Adrian's POV
"Addy! Addy!!"
I heard Mom's voice calling out for me over the soft hum of violins.
I had been running around the grand ballroom since we arrived for the Saint Louis Carnival. The room looked like something out of a dream. Crystal chandeliers spilled golden light across the polished floors, and every corner glittered with color… silk gowns, designer suits, laughter, and the gentle clinking of crystal glasses. It felt as if I had stumbled into another world, one filled with grace, wealth, and sophistication.
"Mom?" I raised my hand and waved back at her when I spotted her. She smiled and beckoned me closer with a tilt of her fingers.
I hurried over, weaving between elegant skirts and polished shoes until I stood by her side. My little sister, Lina, was already there, clinging to Dad's leg while he laughed in conversation with another guest.
"Addy," Mom said gently, holding my hand firmly, "this is a big gathering. You could get lost if you keep running off. Stay close to me, okay?"
I nodded, lowering my head in guilt.
As she guided me back toward where Dad stood, I caught a bit of conversation between two women.
"Wow, your dress is stunning," one of them gushed. "Where did you get it?"
"Thank you," the other replied with a graceful smile. "A friend of mine is a designer on Fifth Avenue. She made it just for me."
I looked up at Mom, tugging on her sleeve. "Mom?"
"Yes, dear?" She crouched down so her eyes met mine.
"I want that." I pointed toward a tray a waiter carried… on it were rows of delicate glasses filled with shimmering orange juice.
Mom chuckled softly, pinching my cheek. "Naughty boy. That's champagne, not juice. When you grow up, you'll be allowed to drink it."
Her smile was angelic, and I couldn't help but smile back. "Okay, Mom."
She rose again and kept my hand in hers as we returned to Dad and Lina.
Then suddenly, a hush seemed to fall over the crowd.
Gasps, whispers, and soft exclamations rippled through the guests. Heads turned, eyes widened.
"Wow… look at him."
"He's even more handsome in person. They say he's one of the most eligible bachelors in the city. Barely thirty."
Curiosity made me turn too. That was when I saw him… Dominic Moretti.
Two suited guards trailed closely behind him as he entered. I had seen his face before… on television, in magazines, on billboards. He was the heir to the Morreti Empire, one of the most powerful companies in the country. A billionaire in the making.
The sight of him stole the air from the room.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and commanding. His sleek black hair was styled with precision, and his icy blue eyes seemed to cut through the dim glow of the chandeliers. The custom-tailored suit he wore fit like a second skin, every line accentuating the strength of his build.
People parted instinctively, offering space, admiration written across their faces. He wasn't just rich… he was powerful. And power has a way of drawing people in.
I stared, my heart hammering faster than it should. There was something about the way he carried himself, something magnetic and overwhelming. I was just thirteen years old, yet I felt something stir inside me, something I couldn't explain.
And then his eyes met mine.
Just for a second. But long enough that I quickly looked away, heat rushing to my face.
The sound of his voice made me freeze. Low, deep, husky. "Damien?"
I turned to see my father's face break into a wide smile.
"Dominic!" Dad exclaimed warmly. The two men embraced like old friends.
My mind spun. They knew each other?
"It's been years," Dad said, his tone full of excitement. "I've only been seeing you on TV these days."
Dominic's lips curved in a faint smile. "Time does that." His gaze shifted to Mom.
"This is my wife," Dad said proudly, slipping an arm around her shoulders.
"Nice to meet you," Mom said politely.
"Likewise," Dominic replied.
"And these are my children." Dad's hand rested briefly on my shoulder. "My son, Adrian Sterling… and my daughter, Lina Sterling."
Dominic's eyes locked on mine. I gripped Mom's hand tighter, trying to hide behind her arm.
But then he smiled… a slow, knowing smile that made me feel as if he could see through me.
"Hey, little one." His voice softened as he leaned down slightly, his cool fingers brushing against my cheek.
"Hi," I whispered, so quietly I doubted he even heard.
"What's your name again?" he asked.
My throat felt dry. I glanced at Dad, silently pleading for help.
"I'm Adrian… Adrian Sterling," I managed to say.
"You're handsome," he said with an easy smile.
Heat rose to my ears. Mom gave my hand a gentle squeeze, silently urging me to say something.
"Thank you," I mumbled.
Dominic turned slightly, raising a hand. "Nath?"
A young man in his early twenties stepped forward immediately. "Yes, boss?"
"Give me that book."
Nath pulled a slim volume from under his arm and handed it to Dominic, who then extended it toward me.
"Take it, son," Dad encouraged when he saw me hesitate.
I accepted it carefully. The title gleamed in gold letters: Chase Your Desire.
"This is one of my favorite books," Dominic said. "Your father was my classmate once. Don't mind that he's older than me… he actually was the oldest in our class."
Dad and Mom burst into laughter, shaking their heads at the memory.
"Still teasing me about that, huh?" Dad said between chuckles.
Dominic ruffled my hair with a surprisingly gentle touch before moving on to greet more guests.
I held the book tightly against my chest, my heart thundering in my ears. Something about that moment… his smile, his voice, the way his eyes lingered on me… etched itself into my soul.
As the evening wore on, the ballroom returned to its lively rhythm. Dominic charmed the crowd effortlessly, his laughter echoing like music. Everyone admired him, respected him, wanted to be near him.
But I… I only wanted to watch him from a distance.
Several times his gaze swept the room, and every so often, his eyes found mine again. And each time, he gave me that small, knowing smile… like an adult humoring a child.
Except it didn't feel like that to me.
To me, it felt like the beginning of something I couldn't yet name.
And that was the night I knew… without understanding
how dangerous it was… that I would never forget Dominic Moretti.