CHAPTER 116: CHAPTER 116 SMALL GATHERING

Serena’s POV

"Why don’t you go find Sophie instead?" I snapped, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"After all, she’s so sweet and accommodating to you. She never gives you a hard time like I apparently do."

I glared at him, my patience completely spent. "Move. I need to rest."

Ryan reluctantly stepped aside, and I slammed my door shut with enough force to nearly hit his nose.

The loud bang was immensely satisfying - almost as satisfying as the shocked expression on his face before the door closed.

For the next few days, I personally handled all communications with Lucian for our partnership. Sometimes he’d come for face-to-face meetings, other times he’d be busy with other matters.

It was refreshing to work with someone who treated me with consistent respect, unlike a certain ex-husband who couldn’t decide whether he wanted me in his life or not.

Once all the details of our collaboration were finalized, Lucian hosted a small gathering.

He invited not only my team from Dreamland but also several of his friends from the New York.

Despite being the host, Lucian seemed surprisingly detached from the festivities, simply sitting on the private room’s sofa, casually sipping champagne.

I only brought Maya and Celeste with me. The three of us sitting together drew quite a bit of attention - I caught several men stealing glances our way throughout the evening.

A few even approached us for conversation, but I maintained my professional demeanor, keeping my responses polite but brief.

Maya and I chatted quietly in our corner, deliberately avoiding the lively crowd in the center of the room. Lucian was surrounded by people, clearly the focal point of the gathering.

I watched as he took a few sips of his champagne, his eyes scanning the room before landing on our little corner.

Then Lucian stood up and made his way toward us. I noticed several of his friends following his gaze, exchanging whispers and curious looks.

"Those ladies look familiar. Who are they?" I overheard one man ask.

"They’re from Dreamland Jewelry, Lucian’s new business partners," another answered.

"Just business partners?" someone else added with a suggestive tone.

A few of them followed in Lucian’s wake, approaching our table with obvious interest. I straightened my posture slightly, switching into professional mode.

"I’m the founder of Dreamland Jewelry," I introduced myself smoothly. "We’re currently collaborating with Mr. West. I take it you’re all friends of his?"

They exchanged knowing glances before nodding in unison. The conversation that followed was polite enough, though sprinkled with subtle flirtation that I expertly deflected.

I kept things cordial but distant - the last thing I needed was to give anyone the wrong impression.

Lucian sat nearby but remained silent, his eyes roaming the room with an unreadable expression. He seemed content to observe rather than participate, which I found intriguing.

Most powerful men I knew couldn’t resist being the center of attention.

Once his friends finally moved on to mingle elsewhere, Lucian turned his attention to me.

"How are you finding this sort of gathering?" he asked. "Those were some of my friends, by the way."

I nodded, putting on my most professional smile. "Tonight’s quite enjoyable. Very fitting for something you’d host, Mr. West."

"If you find it too noisy, you’re welcome to leave early," he offered unexpectedly. "I’ve noticed you seem a bit tired."

Was my exhaustion that obvious? I’d been working overtime all week to prepare for our collaboration.

"That’s very kind of you," I replied with a small laugh, "but I couldn’t possibly leave early from your event. That would be terribly rude."

Lucian raised an eyebrow, his tone surprisingly casual. "It’s no trouble. Actually, I’m feeling somewhat tired myself. Perhaps I could drive you home?"

Maya, who’d been silently observing our exchange, suddenly perked up at his suggestion. I could practically see the alarm bells going off in her head.

"Mr. West, we wouldn’t want to impose on your time," she interjected smoothly. "Serena and I were planning to leave together anyway."

Maya shot me a meaningful look, and I immediately understood her concern. We’d only recently begun working with Lucian, and despite his impeccable behavior so far, getting into a car alone with him late at night wasn’t the wisest move.

"Maya’s right," I nodded, playing along. "You’re the host, Mr. West. You haven’t been back in the city for a while - you should stay and catch up with your friends."

"It is getting rather late," I added, standing up. "Maya and I should be going."

Lucian didn’t try to stop us, merely acknowledging our departure with a polite nod.

As we walked away, I caught a glimpse of him swirling his champagne, a peculiar gleam in his eyes that I couldn’t quite interpret.

The moment we stepped outside, the cool night air hit me like a slap. I involuntarily shivered, wrapping my arms around myself. I’d dressed for style rather than warmth, a decision I was now regretting.

Maya glanced at me with concern. "Damn, I forgot to bring you a coat. Wait inside while I get the car, okay?"

I nodded gratefully and stepped back into the building’s entrance, immediately feeling the welcome warmth envelope me.

The wait felt interminable. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my messages, noticing that news of Dreamland’s collaboration with Celestial Gems was already circulating in jewelry design circles. Many studios expressed admiration, while others weren’t even trying to hide their jealousy.

I couldn’t help but smirk at some of the envious comments. After everything I’d been through to build Dreamland from nothing, a little recognition felt well-deserved.

Just as I was about to put my phone away, I looked up and froze. Ryan was walking in, his assistant trailing behind him. His eyes widened slightly upon seeing me, clearly surprised by the coincidence.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his gaze taking in my formal attire and the venue.

I had no intention of answering him.

My anger from our last argument about Sophie was still simmering beneath the surface. Checking the time, I figured Maya should be arriving with the car any moment now.

Without a word, I pushed the door open and stepped outside, choosing escape over confrontation.

Ryan followed me, and I couldn’t suppress a shiver as the cold night air enveloped me again. Before I could protest, he’d removed his suit jacket and draped it over my shoulders.

His familiar scent surrounded me - that expensive cologne I’d given him for his birthday last year mixed with something uniquely him. Despite myself, I felt my expression softening slightly.

"It’s cold tonight," he said, his voice laced with something that sounded suspiciously like jealousy. "You shouldn’t be out dressed so lightly."

I knew what he was thinking. My formal outfit, the exclusive venue, the recent news... it wouldn’t take a genius to figure out I was meeting with Celestial Gems’ CEO.

"I’m not cold," I lied, reaching up to remove his jacket. "Take your coat back."

Ryan caught my hand, holding it firmly but gently in place. "Serena, stop being stubborn. What if you get sick?"

I looked up at him, refusing to let my expression soften any further. "If I get sick, it’s none of your concern."

His brows furrowed with frustration as he opened his mouth to say something, but the sound of a car horn interrupted whatever explanation he was about to offer.

Maya rolled down her window, calling out to me from the curb. "Serena, come on!"

I felt an overwhelming sense of relief, quickly shrugging off Ryan’s suit jacket and thrusting it back at him before turning away.

I practically flew into Maya’s car, closing the door and fastening my seatbelt in one fluid motion.

"Drive," I commanded, not even looking back as Maya hit the gas, leaving Ryan standing alone on the sidewalk.

"So," Maya ventured as we pulled away, "want to tell me what that was about?"

"Nothing worth discussing," I replied tightly, staring straight ahead. "Just Ryan being Ryan."

But as the city lights blurred past us, I couldn’t help wondering why he’d been there tonight.

Was it truly a coincidence? Or had he somehow known I’d be there?

The thought that he might be checking up on me was both infuriating and... something else I wasn’t ready to acknowledge.

I leaned my head against the cool window glass, closing my eyes briefly.