Bright lights reflected off their expensive jewelry, causing some waiters to squint as they served drinks. The designer outfits and handbags worn by the guests were worth far more than what the waitstaff could ever hope to have in their accounts. These wealthy attendees were eager to showcase their riches and impress their peers, fully committed to making an impression. 

Only someone with significant wealth and influence could host a party that attracted such high-profile guests, and that person was Mr. Stone, the founder of ST Buildings and Construction. 

A cheerful CEO and father of two, Mr. Stone relished hosting gatherings with friends and colleagues. He believed that parties foster connections, lead to new deals, generate income, and provide a break from the stresses of work. He delighted in witnessing people display their affluence at his events and enjoyed mingling with others of his caliber. Simply put, he loved throwing parties. 

His preferred colleagues from the party were Mr. Clifford, the founder of Cliff Eclectronics, and Mr. Preston, the mayor. The trio had been friends for many years, consistently creating opportunities for one another. When they gathered together, they exuded an aura of power, authority, wealth, and connections. Their friendship dated back to their university days and continued strong into their mid-fifties. 

Mr. Clifford took a sip of his drink as the robust wine slid down his throat—his long-time favorite. "How typical of you to invite those two rivals," he remarked, gesturing towards two men standing at a distance, each absorbed in their own conversation yet aware of each other's presence. 

"They wouldn't turn down a 'ST party' even if it meant sharing air with their rival," Mr. Preston chuckled in response. 

"I even arranged their names next to each other on the invitation card," Mr. Stone added with a smirk, eliciting laughter from the other two men at his playful jab. 

"Throwing a party on a Sunday night? That's something you've never done before," Mr. Stone interjected while taking another sip of his drink. 

"I wanted to find out if people would show up despite their hectic schedules and the fact that they had work the next day, and they did." That was his honest reason. The majority of attendees—about ninety percent—would be right back at work early Monday morning. 

Enjoying wine and celebrating on a Sunday night wasn't the best choice, especially with the need to earn money again soon, but who cares? It was an ST party, after all. Making new connections couldn't hurt. 

"Plus, I wanted my son to take it easy for once. He’s been working tirelessly; sometimes I think he works harder than I do," Mr. Stone remarked, though he felt a sense of pride in his son's dedication. 

"I can’t say anything different; mine is just as busy," Mr. Clifford chimed in. 

"Are they even here yet?" the mayor asked, prompting three heads to turn as they searched for the boys. 

Meanwhile, the two young men were in the hall, just out of earshot from their concerned parents. On the other side of the room, around an expensive stainless steel table, stood two sharply dressed men whose suits and accessories likely cost as much as an average person's monthly rent. 

Brennon, the son of Mr. Clifford and heir to Cliff Electronics, towered at 6'1". His jet-black hair sparkled under the chandelier's glow, exuding a mix of playfulness and seriousness. With one hand plunged deep into his pocket, he fiddled with a cigar stick, aware that he would need to light it soon. 

"I have so much work on my plate; I’m not even sure why I'm here," Brennon remarked with a frown as he scanned the room. He was uncertain how he ended up in this situation—well, not entirely. His father had insisted he come to unwind, though he didn’t really feel stressed at all. The only reason he showed up was because his father reminded him of the kind of people who would be present. 

Cade swirled the drink in his glass, his expression unreadable. "We're already here; we might as well make the most of it," he replied before taking a sip. 

Cade, the son of Mr. Stone and heir to ST Buildings and Construction, stood at 6'1". At twenty-eight years old, his cold, calculating black eyes surveyed the crowd as he identified potential contacts for his next business venture.

 Cade is undeniably an attractive man. His black buzz cut was styled by the finest barber in the state, leaving his peers envious of how effortlessly he pulls off the look. 

With two slits at the ends of his eyebrows and broad shoulders capable of bearing the responsibilities of one of the state's leading companies, he exudes confidence. 

Adorning his fingers are two rings, and on his left wrist sits a new Rolex he acquired during his recent trip to Hong Kong. 

Although it wasn’t his intention, everyone recognized that Cade is both wealthy and attractive. 

"Your dad won't mind if I smoke here, right?" Brennon asked while fiddling with a cigar tucked in his pocket. When there was no response, he turned to Cade, who seemed preoccupied scanning the area for something—or rather someone. 

Brennon knew exactly who that was. "They’re not here yet," he muttered into his glass of wine as he took a sip, already anticipating what would happen next. 

"I'm not searching for them," Cade replied, his tone sharp and a frown settling on his brow. 

Brennon could tell he was being disingenuous. "Just mentioning it," he said casually. 

"Then stop mentioning it," Cade shot back weakly. Brennon simply chuckled in response. 

"What’s so funny? I’d like to join in!" A man strolled over. It was Nick, the mayor's second son. He was known for his relaxed and playful nature, taking life as it comes. Being the second son, there weren’t heavy expectations placed on him by his father, and even if there were, Nick was determined to live life on his own terms. 

Cade, Brennon, and Nick had been friends since middle school. Their parents—Mr. Stone, Mr. Clifford, and the mayor—were friends too, which meant they often found themselves together at parties, events, business meetings, vacations, and family visits. They attended the same middle school, high school, and university; friendship was inevitable. 

However, Cade and Brennon shared a deeper bond as best friends. They relied on one another and kept each other's secrets close. The saying about two being closer in a trio of friends definitely applied to them. 

"Nothing," Cade responded to Nick while casting a quick glance at Brennon before looking away again. He didn’t want them to start joking about what was bothering him; it was already frustrating enough as it was—no, it made him furious. He wasn’t interested in discussing it. 

"Is it about 'them'?" Nick asked Brennon, who simply nodded in response. 

"I'm shocked they're still together. Wait, it's only been a month? I honestly thought Justin was joking when he told us. Who knew they were actually serious?" Nick remarked, his tone laced with both amusement and disbelief. 

None of them had seen it coming. Not a single person expected it, not even the one who got asked out. Just then, the topic of their conversation, Justin and Arlen, strolled over to them side by side. 

It annoyed Cade. 

Cade had feelings for Justin. He found Justin attractive and intelligent. He appreciated how much Justin cared about him and enjoyed those moments when he seemed shy in his presence. As Cade's feelings deepened, both Brennon and Nick picked up on it. After some persistent questioning, he finally admitted what they suspected. Their only piece of advice was to let Justin know how he felt. 

That was Cade's plan. A hopeless romantic at heart, he wanted to express his feelings for Justin in a special way—by surprising him with an elegant dinner for two beneath the stars, just the way Justin loved it.

Cade had already secured a reservation on the sixth floor of one of his family's hotels and made sure that no one could access that area for three days leading up to their dinner, ensuring they wouldn't be interrupted. 

He had purchased flowers, informed the chefs about Justin’s favorite dishes, and let the waitstaff know about his preferred drink. Cade was fully prepared to confess his feelings to Justin. 

He could still recall how he felt on that fateful day—the shock and confusion that washed over him as he saw Justin walking hand in hand with Arlen, revealing that he had feelings for Arlen and had started dating him.