AN UNWANTED INVITATION
1241 Words
Seraphina could not concentrate.
Not after what had happened.
Not after meeting Zayden Volkov.
The billionaire's words replayed endlessly in her mind.
"I have been looking for you."
What kind of thing was that to say to a complete stranger?
She stood in front of a sixteenth-century painting, brush in hand, yet her thoughts refused to stay focused.
Every few seconds, she found herself remembering his eyes.
Cold.
Powerful.
Unsettling.
As though they could see straight through her.
As though they knew things she didn't.
"You're doing it again."
Seraphina blinked.
"Huh?"
Her friend, Amelia, folded her arms.
"Daydreaming."
"I am not."
"You absolutely are."
Seraphina sighed.
"Fine."
Amelia's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"It's because of him, isn't it?"
"Who?"
"The billionaire."
Seraphina groaned.
"Please don't start."
"Start what? The entire museum is talking about him."
That much was true.
Ever since Zayden arrived, nobody had been discussing anything else.
The museum director looked ready to frame the donation receipt and hang it on the wall.
The younger employees were practically fighting over who would get to guide him through the exhibits.
Meanwhile, Seraphina wished she had never met him.
Something about him made her nervous.
Very nervous.
And she didn't understand why.
Before Amelia could continue teasing her, the museum director appeared.
"Miss Vale?"
Seraphina straightened immediately.
"Yes, sir?"
The older man smiled.
"Mr. Volkov would like to see you."
The brush slipped from her fingers.
"What?"
"He requested your presence in the conference room."
Amelia's mouth fell open.
The director chuckled.
"I suggest you don't keep him waiting."
Then he walked away.
For several seconds, Seraphina simply stared after him.
Amelia grabbed her arm.
"Oh my God."
"No."
"Oh my God!"
"Stop saying that."
"The billionaire requested you specifically."
Seraphina felt her stomach twist.
Why?
She barely knew the man.
In fact, she didn't know him at all.
Yet somehow he seemed determined to involve himself in her life.
Taking a deep breath, she walked toward the conference room.
The closer she got, the harder her heart pounded.
By the time she reached the door, her palms were sweating.
Ridiculous.
He was just a man.
A billionaire.
A ridiculously handsome billionaire.
But still a man.
She knocked.
"Come in."
That deep voice sent an unexpected shiver through her.
Slowly, she opened the door.
The room was empty except for him.
Zayden stood beside the large window overlooking the city.
The afternoon sunlight highlighted the sharp angles of his face.
Everything about him looked expensive.
His suit.
His watch.
Even the way he carried himself.
Power seemed to cling to him naturally.
When he turned and saw her, something softened in his expression.
Only slightly.
But enough for her to notice.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes."
His gaze lingered on her face.
Far longer than necessary.
Far longer than appropriate.
For reasons she couldn't explain, her pulse quickened.
Zayden gestured toward a chair.
"Please sit."
She remained standing.
"I'd rather stand."
One corner of his mouth lifted.
Amusement.
Interesting.
Most people rushed to obey him.
Seraphina did not.
"I wanted to thank you for your work."
She frowned.
"My work?"
"The restoration project."
"Oh."
That wasn't what she expected.
"It was a team effort."
"Perhaps."
His eyes remained fixed on her.
"But you are the most talented person here."
Heat crept into her cheeks.
She wasn't used to compliments.
Especially not from men like him.
"Thank you."
Silence followed.
A strange silence.
Not uncomfortable.
Yet intense.
As though something invisible stretched between them.
Finally, Zayden broke it.
"I have a proposal."
Her heart skipped.
"A proposal?"
His expression remained unreadable.
"Not that kind."
Embarrassment flooded her face.
Wonderful.
Now she probably looked ridiculous.
To her surprise, amusement flickered in his eyes again.
He seemed to enjoy making her flustered.
"I am hosting a charity gala tomorrow evening."
She immediately understood.
"You need museum representation."
"In a way."
"And you want me to attend."
"Yes."
The answer came without hesitation.
Seraphina shook her head.
"I don't think that's a good idea."
His eyebrows lifted.
"No?"
"No."
Most billionaires wouldn't be used to hearing that word.
Especially from women.
But she meant it.
Their worlds were completely different.
People like Zayden attended glamorous galas.
People like Seraphina spent Friday nights eating takeout while watching documentaries.
"We barely know each other."
His gaze darkened slightly.
"Then perhaps this is an opportunity to change that."
The statement caught her off guard.
Before she could answer, there was another knock.
The door opened.
A woman entered.
And immediately changed the atmosphere.
She was stunning.
Tall.
Elegant.
Dressed in designer clothing that probably cost more than Seraphina's monthly salary.
Her blonde hair fell perfectly over one shoulder.
Confidence radiated from her.
The woman walked directly toward Zayden.
Then kissed his cheek.
Possessively.
Intimately.
Seraphina's stomach tightened unexpectedly.
Why?
She had no right to care.
The woman smiled.
"Darling, there you are."
Zayden's expression hardened instantly.
A dramatic contrast to the warmth he'd shown Seraphina.
"Evangeline."
The blonde woman finally noticed Seraphina.
Her smile faded.
And was replaced by assessment.
The kind women used when sizing up competition.
"Who is she?"
The question sounded rude.
Deliberately rude.
Seraphina almost laughed.
She wasn't competing for anyone.
Least of all a billionaire.
"Miss Vale works here."
Zayden's voice was cool.
Professional.
Evangeline's eyes narrowed.
"Interesting."
The word carried an unpleasant edge.
Seraphina suddenly felt like an outsider intruding on a private conversation.
"I should go."
"No."
The response came from Zayden immediately.
Both women looked at him.
His attention remained entirely on Seraphina.
"I haven't finished."
A muscle jumped in Evangeline's jaw.
Clearly, she wasn't used to being ignored.
Unfortunately for her, Zayden appeared completely uninterested in anyone else.
Including the woman standing beside him.
Evangeline noticed too.
And she hated it.
Seraphina could practically see the jealousy growing.
The realization made her uncomfortable.
Very uncomfortable.
"I appreciate the invitation," Seraphina said carefully.
"But galas aren't really my thing."
For the first time, Zayden stepped closer.
Not enough to invade her space.
Just enough to make her aware of his presence.
Very aware.
"Come as my guest."
The words settled heavily between them.
Her breath caught.
His guest.
The billionaire's personal guest.
Every instinct told her to refuse.
To walk away.
To keep her distance.
Yet another part of her—
A dangerous part—
Wanted to know more about him.
Wanted answers.
Wanted to understand why he looked at her as though she mattered.
As though she was the only person in the room.
The conflict must have shown on her face.
Because Zayden's voice softened.
"One evening."
His gray eyes held hers.
"That's all I'm asking."
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then, against her better judgment, Seraphina nodded.
"One evening."
A slow smile appeared on his face.
A victorious smile.
The kind of smile that suggested he always got what he wanted.
And somehow, that realization made her heart race.
Across the room, Evangeline watched the exchange with growing fury.
Because for the first time in years, another woman had captured Zayden Volkov's attention.
And Evangeline Laurent had no intention of sharing.
Not with anyone.
Especially not Seraphina Vale.
As Seraphina left the room, she had no idea she had just stepped into a dangerous game.
A game involving billionaires.
Secrets.
Obsession.
And a man who seemed determined to change her life forever.
The question was whether that change would save her...
Or destroy her.
- Writer
