JOAN’S POV
As the limo pulled up to the entrance of the gala, my heart raced. The moment the door opened and Derrick stepped out, the blinding flashes of cameras made my pulse quicken. He turned back toward me, offering his hand. His dark, commanding presence seemed to make everything around him fade, as if he alone controlled the scene. I hesitated for a second, not used to this kind of attention, but then I took his hand and stepped out into the madness of flashing lights and voices calling out his name.
The photographers didn’t hesitate to capture every second, their cameras snapping away furiously as Derrick wrapped an arm around my waist, drawing me closer. His grip was firm-possessive almost-and I couldn’t help but feel the electricity between us. I knew this was all for show, a public display for the paparazzi and the high-profile guests that awaited us inside. But that didn’t stop the warmth that rushed through me at his touch.
“You alright?” he asked in a low tone as he leaned in slightly, his breath warm against my ear.
I glanced up at him, surprised by the question. Did he actually care how I felt? His face was unreadable. His usual cold calculated expression was in place, but his hand tightened just a little on my waist as if he genuinely wanted to know.
“I’m fine,” I answered softly.
I wasn’t sure if I was fine. My emotions were a tangled mess, and being this close to Derrick only made things more complicated. Being this close to him made my heart rate increase, my breath hitch. It made my whole body aware of his presence.
He nodded, not saying anything further. Our security team cleared a path through the crowd, and soon we were stepping into a huge ballroom. The change in atmosphere was instant-the noise of the paparazzi fading into the background, replaced by soft, elegant music and the low hum of conversation from the elite of society.
The room was breathtaking. The glittering chandeliers hanging from high ceilings highlighted a glow over everything. The air smelled of expensive perfume and freshly cut flowers, the kind of luxury that felt worlds away from where I came from. The people here were dressed expensive, in ways i would see in magazines. Their jewelry literally shimmered under the chandelier light.
Servers passed from one person to another, serving wine and other finger food. Music played from a live Orchestra. The air was filled with laughter and conversation.
As we moved further inside, I could feel eyes on me. People looked at me with curiosity and judgment, probably wondering who I was and how lucky I was to be with Derrick Stonewood. I mean, this was a man that ladies would kill to just be near him.
These were the upper echelons of society-billionaires, politicians, and people who held real power. And here I was, walking beside Derrick, his hand still on my waist, as if I belonged here.
“Derrick, you didn’t mention you were bringing such a stunning guest,” a man’s voice cut through my thoughts.
I turned to see a tall, older man with silver hair and sharp eyes approach us. Derrick’s grip on me didn’t loosen as he greeted the man with a firm handshake.
“Joan, this is Senator DeLuca,” Derrick said “Senator, this is Joan, my girlfriend.”
I could feel the senator’s eyes on me, assessing me in the way powerful men often do, as if trying to figure out what I was worth. I offered a polite smile to him.
“Good evening, sir” I said.
“A pleasure to meet you, Joan,” the senator said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He reached for my hand, and before I could react, he lifted it to his lips as if to kiss it.
For a split second, I thought I saw Derrick stiffen, his jaw tightening. It was subtle, but there-a flicker of something like jealousy or possessiveness.
I barely had time to register it before Derrick smoothly interrupted.
“We should keep moving, Senator. Enjoy your evening.” His hand never left me as we moved through the crowd. He introduced me to one powerful figure after another. It was all a blur-names, faces, polite smiles-and yet through it all, Derrick’s touch remained constant.
He introduced me to people I would have never imagined meeting, people I only saw on TV, blogs or in the newspapers. It was like a dream for me.
But underneath the polished facade of the gala, I could feel the tension. These weren’t just casual introductions. Every handshake, every look felt like a negotiation, a careful dance in a dangerous game of power.
And Derrick? He was right in the middle of it, using me as part of whatever game he was playing. I wanted to pull away, to not be part of this, but every time I felt the urge to step back, his hand would tighten just a fraction, reminding me that I couldn’t leave. Not yet.
The night wore on. The energy in the room shifter from formal to something more charged as deals were made and secrets were whispered behind closed doors. At some point, I excused myself, needing to catch my breath.
I slipped out onto a quiet balcony. I needed to catch my breath. The atmosphere was too suffocating for me. The city stretched out below, glittering in the moonlight.
I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to steady my thoughts. Everything about tonight felt so surreal, and yet, it was my reality now. Being engaged to Derrick, thrust into this world where power and influence were everything. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, letting the sound of the city wash over me.
“You’re hiding,” came Derrick’s voice from behind me.
I didn’t turn around right away, but I felt the shift in the air as he stepped closer.
“Just… taking a breather,” I said quietly.
I opened my eyes and turned to face him, finding him standing just a few feet away, his hands in his pockets.
For a brief moment, we just looked at each other. The cool night air carried the scent of his cologne-something deep and woodsy that always seemed to make my head spin. In the moonlight, his features softened. The harsh edges of his usual cold demeanor melted away just a little. He looked… human. Vulnerable, even.
“It’s a lot, isn’t it?” he said, surprising me.
His tone was quieter than usual, as if he wasn’t speaking to the version of me he presented to the world but to the real Joan. “This whole world… it can be suffocating.”
I blinked, unsure how to respond. This was the first time he had spoken to me like this-as if we were two people sharing a moment instead of just playing roles.
“Yeah,” I said “It is.”
Derrick’s gaze shifted. His eyes scanned the city skyline.
“Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it,” he said quietly, almost to himself.
I stared at him, surprised by the vulnerability in his words. It wasn’t like him to show weakness or doubt. I watched him in the moonlight, noticing how striking he looked-his sharp features softened by the silver glow, his eyes reflecting something deeper, something I hadn’t seen before.
My heart skipped a beat. How could someone so powerful, so untouchable, seem so… lost?
Before I could say anything, Derrick’s expression shifted, hardening again as if he had remembered himself. He looked at me, his usual coldness returning.
“Be careful tonight, Joan,” he said, his voice back to its usual clipped tone. “Play your role, and don’t let anyone see you falter.”
And just like that, the moment was gone.
I nodded.
“I will,” I promised, but inside, I was still trying to process everything that had just happened.
Why had he shown me that glimpse of his real self, only to retreat behind his walls again?
Derrick turned and left without another word, leaving me alone once more on the balcony. I stared out over the city, my mind spinning. There was so much I didn’t understand about him, so much hidden beneath the surface. And yet, I couldn’t deny the pull I felt toward him-the way his touch made my skin tingle, the way his words lingered in my mind long after he was gone.
What was it that made him so distant, so cold? And why, despite everything, did I still find myself drawn to him?
I stayed there for a long time, watching the city below, wondering what Derrick was hiding-and why I couldn’t seem to stop caring.