Chapter 1: Moon
The bass rattled the walls before Selene Rossi even stepped onto the stage.
Backstage, dancers adjusted costumes, makeup artists rushed from one station to another, and managers barked orders through their headsets.
Selene ignored all of it.
She sat in front of the mirror, applying crimson lipstick with the steady hand of someone who had done this hundreds of times.
"You've got another celebrity in the VIP section," her manager, Nico, announced. "Apparently he flew in from Dubai just to see you."
Selene didn't look up.
"Tell him to enjoy the show."
"He wants to meet you afterward."
"Tell him to enjoy the disappointment too."
Nico sighed.
"One day you're going to scare away every rich man in the country."
Selene finally looked at him through the mirror.
"They always come back."
"...Fair point."
She laughed softly.
"Besides, if someone thinks money automatically buys my attention, that's a very expensive misunderstanding."
The room erupted with laughter.
Everyone knew Moon.
Not just because she was beautiful.
Because she had the sharpest tongue in the building.
A stage assistant peeked through the curtain.
"You're on in thirty seconds."
Selene stood, smoothing the shimmering silver gown she'd wear for her entrance. She tucked a loose strand of fiery red hair behind her ear, revealing the tiny crescent moon tattoo that had become her trademark.
The crowd outside was already chanting.
"Moon!"
"Moon!"
"Moon!"
She smiled.
Showtime.
---
The spotlight found her instantly.
Cheers exploded through the club as Selene walked confidently across the stage.
She carried herself like a queen entering her own palace.
Every movement was controlled, every smile deliberate.
People watched because she commanded attention—not because she asked for it.
From a private balcony overlooking the club, Adrian Blackwood watched in silence.
His friend, Damien, leaned back in his chair.
"So?"
Adrian didn't answer.
"I've never seen someone ignore a room full of millionaires before," Damien continued.
"She's working."
Damien laughed.
"That's your observation?"
"It's accurate."
Down below, Selene finished her performance to thunderous applause.
Flowers landed at her feet.
Expensive gifts followed.
She accepted none of them.
---
Backstage, Nico handed her a towel and a bottle of water.
"You've got three invitations."
"Throw them away."
"A yacht."
"No."
"A private island."
"No."
"A week in Monaco."
She took a sip of water.
"I already own a passport. I'm good."
Nico rolled his eyes.
"You really enjoy rejecting billionaires."
"They survive."
He hesitated.
"There's one more."
She raised an eyebrow.
"This one's different."
"That's what they all say."
"It's Adrian Blackwood."
Selene blinked once.
"The Adrian Blackwood?"
"The billionaire."
"The CEO?"
"Yes."
"The man magazines call an emotionless robot?"
Nico nodded.
She shrugged.
"So... a rich robot wants to meet me."
"He requested a business meeting."
She laughed.
"A business meeting? In a nightclub?"
"Apparently."
She grabbed her leather jacket and slung it over one shoulder.
"If he tries to flirt, I'm leaving."
"If he doesn't?"
"Then I'm even more suspicious."
---
Fifteen minutes later, Selene stepped into one of the club's private lounges.
A man in a tailored black suit stood beside the window, his hands in his pockets.
Tall.
Calm.
Composed.
He turned as she entered.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Selene broke the silence.
"So..."
She looked him up and down with an exaggerated expression.
"I expected more security."
One corner of Adrian's mouth twitched.
"You expected bodyguards?"
"I expected at least one guy wearing sunglasses indoors."
"I don't need them."
"Confident."
"Cautious."
She folded her arms.
"So, Mr. Billionaire, what exactly is so important that it couldn't wait until normal business hours?"
"I have a proposal."
She sighed dramatically.
"If this ends with 'be my girlfriend,' I'm going to disappoint you."
"It doesn't."
"Oh."
She tilted her head.
"Now you've got my attention."
Adrian placed a sleek black folder on the table between them.
"It's a contract."
Selene looked at the folder but didn't touch it.
"A contract."
"Yes."
She smiled, amused.
"You know, when most men ask to see me privately, they bring flowers."
"And?"
"You brought paperwork."
A faint smile crossed Adrian's face.
"I prefer efficiency."
Selene chuckled.
"You're either the most boring billionaire I've ever met... or the most interesting."
She picked up the folder.
"Let's find out which one."
