I allowed her to lead me, keeping my expression composed. Every step brought me closer to Gabriel, who stood near the bar, laughing with a group of men. When his eyes finally met mine, the laughter died.
His gaze hardened as he took me in, recognition flickering in his eyes. But he masked it quickly, his smile forced.
“Mr. Montenegro,” I said, extending a hand. “It’s an honor to meet you… again.”
He hesitated, his grip firm as he shook my hand. “I thought… this was a close party?” He diverted his gaze on Janette, emphasizing his tone. “For investors.”
I let out a soft laugh. “I invested in MCC. And… I wanted to apologize for my behavior that night. I was... overwhelmed.”
“Overwhelmed?” he echoed, his tone unreadable.
“Yes,” I said, my voice laced with faux sincerity. “It’s been a difficult one for me. I hope you’ll accept my apology.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. “Of course. No harm done.”
Pretentious. Indeed.
The party continued, the tension between us simmering beneath the surface. I observed him from a distance, noting how he interacted with others. He was cautious, always calculating, and I knew he’d already begun unraveling the threads of my sudden appearance.