An Encouter with Crystal
784 Words
Lovien saw that Adler had no intention of stopping, so she could only swallow her impatience and follow him.
The black Rolls-Royce Phantom cut through the snow, gliding into the driveway of a private villa. A waiter in a tailcoat stepped forward and opened the door for them.
Stepping inside, they entered the grand hall. The waiter guided them along opulent corridors, finally arriving at a small banquet room within the villa.
Above them, three-tiered crystal chandeliers hung from the domed ceiling, each prism catching the light and scattering it into a cascade of sparkling stars. Near a rose-gold carved wine cabinet, three young men were already seated, a sommelier in a gray vest attending to them.
“Adler, you’re here!” one of the men greeted warmly.
“And this must be Mrs. Lovien! A pleasure to meet you,” he added, his eyes lighting up with friendliness as he took note of her.
“Hello, I’m Surfa,” he continued. “Adler’s good friend and tonight’s host.”
Lovien recognized the name—the second son of the well-known Surfa real estate family. The other two men also seemed familiar to Adler, though she hadn’t heard of them before; likely heirs from prominent business families.
“Adler, come here for a moment,” Surfa said, clapping Adler on the shoulder and drawing him aside. Lovien was invited toward the wine cabinet.
“Mrs. Lovien, would you like some juice or something stronger?” a waiter asked politely.
“Juice, thank you,” Lovien replied
At that moment, four more guests arrived—two men and two women. The first pair linked arms like a couple, while behind them, a man in a sleek gray suit exuded an effortless upper-class elegance. At his side was Crystal.
Her black evening gown hugged her slender figure perfectly, complemented by a luxurious purple stole and exquisite jewelry. She radiated a mix of sophistication and alluring charm.
Crystal’s eyes widened in shock when she saw Lovien. She hadn’t expected Adler to bring his wife, but a subtle, knowing smile soon curved her lips.
The young man accompanying Crystal noticed Lovien too and smiled as he approached. “Mrs. Lovien, remember me?”
Lovien frowned, trying to place him.
“I’m Caius. I attended your wedding with Adler—does that ring a bell?”
Lovien’s mind went blank; on her wedding day, all her attention had been on Adler. She had forgotten everyone else. She smiled politely. “Hello, Mr. Caius.”
“Good to see you again, Mrs. Lovien,” Crystal added, greeting her.
Lovien held her juice, pretending not to hear. Crystal’s smile stiffened slightly, and she cast a glance toward Adler, a touch of silent complaint in her expression. She had expected Adler to arrive alone—she hadn’t anticipated Lovien being there, which spoiled her mood.
Lovien had barely settled when the thought of leaving crept into her mind. Watching the guests interact so comfortably, it was clear they were all part of the same social circle. Why had Adler brought her here? To embarrass her? Or to let her witness his closeness with Crystal firsthand?
Suddenly, a few more guests entered. Lovien looked up in curiosity, and her eyes landed on a familiar face—Senior Cephas, a genius in the medical field she greatly admired.
Cephas, in a simple black suit, stood tall, his silver-framed glasses emphasizing his refined demeanor. He was engaged in conversation with a middle-aged man when he noticed someone watching him.
When his eyes met Lovien’s, he paused, a mixture of disbelief and delight on his face. Whispering to his companion, he adjusted his glasses and approached her.
“Lovien!”
“Senior Cephas!”
Lovien restrained her excitement. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Neither did I! I wasn’t expecting you either,” he said with a warm smile. Half a year had passed since their last meeting.
Meanwhile, Adler and Surfa ended their chat and walked over. Adler noticed Cephas talking to his wife with ease, a slight crease forming between his brows.
At that moment, a snowy-white hand reached out and took his wrist. Crystal’s enchanting figure blocked him. “Why didn’t you answer my call earlier?”
Adler subtly withdrew his hand. “I’ll explain later.”
Crystal, composed, turned her attention to the man conversing with Lovien. He was unfamiliar to her—clearly not someone from her usual social circle.
Who was he? And why did he seem so close to Lovien?
Even here, surrounded by elite guests, Lovien—an ordinary housewife who had rarely left the country—found herself engaging with such accomplished men.
- Writer
