a deep rumble from his chest, "Then I'd say you have excellent taste in places Miss Yumei. Intrigue can be a rare commodity in our society these days"

"Well, perhaps, Mr. Romano, we can find someplace... more private to continue our conversation." She pushed down the bile rising to her throat, turning her lips up in a provocative smile and lowering her voice.

"Miss. Yumei," he said, a hint of laughter in his voice, "You do know how to make a man curious". Despite his words, he offered her his arm with a nod. She slipped her arm through his, hiding a grimace.

He led her through the sea of masked faces in the room, occasionally greeting people he recognized with a nod. They reached a quiet section of the mansion and stood before ornate double doors. He pushed open the doors to reveal a private lounge, oozing sophistication and luxury, it was equipped with a well-stocked bar, plush velvet sofas, and wood-paneled walls, all bathed in a low warm glow. The air was alive with the faint scent of a cigar and the faintest whisper of something sharper—something darker.

Letting go of his arm, she exhaled the breath she had been holding in. Now that they were alone together, the rest of them could carry out the rest of their tasks without a hitch. Now all that was left for her was to render him unresponsive for the rest of the evening.

Enzo walked to the bar, his movements fluid, as if completely acknowledging that this space was his domain, he had complete control.

Well at least that was what he thought.