chapter 48

Alex tugged at Amaira’s sleeve, his eyes twinkling with excitement. “Mom, can I look around for a while? Please?”Amaira glanced down at her son, already knowing there was no stopping him when he got curious. With a sigh, she kneeled slightly and straightened his bow tie. “Be careful, Alex. Stay within the hall, and if anything seems off, find me immediately.”Alex grinned. “I know, I know! I’ll be back soon.” With that, he disappeared into the masked crowd, his small frame blending into the grandeur of the event.Amaira exhaled and turned back to the food court, lifting a delicate forkful of the finest cuisine to her lips. The flavors danced on her tongue, but her mind was elsewhere.For some reason, she felt eyes on her.She subtly scanned the ballroom, her gloved fingers tightening around the stem of her wine glass. Was someone watching her? Or was it just her nerves getting the best of her?The feeling didn’t fade.Then, suddenly, the chandeliers dimmed, and a warm golden glow bathed the hall as soft, enchanting music filled the air. Couples moved gracefully onto the dance floor, their masks adding an air of mystery to the swirling figures.Amaira remained at the side, her poised stance making her a striking figure even among the elegantly dressed elite. People admired her—she could feel their gazes. Some whispered among themselves, likely discussing the breathtaking woman in the silver mask.Yet not a single man approached her.It wasn’t just her beauty that made them hesitate. After all, the men here were wealthy and confident, accustomed to the company of stunning women.No—what held them back was something else.She had arrived with a child.A woman as refined, as radiant as her, yet seen with a boy by her side, made them wary. Was she married? Widowed? No one wanted to risk stepping forward, only to discover they had overstepped a line.Amaira smirked slightly to herself, swirling the wine in her glass.Good.She had no interest in dancing tonight. Her only concern was her son and the unsettling feeling that someone—somewhere—was watching her.And if that was true…She needed to find out who it was before they found her first.***Nicolo moved through the grand hall, his sharp gaze scanning the crowd. He had seen something—someone—just moments ago, a flicker of familiarity that sent a jolt through him. He needed to find her.Meanwhile, Justin wandered freely, his guards keeping a careful distance. Nicolo trusted them, but his mind was elsewhere.Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He frowned and pulled it out, seeing Selena’s name flash across the screen. With an irritated sigh, he answered.“Where are you?” Selena’s voice was laced with fake sweetness, but the irritation was evident. “You disappeared with our son on his birthday, Nicolo! How could you? I should be there. I deserve to be there.”Nicolo exhaled sharply. “Selena, cut the act. You never cared about his birthday before. You just want an excuse to follow me around.”“That’s not true—”“I’m done with this.” His voice was ice-cold. “If you actually cared about Justin, you would’ve been there when it mattered. But you didn’t, and now you want to play the role of a devoted mother? Spare me.”Before she could protest further, he ended the call. He had wasted enough time.He pocketed his phone and turned toward the food court—only to have his breath catch for a split second.There, standing with effortless grace, was the most stunning woman in the entire ballroom.She was draped in elegance, her dress sculpted to perfection, her mask mysterious yet alluring. A few men had gathered around her, each trying to charm her into a dance. She responded with polite smiles, yet she remained untouchable, her presence powerful enough to keep them at bay.Nicolo wasn’t the kind of man to notice women easily, but something about her—something in the way she held herself—felt hauntingly familiar.His instincts screamed at him.Could it be…?Without hesitation, he moved forward, his presence alone enough to make the other men step aside. He didn’t waste words—he simply extended his hand.“Dance with me.”Amaira froze for half a second, her fingers gripping her glass tighter.She knew that voice. That stance. That presence.Even beneath the mask, he was undeniably Scar Boss.But she was a master of composure. She tilted her head slightly, letting an amused smile play on her lips as she placed her hand in his. “I suppose one dance wouldn’t hurt.”As they moved to the center of the floor, the music swelled, and the two began to dance.Nicolo kept his grip firm, his gaze intense. “You seem familiar.”Amaira met his eyes, feigning curiosity. “Do I?”“Yes.” He studied her, searching for any sign, any crack in her mask. “Have we met before?”She let out a soft chuckle, tilting her head slightly as if pondering. “Perhaps in another life?”His grip on her waist tightened ever so slightly. “You remind me of someone.”She met his gaze boldly, keeping her cool. “Lucky her.”The dance continued, the air between them charged with something unspoken. Nicolo watched her every movement, every subtle expression, trying to decipher the mystery. But Amaira played her role flawlessly, dodging his questions with elegance, never once slipping.By the time the music ended, Nicolo stepped back, still uncertain.She felt like Amaira.But something in her demeanor—her effortless detachment, her easy amusement—convinced him otherwise.He exhaled and gave her a slight nod. “I suppose I was mistaken.”Amaira smiled. “That happens sometimes.”Without another word, Nicolo turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.Amaira remained still for a moment, watching him leave. Then, with a quiet sigh, she turned back to the balcony, allowing herself a small, knowing smile.She had won this round.