The man himself -Nicholas Salvadge- was standing in the front. Sixty-five years old but there was hardly any scarcity of authority in his attitude, his tall body firm and sinewy with a little fat, wrinkles on his face were the only apparent proof of his age. At his side was his wife, dressed in a full-length gold satin maxi dress that looked artistic when paired with her husband's black tuxedo. With her brunette hair in a wavy chignon and balanced makeup, her well-maintained figure and beauty were the opposite of her age, the same as her grace and poise.

Behind them was the much-awaited man of the evening -Aris Salvadge- and his nineteen-year-old sister. Inheriting her mother's good looks, she also appeared equally beautiful and graceful, dressed in a turquoises silk knee-length dress with her brunette long finely curly hair open, and glamorous makeup illuminating her skin. Despite being such gorgeous, most eyes were trained on the man beside her, who had a stoic look on his face and an air of power and conceitedness around him.

Tallest among his family, easily could be around six inches and two, his tan clear skin contrasting the full-dark blackest suit his muscular body was dressed in. His black undercut hair slicked back, enhancing his face, strong cheekbones, and jaw with a stubble beard. A straight-edged nose leading to his lips pressed in a thin line, his prominent deep-set black eyes that showed nothing but irritation like he was aware of what annoyingness of people was waiting for him. Aris Salvadge has this kind of mysterious & fascinating aura and face that can make one halt and turn to look, then look again. Maybe, that's why he has the look of self-awareness and arrogance, because he may notice when people pause and stare at him, the change in their natural expression and pupils dilating.

This is his seemingly first public appearance and people appeared not to take their eyes away from him but not the two friends leaning carelessly against the bar counter. While laughing and enjoying the look of worship on the crowd's face as the Salvadge family descended from the stairs and stepped inside the hall.

Everyone was anxious to advance and meet them, but know they couldn't; they weren't some random people who could be approached easily. So they had to control their urges and pray to find a chance to greet them or at least be noticed somehow. Nicholas Salvadge's company was among the prime three of the world, with his son's company also on the top list, they could only imagine when both companies will merge what height they'll achieve, so they couldn't lose any chance to win favor from them and have a contact.

"Isn't that the Prince of Saudi Arabia?" Elijah asked, Allea followed his gaze and nodded, the Salvadages were meeting with royalties first.

"Besides him is, I guess, the minister of Dubai and Prince of England," Allea added offhandedly, "Quite impressive, isn't it?"

Elijah shrugged with a not-so-impressive face, "Rich people and their connections."

"Oh, look. The Princess of Spain is quite gorgeous if you may ask." Elijah didn't turn around at Allea teasing tone, so she continued, "Want me to introduce you to her?"

"First introduce yourself to them then talk about me."

"You know I don't really have etiquettes to talk to royals, I'll pass." Saying this she turned around to gesture to the bartender for her second glass of wine, that she was reluctant to drink and just to hold in hand for appearance's sake.

While Elijah was also asking for more whisky. He laughed and added, "Neither do I." His alcohol tolerance was way above average, Allea has rarely seen him drunk, he was well aware of his limits so she didn't warn him.

In their chit-chat, they lost the focus on the Salvadges and didn't realize when Nicholas Salvadge after greeting some important people, moved his gaze around the hall, looking for someone. And then he noticed her leaning indolently against the counter chatting and drinking with her one friend, utter opposite of what people's purpose was for being here. Slightly shaking his head, he moved toward her through the crowd, his family too followed, they were also confused like the crowd as to why he was walking toward the bar. Who was so important that Nicholas Salvadge was approaching them himself?

"Allea, I thought you'd refuse this too, I'm so glad you came."

Allea turned smoothly toward the man who called her, there was no hint of any surprise on her face as she stated with a smile, "Mr. Salvadge, how could I be so impolite when you personally sent me the invite."

"Good, good," Nicholas Salvage smiled, pleased at Allea's words, and moved toward the handsome man beside her, "Hello there, young man."

Elijah, who noticing that Nicholas Salvadge came himself to greet Allea, stood at a side not wanting to indulge in them but when he directly greeted him, he had to step ahead and extended his hand to shake, "Mr. Salvadge, a pleasure to meet you."

Nicholas Salvadge took his hand welcomely, nodded toward Elijah, then moved toward Allea and pointing toward the woman beside him, "My wife, that I so wanted you to meet," Nicholas introduced. The woman, who was quietly eyeing the young girl in front of her, quite aware of her identity, from the amount of time her husband has acknowledged Allea Ciarve in front of her.

"Mrs. Salavdge," Allea greeted the graceful woman with a smile, and added with a little laugh, "Now I know why Mr. Salvadge is so eager to retire. Who wouldn't want to spend time with such a gorgeous woman."

At her flattery, the couple in front of her grinned and Mr. Salvadge nodded at her words with a little laugh, "Thank you for your sweet words," spoke Mrs. Salvage with a kind smile, pleased with the young girl's character, "I also can see why Nicholas praises you so much."

