Tempting The Flames

peered out the gallery window, the beautiful

ly's legacy, was on the ve

n notice loomed large, a constant reminde

s a lifeline, but it wou

ind a new loca

tions are stacked up on my desk, eac

" Amelia's concerned voice

ered assistant, who was wrestling with a

e gallery's spirit, a dedicated advocate

urmured. turning to meet her

eyes reflected a lifetime spent

sighed, her attention drawn to a bri

tory to simply… disappear." An i

into oblivion, its walls stripped of the li

a name that shot tremors down my spine. "Alessandro Volkov," I

idened. "The billionaire with a rep

gering on my tongue. "He is

s with an iron hand and a smile that chills you to the

Alessandro at a

it, his steely blue eyes searching

nt dance of water lilies, and would not stop until i

se of my teenage innocence and

was a brief flash of surprise on his face,

his voice a low whispe

iss Evans," he muttered,

regret." His statements we

t to be a front for Volkov's massive empire, began

y decreased, and potential contribut

ure planned by a man who ne

ut of this gallery before

But, with each fleeting skepticism

fering? The concept was daring, and insane. But th

ad, including a high-stakes gamble w

ice hard with determina

ept, but perhaps just

ing my strategy, my voice becoming

less intimidating now, replaced by

melia," I finished, with a twin

winner gets… Any

long time until a gentle s

, her voice full of d

s or nuts. Let us hop

he phone and dialed a number

ed voice responded

ce remarkably calm, "I believe

arried the weight of a thou

hich jolted me to reality about t

,” he finally said,” My

remembering he could be the gallery's saviour b

ition Miss Evans", he sa

anything I want?

ing me the impression that

d passion for… games, Miss Ev

the rules of this…

my voice steady. We st

mitted, "yet with cons

am very competitive and don't play easy. I always

ntionally set myself up

orm of excitement in me which

ts were rummagin

Evans Gallery on a bet with Ales

my fate be if I

old the win

away with their