One Night in Valeria - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

The envelope was cream white. Heavy, velvet-lined, no return address, Just a wax seal in deep scarlet the Velar crest again.
It arrived before dawn, slipped under Jessica's door.
She stood barefoot in her kitchen, heart pounding as she read the invitation.
“You are cordially invited to the 112th Annual Velarian Legacy Gala.
A masquerade evening.
Attendance by bloodline or invitation only.”
Bloodline?
Her hands trembled.
They were summoning her either to welcome her into something…
Or destroy her.
Velar Global – CEO Office
Liam Velar stood before his floor-length windows, shoulders tight, jaw locked.
She received the invitation, his assistant confirmed. Delivered before security sweep. No one saw who dropped it.
He didn’t respond at first.
Then, tightly— “Call Celeste.”
Later That Afternoon, Jessica tried to focus on her work. She had a design presentation due in two days, a demanding client, and absolutely no emotional energy left.
But her thoughts were a battlefield.
The letter. The gala. The look on Liam’s face that night on the rooftop.
Was she being invited as a guest?
Or paraded as a threat?
Then came the knock, soft, feminine.
She opened the door to find a woman in her early 30s with eyes so familiar it hurt.
Celeste Velar, Liam sister.
“I was told you prefer honesty over politics,” she said, stepping into the room without waiting.
“Depends on the day,” Jessica replied.
“Today, you’re being used.” That got her attention.
Celeste paced the studio like she owned it not arrogantly, just with the practiced grace of someone born into power and sick of pretending she liked it.
“The gala? It’s tradition. Every old-money family in Velaria shows off its next heir or investment.”
So I’m… what? A trophy?
“Worse,” Celeste said bluntly. “You’re a scandal in silk. And someone wants to remind this city that the past never stays buried.” Jessica folded her arms. “Does Liam know?”
Celeste smiled faintly. “He’s trying to keep you out of it. Which probably means you’re already in too deep.”
Meanwhile, Smith. Across the city, Smith Delacourt held a phone to his ear, eyes narrowed on a security photo of Jessica holding the invitation.
“She’s going to the gala,” he said into the receiver.
A pause.
“Good. Let the press know.
Let the Velars see what they tried to forget.”
That Night — Rooftop Again
Jessica couldn’t sleep.
She found herself once more on the rooftop, the wind colder tonight.
She heard footsteps behind her and knew it was him before she turned.
Liam.
“It’s not safe,” he said softly.
“Velaria or you?”Jessica asked.
He exhaled through his nose, a tired sound. “Both.”
They stood in silence, side by side. The city glowed beneath them. Somewhere, a car alarm echoed. Distant thunder rolled in over the hills.
“Are you going to the gala?” she asked.
“I don’t want you there.”
“But I’m invited.”
He turned to face her then, eyes darker than she’d ever seen.
“Then promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“Don’t wear red.”
Her heart skipped. “Why?”
He looked away.
> “That’s the color she wore… the night everything ended.”