"It's just Mr. Salvadge's kindness."

After that, exchanging a word or two more of formal politeness, Mrs. Salvadge excused herself to meet some ladies, "I would love to meet you some other time."

"I would too," Allea agreed without hesitation, Nicholas Salvadge who was rejected by Allea every time he invited her, only laughed lightly at Allea's tactics.

"So, you're Allea Ciarve?"

Allea turned toward the girl, who until now stood wordlessly beside her mother, Allea could hear the scornful tone in her voice but didn't mind it.

"Ah, that's my daughter, Michelle." Mr. Slavadge interjected.

Allea smiled toward the young girl and nodded, but Michelle gaze held the same disdain like she was looking at something not worth wasting her time -a normal behavior from a young heiress, without saying anything she too excused herself but when her gaze flickered toward the man beside Allea, her gaze softened and steps haltered but she still turned around and left.

When his daughter left, Nicholas Slavadge stated with a playful smile and a dismissive wave of his hand, "Don't mind her, she's just jealous that I tell her to be like you."

"Now, that's mean, don't do that again," Allea warned him with the same casual smile.

At the side, stood the forgotten man, who followed his father but was overlooked by the guests his father was greeting. His narrowed eyes were focused on the girl dressed in white in front of him -who not once spared him a single glance, her one hand in her pants pockets and other holding her glass, stood nonchalantly enjoying a talk with his father, who eventually remembered he had a son too, that was standing a few steps away.

When Nicholas gazed at his son, Allea too heeded his movement, now introducing his son would be a little over the board, who don't know him? Especially the people in the business world, so he just moved Allea's focus toward him and waited for her response.

"Oh, excuse my impoliteness, I failed to notice." Allea gazed coolly at the man in front of her, -if the curious ears around them heard her words, their ears surely would bleed, she failed to notice Aris Salvadge standing just a few steps away from her?

Placing the drink on the counter, like the meeting of two businesspeople, she formally extended her hand to introduce herself, "Allea Ciarve."

Neither Aris Slavadges' imperturbable face change nor his eyes moved from the girl in front of him, and he too after a pause stretched his hand to take her soft & slender one, and conventionally stated his name in his deep voice, "Aris Salvadge."

"Of course, " Allea flashed her professionally-trained smile and pulled her hand back, "I have heard great things about you, Mr. Salvadge. It's an honor to meet you in person."

Expressionlessly, Aris gave a subtle nod and uttered out a single word, "Likewise."

If someone else was in her position, ending a conversation with the man would be intimating under his imposing personality. Still, slyly Allea once again slighted him and moved toward his father with a look around the hall and acclaimed, "I must say, what a magnificent mansion you have, Mr. Salvadge."

Hearing her words, Nicholas Slavadge spoke with a little bit of coldness, "Perhaps, if you have accepted my dinner invitations you could have a look inside."

"I kind of regret that now."

Nicholas smiled at Allea's docile words, "You're welcome anytime, but I know if I invite you next time, you'd still decline with some petty excuse."

She gave a light laugh but didn't deny his words, "What I can say, you know me."

"I just like to believe I do," Stated Mr. Salvadge with hearty laughter and added after a pause of patting her shoulder lightly, "I hope you're enjoying the party."

"I'm."

"Standing away here, meet some people. Come, I'll introduce you to some handsome men."

"I'm good, I have a handsome man at my side, who else do I need?"

Saying this Allea gave Elijah a sideway glance, who just stood at the side unobtrusively like a non-existent entity and occasionally drinking his whisky. Nicholas Salvadge also moved his eyes to look at him, when the focus again turned to him, Elijah gave his dazzling smile and nod at Allea's words.

Returning Elijah's smile, Mr. Slavadge once again turned toward her, "That's right, but meeting new people's good, for business and for yourself too."

"That I agree but as I said, you know me." Shrugged Allea, Nicholas was conscious that this girl doesn't care about gaining favors and making reciprocities with others so didn't comment further and excused himself to meet others.

"Well then allow me to excuse myself."

Allea nodded with an of course and a polite smile, when Nicholas Salvadge left, the man who could have also left long ago when the conversation didn't involve him, also left with his father -with the same unconcerned mask, making his emotion and thoughts impossible to read.

The curious crowd, whose eyes were trained on the group couldn't help but once again get amazed at how casually Allea was talking to Nicholas Salvadge, like some other friend. Moreover, he, himself, went to meet her among the people he greeted first along with his family. Now they can see why she didn't bother herself with others because she was not here for the same reason as them, she was here to be a part of Nicholas Slavadges' celebration. Some also thought that if she had connections with Nicholas Slavadge, then she doesn't really need to associate or familiarize herself with others.

The way his eyes lingered on her when she shook hand with that man, who was in sight of every woman there, ah, how much they wanted to be her.