Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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My nerves were tingling while I made my way to the party.

I had a number of concerns about seeing Magda again.

Will I be able to maintain my composure? What if I shrink in fear, how I used to do before?

Just thinking about facing Magda created knots in my stomach. Yes, I am not a weak girl anymore, but Magda was (and is) my personal bully and it's not easy to shake off the fear that got embedded into my bones.

Will she recognize me as Sanya? She shouldn't. Other than clothes and makeup, my bearing is different.

The plain old Sanya is no more. I am Seraphina Mezzanotte, the heiress, Aldus's daughter, an immortal with several abilities that will help me through tonight. I chanted this to lift my spirits.

Everything is set in motion, and Duke said that he will help. I can't chicken out now.

In the worst case, I can use my ability and suffocate everyone until they pass out and I make my exit. They will think it happened due to gas leakage or something like that.

Luckily, John assured me that his father won't be here. I don't have the mental capacity to deal with that man. His whiny voicemails about how he will treat me well are cringe-worthy.

Magda strutted toward me with her mean face on, and one of her lackeys behind her, and I knew that Magda was about to say something unpleasant. Or is she?

I obstructed her airflow, and she was unable to form any words. Now my vicious bully looked like a toothless dog.

That was more fun than I thought it will be. The only thing that would make it better is if she knew that it was me behind it. But I can't reveal that with witnesses around.

Henry showed up unexpectedly. I didn't see him since the party at Notte Pharmaceuticals, three years ago. I thought that he might be grumpy because I was avoiding him. Actually, I was not avoiding him, I just had other things to do, and maintaining a friendship with Henry was low on my list of priorities.

Henry was cool about it, acting in the same way he did three years ago. Friendly and chatty. He even introduced me to two of his friends who looked like they are about to ask me for an autograph.

John suggested that we join the party and the faint fragrance of pine trees mixed with the ocean told me that Duke is on the right.

I swept my eyes over the people and my world stopped when I spotted those endless blue pools I could drown in willingly. Of course, Duke was already looking at me.

"Excuse me, I need to greet someone…"

I thought that John, Henry, David, and Kyle will get the hint and stay behind, but they followed after me.

My appearance made a bigger splash than I predicted. There was nothing wrong with that. When I decided to come here, my intention was to start chipping away everything Magda holds dear, right in front of her eyes, and she definitely loves her popularity.

Magda's hostility was tangible, but there was nothing she could do.

"It's always a delight to see you, Serina…", Sebastian said before kissing the back of my palm.

I felt Duke's arm around my waist, and he pulled me closer to him.

"Hi, Seb…" I turned to Duke. "You look dashing."

His smile made my heart skip a beat as he pulled my hand toward his lips to place a gentle kiss on my knuckles.

"There are no words strong enough to describe how gorgeous you are.", Duke said without breaking eye contact and I felt heat invading my cheeks.

"Sweet talker."

Duke chuckled and slid from the barstool he was sitting on, gesturing for me to take a seat which I did.

Sebastian eyed us suspiciously and he opened his mouth to say something, but then he noticed John, Henry, David, and Kyle, and he gave up on talking.

Duke knew all four newcomers and he was quick to start chatting with them, Sebastian included.

Duke didn't hold my hand, but his hip leaned on mine, taking advantage of the crowd that gathered at the bar area.

My plan was that we send ambiguous signals at first, and maybe give Magda hope that she has a chance with Duke before we pull the rug under her feet.

Magda was not in the visible range, but I knew that she was keeping an eye on us. Duke was finally on her territory, and I insulted her. There was no way that Magda will let any of us go without confronting us.

I could feel Duke's urge to hug me and pull me close, especially with these five guys around us, and I was touched to see how much Duke is holding back because of me.

One drink after another, the time passed.

"Where is Magda?", Sebastian asked John.

John looked around. "She was here when I came down to welcome Seraphina. She probably went to the other side where food and dancing are. You didn't see her?"

Sebastian shook his head. "I'm here since five-thirty and the birthday girl didn't make an appearance. I heard that she is in the suite upstairs."

"I arrived much later, but I heard the same thing…", Duke chimed in. "Kim was here, and she told me that Magda was waiting for someone."

John frowned for a second and I saw him shot a side-glance at Duke before responding, "I'm not sure what she is up to. Anyway, we don't need her to enjoy the evening." He lifted his glass toward mine in an air-clink.

"You owe me a dance.", Henry said to me.

I had no idea from where he got that. "I do?"

Henry pouted like a child. "You attended a party in London recently, and John and Seb got to dance with you, yet I didn't."

I stifled a laugh. "If we go by that logic, everyone here can claim the same thing and if I give in, I will be dancing for a long time."

"Are you saying that you have no plans to dance tonight?", John asked.

"I do want to dance. But I don't want to indulge anyone's requests."

"Am I just anyone?", Henry protested.

"Of course, not. However, if I have a choice, I would like to dance with Drago."

Duke took one step away and bowed while offering me his hand. "It will be my honor."

"I get the next dance.", Henry claimed shamelessly.

I put my hand into Duke's, and shook my head at Henry. "That's not how it works. Drago has special privileges, and we will dance until he says that we are done."

Duke didn't let go of my hand, and our fingers interlaced as we made our way toward the lounge across the hallway where the dance area was.

As soon as we started moving at the beat of the slow jazz music, Duke lowered his head and took a deep breath while his nose tickled my neck.

"I missed you.", I whispered. I really did.

"I was right there.", Duke responded with amusement in his voice.

"Not close enough."

"I agree." Duke's smile reached his eyes.

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