Chapter 11

Adrian's smug voice cut through the air as he strolled up, his gaze shamelessly raking over Kia beside me.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite ladies in the flesh."

Kia scoffed, arms crossing as she shot him a glare. "Are you stalking me, Adrian? Because that's low—even for you."

I barely registered their exchange, too caught up in the weight of Zaden's stare. When I turned to meet his eyes, I caught the brief flicker of surprise and something else, something like admiration, before his expression shifted back to its usual blank mask.

Slowly, deliberately, he closed the distance between us, stopping so close that I could feel the warmth radiating off him.

"Hey, doll," he murmured, voice softer than I expected.

That damn nickname again. His voice, his presence, the ink tracing his arms, everything about him sent an unwelcome flutter through my stomach.

I forced my expression into something neutral, unwilling to let him see how easily he got to me. "Evening, Zaden," I said coolly.

Phone number! I remember now, that's the reason I was upset.

But the second his lips quirked into a small smile, those deep dimples appearing, my resolve cracked.

His expression shifted slightly, his brows pulling together just the slightest bit. "You're not smiling like you usually do," he noted, his voice quieter now. "Something wrong?"

He is so pretty.

My heart stuttered at the concern in his tone, the way his eyes softened as they searched mine.

I tried to hold onto my composure, but the way he was looking at me, like he actually cared, made it impossible. Damn it. I could practically feel myself melting under his gaze.

I gave him a small smile, and just like that, his frown vanished, replaced by something softer, something dangerously close to affection.

"You look exceptional, so, so beautiful" he murmured, his voice rich with sincerity. "The most beautiful one here in this crowd."

Heat crept up my neck, but I rolled my eyes, trying to play it cool. "Smooth. Do you practice these lines or what?"

Zaden leaned in just a fraction closer. "Why would I? It's a fact."

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. "Well you look bonita yourself Zander."

His expression flickered—confusion, then realization. "Iliana bonita is for women." His voice was part exasperated, part amused.

"I know doll" I give him a cheeky grin and wink at him

He lets out a small laugh and his eyes flickered down to my lips before meeting my gaze again. "So, tell me, darling, am I finally getting a real smile, or do I have to try harder?"

I bit my lip, pretending to consider. "Hmm, I don't know. You might have to work for it."

His smirk widened. "Oh, for that smile? Always."

Adrian let out an exaggerated groan, clapping his hands together. "Alright, alright, I hate to interrupt whatever this is, but I think I speak for the entire crowd when I say, get a damn room."

Kia scoffed, rolling her eyes so hard I was surprised they didn't get stuck. "Mind your own business idiot." Then she turns towards means says ,"But seriously Ana the fuck is happening here?"

Adrian let out a dramatic sigh, clasping his hands like he was mourning something tragic. "Something that clearly isn't happening over here," he said, his voice dripping with mock.  disappointment. "It's honestly heartbreaking."

Kia shot him a glare. "Adrian, the only thing tragic here is your existence."

Zaden shot him a flat look. "I agree."

Adrian gasped, clutching his chest. "Ouch. You wound me." Then he grinned, leaning in slightly. "Is this how you flirt because it's working. Be meaner though." He nudges her softly then winks at her.

Kia made a disgusted noise. "Don't look at me like that."

I barely registered their bickering because Zaden leaned in again, his voice just for me. "For the record, doll, I don't need a room. Just your phone number."

My stomach flipped. Damn him.

And finally, he was asking for my number.

I forced myself to stay composed, tilting my head as I reached for his phone. "Of course," I said sweetly, punching in a number before handing it back.

Zaden glanced down, his brows pulling together. Then his deep voice rumbled, laced with amusement. "Iliana." His gaze lifted to mine, sharp yet undeniably soft. "You gave me the women's helpline for London."

I pressed a hand to my chest, feigning innocence. "Did I?"

He exhaled a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "You are trouble." His voice dropped just a little lower, his eyes locking onto mine. "Now, be good and give me the right one."

Something about the way he said it—so calm, so assured, like he already knew I would, sent a shiver down my spine.

I bit my lip and grabbed his phone again and replaced the number with the real one. "There. Happy now?"

Zaden glanced at the screen, then back at me, his lips curling into the faintest smirk. "Very."

Kia groaned. "Nope. I'm done. I need a drink."

Adrian grinned. "Want me to get it for you, sweetheart?"

Kia glared at him. "Yeah, sure. Get yourself lost while you're at it."

