Chapter Four—Dinner & Deals
1183 Words
“Oh, you’re beautiful,” the designer said as Ava stepped into the lounge-style space.
Ava had called the number on the card James gave her and was told to come down to the lounge on the ground floor.
The room was a blend of green couches and gold mirrors, and black garment bags were lying on the couch. The designer stood near the door, his eyes accessing her face, not just with admiration but also with concern.
“You look tired too,” he added gently. “Rough day?”
Ava smiled faintly.“You could say that.”
He smiled warmly and circled her once.“But still, the posture? Excellent.The face?Naturally beautiful, thank God.And that quiet confidence?” He stopped in front of her.“You wear it like a perfume.”
Ava smiled again. She wanted to appreciate the compliments but couldn’t find the words.
“Now let’s get you ready,” he said and unzipped the garment bag he was holding and two other bags lying on the couch. He pulled out three options—a velvet green dress, a cream dress, and then a blue satin dress that shined under the light.
He paused at the blue one, then held it out to her with both hands .“This,” he said .“This is you.”
She nodded and took the dress to the restroom in the lounge. Ten minutes later, she stepped out, the dress fitted like it was made in her name.
The designer clapped softly, amazed at how his piece looked so glorious on one person. “Stunning, now, minimal makeup, hair down —you’ve had it up all day, let it breathe and you’ll look magnificent.
Ava hesitated, then slowly took down the bun and the hair bounced in waves.
A silver chain and matching earrings followed. Then he handed her a light blue glass heel and a small black clutch.
Ava stood in front of the mirror.
She stared longer than she was meant to. The girl in the reflection looked like she belonged at that dinner.
The designer came up behind her, adjusting a loose curl that had fallen across her shoulder.“You’ll be fine,” he said softly.
She was about to say thank you before a soft knock came. It was James, leaning against the doorway in a sharp black suit.
His eyes scanned her from head to toe and lingered for a second.
He cleared his throat.“You’re ready.”
Ava gave a small nod, clutching her bag and her phone.
James’s gaze shifted to the designer.“Thanks for showing up last minute.”
“Please,” the designer smirked. “It’s not every day you ask nicely. She is worth every minute of my time.”
James didn’t reply.He simply turned and walked away.
Ava followed, waving goodbye to the designer as she hurriedly walked behind James.
They walked in silence toward the car. The cool night air outside brushed her dress. Ava clutched her clutch bag in one hand and tried to carefully walk down the pavement in heels.
Then it happened.
The hem of her dress caught onto the edge of a metal on the pavement, her heel twisted, and her body tilted forward.
Strong hands caught her before she hit the ground; quick and steady. One hand gripped her arm and the other held her waist.
She looked up, startled.Their eyes locked on each other in that split second. She had been sure he wasn’t even looking her way. Was he?
“Thanks,” she murmured when she snapped out of her thoughts, unsure if she was more surprised by the fall or the catch.
He released her almost immediately.
“You’ve barely stepped out, and you’re already trying to embarrass me,” he muttered.
But something in his tone was off. That wasn’t what he wanted to say.
He didn’t open the car door for her, not like she expected him to.Ava got in herself, smoothing her dress, and trying to catch her breath.
Inside the car, James gave her a brief glance. “At dinner, take notes. Keep up. Don’t trip. Don’t talk unless you need to. Just… try not to embarrass me or spill anything. I’ve already gotten enough from you in one day.”
She didn’t reply. Just slightly turned toward the window.
Still, James glanced at her again—saw the way the dress brought out her curves, how her wavy hair rested on her shoulders. She looked beautiful. He opened his mouth to say something, maybe a compliment but his pride couldn’t let the words out.
He said nothing.
At the venue, people were moving around quietly in clusters, the sound of violins was faint in the background as they stepped into the grand dining hall.
The head waiter greeted James with a knowing nod and led them to a round table where six others were already seated. Business partners, from the look of it—Four men in polished suits and two ladies in elegant dresses.
Ava walked behind James gracefully. As she sat beside him, her back straightened on instinct.
She didn't feel out of place.
She had attended dinners like this before. Her father had taken her to many—the same polished cutlery, quiet piano/violin, corporate energy.
But back then, even in a room full of strangers, she always had her father.
Now, she was alone.
The men and women exchanged pleasantries and drinks were poured. Ava took out her phone and tapped open her Notes app under the table, thumb ready.
The conversation started lightly—stocks, market shifts, and harmless gossip but it didn't stay that way.
Within minutes, it evolved. Discussions on acquisitions, strategies for a foreign merger, and logistics that required swift decisions. Ava kept up, fingers tapping on her screen, capturing each key phrase and each name involved.
A small vibration from her phone distracted her for a moment.
A message from Leah
“Where are you? You’re not home, I made dinner and it’s getting cold.”
Ava stared at the message for a second too long. Her thumb hovered above the keyboard before she typed back: “I’m fine. Will explain later.”
James glanced sideways at her.
“Problem?” he asked under his breath.
She shook her head. “Just my friend. Wondering where I am.”
She locked her phone and looked ahead, putting her focus back where it needed to be.
The rest of the dinner blurred into soft music, murmurs, and expensive plates being cleared away. And just when she thought the night had ended…
James turned to her as they stepped outside.
“Clear your weekend.”
She frowned. “What?”
He didn’t look at her. Just opened the car door.
“We might be taking a trip. Just business.”
He got in and the door shut with a soft click.
Ava stared out into the night as James' car zoomed off, wondering how she was going to keep up at this rate.
- Writer
