The grand ballroom of the Hale family estate shimmered with golden chandeliers and polished marble floors. It was an exclusive charity gala, filled with high society’s elite—business moguls, celebrities, and politicians. Dressed in an expensive black suit, Sebastian “Seb” Hale moved through the crowd with ease, offering charming smiles and brief nods to familiar faces.

On the other side of the room, Adrian Cole carefully balanced a tray of champagne flutes. Unlike the guests, he wasn’t here to enjoy the luxury—he was working. With his part-time catering job, he had spent the last three hours serving drinks and weaving through self-important socialites who barely acknowledged his presence.

Just as Adrian turned to serve another guest, someone stepped back abruptly. Before he could react, a full glass of red wine tipped over, spilling directly onto the pristine white shirt beneath Sebastian’s suit jacket.

Gasps rippled through the nearby guests. Adrian froze, eyes wide as he took in the deep stain spreading across Sebastian’s chest.

For a long moment, Sebastian simply stared at him. The usual reaction would be outrage—a sharp demand for the server’s dismissal, a show of anger to remind everyone of his status. But instead, he found himself speechless.

Then Adrian, regaining his composure, let out a breath. “Huh,” he muttered. “Guess even the rich aren’t immune to gravity.”

A stunned silence followed. Someone nearby stifled a laugh. Sebastian narrowed his eyes.

“Do you have any idea who I am?” he asked, his voice calm but firm.

Adrian tilted his head, pretending to think. “A guy who can afford dry cleaning?”

Sebastian’s lips twitched as if he wanted to smile but wouldn’t allow himself. No one ever spoke to him like that. Usually, people either feared him or tried to impress him.

But this guy? He looked unimpressed, almost amused.

Before Sebastian could say anything else, the catering manager rushed over, pale and apologetic. “Mr. Hale, I deeply apologize for this. Adrian, what were you thinking?”

Adrian rolled his eyes but kept his mouth shut. He wasn’t about to beg for forgiveness.

Sebastian glanced at Adrian, then back at the frantic manager. “Relax. It’s just a shirt,” he said coolly. “No need to fire anyone over spilled wine.”

The manager nodded frantically. “Of course, of course! Adrian, get back to work.”

As Adrian turned to leave, Sebastian called after him. “What’s your name?”

Adrian hesitated before answering, “Adrian.”

Sebastian nodded slowly, watching him disappear into the crowd.

The rest of the night passed in a blur, but Sebastian couldn’t shake the memory of Adrian’s sharp gaze and the way he hadn’t backed down.

Across the city, Adrian returned home exhausted. He flopped onto his bed, recounting the night to his best friend, Riley Bennett, over the phone.

“So let me get this straight,” Riley said between laughs. “You basically told one of the richest guys in the country to get over himself?”

Adrian smirked. “Pretty much.”

Riley hummed. “You think he’ll let it go?”

Adrian rolled onto his side, staring at the ceiling. “People like him forget guys like me in seconds.”

But Adrian was wrong.

Because at that very moment, Sebastian Hale was lying in his own massive bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about the bold server who hadn’t treated him like a king.

And for the first time in years, someone had genuinely caught his interest.

Sebastian Hale was not used to being ignored. People sought his approval, craved his attention, and fought for his favor. Yet, here he was, three days after the gala, still thinking about a stubborn server who had barely spared him a second glance.

Sitting in his father’s grand office, Sebastian barely listened as Margaret Hale, his formidable mother, droned on about family obligations.

“You need to take your future seriously, Sebastian,” she said, sipping her tea with practiced elegance. “The Langfords are expecting an engagement announcement soon.”

Sebastian resisted the urge to sigh. He had met Victoria Langford countless times—poised, beautiful, and utterly uninterested in him beyond their families’ business merger. She was a perfect socialite, but there was no passion, no challenge.

“I told you,” he said, keeping his voice calm, “I have no interest in marrying for business.”

Margaret gave him a sharp look. “You don’t have a choice.”

Sebastian clenched his jaw but said nothing. He knew how this conversation always ended.

Across the city, Adrian balanced two steaming cups of coffee as he pushed open the door to a small bookstore café. Riley Bennett sat at their usual table, already flipping through a novel.

“You look exhausted,” Riley said, accepting the coffee.

Adrian plopped down into the chair. “Because I am. Between work and classes, I feel like I haven’t slept in days.”

Riley smirked. “Too busy dreaming about a certain billionaire?”

Adrian rolled his eyes. “Please. I’ve already forgotten about him.”

That was a lie. As much as he hated to admit it, he had spent an embarrassing.

