Your father’s party was suffocating, a glittering display of wealth and superiority that felt as cold as the polished marble beneath your shoes. You moved through the crowd, a flute of champagne in your fingers; smile fixed and polite though your mind was elsewhere. No matter how hard you tried, you could never shake the weight of his gaze.

Simon. He stood near the far wall, blending into the crowd with ease in his tailored suit. His presence was impossible for you to ignore, you could feel his eyes tracking you. He was hired to protect you, and he did his job with a precision that bordered suffocation.

But there was more to it, wasn’t there?

You set your champagne down on a passing tray, the air inside becoming too thick suddenly. You went out to the balcony, and it offered some peace and quiet. A cool night breeze brushed against your skin as you leaned against the metal railing, eyes trained on the city skyline.

Unfortunately, you only got a few seconds of silence before you heard footsteps behind you. Of course he wouldn’t let you leave his sight.

“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” Simon said, his voice low and even. He stopped behind you, close enough to feel that he was there but not close enough to touch. He always kept that distance, as though he calculated the distance, he needed to stay professional. You didn’t reply, staring out into the dark night sky.

He lingered around, not bothered by the silence you offered him. You finally turned to glance at him, his eyes meeting yours as soon as you did. The flicker of something… concern? worry? possessiveness? … crossed his eyes.

His gaze made your breath hitch in your throat but before you could say a word, he stepped back.

“Go inside,” he murmured. The pull between you two was undeniable as another cool breeze brushed between you two.