Chapter 6 – The Business Party

I clutched my clutch bag so tightly I thought I might crush it. My heels clicked nervously on the marble floor as I followed him into the grand ballroom. The chandeliers sparkled like a sea of stars, and the air smelled of perfume, champagne, and something faintly intimidating.

“Katty,” he said, voice low and controlled. “Stick close. And do not embarrass me.”

“Yes… sir,” I whispered, trying to sound calm. Inside, my brain screamed: Embarrass you? I’m already dead.

We moved through the crowd. I tried to smile naturally, but I was aware of every glance, every eye, every subtle judgment. My heart skipped a beat when I noticed someone approaching.

“Ah! You must be Katty,” said a man with a confident grin and perfectly tailored suit. “I’m Alex, my partner’s—well, technically, he’s your boss’s—business partner. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

I blinked. “Oh… thank you.” My voice sounded far too squeaky even to me.

Alex laughed lightly. “Relax. Tonight’s supposed to be fun, isn’t it?”

Fun? I wanted to crawl under a table, but I forced a smile. “Yes… sir—I mean, yes, fun.”

He tilted his head, studying me. “I can tell you’re nervous.”

I flushed. “I… I’m just… enjoying the evening,” I muttered.

Behind me, I felt a presence. The boss. His golden eyes narrowed slightly as he observed Alex leaning just a little too close. My stomach did a weird flip. Oh no… is he… jealous?

Alex didn’t notice the glance—or he chose to ignore it. “So, Katty, do you attend these kinds of events often?” he asked.

“Uh… not… really,” I said. I tried to sound casual, elegant, and witty all at once. I think I failed spectacularly.

“Good,” he said with a grin. “Then tonight will be… memorable.”

I laughed lightly, trying not to spill the champagne he handed me. Of course, my nerves betrayed me, and a tiny drop landed on my hand. I froze, mortified.

The boss reached out instinctively, steadying the glass before I could make a bigger mess. I looked up at him, cheeks flaming.

“Careful,” he said quietly, his gaze sharp. “Do not make a mess.”

“Yes… sir,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Alex raised an eyebrow at the interaction. “Your boss is… intense.”

I forced a laugh. “He’s… very attentive.”

“Attentive,” Alex repeated, smirking. “I see.”

I felt a pinch of panic. Why does Alex have to be so charming? Why do I feel like I’m failing at being Katty?

The evening continued in a blur. Alex talked easily, joking about contracts, subtly complimenting my poise and intelligence, and occasionally leaning a little closer. Each time, I felt the boss’s presence behind me—a silent, almost protective shadow.

At one point, Alex handed me a glass. “To successful partnerships,” he said, eyes warm.

I nodded, trying to look graceful, but somehow managed to spill a tiny drop on the floor. The boss’s hand was there immediately, steadying the glass.

“You need to watch your balance,” he murmured, voice low, yet I felt the warning in it.

I wanted to hide under my own dress. Instead, I mumbled, “Thank you… sir.”

Alex laughed lightly. “You’re quite the graceful one,” he teased.

I flushed and shifted closer to the boss, instinctively. He didn’t comment, just gave me a look that made my stomach twist—half annoyance, half something else I didn’t want to name.

The night escalated when a waiter nearly bumped into me, sending a tray of hors d’oeuvres wobbling. I lunged to steady it, catching a piece of shrimp mid-air. Alex applauded softly. “Impressive reflexes.”

“Thanks,” I whispered, trying not to breathe too loudly.

The boss’s hand rested lightly on my back, guiding me out of the way. “Careful,” he murmured, not harsh, but enough to make my heart skip.

By the time the final toast came, I was exhausted. My feet hurt, my nerves were shredded, and I was soaked in a mix of adrenaline, embarrassment, and something dangerously close to excitement.

Alex winked at me across the room. “We should talk more tomorrow.”

I nodded, trying not to look flustered, and felt a sharp glance from the boss. Golden eyes met mine, and I knew he had noticed everything: Alex’s flirting, my reactions, the tiny chaos I’d caused.

Walking out of the ballroom, heels clicking on the floor, I realized something terrifying. Two months to make him fall. And now Alex. Charming, confident, dangerous.

And somewhere deep in my chest, I had to admit… I didn’t entirely hate the chaos he brought.