Chapter 2 TALIA

Stepping into a ballroom felt overwhelming when my mind was burdened with the task of finding a husband. I didn’t know how to go about it. I’d only blurted it out to my mother because she kept harping on about husbands. She was an old-fashioned person living in this century, and I couldn’t stop her from being so conservative.

After an hour of wandering around the ballroom and trying to socialize with the wealthy people, I began to doubt I'd find a husband here. I didn't know anyone here, and they didn't bother to get to know me. Most of them ignored me because they knew I wasn't one of them. The rich men didn't even glance at me. It was unlike the romantic dramas I often watched, where the poor girl got lucky and married a rich man.

Hell, that was complete bullshit.

Rich men were able to detect wealthy women of their level. Ordinary women like me weren't even on their radar.

I took champagne from the tray of a waiter who had just passed by. I decided to stand alone in a corner of the ballroom, observing. My mind worked hard to find a suitable excuse for my mother, while my mouth was busy sipping champagne.

My mother probably already knew I was going to fail tonight. I hadn't seen any optimism on her face as I left for the atrium. She simply said take care before closing the main door. She'd already arranged to meet Caleb the day after tomorrow, so she wouldn't mind if I failed to find a husband tonight.

Shit.

I didn't want to date, let alone marry that guy.

I didn't like Caleb. He wasn't my type. I deserved someone who could make my heart flutter and make my body feel hot and cold with desire.

My heart...

I pressed my palm to my left chest as I felt my heart pounding so hard.

I was stunned for a moment before realizing why my heart was suddenly pounding so hard.

I had just found a man who shone brightly among the rest. He was wearing a black suit with a navy tie with silver stripes. He had a strong jawline and a classic, alluring handsomeness. He looked more intimidating than friendly. He stood among the wealthy men, but his aura intimidated everyone around him.

That man was my type.

Powerful, mature, dominant, and arrogant.

My feet moved on their own toward him. My mind went blank. My heart pounded harder as I got closer to him.

He didn't pay any attention to me at all. It was like I didn't matter to him, like I wasn't even on his radar. But just for him, I'd do my best to be on his radar.

"Good evening, gentleman."

Five men turned to look at me, but he remained frozen in place. He only glanced at me briefly over the rim of his glass as he sipped his scotch.

“Sorry to interrupt your conversation. I’m a representative from the Hudson Group. In case you’re interested in investing in our hotel chain, I’m ready to assist you.”

I handed them my business card, and they accepted it with blank stares. One man pretended to read it, while the others tucked it into their jacket pockets without bothering to read it.

I wasn’t expecting much. It was just a ploy to get close to the man. But he didn’t even glance at me.

“Sir?”

I handed him my business card. My hand hovered in midair, waiting for him to take the small card.

Tension began to creep up the back of my neck.

The man stared at my card as if I were handing him a piece of the most disgusting shit.

He didn’t look like he was going to take it.

I tried to maintain a stoic face as I slowly pulled my hand back. I was about to tuck my card back into my handbag before his sexy baritone voice stopped me.

“May I see it?”

“Sure.”

I handed him my business card.

My body felt like it was being electrocuted by thousands of volts when our fingers touched.

Obviously, I was the only one who felt it, the man didn't. He remained cold and indifferent toward me.

"Okay. Please continue your conversation, gentlemen. Good night."

I quickly fled to the balcony. My heart was pounding so hard in my ribcage that I feared it would explode right in front of him.

It was mortifying.

I cursed my stupidity for daring to step into the circle of those wealthy men. If one of them met Uncle Mike tomorrow and told him about what I did tonight, Uncle Mike would probably fire me for embarrassing him in front of those men with my actions.

My breath hitched as the door slammed shut behind me. I gripped the cold balcony railing and cursed loudly like a madwoman.

"You're such an idiot, Talia. You're embarrassing Uncle Mike. You idiot!"

I pressed my forehead against the balcony railing, frustrated and mortified.

I couldn't bear to walk back into the ballroom and face those people. I hoped I'd never meet them or cross paths with them. I hoped they wouldn't take my words seriously and contact me about that damn investment.

“Talia Sanders. A beautiful name for a beautiful and brave woman.”

I gasped at the sound of that voice.

My heels instinctively turned 180 degrees. I stared at the man with wide eyes. He was a man in a black suit with a navy tie with silver stripes. A cold, arrogant man!

He was real, and not just a figment of my imagination. He stood proudly before me, clutching my business card in his right hand.

“You’re Talia Sanders, right?”