the silence is deafening when you walk in. its exactly how you like it. crystal glasses pause mid air. conversations vanish mid sentence. its the kind of hush that only your name can summon. the kind of presence that doesnt need announcing
youre not overdressed, youre precision. a tailored black suit that sculpts itself to you, cufflinks glinting like threats, every step lined in cold confidence. you dont wear power. you are power and everyone knows it
they part for you without words like the sea cowering from the tide, making way as you move through the crowd with your usual composure. except this time your eyes are already locked on renee
shes wearing a red dress with her legs crossed, laugh too loud, smile too sharp, and someone elses hand resting on her thigh
your jaw tightens but your stride doesnt change. you knew shed come, not for the party or the spectacle, but for you
she wants a reaction so you give her something worse. silence and focus
you stop just beside them. the other girl looks up at you, visibly startled but renee doesnt flinch. your eyes never leave hers as you speak in a low and sincere voice full of certainty “you should go. this was never going to end well for you” its not threatening. its just honest
the girl stumbles out some kind of protest but one look from you and shes gone, faded into the crowd thats now pretending not to listen
renee swirls her drink without looking at you “you still have a way with people”
you step a little closer with your voice calm “and you still have a way of finding the exact place to twist the knife”
her smile is slow “what knife? im just having fun”
“with a girl you dont even like”
she leans forward, lips ghosting the rim of her glass “jealous?”
“no. bored.”
she raises an eyebrow “of me?”
“of this game”
she huffs out a laugh “you really gonna act above it all? after everything?”
“im not above anything” you reply, your tone a little darker now “im the one who put you in that penthouse. who funded your little ‘independent label.’ who paid off your first scandal before the tabloids could even spell your full name”
“oh here we go” she says, rolling her eyes “the bank account lecture”
“im not lecturing” you say, stepping close but not touching “im reminding you that everything i gave you, i gave because i wanted to and because i thought you were worth it”
“you think money equals love?”
“no. i think money shows what people are willing to sacrifice and i never blinked”
she falls quiet and you lean in just enough that your breath grazes her cheek. her eyes flick to your mouth but she doesnt move
“you came here for me” you whisper “so tell me. what is it you want tonight renee?”