Chapter 220 220

Chapter 220 220
A soft knock echoed through Chloe's penthouse. It was unexpected, too polite to be the deliveryman, too confident to be anyone else.

She hesitated for a second before opening the door... and froze.

Lucius stood there, dressed in a black tuxedo that fit him like it was sewn into his soul. His dark hair was slicked back, his sharp jawline catching the golden light spilling from the hallway. In his hands, he held a massive black box tied neatly with a crimson ribbon.

Chloe blinked, then let out a soft, incredulous laugh. "Oh my God... you finally learned how to use the door. Congratulations!" She gave a mock clap, eyes glinting with playful sarcasm.

Lucius rolled his eyes and stepped inside. "Very funny." He set the box on her table with a small thud and turned toward her, his smirk curling like smoke. "You should be thanking me, not mocking me."

"Thanking you?" she repeated, crossing her arms. "For what? Invading my quiet night again?"

"No," Lucius said, his voice dipping low. "For saving you from it. Come on, we should celebrate."

"Celebrate?" Chloe raised a brow. "Celebrate what exactly? That we brought two arrogant women to their knees? Because that's not really my idea of a celebration.”

Lucius chuckled. "That's exactly why you need one. You're too stiff, Chloe. Always thinking, always planning, never breathing. Just come with me. You won't regret it."

She eyed him suspiciously. "Where are you even planning to take me?"

"It's a surprise," he said simply, shrugging. "Somewhere special. My secret, happy place."

"Uh-huh. That sounds totally not suspicious."

"Stop overthinking," Lucius said, opening the box with a mischievous grin. "Just wear this."

Chloe peered inside and her breath caught.
Nestled in black silk lay a long, deep red gown that shimmered like molten wine under the light. The fabric was smooth, luxurious, seductive. Beside it sat a delicate mask, carved with gold edges and dark feathers that fanned like whispers.

Her brows lifted. "A mask? What is this, a costume party?" Lucius gave a half-smile. "Something like that. Just trust me."

"I don't know if I want to celebrate anything right now."

"Then don't celebrate," he said softly, stepping closer. "Just... come. Sit. Watch. Breathe. You don't have to do anything, Chloe. Just let me show you something beautiful."

Something in his tone disarmed her, the way his voice dropped to a quiet promise rather than a command. She sighed, glancing at the gown again. "You're impossible," she murmured.

"I've been called worse."

After a moment's hesitation, Chloe gave in. "Fine. But if you take me somewhere weird, I'm suing you."

Lucius's grin widened. "Noted."

He waited outside as Chloe went into her room. When she emerged minutes later, Lucius forgot how to breathe.

The gown hugged her perfectly, the slit running up her thigh catching just enough light to drive him insane. The mask framed her face like something from another century, half mystery, half goddess.

For the first time since he met her, Lucius was speechless.

Chloe adjusted her earring, pretending not to notice his gaze. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Lucius's mouth curved slowly. "If that's what you are, then I'm ready to be haunted."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the faint blush rising to her cheeks. "Shall we?" he asked, offering his arm.

Chloe hesitated for a heartbeat, then slipped her hand through his. And as the elevator doors closed behind them, the air seemed to hum, the city lights below waiting to witness whatever dangerous magic Lucius was about to reveal.

The black car slid through the glittering streets like a shadow wrapped in silk.

Chloe sat beside Lucius, her mask still in her hand, trying not to stare at him too long. Now and then, his reflection in the tinted glass caught the city lights, a dangerous kind of beauty, dark and magnetic.

They stopped in front of a grand building. The valet rushed forward to open the door, and Chloe stepped out in her heels. clicking against marble. The air shimmered with perfume, music, and laughter. Dozens of people, all dressed in gowns and masks moved through the gold-lit hall, champagne glasses glinting in their hands.

She turned to Lucius in surprise. "Wait a minute... this is your secret, happy place? Because there are a lot of people here, you know." Her gaze swept the ballroom, the chandeliers, and the string quartet in the corner. "It doesn't exactly scream secret. It screams old money and scandal."

Lucius smirked, his hands tucked in his pockets. "Don't rush the surprise, Chloe. Everything will come, one step at a time."
Chloe.

The way he said her name made her pulse skip. It wasn't just how it rolled off his tongue, it was the ownership behind it, the quiet challenge.

"Fine," she muttered, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Then at least tell me what's happening here. A ball? A charity? A secret society?"

Lucius leaned close, his breath brushing her ear. "Something like all three."

Her heart jumped. Before she could ask more, the orchestra changed its tune, a slow, romantic waltz that rippled through the room like heat. Couples began to move to the center of the ballroom, masks glimmering beneath crystal lights.

Lucius turned toward her, extending his hand. "May I have this dance?"

Chloe blinked, caught off guard. "You dance?"

He arched a brow. "Do you?" Without waiting for her answer, he took her hand and led her toward the floor. 

The music wrapped around them as Lucius placed one hand on her waist, his other holding hers. His touch was firm not forceful, but steady, as though he knew she'd try to run if he gave her the chance.
They began to move. Slowly at first, then in sync, his steps confident, hers hesitant but graceful.

Her dress brushed against his leg, her perfume mixing with his cologne, and for a moment, the world outside that dance didn't exist. The crowd blurred, the lights dimmed, and there was only him, Lucius, breathing too close, his eyes locked on hers.

She felt his breath near her temple. Her heartbeat stuttered. The warmth of his hand at her waist burned through the fabric of her gown. It was dangerous, too intimate but she couldn't pull away.

Lucius's jaw tightened. He could smell her skin, feel the tremor in her pulse, the way her body responded to his nearness.

Every inch of her was temptation and for a man like him, temptation was lethal.
"Lucius.." she whispered, almost trembling.

He stopped suddenly, breaking the rhythm, his hand slipping away as if burned. For a second, they stood still, the music swelling around them like a confession neither could say aloud.

Then he straightened, forcing a smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Come on," he said, offering his arm again. "Let me take you to my secret, happy place."

Chloe frowned, still breathless. "Is this not it?"

"No, it is the after-party," he said, that dangerous grin returning. "Where the real fun begins."

He led her out of the ballroom, through a private corridor guarded by black-suited men. The door at the end opened and Chloe's eyes widened.

Whatever she was about to step into... it wasn't just a party.

It was Lucius's world.