It was the weekend, and Elizabeth was already dressed sharply in a crisp white blouse tucked into a beige pencil skirt. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floors as she descended for breakfast. Her hair was tied in a sleek ponytail, and she wore minimal makeup—just enough to enhance her ethereal features.
After a quick breakfast, she left for the Southside restaurant branch, the same one her father had mentioned last weekend. The ride was smooth, and after an hour, her car pulled up at the luxurious restaurant adorned with vintage vines and a modern rustic design.
The manager greeted her respectfully, bowing slightly. "Miss Ashford, we're honored by your presence."
Elizabeth only gave a slight nod. "Let's begin."
Inside the office, she discussed recent losses, the staff rotation, customer feedback, and upcoming strategies. After nearly an hour of professional exchange, Elizabeth stood up, collected her notepad, and gave a light nod. "That will be all."
"Would you like to dine before leaving, Miss?" the manager offered.
"…Sure. Bring it to a corner table."
She sat at a private corner, glass panels displaying a lush green garden outside. The calm view gave her momentary peace. Her silver hair gleamed under the soft light, and her grey eyes stared into the distance.
She had just placed her order when she felt… a presence.
Her gaze shifted slightly.
There, standing a few feet away, was a man.
Tall. Devastatingly handsome. Snow-white tousled hair. Sculpted features. Ocean-blue eyes that sparkled with mischief, curiosity, and a hint of chaos. He wore a casual black turtle neck and a silver chain that danced against his collarbone like it had a secret. His posture screamed arrogance—no, confidence. Pure, unfiltered confidence.
Niklaus Devilson.
For a moment, Elizabeth's breath hitched. Her eyes unknowingly trailed down to his lips—soft, pink, and curved with a devil-may-care smirk.
Nik, catching her gaze, tilted his head with exaggerated drama.
Then, in a scandalized tone loud enough for nearby tables to hear—
"PERVERT!"
Elizabeth's head snapped back so fast she might've cracked her neck. Her eyes widened in pure, unfiltered disbelief.
Nik covered his chest with both arms like a shy maiden. "How dare you look at me like that! I have dignity, woman! Respect my boundaries!"
Nearby guests stared.
Elizabeth turned bright red. She clenched her jaw and hissed, "Are you out of your mind?"
Nik gasped. "Oh no! Now she's angry! Someone call HR—oh wait, we're not in an office! Darn it, who do I report this harassment to?"
She narrowed her eyes. "You're insane."
"I'm cute, too. Bonus points?"
She stood up to leave.
He quickly raised a hand, chuckling. "Okay, okay, I surrender! Sit down, please. I was just teasing. You looked like you needed a smile."
Elizabeth glared. But something in his playful grin… made her pause. And sit.
"Thank you for not stabbing me with your fork. I consider that progress," he added, sitting across from her without permission.
"I didn't invite you to sit."
"But fate did." He grinned. "You looked lonely. I'm a certified mood-lifter. 5-star reviews from my mom."
She sighed. "I was eating alone. Now I'm being harassed by a talking Christmas ornament."
Nik pouted. "Harsh. But valid."
Their food arrived. Elizabeth picked up her fork gracefully. Nik? He dug in like he hadn't eaten in days.
"Are you… okay?" she asked dryly.
"Not until dessert." He grinned, sauce smeared slightly on the corner of his lip.
Elizabeth reached for a napkin, hesitated, then pushed it toward him silently.
He took it with a wink. "So gentle. Am I growing on you?"
She sighed again, this time… lighter.
After eating, Nik leaned back, looking at her with full admiration.
"You're really something," he said.
She raised a brow.
"I mean it. You have this calm hurricane energy. Like if Elsa from Frozen was in charge of a hostile corporate takeover."
"…Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
"Of course. I love scary women."
She coughed on her water.
He blinked. "Wait—do you have a boyfriend?"
She choked harder.
Nik jumped up in concern. "Oh no—are you okay?! Water? Heimlich? Mouth to mouth—wait, no, that's probably a lawsuit."
She raised her hand, her cold gaze pinning him to the spot. "Know your limits."
He gulped. "Okay. Limits noted. Respect mode: Activated."
She grabbed her purse, stood up, and left with her usual grace and frosty aura.
Nik watched her walk away, a goofy grin spreading across his face.
"She didn't say she had a boyfriend…" he muttered to himself. "Victoryyyyy."
Then, noticing people staring, he barked out, "WHAT?!"
Everyone looked away instantly, a cold shiver running down their spines.
—
Meanwhile, Elizabeth arrived home. She had no appetite for dinner, considering the late lunch.
She cleaned up, did some company work, then lay in bed.
But the moment she closed her eyes… those ridiculous, concerned blue eyes popped up again.
She groaned, opened the bedside drawer, and popped a sleeping pill.
Yet…
The blue-eyed demon haunted her even in dreams.
Unbeknownst to her, that same demon was already plotting.
"Told you… If we meet again i will never let you go," Nik whispered under the stars.
And the hunt had only just begun.