All he sees is her.
Vanessa his ex girlfriend.
Her laughter, her betrayal. The way she walks out of his life as if he means nothing.
His jaw tightens.
“Pathetic,” he mutters under his breath, downing the rest of the whiskey in one sharp gulp.
He doesn’t do heartbreak, he doesn’t sit around and mourn. He replaces, he forgets, he moves on.
That is who he is at least who he is supposed to be.
Adrian exhales sharply, Sitting here won’t fix anything. Thinking won’t fix anything, tonight, he needs distraction.
Music vibrates through the walls, bass heavy enough to shake the ground beneath expensive shoes. The air is thick with alcohol, and desire. Bodies move in rhythm under flashing lights, laughter and whispers blending into an intoxicating symphony.
This is Adrian’s world, control and Power.
As he steps inside, heads turn instantly, every eyes on him, people recognizes him, the billionaire, the man who built this empire from nothing but ambition and ruthlessness.
But Adrian doesn’t acknowledge them.
His expression is cold, distant and untouchable.
“Mr. Cole,” Marcus greets him quickly, appearing at his side like he always does. “Didn’t expect you tonight.”
“Neither did I,” Adrian replies flatly, his voice smooth but void of emotion.
Marcus studies him briefly, noticing the tension, but says nothing more. He knows better than to ask questions.
Adrian walks past him, heading straight for the bar.
And that’s when everything changes.
Behind the counter, he sees an attractive lady moving with effortless grace as she pours a drink for a customer. Her hips sway slightly, not intentionally, but naturally and her fingers wrap around the glass as she slides it across the counter.
Adrian stops.
For the first time that night… something captures his attention.
His eyes narrow slightly as he watches her.
She isn’t like the others, she’s calm, focused, unaware of the effect she has on the room or on him.
Her hair falls softly around her shoulders, showing her face that is both innocent and quietly alluring. And her eyes… when she finally looks up, they meet his.
Liana pauses.
There’s a man standing across the bar, staring at her, her brows knit slightly.
She’s used to attention but this is different. His gaze is intense, almost unsettling, not lustful like the others.
Just fixed and unmoving.
It makes her nervous.
“Can I help you?” she asks, her voice polite but cautious as she approaches him.
Adrian doesn’t answer immediately.
He studies her up close now, taking in every detail the softness of her strawberry looking lips, the slight tension in her posture, the way her fingers curl slightly against the counter as if bracing herself.
She’s nervous,because of him
“A glass of red wine,” he finally says, his voice low, controlled.
Liana nods quickly, almost relieved that he speaks.
“Of course.”
She turns away, reaching for a bottle, but she can still feel it.
His eyes, still on her.
Her movements become slightly less steady as she pours the wine. She doesn’t understand why his gaze affects her this much. He’s just a customer.
Just another man.
But something about him… feels different.
Dangerous, even.
She places the glass in front of him carefully. “Here you go.”
Adrian takes it, but his fingers brush against hers for a brief second.
Liana flinches slightly.
The contact is intentional but it sends an unexpected chill down her spine.
Adrian notices.
Of course he does.
A faint, smile touches his lips as he lifts the glass, taking a slow sip without breaking eye contact.
It’s deliberate.
Everything about him is deliberate.
And Liana doesn’t like it.
Minutes pass.
And Adrian doesn’t leave.
He stays there, nursing his drink and watching her.
Liana tries to ignore it, focusing on other customers, but it’s impossible. Every time she glances in his direction, his eyes are already on her.
Like he never looked away.
Her chest tightens slightly.
Why is he doing this?
Is something wrong with her?
Does she look strange?
Insecure thoughts begin to creep in, and she hates it. She’s never felt this self-consciousness before.
But under his gaze… she feels exposed.
“Another,” Adrian says suddenly, placing his empty glass on the counter.
Liana hesitates for a second before nodding. “Okay.”
She pours again.
Carefully.
Avoiding his touch this time.
But it doesn’t matter.
Because his attention never wavers.
Across the room, Marcus watches the interaction unfold, his expression thoughtful.
He knows that look.
Adrian has set his sights on something.
Or someone.
And when Adrian wants something… he usually gets it.
Marcus exhales quietly.
This might not end well.
Back at the bar, Liana forces a small smile. “Is there anything else you need?”
For a moment, he says nothing.
“What’s your name?”
The question catches her off guard.
“Liana,” she answers softly.
He repeats it, slower. “Liana”
The way he says it sends an unfamiliar warmth through her, despite her unease.
“I’m Adrian.”
Her eyes widen slightly.
Adrian?
As in Adrian Cole?
Her heart skips.
Of course. It makes sense now,the presence, the confidence, the way everyone seems to orbit around him without even realizing it.
She swallows lightly. “I… I know who you are.”
“I figured.”
There’s a brief silence.
And then Adrian stands.
Liana feels an unexpected wave of relief as he reaches into his pocket and drops a generous amount of cash on the counter.
“Keep the change,” he says simply.
She nods quickly. “Thank you, sir.”
But he doesn’t leave immediately.
He pauses.
Looks at her one more time longer this time, as if memorizing her face.
Then he turns and walks away.
Liana exhales the moment he’s gone.
Her shoulders relax, and she leans slightly against the counter.
What… was that?
She shakes her head, trying to push the strange encounter out of her mind.
It’s nothing.
Just a customer.
A very intense, very intimidating customer.
But across the room, Adrian stops near the exit.
He doesn’t look back.
He doesn’t need to.
Because he already knows one thing for certain.
He’s not done with her.
Not even close.
