Chapter 4 004

IRIS POV

It was one of those cold December night. I'd gotten an invite to a charity thing the local forensics foundation was throwing, a small thank you for my work this past year.

Going wasn't optional, but it wasn't a chore either. Mostly, it was a room stuffed with folks who valued titles and who thought they knew all about facts and proof.

I got there early, sneaking past the swarm of hosts and photos, my heels clicking on the marble as I walked by. I paused for a sec, watching everyone there as candles flickered on dinner tables, and chill music drifted through the hall. I mostly saw the drinks, the little snacks, and the polite chatter.

Then there he was once again.

Vale Creed.

He was in the crowd but easy to spot, even among the fancy dressers not because of ego, loud talk, or being over-the-top. But merely 'cause he carried himself differently with his dark suit, perfect fit, and hair slicked back.

Like the rest of the room was just background noise.

I looked away fast since I shouldn't be thinking about him, he was trouble in ways I didn't know yet. But I saw him again, just as his eyes flicked to mine, sizing me up.

I tugged at my coat and moved towards the snacks, trying to look chill but of course, my brain went dead. Instead of thinking about what I was gonna eat, I replayed the quick talk we had weeks ago. The way he spoke and the small smile that didn't reach his eyes.

You’re Dr. William, someone beside me said and I turned to see a colleague I knew. “I've heard about your work on bones, it's good stuff.”

I nodded, thanked them as I could, and took off, eyes moving across the room.

He’d moved closer to the center now, talking to someone else, but not really into the convo. Then he did something I didn’t see happening, he walked toward me, slow and steady.

“Dr. William,” he said when he got to me. His voice was quiet, calm, almost like he was talking to someone random. “Didn't think I'd see you here.”

“Me neither,” I said, keeping my voice even, I wasn't freaked out, but I knew every move, every word, everything.

“Are you having a good time?” He quickly looked around before looking at me again, like the room was just the edge of what he could see.

“It’s… fine,” I said, letting the word hang, I didn't wanna say it was boring, or that I was checking him out more than anything but he didn't push it.

He tilted his head a bit, like he was checking out how I stood, the way I held my glass. “I find events like this… the same old thing. But sometimes you see something new.”

I raised an eyebrow, almost in a funny way. “Like what?”

He didn’t answer right away but instead looked at me sharply. “Someone who doesn't stick out,” he said at last. “Even in a crowd like this, some people are just different.”

I blinked because that was not a nice thing to say, really, it wasn't even flirting but the way he said it made me feel aware. How I stood, how I moved through the room, how much of me was hidden, and how little people really knew.

“I'll take that as… You're noticing things,” I finally said and he smiled a little, just a twitch in the corner of his mouth. “It’s better to notice than guess,” he replied.

I thought about that and he was right, of course since seeing things told you more than guessing ever could. I had learned that my whole life and my dad had drilled it into me a lot, saying proof was all that mattered, the only thing that would hold up. And yet… There was someone who watched not just what I did, but who I was.

Before I could say anything, he was leading me out of the shadows and into the dance floor that was filled with people who must have been dealing with lesser issues than the thoughts in my head

I wanted to refuse or pull away but the mischief which sparkled in his dark eyes wouldn't let me, it was as if I had been hypnotized and held captive by his gaze, and for that moment, I let myself experience this, it could be as well take my mind off everything.

His hand slowly but surely crept up to my waist, holding me firmly and with such confidence that we moved in sync, gracefully, even though I had never tried ballroom dancing, at least until tonight.

As I leaned in, his hot breath ghosted over my ear and I shivered, shocked by how much I reacted to such a small action, but my senses still let me notice the numerous eyes on us because unwanted stares pricked my skin.

The one thing I shouldn't be doing...attracting attention to myself was unfortunately the outcome when you were with someone as obvious as Mr. Creed but I wanted to bask in his warmth for a few more moments, just because.

When he finally leaned away to look into my eyes as the tune of the music blasting in the hall changed, he had a look I couldn't properly decipher on his face before he lifted my hand, sweetly kissed me at the back of my palm, and then smiled for a second.

"I have a feeling we'll meet again soon, Miss William, but until then, do take care" he whispered, and just like that, he was stepping away and into the crowd, leaving me stunned for some seconds before I composed myself and moved to the open bar for a drink or two.

After our dance, the night dragged on, I said what I had to, nodded when I should, and I kept up the act I always do.

I felt him, like he was still there, even though he was gone.

When I stepped outside into the cold December air, the snow had started to fall. It got on my coat and hair, a nice reminder that the world kept going.

I stopped for a second on the sidewalk, breathing in the cold air. The gala was done, Mr. Creed was gone, but I was still thinking of him.

I slowly walked home, listening to the sound of snow under my shoes. I thought about the life I had made this past year, the stuff that kept me happy, that kept my mind focused.

I knew that some people slipped into your life without asking and Vale Creed was one of them so we would definitely meet again like he said.

The snow fell harder as I got to my place, covering the streets and roofs. I went inside, took off my coat and shoes, feeling good to be alone and happy to sleep soon.

The night was done but there was a presence.

And it told me that something was in the air, waiting for the right time to strike, and it definitely wasn't snow.