Beautiful Girl in Black

Anna found herself at a loss for words, struck by Mel's stubbornness when it came to the idea of having a partner.

'My goodness, this girl!' Anna was silently grumbling to herself, feeling a mix of frustration and despair. She playfully flicked Mel's forehead while shaking her head.

"Ouch! Why did you flick me?" Mel snapped while rubbing her forehead and narrowing her eyes at Anna.

"My dear friend... consider your age. You're not that young anymore. It's important to experience falling in love, even just once. You don't want to live your life as an old virgin, do you?" Anna sighed as she observed Mel's dismissive reaction.

Mel averted her gaze, staring out of the window. At this moment, she had no plans to pursue a romantic relationship or experience love. Her life felt comfortable as it was, with her primary focus on managing her rapidly expanding company.

For Mel, having a partner seemed like an unnecessary mental burden. It appeared to her as nothing more than a waste of her precious time.

...

Before long, their car came to a halt at the main entrance of the W Hotel.

"Ready, Mel?" Anna asked with excitement.

Mel nodded and stepped out of the car, immediately feeling the chill of the cold air against her skin. She tightened her coat and hastened her steps, following Anna into the hotel.

Inside the grand hotel lobby, Mel observed numerous couples with a shared purpose: to ascend to the 10th floor for the New Year's party. Upon reaching the 10th floor, the distant sound of live music performed by the country's top singers reached their ears.

Stepping into an expansive room adorned with exquisite lights and flowers, Mel also spotted several renowned figures and influential personalities she had only seen on television or in magazines.

Gaining an invitation to the New Year's party organized by the W Group wasn't a simple feat. The organizers extended invites solely to the top ten wealthiest families in the nation, high-ranking government officials, prominent celebrities, and individuals who had achieved excellence in their respective fields. This gathering allowed many attendees to forge business connections or expand their networks.

Initially reluctant to attend due to the prospect of encountering someone she was avoiding, Mel's sentiments had evolved. She had grown mildly curious about this prestigious occasion. Experiencing the event's ambiance further stoked her determination to bring her own company to rank among the nation's top ten.

Mel followed Anna to a quieter corner of the room, the two of them finding their way amidst the crowd.

"Mel, would you like to sit on that sofa?" Anna gestured towards an unoccupied couch near the expansive glass window that offered a city view. "...Or would you prefer the indoor garden over there?" she continued. 

Mel shifted her gaze to the garden in question. Its decor was charming, adorned with numerous delicate lights. The area was vacant, likely due to its distance from the dance floor.

"The garden looks more comfortable. Thanks, Anna. You really know me," Mel replied. With those words, she headed towards a small gazebo situated away from the bustling party hall. She was grateful that her best friend understood her discomfort in crowded spaces.

However, Anna's tone grew more serious. "Young lady," her voice now carried a tone of urgency as she locked her eyes on Mel. "If you spend the entire night here, you won't have a chance to meet anyone. How will you complete the mission I entrusted you with? Finding your soulmate?"

Mel remained silent, her thoughts left unspoken. 

"Gosh, Mel, did you hear me or not?" Anna said again while sitting opposite Mel.

"Hahaha... Relax, Anna. It's still too early to expect results. Maybe my 'soulmate' hasn't arrived yet. You never know," Mel responded intentionally in that manner to discourage Anna from continuing the topic. She remained uninterested in seeking a romantic partner in this place. Absolutely not!

"Alright... alright," Anna chuckled. "What would you like to drink? Let me grab it for you." Anna stood up from her seat.

"Anything is fine," Mel casually replied. She retrieved her cell phone from her clutch and began playing a game her company had recently developed.

With that, Anna left Mel's side and returned to the party hall. Anna paused momentarily at a corner, sweeping her gaze across the room in search of her target. However, none of the handsome men present managed to capture her attention.

...

As Mel immersed herself in the game, an abrupt chill seemed to slap the back of her neck, causing her to swiftly turn around. She found nothing unusual in her surroundings, yet an undeniable sensation lingered. Assured that no one was behind her, she resumed her game.

A short distance away from the gazebo, a tall man dressed in black leaned against the wall. His left foot rested casually on the surface behind him as he held a lit cigarette, the other hand tucked into his trouser pocket. 

Calmly, his gaze remained fixed on the back of an elegant woman in a black dress who had captured his attention.

Distinctly hearing the woman talking to her friend about finding a man at the party, he felt both amused and intrigued by their conversation. He continued to smoke, all the while keeping his focus on her. However, his body tensed when the woman's gaze unexpectedly turned in his direction.

'Has she spotted me?'

Silently, he attempted to study her features more intently without exposing himself. The longer he observed her, the stronger his attraction grew.

'How pretty!' The realization that he was thinking such thoughts sent his heart racing.

A feeling of confusion washed over him as he felt a new feeling well up within him. As he narrowed his eyes at the woman, the moment was abruptly shattered when someone disrupted him. 

Irritation surged as he recognized James standing before him.

"Andrew, why are you here?" James asks.

Andrew William met James' gaze with a sharp look without uttering a word to respond to him.

"The party is about to start," James continues his words after receiving silent treatment from Andrew. A smile played on his lips as he added, "Would you like to do an opening speech?"

The interruption irritated Andrew, blocking his view of the woman in black. A powerful urge to strike James surged within him, yet he restrained himself. 

Exhaling deeply, Andrew finally spoke, "Since when did I become responsible for that?"

James chuckled, understanding that Andrew would inevitably refuse to present himself to the crowd. Such events were not Andrew's preference. Tonight's attendance was a result of his father's insistence.

"Very well," James acquiesced before leaving Andrew alone.

As James departed, Andrew's attention shifted back to the gazebo, only to find the woman in black no longer there.

"Damn it, where did she go?" Frustration crept across his face as a vein pulsed on his forehead.

With a disdainful flick, Andrew threw his cigarette on the ground and crushed it beneath his foot. Then, he made his way toward the hall, determined to locate the woman in the black dress who had captured his interest.