Amount of time replaying that night at the gala—the way Sebastian had stared at him, the way he hadn’t reacted like some spoiled brat.

But it didn’t matter. People like Sebastian and people like Adrian didn’t exist in the same world.

Or so Adrian thought.

Later that evening, Adrian was rushing to his shift at Luna Bistro, a high-end restaurant, when he nearly ran straight into a tall, familiar figure at the entrance.

Sebastian.

Wearing an expensive suit with effortless grace, Sebastian looked completely out of place in the cozy restaurant. His gaze locked onto Adrian’s, amusement flickering in his blue eyes.

Adrian’s stomach twisted. “What are you doing here?”

Sebastian smirked. “What, am I not allowed to eat here?”

“You’ve never set foot in a place like this in your life,” Adrian said, crossing his arms.

Sebastian’s smirk widened. “Maybe I just wanted to try something new.”

Adrian narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t stupid—Sebastian was here for a reason. But before he could question him further, his manager called him over. “Adrian, stop chatting and get to work!”

Sebastian slid into a booth, his gaze never leaving Adrian.

For the rest of the night, Adrian did his best to ignore him. But every time he passed by Sebastian’s table, their eyes met.

And for the first time in a long while, Adrian felt something dangerous brewing inside him.

Adrian had never felt more annoyed in his life.

For the past week, Sebastian Hale had made it his mission to show up at every place Adrian worked. First, it was Luna Bistro, where Sebastian had taken a sudden liking to their overpriced pasta. Then, he conveniently started getting coffee from the café near Adrian’s university, despite having a private barista at home.

And now? Now, he was sitting in Adrian’s section at the restaurant—again.

Adrian placed a glass of water in front of him, resisting the urge to spill it on purpose. “Are you stalking me?”

Sebastian leaned back in his chair, looking completely at ease. “I prefer the term ‘frequent customer.’”

Adrian crossed his arms. “You expect me to believe that the heir to a billion-dollar empire suddenly loves cheap coffee and crowded restaurants?”

Sebastian smirked. “Maybe I just like the service.”

Adrian scoffed. “Rich guys like you don’t waste time on people like me. What’s your game?”

Sebastian didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he studied Adrian, as if trying to decide something. Finally, he said, “I don’t know yet.”

For a moment, Adrian was thrown off. He had expected some cocky response, but there was an honesty in Sebastian’s voice that made his stomach twist.

Before he could reply, his manager called him over. “Table four, Adrian. Stop flirting with the customers.”

Sebastian chuckled, and Adrian shot him a glare before walking away.

Later that night, Adrian flopped onto Riley’s couch, groaning.

“I swear to God, he’s trying to mess with me,” Adrian said, covering his face with a pillow.

Riley raised an eyebrow. “And you hate it?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

Adrian lifted the pillow just enough to glare at his best friend. “Don’t start.”

Riley smirked. “I’m just saying, if you really wanted him gone, you’d have told him off by now.”

Adrian sat up with a sigh. “I don’t get it. What does a guy like him want with me?”

Riley leaned back against the couch. “Maybe he’s bored. Maybe he likes a challenge. Or maybe, just maybe, he actually likes you.”

Adrian shook his head. “Guys like him don’t like guys like me. They like the idea of guys like me.”

Riley frowned. “And what if he’s different?”

Adrian hesitated but quickly pushed the thought away. It didn’t matter. Whatever Sebastian’s reasons were, Adrian wasn’t going to fall for them.

The next evening, Adrian was finishing up his shift when he stepped outside for some fresh air. To his surprise, Sebastian was leaning against his sleek black car, waiting for him.

Adrian sighed. “Don’t you have rich people things to do?”

Sebastian smirked. “Maybe. But I thought I’d offer you a ride home.”

Adrian raised an eyebrow. “You think I’d get into a car with you?”

Sebastian shrugged. “No harm in trying.”

Adrian rolled his eyes. “I’ll pass.”

Sebastian chuckled but didn’t look disappointed. “Fine. Then how about this—let me take you out for dinner. No fancy restaurants, no chauffeurs. Just a meal.”

Adrian blinked, caught off guard. He had expected flirting, maybe another smug remark but this?

“You’re serious?” Adrian asked.

Sebastian met his gaze. “Completely.”

Adrian hesitated. Against his better judgment, he felt something stir inside him—curiosity, maybe even a little excitement.

Finally, he sighed. “Fine. But if you pull any rich-boy nonsense, I’m walking out.”

Sebastian grinned. “Deal.”

And just like that, the game had officially begun.