BOUND BY OBSESSION

HERMIONE

The sound of laughter and the clicking of glasses echoed through the grand ballroom, a lavish place lit by crystal chandeliers. Guests mingled in expensive evening wear, their smiles as polished as the marble floors beneath their feet. The air was thick with the unspoken rules of high society - small talk, subtle glances, and the careful dance of power and influence. 

I am not one to be swept away by the opulence of the room. She has seen it all before. As a successful lawyer with years of experience navigating the world of wealth and power, I knew that beneath the glittering facades were secrets, deals, and hidden agendas. Tonight, my goal is simple: network, gather information, and maintain the composure I'd perfected over the years.

I stood near the bar, scanning the room for any familiar faces, my glass of wine untouched in my hand. It wasn't long before my attention was drawn to a man standing across the room. I stood near the bar, glass of wine in hand, scanning the room when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Hermione," Mr. Joshua called, his voice warm with the pride of a mentor.

I turned to face him, my former professor from Harvard Law School, a man who had guided me through some of the toughest years of my career. Beside him stood a man I recognized instantly, though we had never met before.

Dylan Voss.

Tall. Imposing. A presence so commanding that it seemed to bend the very atmosphere around him. The dark suit he wore was impeccably tailored, molding to his broad shoulders like a second skin. But it wasn't his wealth or his reputation that made the air around him feel heavier. It was his gaze—cold, calculating, piercing through me with an intensity that sent a shiver along my spine.

"Dylan, this is Hermione Vale—one of my brightest students. A brilliant mind and an exceptional corporate lawyer," Mr. Joshua said, the pride evident in his voice.

Dylan's eyes never left mine.

"A pleasure," he said smoothly, his voice a rich baritone that carried just enough authority to command attention.

I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. "Likewise, Mr. Voss."

Mr. Joshua smiled, glancing between us before his attention shifted elsewhere. "Hermione, I'd love for you to meet a few of my colleagues. Excuse us, Dylan."

And just like that, I followed Mr Joshau around, leaving Dylan to talk to the people waiting to have a conversation with him.

Mr Joshua, my mentor, went on introducing me to top officials, wealthy CEOs of successful companies, and politicians at the party.

After I'm left alone to refill my drink at the bar, I was able to take in the fact that I was just introduced to the MR DYLAN VOSS, I must say his reputation precedes him. I stood there staring at him unconsciously and as though sensing my gaze, he turned, locking eyes with me across the room. The world seemed to still for a brief moment and I felt a sense of pull. It wasn't an attraction not in the traditional sense but something more unsettling. A sense of power . A warning.

He didn't look away.

I held his gaze, my posture stiffening as I fought the instinct to look away first. I was no stranger to power play but this man's silent challenge stirred something in me I wasn't prepared for. He wasn't like the other men I had encountered. It felt like a text. A challenge I didn't ask for and then, as if he were drawn to me he started walking towards me, cutting through the crowd like a predator on the hunt. I took a steadying breath, trying to ignore the flutter in my chests. I'm not here to get swept up in whatever game he was playing. I had a job to do and that didn't include entertaining a billionaire's interest.

When he reached me, the air around us seemed to thicken, charged with something unspoken.

"Ms Vale, I presume" his voice was smooth, low, with an edge that sent a shiver down my spine.

I raised an eyebrow, keeping my tone light. "I'm not sure if you're asking or telling Mr. Voss. 

He didn't seem offended. Infact, the corner of his mouth curled up slightly, like he found my comment interesting "I've heard a lot about you", he said, his gaze never leaving mine. "A rising star in the legal world. You must have a very sharp mind, not many people would dare enter into my world and not be afraid".

I couldn't help the slight twitch of a smile on my lips. "And I take it that's supposed to intimidate me?"

 His smile deepened, but there was no warmth behind it. It was cold calculating, like he knew exactly what I was thinking."Not at all. I find it fascinating when people are unafraid most would be shaken in their heels by now".

"I'm not most people", I replied, the words slipping out before I could stop them.But it wasn't true. I wasn't afraid of him. Not yet.

He studied me for a moment as if weighing every word. And then to my surprise, he leaned in just slightly, his presence looming over me, but not threatening. No it was something more enticing, like he was measuring me. "No you're not", he said softly. "That's what makes you interesting".

I could feel his eyes on me, as if he was taking note of every subtle movement every shift in my expression. It was almost as though he could read me-could see all the things i'd carefully built up over the years and I didn't like it.

" so", I said, forcing my voice to stay steady," is there something you wanted, Mr Voss? because I'm not in the mood for games.

 He tilted his head slightly as if the idea of playing games amused him "I just thought we would talk. Perhaps there is something we both could learn from each other. After all, we both operate in worlds where power and control are everything". 

I wasn't sure what he meant by that, but my instincts screamed at me to tread carefully. He wasn't just some bored billionaire looking for company. This was something else.

"I'm not here for business Mr. Voss" , I replied coolly, keeping my guard up. "If you want to talk we can keep it professional, if not you're not my type"

For a moment he just stood there, he just stood there, a small knowing smile playing on his lips. It was like he knew exactly what to say to make me second guessing everything I'd just said "we'll see about that'', he replied softly, his tone darker now, with a hint of something dangerous that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

And just like that, he turned away, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding in my chest. I told myself it was just another encounter. Another man who thought he could have whatever he wanted.

But as I watched him disappear into the crowd, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't over. This is just the beginning . And I was already in deeper than I wanted to be.