Desired by my X Husband

CHAPTER 5

PIPER’S POV

The hall looked exactly as I had envisioned it, soft gold ribbons cascading from the ceiling, twinkling lights intertwined with fresh flowers, and the room bathed in a warm, romantic glow. It was elegant, sophisticated, and exactly what I’d promised the client. Pride filled me as I stepped inside, this time as an invitee, not the planner. The familiar hum of laughter, clinking glasses, and light conversation filled the air.

I was dressed for the occasion, of course, an off-shoulder satin gown in a rich emerald green that hugged my figure perfectly, a statement to the world that I was not just an event planner, but also someone who knew how to hold her own among the wealthy and powerful. As I moved through the room, I exchanged polite smiles and nods with the guests, many of whom I’d worked with over the years. The business had flourished, and I was no stranger to these circles anymore.

I stopped at one of the bar tables to grab a glass of champagne when a well-dressed man in his fifties approached me. His silver hair was slicked back, and he had the air of someone who was used to getting exactly what he wanted.

“K&K Decors, right?” he said with a charming smile, extending his hand. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you. You're responsible for all of this, aren't you?”

I smiled back, shaking his hand. “That’s right. My team and I put everything together.”

He glanced around the hall, clearly impressed. “You have quite the reputation in the industry. This event is nothing short of perfect. I’ve been to a few of your parties before, but this… this is on another level.”

“Thank you,” I replied, my pride swelling at the compliment. “We’ve come a long way in the past few years.”

“I’m sure you have,” he nodded. “You’ve become the go-to for events like these. Word is, you’re booked solid for the next year. Is that true?”

I chuckled lightly, taking a sip of my champagne. “Yes, things have been busy. It’s a good problem to have.”

Before we could continue, the event’s organizer, Reynolds Nathan, approached us with a wide grin. Reynolds was an old client of mine, and we had built a good working relationship over the years. Tonight, however, he wasn’t just my client… he was the host of this lavish affair.

“Piper, there you are!” Reynolds exclaimed as he reached us. “I was just telling everyone how this incredible night is all thanks to you.”

“Glad you’re happy with everything, Reynolds,” I said, offering him a smile. “I hope your important guest is impressed”

“More than impressed,” he said, his eyes glinting mischievously. “But I didn’t invite you here just to work. You deserve to have some fun too.” He extended his hand toward me. “How about a dance?”

I hesitated, glancing around the room. I wasn’t exactly one for the spotlight when it came to dancing at these kinds of events. “Oh, I don’t know, Reynolds…”

“Come on,” he urged, winking. “It’s just one dance. You’ve earned it.”

I smiled reluctantly and placed my champagne on the table. “Alright, fine. One dance.”

As I reached for Reynolds’s hand, a faint but familiar scent caught me off guard. The cologne, it was strong, almost intoxicating, and it stirred something deep inside me. For a split second, my heart skipped a beat. That scent… it smelled like…

No, it couldn’t be. I shook the thought from my mind, dismissing it as coincidence.

I took Reynolds’s hand, and he led me to the dance floor as the music shifted into a slow, soft note. His hand settled on my waist, gentle but firm, and we began to move to the rhythm.

Reynolds was a good dancer, and I found myself relaxing, letting the sway of the music carry us across the floor. But that scent still lingered in the air, nagging at me like an old memory I couldn’t quite place. As Reynolds spun me in a graceful turn, my eyes scanned the room, searching for something, anything that could explain the sudden sense of déjà vu.

And there it was, hands locked to that of another woman. My breath caught in my throat, and the room seemed to tilt for a moment. His eyes, those familiar deep-set eyes that I hadn’t seen in five years, scanned the room as if looking for someone.

Kevin.

What was he doing with Sabrina, hands locked like they were a thing?

Reynolds spun me again, but my thoughts were frozen on Kevin. Why was he here? Why now, after all this time? My pulse quickened as Reynolds’s hand rested on my waist again, guiding me back into the dance. But I couldn’t shake the image of Kevin’s face, the weight of his stare still lingering on me, as if it were dragging me back to the past I thought I’d left behind.

“Everything okay?” Marcus asked, sensing my distraction.

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Yes, I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t. Not anymore. I returned my gaze to the crowd, but they had disappeared, and the cologne I could swear I smelt was gone.

Was I hallucinating?