The CEO Who Forgot How to Love

Chapter 12: The Man with the White Roses

The black luxury car came to a smooth stop in front of Montenegro Corporation.

Employees leaving the building slowed their steps.

Curiosity spread almost instantly.

The young man stepped out, wearing a tailored navy suit. He looked to be in his late twenties, carrying a bouquet of fresh white roses.

He smiled politely.

"Excuse me..."

"Is one of you Miss Sofia Reyes?"

Sofia blinked in surprise.

"That's... me."

The man walked toward her and slightly bowed.

"Good evening, Miss Reyes."

"These are for you."

Sofia looked at the bouquet before looking back at him.

"I'm sorry... may I ask who sent them?"

The man scratched the back of his head.

"I was instructed not to say."

Mia gasped dramatically.

"Another one!"

Jenny whispered,

"This secret admirer is serious."

Mark folded his arms.

"He's got money."

Noah simply adjusted his glasses.

"That's a different florist."

Sofia laughed awkwardly.

"I don't even know what to say anymore."

---

Adrian's POV

From a short distance away...

Adrian watched everything.

He had already unlocked his car.

He should have left.

Instead...

He stayed.

"So the mysterious admirer finally decided to send someone in person."

He wasn't sure what irritated him more.

The flowers...

Or the smile on the messenger's face.

---

The young man handed Sofia a small envelope.

"This came with the bouquet."

"Thank you."

Before opening it, Sofia looked at him.

"I really can't know who sent this?"

The man smiled apologetically.

"I promised I wouldn't tell."

He bowed once again before returning to his car.

As quickly as he had arrived...

He drove away.

Leaving behind dozens of curious employees.

---

Jenny couldn't contain herself.

"Open it!"

"Yes!"

"We're dying here!"

Sofia sighed dramatically.

"You guys are impossible."

She carefully opened the envelope.

Inside was a simple handwritten message.

> Congratulations on your first charity gala. I hope you enjoy the evening.

There was still...

No name.

"No confession?"

Mia sounded disappointed.

Jenny nodded.

"At least tell us who you are!"

Mark chuckled.

"Maybe he's shy."

Sofia smiled politely.

"Maybe."

She didn't realize another pair of eyes had been quietly reading her expression.

---

Ethan's POV

"He's about to explode."

Ethan glanced at Adrian.

His best friend looked completely calm.

Too calm.

He walked over casually.

"So..."

"What."

"You've been standing here for five minutes."

"I just finished work."

"You also watched the entire flower delivery."

"...Coincidence."

Ethan laughed.

"Right."

Another pause.

Then Ethan added,

"Nice flowers."

Adrian looked toward Sofia again.

"They're ordinary."

"Really?"

"I've seen better."

Ethan grinned.

"I wasn't asking for a review."

---

The next morning...

The office was livelier than usual.

Tomorrow was the charity gala.

Everyone seemed excited.

Everyone...

Except Adrian.

He walked out of his office and stopped beside Sofia's desk.

"Miss Reyes."

She looked up.

"Yes, sir?"

"I need the finalized guest seating chart."

"I'll have it ready in ten minutes."

He nodded.

Then...

His eyes landed on yesterday's bouquet sitting in a vase.

"...You brought them."

Sofia smiled.

"I felt bad throwing them away."

"Hm."

He simply walked back into his office.

Sofia frowned.

"Why does he always notice the flowers?"

---

Sofia's POV

Ten minutes later...

She entered Adrian's office carrying the seating chart.

"Here you go, sir."

He accepted the folder.

Before she could leave...

He suddenly asked,

"Have you thanked the sender?"

She looked surprised.

"I don't even know who the sender is."

"If you found out?"

She thought for a moment.

"I'd probably thank him."

Adrian quietly nodded.

"That's polite."

"...Yes."

"But..."

She smiled.

"I'd also tell him to stop spending money on flowers."

Adrian looked up.

"Why?"

"They're beautiful."

"But I don't want someone wasting money on me."

For some reason...

That answer made the corner of Adrian's lips lift ever so slightly.

"You may go."

As Sofia left...

She couldn't help smiling.

“Was that... almost a smile?"

---

Adrian's POV

After the door closed...

Adrian leaned back in his chair.

"She'd tell him to stop."

For reasons he couldn't explain...

He felt relieved.

A knock came at the door.

Ethan entered without waiting.

"I heard about the flowers."

"I'm sure you did."

"So..."

"When are you buying yours?"

Adrian looked at him.

"I beg your pardon?"

"If anonymous flowers aren't working..."

"Maybe signed flowers will."

"I'm not sending her flowers."

"Why not?"

Adrian answered almost immediately.

"...Because that's ridiculous."

Ethan smiled knowingly.

"Interesting."

"He didn't say he doesn't want to."

"He said he won't."

---

That afternoon...

The event committee gathered for one final rehearsal.

Everything went smoothly.

Until the event coordinator clapped her hands to get everyone's attention.

"Everyone, may I have your attention, please?"

The conversations gradually died down as the employees gathered around.

She smiled warmly.

"We only have one final rehearsal before tomorrow night's charity gala."

"The event schedule has already been finalized, so I'd like to remind everyone of your assignments."

She glanced at the clipboard in her hands.

"As announced earlier this month, the opening dance will officially welcome our guests."

"Our assigned dance partners will remain the same."

She looked up and smiled.

"Ethan Cruz and Sofia Reyes."

Ethan raised his hand dramatically.

"Looks like we're still partners."

Sofia laughed.

"I'll try not to step on your shoes this time."

"I'm more worried about stepping on yours."

The room filled with laughter.

The coordinator continued reading the assignments.

"The remaining committee members will be stationed at registration, backstage, guest assistance, and sponsor coordination."

She then turned toward Adrian.

"Mr. Montenegro, tomorrow evening you'll deliver the opening speech before welcoming our VIP guests and accompanying our major sponsors throughout the event."

Adrian gave a brief nod.

"Understood."

"Once the opening ceremony is over, we'll proceed according to the program."

She smiled at everyone.

"If there are no more questions, that's all for today."

The employees began gathering their belongings, chatting excitedly about the gala.

Ethan walked over to Adrian with his usual teasing grin.

"So..."

"What."

"I'll be dancing with Sofia tomorrow night."

Adrian calmly closed the folder he was holding.

"I already know the schedule."

Ethan chuckled.

"I just thought I'd remind you."

"As long as you don't embarrass the company."

"I'll try my best."

Ethan started walking away, then looked back over his shoulder.

"Oh..."

"And don't worry."

"I promise I'll take good care of your assistant."

Before Adrian could respond, Ethan disappeared into the crowd.

Adrian let out a quiet sigh.

His gaze instinctively shifted toward the ballroom.

Sofia was laughing with Mia while reviewing tomorrow's checklist.

A small smile rested on her face.

Without realizing it...

He watched her for a few seconds longer than necessary.

"She's just preparing for tomorrow's event."

"So why am I paying this much attention?"

Across the room, Chloe noticed Adrian's wandering gaze.

She quietly followed it.

It landed on Sofia.

A knowing smile slowly appeared on Chloe's face.

She had known Adrian for years.

Long enough to recognize even the smallest changes in him.

"Interesting..."

"You don't even realize you're watching her."

The rehearsal officially ended.

As everyone began leaving the ballroom, Adrian remained standing for a moment.

His eyes followed Sofia until she disappeared through the exit with Ethan and the rest of the organizing committee.

Only then did Adrian turn away.

Tomorrow night's charity gala...

Was going to be far more complicated than he expected.