Alex Hunter's pov:

"When was the last time you saw her" Jake asked me curiosity in his eyes. "Farewell of
9th grade".

"But thing is that she just disappeared out of the blue" I said while speeding the car a bit.

"Disappeared what do you mean by she disappeared ? " he straightened up his body while leaning to my side .

" She didn't attend the last final exams not a single one but this doesn't seem to be a issue for others but Ava is a person who would attend the final exams even if she is in her deathbed and after that I haven't seen her at all" i said it in a confused tone .

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The ballroom was a glittering showcase of wealth and power. Rich business men and women were there in there best outfits.

"Where the hell are you Jake" I asked him through the earpiece. "Just a sec Alex I will be there" he replied.

Currently I am sitting at one of the tables, sipping some wine, my eyes wandered at  the gathering trying to find any familiar face my bad there are none .

I hate events like these-too much champagne, too many people flaunting wealth they barely earned. But I was here on a mission, keeping a low profile at this fundraiser hosted by none other than Ava Mitchell.

Ava just finished her speech and as I was preparing how to talk to her , I looked up at the stage -she spotted me.

I took a sip from my wine, but the glass is almost empty. My focus wasn't on the drink, or even on the hum of conversations around me . It was on her.

She started walking towards me

Her tailored black suit as sharp and commanding as her presence. The clean lines of the blazer hugged her frame perfectly, paired with sleek trousers. Her fair skin seemed to glow under the soft ballroom lights, her complexion so flawless it was almost distracting.

Then there were her eyes-dark, deep, and piercing

The precision of her steps, the tilt of her head, the faint curve of her bold red lips.
I could see the faint, knowing smile that flickered across her face. It was like she'd been waiting for this moment. What is she planning to do? does she know about this?
So many questions came across my mind.

I let out a slow breath, forcing myself to focus. Get it together, Hunter. She's a person of interest, not a damn goddess.
She strode over to me, her gaze steady, a hint of mischief in her eyes.

"So," she began, stopping just close enough that I caught the faint scent of her perfume, "who exactly are you supposed to be tonight? The mysterious stranger in the corner?"

A smirk crosses  my face ,"Depends. What would you like me to be?" . Why does my face feel hot dammit.

She laughed softly, clearly amused. "I don't know. Maybe undercover security? Or just someone who couldn't resist the free champagne?"

I chuckled, holding her gaze. "If I were undercover, would I tell you?"

Her eyes sparkled, and she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "Only if you wanted to impress me." She paused, studying me. "Or are you afraid I might see through whatever act you're putting on?"

My heart quickens a bit but kept my composure cool "Maybe I just didn't think someone like you would notice someone like me."

"Oh, I noticed," she murmured, the corners of her mouth curving into a playful smile. Her eyes flickered over me, clearly sizing me up. "I don't miss the interesting ones."

I cleared my throat, trying to cover up-shit-that caught me off guard. "Careful, Ms. Mitchell. Flattery like that could get me to stay longer than I should."

Her smile widened. "Well, if you're here undercover, I'd say staying a little longer might be part of the job. Besides, I wouldn't mind the company. This event could use a little excitement."

I keep on getting lost-her eyes , melted chocolate-warm, smooth, and utterly irresistible.

I snapped back to reality as she extended her hand "Anyways, nice to meet you again Hunter"

I extended my hand, expecting the usual firm handshake, the kind that said we were both here for business, nothing personal. But as her fingers wrapped around mine, there was a spark, something electric that caught me off guard. Before I could process it, Ava did something unexpected-she pulled me into a hug.

For a moment, I froze . Her body pressed against mine, and I felt the warmth of her, the softness of her scent-something fresh, with a hint of floral that seemed to linger in the air long after she'd pulled away. The hug was brief, but it felt like time had stretched just enough for me to feel the subtle curve of her body against mine.

When she pulled back, her smile was playful, almost teasing, as if she'd just caught me off guard on purpose. There was a gleam in her eyes, a challenge that I couldn't ignore. "It's nice to know you're more than just a mysterious stranger," she said, her voice light, but I caught the subtle undertone of something deeper.

I cleared my throat, trying to mask the jolt of warmth her embrace had left behind. "Guess you'll have to see for yourself," I replied, my voice a little rougher than I'd intended. She was making it harder to keep my distance, that much was clear.

As she walked away, For a moment, I almost forgot why I had come here in the first place. Shaking my head, I reminded myself not to let her get under my  skin so easily.

“Alex, you’re not gonna believe this,” Jake said, his tone tense and urgent.I just dug into the latest lead—there’s a direct connection between Mitchell’s company and the victim. Financial records show they were in contact just days before the murder.”

My posture stiffened, my heart skipping a beat. Jake’s voice crackled in my ear again, sharper this time, cutting through the ambient noise of the ballroom. “Alex, are you even listening? I’ve got proof—payments, encrypted emails, a direct link to the victim. This isn’t a coincidence".

“Yeah, great timing, Jake,” I muttered under my breath, my voice low enough to keep it private.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jake snapped. “She’s right there—get her talking!”

“Not anymore,” I hissed, my eyes scanning the room, she moved through the sea of people. “She’s in the thick of it now. What do you want me to do, yell ‘murder’ in the middle of her fundraiser?”

Jake groaned in frustration. “You’re the detective, genius. Improvise. Just don’t let her slip away.”

“She’s already gone,” I muttered, my eyes scanning the crowd, catching only a faint of her disappearing into the sea of people.

“What?” Jake’s irritation was palpable. “How the hell did you let that happen?”

“She’s good,” I admitted begrudgingly, adjusting my tie and stepping out from the corner I’d stationed myself in. “You saw her file. Ava Mitchell doesn’t stay in one place long enough for anyone to get comfortable.”

“Comfortable wasn’t the goal,” Jake shot back. “You’ve got a connection to the victim, Alex. Encrypted emails, payments—she’s in this up to her neck. Find her. Fast.”

I exhaled sharply, weaving through the crowd in search of her. But Ava wasn’t the kind to be found easily, not unless she wanted to be.

“I’ll find her,” I muttered , more to convince myself than Jake. But as I scanned the room and came up empty, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of frustration—and a grudging admiration. Ava Mitchell was always one step ahead.

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