Lucian entered the banquet, boredom etched on his face. He'd rather hunt for his food than endure this gathering of mindless chatter. But Damien wouldn't have let him hear the end of it if he missed his brother's coming-of-age party.
As he reached his seat, Damien fist-bumped him. "God, Lucian, I'm glad you made it."
Lucian rolled his eyes. "You think I wanted to be here? You wouldn't let me hear the end of it."
Damien chuckled. "You're gonna miss all the beautiful ladies and gentlemen. It's a great place to find your soul mate."
Lucian's sarcasm dripped. "Oh, I'm thrilled. Let's hope one of them can keep up with my high standards."
Damien sighed. "You're such a cynic, Lucian. Lighten up."
As they sat, Damien nodded toward Penelope, seated beside them. "Uh-oh, trouble's sitting there."
Lucian turned, and Penelope gushed, "Lucian! It's been ages! How are you?"
Lucian ignored her, turning to Damien. "You were saying something about the new project?"
Damien explained, but Penelope interrupted, "Lucian, try the new dish! It's divine!"
Lucian's irritation grew. "Penelope, I'm trying to talk to Damien. Enjoy your food."
Penelope huffed, crossing her arms.
Undeterred, Lucian continued his conversation with Damien.
But Penelope persisted, "You know, Lucian, I've been thinking about our last conversation..."
Lucian's patience snapped. "Penelope, I'm not interested in using your connections. Stop interfering."
Penelope's face reddened.
As Lucian turned back to Damien, he spotted Eleanor across the room. He felt an inexplicable connection.
Their eyes met briefly, and time seemed to stop.
Lucian was captivated.
Eleanor smiled and continued working.
Lucian's thoughts swirled.
Lucian's eyes never left Eleanor as he excused himself from the conversation with Damien.
"I need some fresh air," Lucian said, standing up.
Damien nodded. "I'll catch up with you later."
Lucian navigated through the crowded room, his gaze fixed on Eleanor.
As he approached her, he noticed the way her hair framed her face and the elegance with which she served the guests.
"Hi," Lucian said, his voice low.
Eleanor turned, her eyes sparkling. "Hi."
Their eyes met briefly, and Lucian felt an inexplicable connection.
He took a glass of champagne from her tray, their hands touching.
A jolt of electricity ran through his body.
"Thanks," Lucian said, his eyes locked on hers.
Eleanor smiled and continued serving.
Lucian couldn't look away.
Penelope noticed Lucian's gaze and seethed with jealousy.
She couldn't believe Lucian would be interested in another woman when she was right here, trying to get his attention.
Looking at Eleanor, Penelope noticed she was human and felt an overwhelming urge to drain all the blood from her body.
As Eleanor walked by Lucian's table, their eyes met again.
Lucian felt stunned.
He had never seen eyes so clear; it was as if all her thoughts and feelings could be read through them.
He felt a connection to her that he had never felt before.
He wasn't sure what to do next, but he knew he had to find a way to approach her.
As he thought about how to approach her, he saw her talking to another man at a nearby table.
Lucian's heart sank.
He didn't like what he was feeling one bit.
He knew he had to act fast.
Lucian couldn't look away.
Penelope watched, seething.
How could Lucian be so captivated by this...human?
She clenched her fists.
This wasn't over.
Meanwhile, Eleanor felt Lucian's intense gaze.
She tried to brush it off but couldn't shake the feeling.
There was something about Lucian.
Something mysterious.
Something alluring.
As Lucian sipped his champagne, he couldn't help but wonder.
Who was this Eleanor?
And why did he feel drawn to her?
The night had just begun.