A brief awkward silence settled between us, until I cleared my throat. "You know... I was going to tell a construction joke just now."

All three of them turned to me, expressions varying from confusion to mild concern.

"But... I'm still working on it."

Zaden exhaled a slow breath, rubbing his hand down his face like he was personally offended. Kia stared at me in sheer disappointment, while Adrian let out an exaggerated groan.

"Iliana," Kia said flatly. "What the actual fuck in the world of fucks was that?"

Adrian shook his head and bit the inside of his cheek.

Zaden, however, just stared at me for a beat before chuckling under his breath, his deep voice laced with amusement. "That was terrible," he murmured, shaking his head.

I shrugged, completely unfazed. "What? At least I saved us from that awkward pause."

Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel and started toward the bar, feeling entirely too pleased with myself.

They are just jealous. Not everyone could be effortlessly charming and beautiful at the same time.

I made my way to the bar, weaving through the crowd with ease. The dim lighting cast a warm glow over the polished countertop, and the low hum of conversation mixed with the clinking of glasses.

I reached the bar, sliding onto a stool as I caught the bartender's attention. "Marrow martini, please."

He raised a brow but nodded, turning to make my drink.

The second I exhaled, finally enjoying a moment of peace, a familiar presence settled beside me.

Zaden.

I didn't have to look to know, it was the shift in the air, the quiet intensity he carried like a second skin.

"What," I mused, swirling my drink as I glanced at him, "following me now?"

His deep voice, rich and smooth, hummed beside me. "Hardly." Then, without looking at the bartender, he muttered, "Whiskey. Neat. Make it a double."

The bartender immediately moved away from us,moving to prepare our drinks, like Zaden's entire presence intimidate him too much.

Zaden exhaled slowly, his sharp gaze scanning the room with thinly veiled irritation. He didn't say anything to anyone. Didn't acknowledge the people glancing his way. Just brooding, exuding that quiet, cold aura that kept most at a distance.

But when his gaze flickered back to me, something shifted.

Gone was the ice, the detached sharpness. His tone softened just a fraction, barely noticeable to anyone else. "A marrow martini?" His brow lifted slightly. "Didn't take you for the type."

I smirked, taking a slow sip. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Zaden."

Zaden bit his lip, clearly trying to suppress his smirk, but the way his eyes gleamed told me he was enjoying this far too much. His drinks were finally placed in front of him, strong, dark, smooth. He picked up his glass, rolling the liquid inside before taking a slow sip, his gaze never leaving mine.

"You know," he said, voice deep and velvety, "I already know the basics about you. From our coffee date."

Date? DATE?

Zaden's smirk deepened, like he could practically hear my thoughts unraveling. "Hot, rich, and obsessed with ducks. I remember it all."

He remembers everything. So pretty, so observant...

I cleared my throat, trying to keep my face neutral. "That's sweet, Zander."

He hummed, tilting his head slightly, watching me with that steady, unreadable gaze. "Well, doll, anything for you."

For a moment, I almost melted, but then—

"But," he continued, taking another slow sip of his drink, "why did I hear from Mr. Harold that you're selling him liposuctions and his wife Botox?"

I nearly choked on my martini. "What?"

Zaden arched a brow, looking far too entertained. "He seemed very excited about it. Said you gave them a whole free consultation."

"Oh my God." I laughed. "Okay, first of all, I was just trying to convince him I was a doctor—"

Zaden exhaled a quiet chuckle. "Right, because that's so much more ethical."

"—but he started asking about anti-aging treatments, he assumed I was a plastic surgeon, and I just... went with it. I was bored. But they knew I was joking, I think, Kia exposed me before I could go any further."

Zaden shook his head, his smirk growing. "So, let me get this straight," he mused, voice low, teasing, "you're out here committing medical fraud, stealing donuts from children, and shattering worldview about ducks—"

"That kid needed to know the harsh reality of this world!"

"—and yet, you're still somehow the most interesting person I've ever met."

I rolled my eyes, taking a sip of my martini. "Well, obviously."

Zaden chuckled, his eyes dark and amused as he leaned in slightly, voice dropping. "You really are trouble, aren't you, doll?"

I smirked, tilting my head. "Why? You into that, Zander?"

He let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head before taking another sip of his whiskey. Then he looked at me, his gaze slow, deliberate.

"Oh, doll," he murmured, his voice deep and smooth as sin. "You have no idea."