Chapter 3: **Unspoken Curiosity**

The night continued in a whirl of introductions, handshakes, and polite exchanges, but Evelyn’s mind kept drifting back to the man by the bar. The intensity of his gaze had unsettled her in a way she hadn’t expected. She was used to attention, of course—her status as a leading figure in the fashion world made her a magnet for admiration and curiosity. But this was different. There was something in his eyes, something dark and compelling that she couldn’t quite place.

As she made her way through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with those who approached her, she couldn’t help but steal glances in his direction. He was still there, watching her with that same inscrutable expression. Who was he? What was his story?

Luca, on the other hand, found himself similarly intrigued. The woman in the elegant black gown had an air of mystery about her that set her apart from the rest of the room. He had seen plenty of powerful and beautiful women in his life, but there was something about her that drew him in, something that made him want to know more.

His usual approach in such situations was to remain distant, observing from the shadows, but tonight he felt an inexplicable urge to break his own rule. As he watched her from across the room, he weighed his options. He wasn’t the type to approach someone without a reason, yet he felt that not speaking to her would be a missed opportunity.

Evelyn, sensing his gaze on her once more, felt a surge of boldness rise within her. She wasn’t the type to be intimidated, and tonight would be no exception. With a final sip of champagne, she made her way toward the bar, her heart beating a little faster than usual.

As she approached, Luca straightened slightly, his eyes never leaving hers. The distance between them closed, and finally, they stood face to face.

“Enjoying the event?” she asked, her voice steady, though her curiosity was evident.

Luca’s lips curled into a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “As much as one can at these sorts of things,” he replied, his tone cool but not unkind. His voice was deep, with an edge that hinted at the world he came from—a world far removed from the glitz and glamour of the event.

“And what brings you here tonight?” Evelyn continued, tilting her head slightly as she studied him. He was even more imposing up close, his presence commanding and a little intimidating. But she wasn’t one to back down.

“Business,” Luca said simply, not offering any more details. His eyes flickered with something she couldn’t quite read, a mixture of curiosity and guardedness.

Evelyn nodded, understanding that he was keeping his cards close to his chest. She wasn’t about to pry—not yet, anyway. “I see,” she said, turning slightly to lean against the bar. “And what line of business are you in?”

Luca paused, considering how to respond. He wasn’t about to reveal his true occupation to someone he had just met, no matter how intriguing she was. “Let’s just say I’m involved in several ventures,” he said, his tone deliberately vague.

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued even more. “A man of mystery, then,” she remarked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

“You could say that,” Luca replied, his smile widening just a fraction. There was a playful tension between them now, a silent understanding that they were both dancing around the truth.

“And you?” Luca asked, shifting the conversation to her. “What brings you here tonight?”

“Networking,” Evelyn answered smoothly. “I run a fashion house, and events like these are good for making connections.”

“Ah, a designer,” Luca said, a note of recognition in his voice. “That explains the elegance.”

Evelyn smiled at the compliment, though she was aware of the undercurrent in his words. There was something about him that suggested he wasn’t easily impressed, and that only intrigued her more.

For a moment, they stood in comfortable silence, each assessing the other. It was a strange feeling—neither of them was used to being this curious about someone they had just met. Yet here they were, drawn together by an unspoken connection that neither could quite explain.

Finally, Luca broke the silence. “Would you like a drink?” he offered, gesturing to the bartender.

Evelyn nodded. “Why not?” she said, her eyes meeting his once more. There was something about this man that made her want to linger, to find out what lay beneath his cool exterior.

As the bartender prepared their drinks, the air between them crackled with tension, both of them aware that this conversation was the start of something neither of them had anticipated.

When their drinks arrived, Luca raised his glass slightly. “To new encounters,” he said, his voice low and almost intimate.

Evelyn raised her glass in return, her eyes never leaving his. “To new encounters,” she echoed, the words carrying more weight than she realized.

As they sipped their drinks, the rest of the world seemed to fade into the background. In this crowded room, filled with the city’s most powerful and influential, it felt as if they were the only two people who mattered.

And in that moment, both Evelyn and Luca knew that this was just the beginning of something that would change their lives forever.

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