I never realized how exhausting pretending to be confident could be.
The ballroom buzzed with laughter, music, and conversations that never seemed to end. Crystal chandeliers bathed everything in warm golden light, making the entire mansion feel almost dreamlike.
It was beautiful. And somehow...it was suffocating. After smiling through countless introductions, shaking more hands than I could remember, and repeating my business pitch over and over again, all I wanted was five minutes of silence.
Just five.
I quietly slipped through one of the glass doors leading to the balcony. The cool night breeze greeted me instantly, brushing against my cheeks as if welcoming me back to reality. I closed my eyes. And breathed. Much better. The city stretched endlessly before me, thousands of tiny lights glittering beneath the dark sky. Somewhere below, cars moved like glowing streams while the distant hum of traffic blended with the soft music drifting from inside the mansion.
For the first time that evening, Everything felt peaceful. I rested my hands on the stone railing and smiled to myself. Maybe tonight had gone better than I'd expected.
Moritz V. Irwin. Well..Unlike everyone else I'd approached, he hadn't looked at my crochet flowers with polite curiosity. He'd looked at them with genuine interest. He listened.
Actually listened. When I'd explained my vision—handmade crochet bouquets that never wilted, personalized gifts stitched with memories, cozy home décor that felt like home itself—he hadn't interrupted me once.
Instead, he'd asked questions. Thoughtful ones. Questions about production. About suppliers. About long-term goals. About where I wanted to see my business five years from now.
No one had ever asked me that before.
I smiled, remembering the end of our conversation. "I'd like to hear more," he'd said, handing me a sleek black business card. "My office. Next week." I glanced down at the card still resting safely inside my handbag. Maybe... This was it.
Maybe this tiny piece of paper was the beginning of everything I'd been working toward.
For months I'd stayed awake sketching designs, researching fabrics, calculating costs, and wondering if anyone would ever believe in my dream.Tonight someone finally had. It felt unreal. A quiet laugh escaped my lips.
Life was strange. Just days ago I thought everything around me was falling apart. Yet here I am. Standing beneath the stars with the first real opportunity of my life tucked inside my bag. Maybe endings really did make room for new beginnings.
After another few minutes, I checked the time on my phone. It was getting late. I should probably head home. I found Ilya near the center of the ballroom, surrounded by guests who were still congratulating her.
The moment she spotted me, she smiled.
"Leaving already?"
"I think so." She pouted dramatically.
"But the party isn't over."
" I know." I laughed softly.
"But I'm socially exhausted."She immediately nodded in understanding.
"Fair enough." Stepping closer, I wrapped my arms around her. "I'm really proud of you." She hugged me back just as tightly.
"And I'm proud of you."
I frowned. "What for?"
She grinned knowingly. "For surviving an entire ballroom full of businessmen without running away."
I groaned."Don't remind me."
"You did amazing, Rora." Her words warmed my heart more than she probably realized.
"Thank you." She smiled before gently pushing me toward the exit. "Now go home and get some rest."
"I will." I glanced around, searching for Nami.
It didn't take long to find her. She was laughing with a small group of guests near the dance floor, looking happier than she'd looked all week. I smiled. She was enjoying herself. I didn't have the heart to interrupt.
I'd text her once I got home. Slipping quietly through the front entrance, I stepped into the cool night air once more. The driveway was noticeably quieter now. Most guests had already arrived. Only a handful of luxury cars remained parked beneath the soft glow of the garden lights.
As I walked toward the gate, something caught my attention. A black sedan sat farther down the road, partially hidden beneath the shadows of towering trees.
Inside...Someone was watching the mansion.
Not casually.
Carefully.
Even from this distance, I could make out the silhouette of a man sitting behind the steering wheel, his gaze fixed on the estate as though he were memorizing every entrance, every security guard, every movement. For a brief second a strange feeling settled in my chest.
Who was he? A reporter? Security? Someone waiting for a guest? I shrugged the thought away. People this wealthy probably had bodyguards everywhere.
It wasn't any of my business.
Pulling my scarf a little tighter around myself, I continued walking toward the waiting taxi.
Completely unaware. That somewhere in the darkness...
Someone else had already begun watching far more than just the mansion.