Chapter 15: Under the Spotlight
908 Words
"Good evening, everyone."
Adrian's deep, calm voice echoed throughout the grand ballroom.
Standing confidently on the stage, he looked every bit the respected CEO of Montenegro Corporation.
"On behalf of Montenegro Corporation, I would like to welcome all of you to our Annual Charity Gala."
"Tonight is more than a celebration of another successful year."
"It is a reminder that success becomes truly meaningful when we use it to help others."
The audience listened attentively.
Some admired his confidence.
Others admired his leadership.
His speech was concise but sincere.
"...Thank you for joining us tonight."
"I hope we all enjoy this wonderful evening."
The ballroom erupted into applause.
As Adrian stepped down from the stage, the host returned to the microphone.
"Thank you, Mr. Montenegro."
"And now..."
"Our opening dance."
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
"Please welcome Mr. Ethan Cruz and Miss Sofia Reyes."
The lights dimmed.
A single spotlight illuminated the center of the ballroom.
---
Sofia's POV
Sofia took a deep breath.
"You ready?"
Ethan smiled confidently.
"As long as you don't run away."
She laughed.
"I'm more worried about forgetting the steps."
"You won't."
"And if you do..."
"I'll pretend it was part of the choreography."
She couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you."
The music began.
Ethan gently offered his hand.
Sofia accepted it.
Together...
They stepped onto the dance floor.
---
Adrian's POV
Adrian had just finished greeting several sponsors.
One of the executives beside him smiled.
"Your employees seem excited."
"They've worked very hard for this event."
Adrian replied politely.
Then...
The music started.
His eyes instinctively drifted toward the dance floor.
Ethan and Sofia moved gracefully across the polished floor.
They weren't professional dancers.
But they looked comfortable.
Natural.
Sofia laughed after Ethan whispered something that Adrian couldn't hear.
Ethan laughed with her.
The executive beside Adrian chuckled.
"They make a good team."
"...They do."
The answer escaped Adrian before he realized it.
The executive smiled.
"You sound proud."
Adrian remained silent.
Was he proud?
Or was it something else?
---
Ethan's POV
Halfway through the dance...
He noticed Adrian standing near the VIP table.
Watching.
Still watching.
Ethan almost laughed.
"He's supposed to be talking to the sponsors."
"Why is he looking over here?"
An idea suddenly crossed his mind.
"Let's have a little fun."
During the next turn...
Ethan deliberately spun Sofia a little longer than they had practiced.
Sofia laughed in surprise.
"That wasn't part of the rehearsal."
"I know."
"I improvised."
"You almost made me lose my balance."
"But you didn't."
Across the ballroom...
Adrian's jaw tightened ever so slightly.
Without realizing it...
He had clenched the glass in his hand.
---
Chloe's POV
Standing beside one of the sponsors, Chloe quietly observed Adrian.
She followed his gaze.
Straight to the dance floor.
Then she smiled.
"So that's it."
"You don't like seeing another man making her smile."
She had known Adrian for years.
He rarely paid attention to anyone outside of work.
Yet tonight...
He had barely looked away from Sofia.
---
The music slowly came to an end.
The ballroom filled with applause.
Ethan and Sofia bowed politely before stepping off the dance floor.
"You did great."
Ethan smiled.
"I told you."
"I almost stepped on your foot."
"Only once."
"Really?"
"No."
"There you go again!"
Sofia laughed and lightly nudged his arm.
Nearby...
Several employees applauded.
"That was beautiful!"
"You two looked amazing!"
Sofia smiled shyly.
"Thank you."
---
As everyone returned to their seats...
The evening continued with dinner and conversations.
Soft piano music filled the ballroom.
Waiters served elegant dishes while guests chatted comfortably.
Sofia excused herself for a moment to check on the charity auction display.
Everything seemed to be going perfectly.
Just as she finished arranging the donation forms...
A familiar voice spoke behind her.
"Miss Reyes."
She turned around.
It was Chloe.
"Miss Villanueva."
Chloe smiled warmly.
"I wanted to congratulate you."
"You danced beautifully."
"Thank you."
"I was so nervous."
"It didn't show."
The two women walked together toward one of the quieter corners of the ballroom.
"I've heard wonderful things about you."
Sofia looked surprised.
"Really?"
"Ethan mentioned how much you've done for tonight's event."
Sofia smiled modestly.
"Everyone worked hard."
Chloe studied her for a moment.
Then smiled again.
"I can see why people enjoy being around you."
Before Sofia could respond...
The host's voice echoed through the ballroom once more.
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
"May I have your attention, please?"
Conversations gradually faded.
"We'd now like to recognize one of the people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make tonight's charity gala a success."
Sofia blinked.
"Recognize someone?"
The host unfolded a card.
"Our Employee Appreciation Award goes to..."
"...Miss Sofia Reyes."
The ballroom erupted into applause.
Sofia's eyes widened.
"...Me?"
Mia immediately hugged her.
"I told you!"
Jenny laughed.
"Go!"
"Don't keep everyone waiting!"
Still in shock...
Sofia slowly walked toward the stage.
She accepted the plaque with both hands and bowed politely.
"Thank you very much."
"I honestly wasn't expecting this."
The audience applauded once again.
As Sofia smiled for the photographers...
No one noticed...
A man wearing a hotel staff uniform quietly approached her table.
He looked around to make sure no one was watching.
Then...
He gently placed a single white rose on Sofia's empty chair.
Without saying a word...
He disappeared into the crowd.
A pair of unseen eyes watched everything from the second floor.
And then...
The mysterious figure quietly walked away.
- Writer
