Chapter 2: The Invitation
1037 Words
Ava felt him before she fully saw him.
The man walking toward her moved with purpose.
Not hurried.
Not hesitant.
Just certain.
Her friend was still whispering frantically beside her.
“You embarrassed him. Do you even understand who that is? That’s Sebastian Evanson—”
“I know,” Ava muttered.
The man stopped in front of her.
He was older. Late thirties, maybe early forties. Impeccably dressed. Calm eyes. Professional posture.
“Miss,” he said politely. “Mr. Evanson would like a word.”
Ava blinked.
Her heart skipped once.
Then twice.
“I already had a word,” she replied carefully.
The man’s expression didn’t change.
“Yes,” he said. “He would like another.”
Her friend’s nails dug into her arm.
“Go,” she whispered. “Oh my God, go.”
Ava swallowed.
Across the ballroom, she felt it again.
His gaze.
She looked up.
Sebastian stood near the balcony doors, one hand casually in his pocket.
Watching.
Not smiling.
Not calling her over.
Just waiting.
As if he already knew what she would choose.
Ava straightened her shoulders.
“Tell Mr. Evanson I’m not interested,” she said.
The assistant tilted his head slightly.
“With respect,” he said calmly, “Mr. Evanson is not accustomed to being declined.”
She lifted her chin.
“Then tonight will be educational.”
For the first time, something flickered in the man’s eyes.
Interest.
He glanced past her briefly.
Then back at her.
“Very well,” he said smoothly.
He turned and walked away.
Ava exhaled slowly.
Her friend stared at her like she had just committed a crime.
“You just rejected him.”
“He doesn’t own me,” Ava said.
But even as she said it—
Her stomach flipped.
Because across the room—
Sebastian hadn’t moved.
Hadn’t reacted.
Hadn’t even looked annoyed.
Instead—
He looked amused.
Slowly, deliberately—
He lifted his champagne glass.
And without breaking eye contact—
He took a sip.
A chill ran down her spine.
He wasn’t offended.
He was entertained.
That was worse.
An hour later, Ava had decided she’d had enough.
The music felt too loud. The air too heavy.
She told her friend she was leaving early.
“Text me when you get home,” her friend said nervously. “And please don’t insult any more billionaires.”
Ava managed a small smile and made her way toward the exit.
She didn’t look for him.
She refused to.
The night air outside felt cooler.
Freeing.
She stepped down the marble staircase toward the driveway.
“Leaving already?”
Her heart jumped.
She turned.
Sebastian stood a few feet away.
Alone.
No assistant. No audience. No performance.
Just him.
“How do you do that?” she asked quietly.
“Do what?”
“Appear.”
His lips curved slightly.
“I didn’t appear,” he said. “You just didn’t see me.”
Her pulse quickened.
He stepped closer.
Not invading.
But near enough to shift her breathing.
“You declined my invitation,” he said.
“I don’t remember accepting one.”
A faint smile touched his mouth.
“I respect boldness,” he said.
She folded her arms.
“And I don’t respect arrogance.”
His eyes darkened slightly.
“Good.”
She frowned.
“Good?”
“I don’t need another woman agreeing with everything I say.”
The honesty caught her off guard.
For a moment, neither spoke.
The tension wasn’t angry anymore.
It was charged.
“You shouldn’t have sent your assistant,” she said quietly.
“I know.”
“Then why did you?”
“Because,” he said calmly, “I wanted to see what you’d do.”
Her breath caught slightly.
“And?”
“And you didn’t disappoint.”
The words wrapped around her.
Slow.
Measured.
Intent.
“I’m not part of your entertainment,” she said.
His expression shifted slightly.
Not amused now.
Serious.
“I don’t find you entertaining,” he said quietly.
Her heart skipped.
“What do you find me?”
His gaze lowered slightly — then lifted again.
“Interesting.”
Silence.
The word lingered between them.
“You don’t even know me,” she said.
“That’s exactly why.”
Her pulse raced.
She didn’t like the way he made her feel aware of herself.
Aware of him.
Aware of something dangerous building under the surface.
“I should go,” she said softly.
He didn’t stop her.
Didn’t reach for her.
Didn’t command her to stay.
Instead, he stepped aside.
Giving her space.
Freedom.
Choice.
But his eyes held hers.
“Go,” he said calmly.
She hesitated.
That wasn’t what she expected.
“You’re not going to stop me?” she asked.
A faint shadow crossed his expression.
“No,” he said.
Then he stepped closer one last time.
Not touching her.
Just enough to lower his voice.
“But this isn’t over.”
Her breath trembled.
“What does that mean?”
“It means,” he said quietly, “when I take interest in something… I don’t ignore it.”
Something fluttered dangerously in her chest.
“And what if I’m not interested?” she whispered.
His eyes darkened.
“Then I’ll convince you.”
The words were soft.
Not threatening.
Certain.
He stepped back again.
Composed.
Controlled.
“You’ll see me again,” he said.
She shook her head slightly.
“That sounds like a warning.”
“No,” he replied.
“It’s a promise.”
Her heart pounded.
For a moment, she couldn’t move.
Then she turned and walked toward the gate.
She refused to look back.
Refused to.
But halfway to the car—
She felt it.
That pull.
She glanced over her shoulder.
Sebastian was still there.
Watching her leave.
Not chasing.
Not calling.
Just observing.
As if he already knew something she didn’t.
Her phone buzzed suddenly in her hand.
She froze.
Unknown number.
Her stomach tightened.
Slowly—
She opened the message.
Three words.
No greeting.
No explanation.
Just—
You’ll see me.
Her breath caught.
And when she looked up again—
Sebastian was gone.
- Writer
