Chapter 25 Twenty Five
Mira held his gaze.
Didn’t blink. Didn’t step back.
“Maybe I’m not scared of unfinished things,” she said quietly.
Something flickered in his eyes.
Brief.
Gone before she could name it.
The music slowed.
The final notes stretched through the room like a breath being held too long.
Neither of them moved at first.
Still close.
Then— The music ended.
Applause followed softly around them.
Like the spell had broken.
And just like that— his expression changed.
His hand slid from her waist…, his fingers from hers.
She looked up to meet his eyes.. He was smiling at then the next second his eyes went cold.
Like a door had slammed shut.
Her chest tightened slightly.
There it was again.
That switch.
So fast it almost felt unreal.
Salvatore didn’t say anything. He just looked at her for a second longer.
Not soft. Not warm.
Just… assessing.
Then he gave a small nod. Without saying a word to her and walked away.
Leaving her standing there. In the middle of the dance floor.
Alone.
The music had already shifted again.
People moved around her. Couples laughing. Talking. Blending back into the noise.
But Mira didn’t move.
She stood there still.. Her fingers slowly curled at her sides. Her breathing was uneven for a second before she forced it steady.
“…Of course,” she muttered under her breath.
Her eyes followed him.
Through the crowd.
Back into the role. Back into the version of himself everyone else saw.
Smiling again.
Like nothing had just happened. Like she hadn’t just been close enough to him just now.
Her jaw tightened.
“Asshole,” she whispered.
But her voice lacked the bite it had before.
And that annoyed her more than anything.
Mira stepped off the dance floor slowly.
Grabbing another glass from a passing tray without thinking.
She didn’t drink it right away.
Just held it.
Her eyes were still on him.
Watching.
Because now— It wasn’t just about the job anymore.
Now…
She wanted to beat him at his game
Mess with his mind as he does with others.
Her stomach twisted slightly.
“Good,” she whispered. Let's see how long you want to keep up this act.”
She finally took a sip.
Mira pushed off the pillar and started moving.
She circled the room once.
Then again. Keeping him in sight without making it obvious. At one point, she passed by a group of men speaking in low voices.
“…shipment came in last night—”
“…Corvin’s people handled it—”
“…quiet as always—”
Mira slowed just slightly.
Not enough to draw attention.
Just enough to listen.
“…west side?” another voice asked.
A pause.
Then—
“Don’t say that here.”
Silence followed.
Mira kept walking. But her mind was busy picking up any information she could get about Salvatore.
“West side,” she muttered to herself
What were they talking about? As she tried to lean closer, a voice called out
We are leaving.”
Mira stopped. Her head turned quickly.
And there she was.. Antonio.
Standing a few steps away, already looking at her like he’d been calling her for a while.
Her jaw tightened slightly.
Of course.
Right when it was getting interesting.
He sure did have a problem with timing.
“Already?” she asked, masking the irritation in her tone.
Antonio didn’t answer that.
He just nodded his head slightly toward the entrance.
“Boss is waiting.”
Mira followed his gaze and…. There he was.
Salvatore.
Standing near the exit.
Watching her… his gaze burning through het.
Her stomach tightened slightly.
Why does he keep staring at it like that? ? She said nebrouly.
There was something about the way Salvatore stared at Mira that made her so uncomfortable.
Salvatore didn’t look away.
Not even when people passed. Not even when someone tried to get his attention.
His eyes stayed on her.
Steady. Unreadable.
Mira swallowed slightly, forcing her face to stay calm even as something uneasy twisted in her chest.
“Why does he keep staring at me like that?” she muttered under her breath.
She looked at Antonio who took his phone out of his pocket and turned towards the exist giving her a look that said, "Let's go”
Mira exhaled quietly and followed.
Of course, they were leaving now.
Right when things she was about to get some information
Mira stepped outside the night's cool air greeted her. The music and laughter faded behind the.
Antonio opened the car door.
Salvatore got in first.
Mira hesitated for half a second before stepping in after him.
The moment she sat down… that silence returned.
Heavy. Thick. Uncomfortable.
The car started moving.
No one spoke.
Not Antonio. Not Salvatore. Not her.
Mira kept her eyes on the window this time.
Watching the lights blur past.
But her mind wasn’t on the road.
It was on him.
The dance.
The way he looked at her.
The way he switched again like she was one of his puppets.
Her jaw tightened slightly.
“ This is so exhausting,” she muttered under her breath.
Quiet enough that no one heard.
Or at least… she hoped no one did.
She didn’t look at him. Didn’t dare.
Because something told her if she did…
He’d already be looking at her.
In the next hour of awkward uncomfortable silence, they finally got to the mansion.
Mira stepped out slowly once the car stopped.
Her heels hit the ground. She was tired and drained.
Salvatore got out on the other side.
And without a word… He started walking off.
Not toward the main entrance. Not towards the front doors. He was heading towards the back of the mansion
Mira frowned slightly.
Her body stilled.
“…Where is he going?” she murmured under her breath.
Her eyes followed him.
His figure slowly disappeared into the dim lighting along the side path.
Mira took a small step forward without thinking.
Curiosity pulling at her.
But before she could move any further…
“Aren't you going in?”
Antonio’s voice cut through her thoughts.
Mira blinked and turned her head.
“Huh?”
He was standing there.
Watching her.
Same expression as always..like his cold boss
She hesitated.
Then glanced back in the direction Salvatore had gone.
He was gone now. Completely out of sight.
Her brows pulled together slightly.
She wondered where he went. If there was a hiding place she hadn't discovered yet.
But Antonio was still looking at her.
Waiting.
“…Yeah,” she said, a little too quickly.
Then softer—
“Sure.”
A small pause.
She shifted slightly, her fingers brushing against each other.
“Good night,” she added, hesitating just a bit.
Antonio didn’t respond.
He just kept looking at her for a second longer…
Then turned and walked off.
Just like that.
Mira stood there alone for a moment.
Then she turned away quickly, forcing her feet to move.
One step. Then another.
The hallway lights flickered softly above her as she walked, casting shifting shadows along the polished floor. The sharp click of her heels echoed through the silence.
Her chest rose and fell steadily, but something about the air felt… off. Like the mansion itself was watching.
She was almost at her door when—
Her phone buzzed.
Mira flinched.
Her hand slipped into her pocket immediately, pulling it out. The screen lit up against her palm.
A notification.
Unknown number.
Her brows drew together slightly.
For a second, she just stared at it.
Then, slowly… she opened the message.
Her eyes scanned the words once.
Then again.
“If you want to know more about Salvatore Corvin, meet me at the west wing behind the mansion tomorrow at 7 p.m.”