Dangerous Desire
E 1
A chateau in France glimmers under golden lights.
Crystal chandeliers glow over a room filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and music.
The Duval and Frost families mingle, celebrating the engagement.
Céline Duval
[adjusting her gown, teasing]
Céline Duval
Mama, Papa, you’re both acting like it’s the wedding tonight.
Henri Duval
Engagements are just as important
Isabelle Duval
[kisses her cheek]
Isabelle Duval
You look radiant, Céline.
Céline Duval
[smiles shyly]
Céline Duval
[glances across the room]
Céline Duval
And where’s my fiancé hiding?
Across the hall, Julien Frost laughs with a few relatives.
Beside him stands a tall man in a black suit, posture perfectly straight, gaze steady but detached.
Julien Frost
[Calling out]
Julien Frost
Stop conspiring with your parents and come save me.
Céline Duval
[grinning, hurries over]
Céline Duval
Conspiring? Never.
Céline Duval
Only admiring.
Julien Frost
Let me introduce you properly.
Julien Frost
This is my best friend—Victor.
Victor inclines his head in a small bow.
His voice is deep, even, without flourish.
His expression calm, unreadable, as though untouched by the joy in the room.
Victor Armand Sterling
Congratulations, Mademoiselle Duval.
Céline Duval
Julien has told me so much about you
Céline Duval
I was beginning to think you were avoiding me.
Victor Armand Sterling
Not at all.
Victor Armand Sterling
I simply don’t stand in the center of crowds.
Julien Frost
[laughs, nudging him]
Julien Frost
That’s Victor for you.
Julien Frost
Always on the edges.
Céline Duval
Then I’ll make sure you don’t escape helping us with the wedding.
Victor Armand Sterling
If Julien asks, I’ll help.
Isabelle Duval
We’re glad to finally meet you.
Isabelle Duval
Julien speaks of you as though you were his brother.
Victor Armand Sterling
[Bows his head slightly]
Victor Armand Sterling
He is.
Suddenly, a stir rises near the grand doors.
Guests glance toward the entrance as a tall man strides in, his suit sharp, his presence magnetic, reckless, almost dangerous.
The music seems to dip around him.
His dark hair is slicked back, his eyes gleaming with heat and confidence.
Whispers ripple through the hall.
Céline’s face lights up the instant she sees him.
Céline Duval
[gasps, rushing toward him]
She throws her arms around him.
Darius lifts her easily, spinning her once before setting her down.
He smiles at her with unguarded affection.
Darius Vale Rossi
[kisses her forehead]
Darius Vale Rossi
Look at you, glowing brighter than Paris itself.
Céline Duval
[laughing, eyes shining]
E 2
The grand hall of the chateau hums with soft music and chatter.
Darius Vale Rossi stands in the center, catching up with Céline and her parents.
His dark eyes scan the room, but they pause on a tall figure across the hall—Victor Armand Sterling.
Darius Vale Rossi
[smirking slightly, to Céline]
Darius Vale Rossi
Everyone looks so… lively.
Darius Vale Rossi
But I think I’m missing someone interesting.
Céline Duval
[raising an eyebrow]
Céline Duval
And who might that be?
Darius Vale Rossi
(glances toward Victor)
Darius Vale Rossi
The man standing in the corner, all quiet and proper.
Darius Vale Rossi
That one.
Darius Vale Rossi
[smirks]
Darius Vale Rossi
He seems… immune to celebration.
Céline Duval
[following his gaze]
Céline Duval
Oh, that’s Victor, Julien’s best friend.
Céline Duval
He’s always like that.
Céline Duval
Quiet. Distant.
Céline Duval
A little icy, actually.
Darius Vale Rossi
[grinning]
Darius Vale Rossi
I do like a challenge
Across the room, Victor notices the commotion.
His eyes flick toward the entrance, landing on Darius.
He studies him briefly, expression unreadable.
There’s a subtle narrowing of his eyes—not annoyance, just… measured curiosity.
Victor Armand Sterling
[mutters to himself, almost imperceptibly]
Victor Armand Sterling
And he’s… Trouble!
Darius catches that look, a faint spark of recognition of being seen, and a dangerous thrill shoots through him.
Darius Vale Rossi
[approaching Victor, smoothly, with a confident tilt to his head]
Darius Vale Rossi
Victor Armand Sterling, I presume?
Victor Armand Sterling
[cool, precise]
Victor Armand Sterling
That is correct.
Victor Armand Sterling
And you are?
Darius Vale Rossi
Darius Vale Rossi.
Darius Vale Rossi
[extends a hand, his smile easy, a little predatory]
Darius Vale Rossi
From Italy.
Darius Vale Rossi
I’ve heard much about you.
Victor Armand Sterling
[takes the hand briefly, firmly, then lets it go]
Victor Armand Sterling
I doubt all of it is worth knowing.
Darius Vale Rossi
[chuckling lightly, unbothered]
Darius Vale Rossi
Perhaps not.
Darius Vale Rossi
But some of it… intrigues me.
