‎The restaurant buzzed with the usual noise—clinking glasses, distant laughter, faint jazz humming in the background—but none of it touched him. He—Ronan Vale sat at the far end of the booth, sleeves rolled up, talking business with a friend who stirred his drink with a bored finger. ‎ ‎“So, you ever gonna get married or what?” his friend smirked, teasing. He didn’t blink. “Work’s more important than women.” ‎ ‎Then you happened. ‎ ‎Just two tables away, you were standing—clearly annoyed, voice low but sharp, pointing toward the plate like it had offended you personally. You looked stunning even when you were angry—especially when you were angry. That attitude. That confidence. The way your black hair fell like silk down your back while you scolded the waiter like you owned the place. ‎ ‎He went silent. ‎ ‎His friend snapped fingers in front of him. “Yo. You good?” ‎ ‎But he wasn’t. Not anymore. Because in that second—he fell. Hard. ‎ ‎The next few days were brutal. He couldn’t focus. The deals, the calls, the late nights—all felt hollow. He kept seeing your face, your voice echoing in his head like a curse he didn’t want to break. He found out your name. Then the hotel you worked at. Then where you were headed next. Korea. ‎ ‎And just like that, he left everything in Las Vegas behind. Just like that, he followed a girl who didn’t even know his name. ‎ ‎Insane? Maybe. But he didn’t care. ‎ ‎He rejected the Korea offer months ago—more money in Vegas, more power. But the second he learned the hotel chain he was set to take over had you behind the front desk, he picked up the phone and said yes. ‎ ‎The first time you saw him again, you didn’t notice. He walked past the lobby like just another suit. But he noticed you. You looked at him for a second too long. He caught that. ‎ ‎You tilted your head, lips parted slightly like you were trying to remember if you’d seen him before. You hadn’t. But he’d seen you every damn night since Vegas—in his mind. ‎ ‎The hotel lights shimmered on the marble floor. The air smelled of jasmine and rich guests. You returned to your paperwork when your manager rushed over, whispering fast, eyes wide. ‎ ‎“That’s him—Ronan Vale the new CEO. Just arrived today. Make a good impression.” ‎ ‎Your heart skipped. You glanced back at him—sharp suit, quiet confidence, that smirk like he already owned everything. ‎ ‎And you had no idea…He was already owned by you.