Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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Aldus and I agreed to separate for the mingling part of the event which is on the schedule after dinner.

We want the hosts to approach us, and if they are planning anything fishy, it will be easier if Aldus and I are not together. Neither of us wants to drag this more than necessary, so we want to give them a chance to make their move. After all, the Thompsons invited us here, so they must have an agenda.

Aldus said that he will be at the poker tables. He was not eager to socialize with this bunch of people, and a card game gave him a reason not to talk to others.

"Miss Mezzanotte…", a deep male voice got my attention less than ten seconds after Aldus left my side. "My name is Jonathan Thompson, your host for tonight. I wonder if you will allow me to thank you for coming with a drink and maybe a game of roulette?"

I gave him a tight smile. "I don't gamble, Mr. Thompson. But I will take the drink."

"Please, call me John." He gestured toward the side room. "Other than gambling, there is comfortable seating where we can talk."

"Sounds good…"

John led the way to one sofa while starting a small talk, "How come you don't gamble? Don't we all do it in our line of business?"

"How can you compare investments based on data with putting money on the table and hoping that the ball will land in the right place?"

He let out a stiff chuckle. "I see your point."

We sat on opposite ends of the sofa, with plenty of space between us.

He waved at the waiter to approach us while continuing our conversation, "My investments are not based on numbers. I invest in people."

That was an admirable quality. From the reports, I concluded that Jonathan Thompson has skills in reading people and the market. He is a good businessman.

Other than forceful takeovers, Giantshade Industries is also offering products and services in many areas, and they are doing well. After all, without customers and quality products, their foundation would crumble no matter how much they expand.

I saw Aldus at one of the poker tables, and Richard Thompson took a seat on Aldus's left. I wanted to eavesdrop on the conversation happening there, but I had to focus on the man who was asking me what I want to drink.

After getting wine for me, and scotch for himself, John started talking about his college days, how he started working at Giantshade Industries, how he goes horse-riding for fun. He talks a lot.

John was painting himself in good colors while boasting about his achievements.

I drank glass after glass of wine. The wine is rich in calories and good for replenishing my energy.

The more John spoke, the less it sounded like a business meeting, and I became suspicious. What was he up to?

My plan related to Jonathan and Richard Thompson was simple. I wanted to be friendly and see how much I can find out. I needed them to be non-hostile, and I was ready to use my pheromones if necessary. But this… why did it sound like he was trying to impress me?

I double-checked my pheromones, to confirm that they are in the normal range. Whatever is going on with John, it was not because I did something.

I wondered what Duke was doing. I was missing him.

If this was Duke instead of John, we would hold hands and I would laugh at his jokes and lean on him, and... it would be wonderful.

"You can hold your liquor."

I paused with the glass on my lips. "I apologize, but I'm thirsty and your compelling storytelling made me forget to act like a lady."

He burst into hearty laughter. "I meant that as a compliment. After your third glass, I thought you are reckless, but now I see that you know your limits well. No matter what you do, you are an exquisite lady, Seraphina. You don't mind if I call you that, do you?"

"No, I don't." Is he flirting with me?

"I've got the hint that I should talk less. Tell me something about yourself."

I'm an immortal who can seduce you with a thought and blast you out of the window by controlling air. Oh, and my father is a vampire. It sounded quite good in my mind, and I regretted that I can't say that at loud.

"There is not much to tell, John. I'm sure you know anything worth knowing."

He shook his head in disagreement. "I only heard rumors."

I was curious. "Like?"

"Single child, smart, capable in business and chemistry, beautiful, appeared in public about three years ago and stirred hearts of many bachelors."

"I wanted to tell you not to trust rumors, but this is not bad, so I changed my mind. You can believe in those."

He chuckled before asking, "How about you fill me in with more details?"

"What would you like to know?"

"Is there anyone special?"

I cocked an eyebrow. Is he asking me if I'm dating someone? "Special?"

"A few weeks ago, your name appeared next to Drago Orsini's. Are the two of you acquaintances, or more than that?"

John was not beating around the bush. I didn't expect that.

I knew that he is a capable businessman, and I expected him to challenge me related to Notte Pharmaceuticals and the deal they proposed, yet he didn't mention any of that and instead stuck to personal topics.

Why would he ask me about my dating status? It shouldn't matter unless he is interested in me.

Well, I wanted John to like me because that would make him lower his guard and maybe reveal some secrets, but now that things turned this way, I was not sure I liked where this was going.

Should I just tell him that I'm dating Duke? That's not a good idea.

Normally, I wouldn't try to conceal my relationship with Duke, but this is Jonathan Thompson, Magda's brother. If I say clearly that I'm dating Duke, who knows what that crazy woman might do. John supports Magda, so maybe he will do something against Duke.

However, denying it didn't sound right either. First, because John might think I'm giving him the green light to pursue me (or that I'm available, hence interested in him). And the second reason why I didn't want to deny my relationship with Duke was that I didn't want that to reach Duke's ears.

Duke would be hurt if he hears that I'm denying our relationship, no matter what my reasons are.

I decided on a more ambiguous response. "Drago and I go back a long way."

"Childhood friends?", John assumed.

I was happy with this solution. Duke's past is a mystery and mine is non-existent. By making it sound that Drago Orsini and Seraphina Mezzanotte are childhood friends, people won't find it strange that we are close.

I was tempted to tell him that we are childhood sweethearts, but that would open another can of worms.

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