Victor’s eyes flicker slightly—interest restrained.
He steps back a pace, restoring distance, his voice even, polite.
Victor Armand Sterling
I tend to reserve my intrigue for fewer people.
Victor Armand Sterling
And I rarely share it.
Darius Vale Rossi
[leans subtly closer, voice dropping]
Darius Vale Rossi
Well, that’s a shame… because I’m not the type to take “rarely” for an answer.
Victor stiffens imperceptibly, the faintest tension running through his shoulders.
His face remains composed, but his eyes are sharp, assessing.
He’s a predator, a storm that has just begun.
Victor Armand Sterling
[calm, measured]
Victor Armand Sterling
I would advise caution.
Victor Armand Sterling
Crowds like this are… unpredictable.
Darius Vale Rossi
[smirking, tilting his head]
Darius Vale Rossi
And yet, here I am, in the middle of your crowd, seeking you out.
Darius Vale Rossi
[his gaze lingers, heat beneath the charm]
Darius Vale Rossi
You seem… unshaken.
Darius Vale Rossi
I like that.
Around them, guests chatter, oblivious to the silent storm brewing.
Julien Frost
[pats Victor on the shoulder, laughing]
Julien Frost
Victor, come meet some of Céline’s family.
Julien Frost
Don’t hide in the corner all night.
Victor Armand Sterling
[slightly curt, eyes briefly on Darius]
Victor Armand Sterling
Very well!
Darius watches him walk away just a little, already noting posture, hand movements, the subtle way Victor carries himself.
A thrill of obsession runs through him
This man is unlike anyone he’s ever seen.
And Darius intends to solve it.
Darius Vale Rossi
[to himself, low, almost a growl]
Darius Vale Rossi
Interesting.
Darius Vale Rossi
Very interesting!
The music swells, glasses clink, and Darius’s dark gaze lingers across the room.
Victor, unaware, converses with family, polite and cold, but Darius knows—this is the beginning.
E 3
The engagement party moves into the main ballroom.
Candles flicker on long tables, glasses of champagne clink, and the soft hum of music fills the air.
Guests are mingling, laughter echoing.
Darius leans casually against a pillar, eyes fixed on Victor
Darius Vale Rossi
[muttering to himself, a smirk curling his lips]
Darius Vale Rossi
Still as cold as ice… but that won’t last.
Victor, across the room, talks with Céline’s parents, nodding politely.
His posture is perfect, hands folded, his expression serene.
Yet subconsciously, he scans the room, noting subtle movements.
Something tells him he’s being watched.
Victor Armand Sterling
[to himself, softly]
Victor Armand Sterling
The Italian.
Victor Armand Sterling
Bold, too bold.
Darius steps forward, weaving through guests effortlessly.
He casually brushes past Victor as if by accident.
Victor stiffens slightly but doesn’t turn.
Darius Vale Rossi
[smiling lightly, voice low]
Victor Armand Sterling
[without looking]
Victor Armand Sterling
Yes?
Darius Vale Rossi
[leans just enough to brush his shoulder, teasing]
Darius Vale Rossi
Crowds like this… they feel so empty when you’re standing in one corner alone.
Victor Armand Sterling
[finally turning, expression composed]
Victor Armand Sterling
And standing out feels… inappropriate.
Victor Armand Sterling
I prefer corners.
Darius Vale Rossi
[chuckling, undeterred]
Darius Vale Rossi
But some corners are… begging to be found.
Victor raises an eyebrow, faint tension flickering at the corner of his eyes.
He doesn’t smile, doesn’t lean in, just observes, cold but aware of the heat in Darius’s gaze.
Victor Armand Sterling
I am quite aware of my surroundings.
Darius Vale Rossi
[smirking, taking a subtle step closer]
Darius Vale Rossi
That makes this… game more interesting.
Around them, guests chatter and laugh, oblivious to the quiet collision of wills.
Darius lets a finger brush lightly against Victor’s arm “accidentally,” enough to draw a micro-reaction.
Victor Armand Sterling
[breath just barely hitching]
Victor Armand Sterling
that was careless
Darius Vale Rossi
[mock offense, whispering]
Darius Vale Rossi
Careless?
Darius Vale Rossi
Or… intentional?
Victor’s jaw tightens imperceptibly.
He takes a deliberate step back, regaining distance, but his eyes never leave Darius.
Victor Armand Sterling
I do not encourage games.
Darius Vale Rossi
[leaning just a little closer, smirk darkening]
Darius Vale Rossi
I don’t take “do not” for an answer.
Victor Armand Sterling
[gaze sharpens]
He studies Darius, noting the danger, the intensity, the magnetism.
There’s a flicker of something in his eyes—not desire, not yet—but recognition that this man… is unlike anyone he’s ever encountered.
Victor Armand Sterling
You are reckless.
Darius Vale Rossi
That’s exactly what makes me fun.
Céline calls Darius over for a family toast, breaking the tension.
Darius glances back at Victor, eyes lingering.
Victor returns to conversation, perfectly composed, but the tiniest curl of Darius’s name passes through his mind.
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