Chapter 12: The Moment She Sees Him
Evelyn took a deep breath, wiping a bit of flour from her hands before stepping toward the dining area with a finished dish.
Her instructor had assigned her a test plating presentation, and she was expected to personally bring the dish to a guest for feedback.
As she stepped into the room, her gaze instinctively scanned the guests.
And then—her body went rigid.
Adrian Sterling.
Sitting casually near the back, looking completely out of place yet entirely in control, his piercing gray eyes locked directly onto her.
Her breath hitched.
Why was he here?
Her grip on the plate tightened, but she forced herself to remain composed.
Ignore him.
Act like he's just another guest.
Taking measured steps, she placed the plated dessert on a table far from Adrian, addressing a random guest with a polite smile.
The guest praised her dish, but she barely heard them.
Because she could feel it.
Adrian was still watching her.
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Adrian's Perspective
She saw him.
And the moment she did, her entire body language changed.
She was composed—but distant.
Like she wanted nothing to do with him.
Adrian clenched his fist under the table.
She had always looked at him before—searched for his attention, tried to impress him.
Now?
She hadn't even acknowledged his presence.
Something about that made his jaw tighten.
He wasn't used to being ignored.
And he sure as hell wasn't used to Evelyn ignoring him.
So why did it bother him so much?
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