The Silken Chain Episode 1

Author's POV

Lucian Vale (ML)

(sitting back in his chair, scrolling through his tablet as a commercial begins to play) Boring. (He taps through, disinterested, until a new commercial catches his attention. He stops mid-scroll.)

Lucian Vale (ML)

(eyes narrowing as he sees her on screen, his heart skipping a beat) "Impossible…"

She’s there. Smiling. Radiant. Perfect. The moment her name flashes across the screen—Seraphina Delys—his world grinds to a halt.

Lucian Vale (ML)

(leaning forward, jaw tightening) "Sera. My Sera."

The commercial fades, replaced by an interview. She speaks effortlessly, her voice melodic, confidence laced with a natural charm. She hasn’t changed—at least, not to him. She just doesn’t remember.

Lucian Vale (ML)

(calling his PA, voice sharp) “Get Damien on the line. Now.”

(PA connects the call. Lucian doesn’t waste a second.)

Lucian Vale (ML)

“Seraphina Delys. I need everything—background, schedule, everything she’s done in the past ten years. I want it by morning.”

Damien Steel

(voice casual but curious) “Delys Enterprises? Didn’t they disappear for a while? Why the sudden interest?”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(tone cold, jaw clenched) “She’s mine. That’s all you need to know.”

(24 Hours Later – A Meeting with the Delys Family)

Lucian Vale (ML)

(sitting at the head of the long boardroom table, his dark eyes scanning the room as the Delys family enters) There she is.

(His gaze locks on Seraphina the moment she walks in. Even more beautiful than he remembered. She doesn't see him yet, and that stirs something deep inside him—something dangerous.)

Sera Delys (FL)

(walking past Lucian, her eyes fixed ahead, completely unaware of the man at the table) (She catches her reflection in a glass door as she enters the room, smoothing her dress absentmindedly.)

Lucian Vale (ML)

(his gaze follows her, his jaw tightening, voice low as he watches her approach) "Miss Delys."

Sera Delys (FL)

(pauses, surprised, and looks up to find Lucian’s eyes locked on hers. Her posture stiffens, but she quickly masks it with a polite smile.) “Yes, Mr. Vale?”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(smiling slowly, eyes darkening as he observes her with a calculated gaze) “I must say, you’re far more captivating in person than on screen.”

Sera Delys (FL)

(blinks in surprise, her cheeks tinging pink as she tries to remain composed) “Thank you?”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(leans forward, voice dropping an octave, the words heavy with intent) “Such beauty deserves more than just admiration—it demands possession.”

Sera Delys (FL)

(her eyes widen slightly at the intensity of his words, but she quickly recovers, lifting her chin to maintain control) “Excuse me?”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(his smirk deepens as he watches her reaction, voice dark and smooth) “Business is important, but you’ll find, Miss Delys, I’m not just here for that.”

Sera Delys (FL)

(her heartbeat quickens, something about him makes her feel both uneasy and intrigued, but she forces a calm demeanor) “I think we should focus on the deal, Mr. Vale. We’re here for business, not personal matters.”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(leaning back in his chair, eyes never leaving hers, his voice laced with a dangerous edge) “Of course, business comes first. But you should know—when I get interested in something, I get it.” (He’s not just talking about business anymore.)

Sera Delys (FL)

(nervously, trying to shift the focus back to the meeting) “Well, that’s a bit forward, Mr. Vale. Let’s talk about the terms of the agreement.”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(smiling darkly, his voice smooth but carrying an undeniable authority) “Trust me, Miss Delys. You’ll find it impossible to escape my attention.”

Sera Delys (FL)

(swallows hard, her voice faltering slightly, but she regains her composure quickly) “We’ll see about that.”

Andrian Delys

*coughs* (interrupting with a slight cough, trying to ease the growing tension) “Lucian, I think we should keep this focused on the partnership at hand, not personal matters.”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(sits up, his demeanor immediately shifting into something more professional, but his piercing gaze flicks briefly to Seraphina before addressing Adrian) “Indeed, Adrian. I believe our companies share a vision for excellence and innovation. With Delys Enterprises' impeccable reputation in fashion and lifestyle and Vale Industries' reach and resources, I propose we collaborate on something groundbreaking.”

