Bound by Rivalry, united by Love

The first snowfall of December always made Manhattan look softer than it really was. From the floor-to-ceiling windows of Edward Entertainment’s headquarters, New York shimmered beneath a blanket of white. Yellow taxi cabs crawled along Fifth Avenue, their headlights cutting through the evening haze, while pedestrians hurried along the sidewalks with scarves wrapped tightly around their necks. Nicole Edward barely noticed any of it. She stood in front of the glass, absentmindedly turning a silver fountain pen between her fingers. Behind her, the executive boardroom buzzed with conversation as directors debated marketing budgets and production schedules for the coming year. “…and if we acquire the European distribution rights before January, we’ll beat everyone else to the market.” “…the board still hasn’t approved the numbers.” “…Miss Edward?” Nicole blinked. Twelve pairs of eyes were fixed on her. One of the senior directors cleared his throat. “We’re waiting for your decision.” She looked down at the financial report lying open before her. Numbers, projections, contracts… Normally, this was the part she enjoyed most. Today, however, her thoughts were elsewhere. “I think we should wait another week before signing,” she said calmly. “The market is moving too quickly. If we’re patient, the price will drop.” Silence settled over the room. Then Mr. Lawrence, the oldest director on the board, smiled. “I agree.” One by one, the others nodded. The meeting ended moments later. As the executives filed out of the room, several congratulated her on another successful negotiation. Nicole smiled politely. She had mastered that smile years ago. It was the smile expected of Richard Edward’s only daughter. Confident. Elegant. Untouchable. It concealed everything. The moment the doors closed behind the last director, she let out a long breath and sank into her chair. A soft knock interrupted the silence. Emily peeked inside. “Busy pretending to enjoy meetings again?” Nicole laughed, the sound lighter than anything heard during the meeting. “You know me too well.” Emily placed two cups of coffee on the table before sitting opposite her. “I also know that face.” “What face?” “The one you make when you’re trying not to think about someone.” Nicole looked away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Liar.” Emily leaned forward with a grin. “The Star Crown Awards are tonight.” Nicole reached for her coffee. “So?” “So…” Emily stretched the word dramatically. “He’ll be there.” Nicole took a sip before answering. “I attend because Edward Entertainment sponsors the ceremony.” “Mmm.” Emily folded her arms. “And the fact that a certain billionaire is attending has absolutely nothing to do with your sudden interest in what dress to wear?” Nicole couldn’t help smiling. “You’re impossible.” Emily laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes.” For a brief moment, the weight on Nicole’s shoulders seemed to disappear. Until her phone vibrated. The screen lit up with a single message. Unknown Number I can’t wait to see you tonight. No name. No signature. It didn’t need one. Nicole smiled despite herself. Only one person refused to save his number in her phone. He always claimed it made their conversations feel “more exciting.” She typed a quick reply. You’re assuming I’ll even say hello. Almost immediately, another message appeared. You always do. Nicole shook her head, laughing quietly. Emily noticed. “That’s him, isn’t it?” Nicole locked her phone. “I really should get ready.” Emily stood. “I’ll have your gown delivered in an hour.” She paused at the door. “And Nicole?” “Yes?” “Wear the blue one.” Nicole frowned. “Why?” Emily smiled knowingly. “Because someone once told me blue was your color.” Before Nicole could ask who, Emily disappeared into the hallway. Nicole looked back at the city. A small smile lingered on her lips. Across Manhattan, another office overlooked the skyline. Jayden adjusted the cuff of his charcoal suit while his assistant read through the evening’s schedule. “You’ll arrive at the awards ceremony at seven-thirty.” “Interviews begin at seven-forty.” “The charity auction starts at eight.” Jayden nodded absentmindedly. “And after that?” His assistant looked confused. “After that?” Jayden smiled. “I have plans.” The assistant raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t aware of any.” “You aren’t.” He dismissed the meeting with a wave before walking toward the window. Snow continued to fall outside. His phone buzzed. Nicole’s reply. He read it twice before slipping the phone back into his pocket. Three years. Three years of secret coffee dates. Three years of quiet dinners in places where cameras rarely ventured. Three years of stolen weekends whenever work allowed. Sometimes he wondered how something that felt so right had become something they had to hide. A knock sounded on his office door. “Come in.” His younger cousin, Ethan Hunter, stepped inside carrying two tuxedo jackets. “The black one or the navy?” Jayden barely looked. “Whichever one makes me less likely to end up on the front page tomorrow.” Ethan laughed. “That’s impossible.” Jayden sighed. “Probably.” Ethan studied him for a moment before asking casually, “You’re looking forward to tonight, aren’t you?” Jayden smiled without answering. That was answer enough. By evening, the Grand Aurora Hotel glittered beneath thousands of golden lights. Luxury cars lined the entrance. Reporters crowded behind barricades. Camera flashes illuminated the red carpet like lightning. The annual Star Crown Awards have become the most prestigious night in the entertainment industry, bringing together actors, musicians, producers, billionaires, and the most influential names in the media. Nicole stepped out of a sleek black Bentley wearing a midnight-blue gown that shimmered with every step. For a heartbeat, the surrounding noise disappeared. Then— “Nicole!” “This way!” “Look over here!” She smiled gracefully for the cameras, answering a few questions before making her way inside the ballroom. Across the room, Jayden entered through another entrance reserved for corporate executives. He spotted her almost immediately. She hadn’t seen him yet. She was speaking with a famous actress, laughing politely at something that had been said. Jayden found himself smiling. “You’re staring.” He looked over to find Ethan beside him. “I wasn’t.” “You’ve been looking at the same woman for almost a minute.” Jayden smirked. “Mind your business.” Ethan laughed. “I would…” “…if I knew what your business was.” Before Jayden could respond, Nicole looked up. Their eyes met across the crowded ballroom. Neither of them moved. Neither smiled. To everyone else, they were strangers. But In that silent moment, across a room full of glittering lights and familiar faces, they shared a look that said everything words could not. And neither of them noticed the man standing on the mezzanine above. He lowered the camera hanging around his neck after taking several photographs. One photograph captured the exact moment their eyes met. The man glanced at the screen. A slow smile spread across his face. Then he reached for his phone. “I’ve found them,” he said quietly. There was a pause. “Yes.” “They’re still seeing each other.” He ended the call, slipped the camera into its case, and disappeared into the crowd before anyone noticed he had ever been there. Nicole, completely unaware, accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. Somewhere across the ballroom, Jayden did the same. Neither of them knew that before the night was over… Someone would make sure their carefully guarded secret was no longer safe.