Possessively Mine

Beauty and The Bold

Lilia pov

Later that evening, Lilia stood in her bedroom, staring skeptically at the small collection of dresses Judy had laid out on her bed.

"I still don't know about this," Lilia murmured, fiddling with the hem of a silky black dress.

Judy, crouched by the vanity, waved her off. "Trust me. Velours is the kind of place where you want to look like you own the night. But don't worry, we'll keep it ‘you’. Minimal but stunning."

After much coaxing, Lilia finally slipped into a simple, elegant black dress fitted just enough to flatter her figure without feeling over-the-top. The dress had a modest scoop neckline and fell just above her knees, hugging her softly but tastefully.

"Okay," Judy said, clapping once. "Now, sit. Makeup time."

Lilia perched on the vanity chair, her nerves kicking back in.


 "Not too much," she reminded gently. "I don't feel like myself under heavy makeup."

Judy smiled warmly as she uncapped a small tube of tinted moisturizer.


 "Don't worry," she said. "You're naturally beautiful, Lil. You don't need all the extra stuff. Your skin's already flawless. we're just enhancing, not hiding."

Lilia flushed slightly at the compliment. She had always had a fresh, clean beauty about her, wide, almond-shaped light brown eyes framed with long, dark lashes; soft, porcelain skin that needed little more than a touch of color; full lips that curved easily into a smile even when she wasn't trying.

Judy worked quickly, keeping her promise: a sheer base to even out Lilia’s skin tone, a light sweep of peachy blush to warm her cheeks, a thin line of eyeliner to make her eyes pop, and a swipe of nude-pink gloss across her lips.

"There," Judy said, pulling back to admire her work. "Simple. Radiant. You."

Lilia turned toward the mirror and blinked at her reflection. She looked... like herself and just a little more polished, a little more luminous.

"You have that effortless kind of beauty," Judy said, resting her chin on Lilia’s shoulder. "The kind that doesn't need layers of makeup. It's in your smile. Your eyes. The way you carry yourself."

Lilia smiled shyly, her fingers lightly touching the soft waves Judy had styled into her hair.


 "Thank you," she said softly, feeling something warm and unfamiliar bloom inside her.

Judy smirked mischievously.


 "And who knows," she added, waggling her eyebrows, "you might just catch the eye of someone special tonight.

Velours is crawling with Montelure's most eligible, rich, powerful, insanely good-looking men who would kill for a girl like you."

Lilia laughed, shaking her head. "You’re impossible."

"I'm serious!" Judy insisted, grabbing her clutch. "One night out and you could meet your future boyfriend. Maybe even your future husband."

Lilia rolled her eyes, she never been interested in men.


 "I think I'll focus on surviving the night in heels first," she said.

Judy burst out laughing and looped her arm through Lilia's.


 "One step at a time, Snow. One step at a time."

……………………………………………………………

Tavien POV


Tavien lounged in the sitting room of his family estate, the late afternoon sun spilling through the tall windows. The meeting with his parents had been brief but meaningful, but a familiar ritual he cherished. It wasn't just about politics, reputation, or image, though those things were woven into the Rayn legacy.

For Tavien, it was about family, the rare moments of connection, loyalty, and quiet understanding that had been the foundation of his life since childhood.

Tavien had just finished pouring himself a glass of whiskey when his phone vibrated against the dark wood of the side table.


 He glanced at the caller ID- Dorian Keller. One of the few names Tavien would actually pick up for.

He swirled the drink lazily in his glass before answering.

"Tell me??," Tavien said, his voice smooth but edged with natural authority.

"Tavien," Dorian greeted, a grin practically audible in his tone. "You busy tonight?"

Tavien leaned back in the leather armchair, resting one ankle casually on his knee.


 "Define busy," he replied, taking a sip.

Dorian laughed. "Good. You’re not tied up, then. Listen, I’m setting up something at Velours. It’s last minute, but it could turn into something big."

Tavien arched a brow, intrigued but noncommittal.


 "Business?"

"And a little fun," Dorian said. "We've got some heavy hitters flying in - potential investors, private security contractors, one of the banking syndicates we’ve been flirting with. Thought it’d be better to meet somewhere that’s... less obvious than the usual boardrooms."

"Somewhere you can buy discretion," Tavien said dryly.

"Exactly," Dorian chuckled. "Private lounge. Your usual bottle’s already on the tab. I want you there. We need your instincts. you’re better at reading these assholes than any security detail."

Tavien rested his glass on the table with a quiet clink. His mind was already moving and calculating the risks, the opportunities. He trusted Dorian, but he trusted his own judgment even more.

"Who else is coming?" Tavien asked, voice calm but deliberate.

"Roman said he’s in if he makes it back from the marina in time," Dorian said. "Victor’s bringing some of his new tech people — nothing shady, just small startups looking for backing. And Wes, obviously. He’d show up just for the whiskey."

Tavien exhaled a soft breath, a rare sound of amusement.


 "And the investors?"

"Old money," Dorian said. "Some European, some American. They’re here to talk expansion, private deals, unregulated zones, quiet profits. Exactly your kind of language."

There was a beat of silence as Tavien processed it.


 Finally, he said, "What’s the catch?"

Dorian laughed again, lower this time. "No catch. Yet. But you know how these things go. Best to have a lion at the table before the snakes show their fangs."

Tavien's mouth lifted in a faint, cold smile.
 "I’ll be there," he said, final and unquestioning.

"Good. Seven o'clock. Dress smart. Not your usual 'I might kill someone tonight' look," Dorian teased. "We want them relaxed, not running scared."

Tavien’s chuckle was low and rare. "Smart casual. Got it."

"And Tavien," Dorian added more seriously, "keep an eye out. Not just for the investors. You know Montelure... these nights attract a different kind of attention."

"I’m always watching," Tavien said simply.

Another beat, heavy with understanding between two men who had built their lives navigating shadows.

"See you soon," Dorian finished, and the line clicked dead.

Tavien placed the phone down and sat for a moment, the faintest flicker of anticipation stirring inside him.

Standing, he walked toward his closet. His movements were purposeful, unhurried. A man who commanded time rather than chased it.

He chose a dark slate-grey shirt that fitted but open enough at the collar to keep things casual. Black tailored trousers followed, perfectly cut, paired with polished leather boots sleek enough to pass for casual but expensive enough to send the right message.


 He left the blazer unbuttoned, allowing just enough ease to look approachable while still deadly if necessary.

His watch, slim and silver, glinted as he fastened it around his wrist. It’s quite a flex for those who noticed true power didn’t need to be shouted.

Tavien studied himself briefly in the mirror, adjusting the fall of his shirt cuffs with precision.

Velours was familiar territory.


 But tonight felt... different.

He couldn’t quite explain why.

Pocketing his phone and slipping his keys into his jacket, Tavien exited the house, the evening air cool and scented faintly with the first hints of rain.

As he slid behind the wheel of his black Aston Martin, another car from his collection and pulled out onto the winding streets of Montelure, Tavien Rayn was ready for whatever the night intended to throw at him.