The elevator opened with a soft ding, and Elsa stepped into the rooftop lounge of The Obsidian Crown, one of Velmora's most exclusive sky bars.
She didn't remember telling anyone she needed a break.She didn't remember booking a table.
But the message on her phone was simple:
"Come alone. Tonight. 9PM. —C.G."
Now she stood in six-inch heels and a black velvet dress, hair in soft waves, heart pounding like she was being hunted and courted all at once.
The host greeted her with a nod. "Mr. Golding is waiting."
Of course he was.
🌒 Unexpected
Chess sat by the window, backlit by moonlight and the city's glow. No guards. No distractions. Just a glass of whiskey in one hand and a look in his eyes that made her feel like the world had just tilted.
"You're late," he said softly, rising as she approached.
"You didn't give me much notice," she replied, smoothing her dress.
"I didn't need to," he said. "I knew you'd come."
She opened her mouth to respond—but stopped. Because in that moment, he didn't look like a CEO or a bored billionaire husband.
He looked like a king on the edge of war… and she didn't know if she wanted to stop him or join him.
🥂 Truth Without Words
They sat. A quiet violin played from the corner. He poured her a drink—her favorite. She never told him that.
"You've been digging," he said.
Elsa's spine stiffened. "Excuse me?"
"Your server pings. You searched my name. An old article. A child and a monk.""You're curious."
"Maybe I'm just tired of being married to a mystery."
He chuckled. "You're not tired. You're intrigued."
And that was when it hit her—
Chess had wanted her to search. He'd left that trail. Like breadcrumbs in a labyrinth. Letting her wander deeper into his maze, only to find he'd been watching from the center the whole time.
🕯️ And Then, the Shift
"I'm done waiting," he said suddenly, tone cooling.
"Waiting for what?"
He leaned in, voice a whisper.
"For you to realize you're not the hunter in this story."
Elsa froze.
"I've protected you," he continued. "Held back. Let you make your moves. Your boardroom games. Your petty counterstrikes."
"But you're standing on a battlefield, Elsa."
"And I'm not a king."
"I'm the dragon that burned the last one."
She stared at him, heart a thunderstorm in her chest. But even in the fear… even in the chill crawling up her spine…
She was smiling.
💫 The Turn
"So," she said finally, swirling her wine. "You're done hiding?"
"No," he murmured. "I'm just done pretending I'm not already winning."
He stood, offering his hand.
"Dance with me."
The music changed—slow, haunting. And without understanding why, she took his hand and let him lead her to the center of the empty rooftop floor.
And as they danced, Elsa realized something she didn't know before:
She had never truly seen him.
But now that she had?
She didn't want to look away.