บท 12: CHAPTER 12: Beneath the Arrogant Facade

　　The soft knocking shattered the cocoon of nervous anticipation I'd woven around myself. Heart hammering against my ribs, I hurried to the door, the emerald dress whispering against my legs. Pulling it open, I braced myself for Nicola's usual icy behavior.

　　Instead, I was met with a sight that stole the breath from my lungs. Alexander stood there, sculpted perfection in a tailored black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and broad physique. Even with my heels, he towered over me and I became increasingly aware of how different we were. Our eyes met, and a jolt of electricity surged through me. His gaze was dark, intense, laced with something I couldn't decipher. Was it annoyance? Apprehension? Or perhaps a flicker of something more…

　　The silence stretched, thick and heavy, a silent conversation passing between us. My traitorous body buzzed with a strange awareness and I swallowed nervously and tried to get a grip.