Adrian leaned against the doorway of his expansive living room, the low hum of conversations and clinking glasses filling the air. His gaze drifted across the crowd of familiar faces—classmates, friends, people who always seemed to flock to his parties uninvited. He didn’t mind; the mansion was big enough to accommodate them all. And yet, his piercing blue eyes stopped when he noticed someone unfamiliar.

A girl stood near the grand staircase, looking slightly out of place. She wasn’t part of his usual circle—her hesitant demeanor and the way she lingered near the edges of the crowd gave her away. Adrian’s friend Lauren was by her side, gesturing animatedly, clearly the one who’d brought her along.

“Uninvited guest?” he mused to himself, his lips curling into a subtle smile. He wasn’t angry—curious, maybe. Who was she?

As the evening wore on, Adrian found himself gravitating toward the unfamiliar girl. He’d caught her looking around, taking in the grandeur of the place with wide eyes. She wasn’t like the others who strutted in as if they owned the place; she seemed... genuine.

Eventually, Adrian approached. “You must be one of Lauren’s friends,” he said, his voice warm but laced with a quiet confidence.

The girl turned to him, startled. “Oh, yes. Sorry, I wasn’t invited, but Lauren insisted—”

Adrian held up a hand, cutting her off gently. “No need to explain. It’s a party, right? Everyone’s welcome.” He offered her a smile that reached his icy blue eyes. “I’m Adrian, by the way. And you are...?”

After exchanging names, Adrian extended a hand toward the bar. “Come on, let’s get you a drink. Whiskey okay?”

They walked through the mansion, whiskey glasses in hand, the lively chatter of the party fading as they found quieter corners. Adrian asked questions, genuinely curious about her life, her interests, her dreams. She wasn’t like the others who were drawn to his wealth or reputation. She spoke honestly, and Adrian found himself opening up too, something he rarely did.

“You know,” he said, leaning casually against a marble column, “most people come here expecting... I don’t know, some over-the-top experience. But you? You don’t seem like you’re here for that.”

She laughed softly. “I’m not. Honestly, I wasn’t even planning to come, but Lauren can be pretty convincing.”

Adrian chuckled, his smile deepening. “Yeah, she has that effect on people.” He tilted his glass slightly in her direction. “But I’m glad you did. You’re... different.”

As midnight approached, Adrian led her to the rooftop, a hidden gem of the mansion. The city stretched out below them, sparkling with lights. Fireworks were beginning to dot the sky, their colors reflected in her eyes as she gazed out in wonder.

“It’s beautiful,” she murmured.

Adrian didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he studied her profile, the way the cold wind teased her hair, the soft curve of her lips as she smiled. “Yeah,” he said finally, his voice quieter now. “It is.”

They stood in silence for a moment, the world below them bustling with excitement while their little corner of the universe felt still and private. Adrian took a step closer, his hand brushing against hers, and she looked up at him.

His icy blue eyes softened, locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. “You know,” he began, his voice barely above a whisper, “this is supposed to be the moment where everyone makes a wish for the new year.”

She smiled, her cheeks warming despite the chill in the air. “What would you wish for?”

Adrian tilted his head slightly, his gaze never leaving hers. “I think I’ve already found it.”

As the final firework burst into the sky, casting them in a shower of golden light, they stood there, an intimate gaze shared between them, as if the world had faded away and only they remained.