Isabelle Delys

(curious, her tone warm) “Groundbreaking, Mr. Vale? That sounds ambitious.”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(a faint smile, his confidence unshaken) “Ambition is my currency, Mrs. Delys.” (He leans forward, his tone low but persuasive.) “A luxury fashion house. One that embodies sophistication and exclusivity, targeting the global elite. Together, we could redefine the high-fashion industry.”

Andrian Delys

(stroking his chin thoughtfully, intrigued but cautious) “That’s quite a vision. But partnerships of this scale require time and trust to establish.”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(glances briefly at Seraphina, the corner of his mouth lifting in a subtle smirk) “I understand. Which is why I want this collaboration to start with something simple yet significant. Perhaps a new line for Delys—Vale backing the production and distribution, giving it unprecedented reach.”

Sera Delys (FL)

(curious, tilting her head slightly) “That does sound... ambitious. But why Delys Enterprises? There are so many others in the industry.”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(his gaze locks onto hers, voice soft but carrying an edge) “Because no one else would do it justice. And because I know brilliance when I see it.” (His words linger, and for a moment, the room feels heavier. But before the tension thickens too much, the door opens.)

Damien Steel

(walking in with a casual swagger, an easy grin on his face) “Sorry for the delay. Some of us still have to battle traffic.”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(shooting him a sharp glance) “Damien, meet the Delys family. Adrian, Isabella, and—” (his voice lowers slightly) “Seraphina.”

Damien Steel

(his eyes lighting up as he takes in Seraphina, his tone playful) “Ah, so this is the famous Delys team. A pleasure to finally meet you all.” (Turning to Seraphina, his grin widens.) “And you must be the face behind the screen. I can see why Lucian’s been so... focused.”

Sera Delys (FL)

(smiling warmly, extending her hand) “Well, thank you for the compliment, Mr...?”

Damien Steel

(shaking her hand, pretending to be mock-offended) “Just Damien, please. If you call me ‘Mr.,’ I’ll feel old.”

Sera Delys (FL)

(laughing lightly, her voice carrying a melodic charm) “Alright, Damien. And thank you for the rescue—it’s nice to talk to someone less... intense.”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(his eyes narrowing slightly, jaw tightening as Damien chuckles and leans back in his chair) (Intense, huh?)

Damien Steel

(ignoring Lucian’s glare, turning to Adrian) “So, this collaboration Lucian mentioned—it’s got potential. Fashion, luxury, global dominance—it’s all very exciting. And with you at the helm, Adrian, and Seraphina’s face fronting the brand, I’d say we’re looking at a guaranteed success.”

Sera Delys (FL)

(chuckling, playfully raising an eyebrow) “Fronting the brand? Is that your subtle way of recruiting me?”

Damien Steel

(grinning) “Subtle? Absolutely not. I’m just saying it as it is. Who better to represent Delys’ elegance than you?”

Sera Delys (FL)

(laughing again, clearly amused by Damien’s lighthearted charm) “Well, thank you, Damien. I think you’re already my favorite person in this room.”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(his fingers tightening slightly on the edge of the table, his voice cutting through the moment like ice) “Damien, I wasn’t aware you had taken up recruitment as part of your duties.”

Damien Steel

(throwing a quick, knowing glance at Lucian, his tone easy) “Oh, just multitasking, boss. You know how it is.”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(His jaw tightens as he watches Seraphina laugh at Damien’s jokes. The sound of her laughter—a sound he hasn’t heard in years—sets something ablaze inside him. And the fact that Damien’s the cause of it? Unacceptable.)

Lucian Vale (ML)

(His eyes flick to Seraphina. She’s radiant, her light filling the room in a way he had almost forgotten. But she doesn’t see him—not yet. Not truly.)

Lucian Vale (ML)

(interrupting, his tone calm but carrying weight) “Miss Delys, if we’re to move forward with this collaboration, you’ll be working closely with me. I hope you don’t mind.”

Sera Delys (FL)

(meeting his gaze, her smile faltering slightly at the intensity in his eyes) “Well, I’ll do whatever is necessary for the company.”

Lucian Vale (ML)

(a ghost of a smile playing on his lips, his voice soft but loaded with meaning) “Good. Because once we begin, you’ll find I’m very... involved.”

(And with that, he leans back, his gaze never leaving hers, even as the meeting continues around them. This was only the beginning.)

Author's Note: Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a vote—it really encourages me to keep going. Apologies for any mistakes; I’ll work hard to make the story even better and more exciting in the upcoming chapters. Stay tuned—there’s so much more to come!