In Lara's office,
"Are you going to Zain's family event?" asked Daisy.
"How do you know?" Lara frowned.
"I was invited too" Daisy replied.
"Zain invited? " asked Lara.
"yes" she replied.
"Well… whether I like it or not, I don't have a choice but to go." Lara groaned, dropping her head to the table.
Daisy smirked. "Aww… poor you. Stuck with Zain for three whole days."
"Shut up." Lara glared. "He doesn't take no for an answer and his flirting is irritating."
Daisy raised a brow.
"He likes you. That's kind of obvious."
"And I do not like him," Lara snapped.
Daisy hid her smile. Interesting… someone sounds defensive.
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In City B — The Event
"God, look at this place," Daisy whispered, eyes sparkling. "So many desserts… and so many delicious men. I might actually die."
Lara snorted. "You and your fantasies."
They scanned the grand ballroom - chandeliers glittering, the air heavy with perfume and money. Daisy wandered off towards the dessert table while Lara spotted Adam and his wife across the room.
"There's Uncle Adam. Let me go congratulate him," Lara said.
"Go ahead," Daisy waved, already distracted by pastries and strangers.
Lara approached Adam with a warm smile.
"Hi Uncle, hi Aunt."
"Oh, Lara, darling, thank you for coming! You look beautiful," Adam complimented.
Lara flushed, suddenly shy. "Oh no, Uncle…"
"How is Ben?" Adam asked.
"Dad's doing well. He's on a business trip," Lara replied. They chatted for a while, polite and warm, but across the room, someone else had stopped talking altogether.
Zain.
He stood mid-conversation with another guest, eyes locked only on her.
Lara, in a white off-shoulder gown embroidered with blue stones, hair down, glowing under the lights - she looked unreal. For a second, Zain forgot the party existed.
The host couple opened the dance floor, and slowly everyone paired up.
Zain adjusted his white coat, rolled his shoulders back, and started walking toward her confidently.
He stopped in front of her and held out his hand.
"May I?"
"No." Lara didn't hesitate. She turned to walk away.
But she underestimated him.
Zain's hand shot out, catching her wrist - not hurting her, just stopping her. He spun her effortlessly and pulled her flush against him by the waist, their bodies aligned before she even processed what happened.
"Zain!" Lara hissed under her breath, anger and embarrassment flashing across her face.
"Yes, sweetheart?" he answered with a smirk, loud enough only for her.
Before she could protest again, he guided her into the dance - every step firm, confident, impossible to refuse. And the room watched, captivated.
A couple in white. Like they belonged together.
Whispers followed:
They look perfect together.
Are they dating?
He can't stop looking at her.
Zain moved with her effortlessly, hand secure at her waist, his body close enough that she could feel every breath he took.
"You could've just walked away," he murmured, low enough only she could hear.
"You dragged me," she snapped.
Zain chuckled softly, the sound of a man who knew he was getting exactly what he wanted.
"But you didn't let go."
Lara stiffened, fury rising. He was wrong, and yet somehow, infuriatingly, he wasn't.
They danced, every step a silent battle: her trying to keep distance, him pulling her closer, his touch calm but unyielding. The crowd saw a graceful couple. Only they felt the war underneath.