Chapter 3: The First Strike
958 Words
Kahlia didn’t stop walking until she was back in the main hall, her pulse still racing from the confrontation. The way Eros had looked at her, the raw emotion behind his eyes—it should’ve been satisfying. And yet, an unsettling tightness settled in her chest.
She pushed the feeling aside. She hadn’t come back for emotions. She had come back for vengeance.
Grabbing another glass of champagne, she scanned the room, searching for her next move. If she wanted to dismantle Eros’s world, she had to start with his foundation. And what better place to begin than with his business empire?
A voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Still enjoy making an entrance, I see.”
Kahlia turned to see Rafael Velasco leaning against a marble column, watching her with an amused expression. Dressed in a navy suit, his sharp features were softened only by the mischief glinting in his hazel eyes.
“Rafael,” she greeted, taking a slow sip from her glass. “Did you miss me?”
He smirked. “Depends. Are you here to cause trouble?”
She tilted her head. “When am I not?”
He chuckled, stepping closer. “Word of advice? Be careful. Eros may be ruthless, but you already knew that.”
Kahlia arched a brow. “Afraid for me?”
“Afraid for him,” Rafael corrected. “You were never one to walk away from a fight.”
She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “That’s because I never lose.”
Before Rafael could respond, another figure joined them—Victoria Ainsworth.
The blonde socialite smiled sweetly, but Kahlia knew better than to believe in Victoria’s charm. She had been part of the web that entangled her downfall. And yet, here she was, acting as if the past didn’t exist.
“Kahlia,” Victoria purred. “What a surprise.”
“Victoria,” Kahlia said, mirroring her tone. “Enjoying the evening?”
Victoria’s gaze flickered to Eros, who had reentered the ballroom, his expression unreadable as he scanned the crowd. “It’s certainly more… interesting now.”
Kahlia followed Victoria’s gaze, her smirk returning. “I do have that effect.”
Victoria’s lips pressed into a thin line before she turned to Rafael. “Come, darling. I believe the next round of announcements is starting.”
Rafael hesitated before nodding. “See you around, Kahlia.”
Kahlia watched as they walked away, her mind already calculating her next move. If Victoria was still clinging to Eros, she had to wonder—was she still playing puppet master behind the scenes?
She set her glass down and made her way toward an older gentleman near the bar. William Hartford, one of the key investors in Eros’s company. A little conversation here, a carefully placed rumor there, and the cracks in Eros’s world would begin to form.
As she reached William, she felt the weight of a stare pressing into her back. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
Eros.
Good. Let him watch. Let him wonder.
Because this was just the beginning.
And she was just getting started.
---
Eros tightened his grip on his glass, watching Kahlia with barely contained frustration. The way she moved through the crowd, the effortless grace, the quiet confidence—it was as if she had never left. And that was dangerous.
Cassian moved beside him, following his gaze. “She’s already making moves.”
Eros exhaled sharply. “Of course she is.”
Cassian hesitated. “What do you want me to do?”
Eros’s jaw clenched. “Nothing. Not yet.”
“She’s not the same woman you left behind,” Cassian muttered. “She’s colder. Sharper.”
Eros didn’t respond. He didn’t need to. He had known the moment he saw her—the fire in her eyes, the challenge in her stance. Kahlia wasn’t here for closure. She was here for war.
And he wasn’t about to lose.
---
Kahlia knew Eros was watching. She could feel his gaze burning into her back, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of acknowledging it. Instead, she focused on William, offering the older man a polite smile as she slid into the barstool beside him.
“William, it’s been too long,” she said smoothly, swirling her champagne glass. “How’s business?”
The older man turned to her, his expression cautious but intrigued. “Kahlia Madrigal. I must admit, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
She laughed lightly, tilting her head. “Oh, you know me. I love a good surprise.”
William took a sip of his whiskey, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You and Eros used to be quite the pair. I assume your return isn’t a coincidence.”
She smiled. “Nothing ever is.”
A brief silence passed between them before William set his glass down. “And what exactly are you looking for, Kahlia?”
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice just enough to make him listen. “Just a little information. About Eros’s recent business expansions. I heard he’s been making quite a few bold moves.”
William chuckled, shaking his head. “Ah, so that’s what this is about.”
Kahlia met his gaze. “Come now, William. We both know business is about strategy. And I’m simply gathering mine.”
The older man studied her for a moment before sighing. “Be careful, young lady. Eros isn’t the same reckless man he used to be.”
She smiled. “Neither am I.”
As she pulled away, she caught a glimpse of Eros still watching her, his jaw tense, his grip on his glass tightening.
Good.
Let the games begin.
- Writer
