While waiting for the rest of the guests to arrive, Sanna had already placed their first order. With a wave of her hand, she called for wine from the restaurant’s list, one that gleamed with imported bottles from across the world. The selection she chose cost nearly two thousand dollars.
It wasn’t the most expensive bottle available, Sheri noted with quiet relief, but it was still far from cheap. She watched her mother twirl the stem of the glass in her hand as though such a price were nothing more than pocket change. At least she didn’t go for the one at the very top, Sheri thought, though the knowledge did little to quiet her unease.
Her mother had claimed important guests would be arriving tonight. Sheri had asked more than once who exactly they were, but Sanna only smiled knowingly, leaving her daughter to stew in her nerves. Sheri hated that. She hated the waiting, the wondering. Who could possibly be walking through those doors?
Out of everyone invited, the first to arrive was Anton himself. He entered carrying a small, carefully wrapped package, a gift, no doubt designed to appear thoughtful while also serving as a subtle reminder of his family’s wealth. With the same confident stride he used when selling a car, Anton placed the gift under the table before taking the seat closest to Sheri.
"Anton, why don’t you come sit by me instead?" Sanna said lightly, gesturing to the chair at her right. "There’s another guest I’d like to sit beside Sheri tonight."
Anton hesitated, irritation flickering across his face, but he complied without protest. No matter how much he might have wanted to sit beside Sheri, he had to play nice. With Sanna watching, the risk of souring her mood outweighed his pride.
He leaned back and flashed Sheri a smile that carried a hint of envy. "It seems everything worked out for all of us in the end. Quite amazing, really, how you managed to get the deal so easily, Sheri. Who did you meet with in the end?"
Sheri forced herself to meet his gaze, though her tone was calm, almost dismissive. "It was one of the representatives who had come to my graduation party. I suppose I was just a little lucky."
She didn’t want to elaborate. There was no point explaining that she had met Warma before, or that there was a faint connection between them. She didn’t trust Anton with such details. He would downplay her achievement, belittle her role, or worse, use it against her later.
Already, she disliked him enough for not telling her mother the truth. He had tried to approach the Billion Bloodline offices himself, been turned away, and yet failed to mention it when he enlisted Sanna’s help. For the sake of maintaining peace tonight, Sheri chose to bite her tongue.
"I heard you didn’t meet the Chairman either," Anton pressed. His eyes flicked to the necklace around her neck, the glittering gem catching the light. "I admit, I’m curious. Who exactly is the Chairman? To send you a gift like that one, it must be someone remarkable."
Sheri’s hand instinctively brushed against the necklace. She rarely wore it. It was far too expensive, a piece that felt out of place in her life. But her mother had insisted she bring it tonight, insisting it represented their bond with the Billion Bloodline group.
Before she could answer, the door slid open. A tall, tanned man with sharp hair combed neatly to the sides walked in. He carried himself with a confidence that filled the room, though his sunglasses, removed as he stepped through the threshold, hinted at a casual arrogance.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you, " he began, but stopped cold. His words froze on his lips the moment his eyes landed on Anton.
"You!" Anton’s chair scraped loudly against the polished floor as he jumped to his feet, pointing accusingly at the man. "What are you doing here?"
Sanna blinked in confusion. "You two know each other?" She let out a delighted laugh, completely misreading the tension crackling between them. "Well, I suppose that will make things easier then! Please, Darno, sit right next to Sheri."
Darno’s eyes narrowed at Anton. The two men exchanged a look, one that spoke volumes. They both knew it wasn’t the right time to argue, not here, not in front of Sanna or Sheri. Whatever grudge burned between them would have to wait.
Reluctantly, Darno pulled out the chair and sat down beside Sheri.
"Sheri," Sanna said cheerfully, as though oblivious to the storm brewing, "allow me to introduce you to Darno. He’s a talented man working for one of the top private security firms. One of our most trusted branches couldn’t stop talking about him. I’ve met him on several occasions already, and after showing him your picture, he agreed to come meet you today."
Sheri’s smile was polite, but inwardly she was shaking her head. Even now, Mother? Still playing matchmaker?
She couldn’t deny Darno had an impressive presence. He was attractive, certainly, and confident in a way that could draw attention. But Sheri was surprised her mother had lowered her standards so much. A wealthy family’s son, a powerful executive, even an heir, those were the sorts of men Sanna usually had in mind. Darno, for all his looks and charm, was just a security officer. Perhaps her mother had been swayed by the photographs more than she realized.
"I thought a group setting might be more relaxed," Sanna continued, clearly pleased with herself. "Of course, there will be some business to discuss among us, but I do hope you won’t feel left out, Darno."
"Not at all," Darno replied smoothly, turning to Sheri with a smile that revealed just a trace of smugness. "The real reason I agreed to come tonight was because of how beautiful Sheri looked in the photos. You know, if you’re up for it, perhaps after this we could go for a ride in the new car I picked up recently." His eyes flicked briefly to Anton. "Though maybe that’s a bit much for a first meeting. Cars might not be your thing."
Sheri caught the underlying jab. Anton certainly caught it too, his face darkening at the deliberate provocation.
What Sanna didn’t know was that her assumptions about Darno were entirely off the mark. She had seen him driving a flashy car before, and in her mind that had been proof enough he was well-off, perhaps even from a wealthy family. In reality, the truth was far less glamorous. The car had been rented, and his current vehicle was borrowed on credit, financed far beyond his means. Darno might have had the looks and the swagger, but beneath it all he was just as reckless as ever.
Still, his performance was enough to convince Sanna that he was worth bringing into her daughter’s life.
"Well," Sanna said brightly, clapping her hands together, "tonight is a big day for all of us. Because not only do we have Anton here, and Darno as well, but we are also expecting a very special guest... someone from the Billion Bloodline Group!"
The room fell silent at her words. For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then, almost at once, everyone froze.
Anton’s breath caught. Darno’s smile faltered. And Sheri’s hands tightened on the stem of her glass.
A representative from the Billion Bloodline was coming here, tonight.