The CEO Who Forgot How to Love

Chapter 6: An Unforgettable Evening

The black luxury sedan glided through the busy streets of the city.

Inside, silence filled the car.

Sofia sat with her hands neatly folded on her lap, occasionally stealing glances at the man beside her.

Adrian Montenegro was reviewing a file on his tablet as if he weren't driving to an important business dinner.

He looked as calm as ever.

Meanwhile, Sofia's heart was racing.

Why am I so nervous?

It's just dinner...

With the CEO...

Who happens to be the most intimidating man in the company.

She quietly sighed.

"I've never been this nervous before."

Without taking his eyes off the road, Adrian spoke.

"You've sighed three times in the last five minutes."

Sofia's eyes widened.

"You counted?"

"I noticed."

She scratched the back of her neck awkwardly.

"Sorry..."

"I've never attended an event like this."

"There will be business executives, investors, and company presidents."

"What if I embarrass you?"

Adrian finally glanced at her for a brief second.

"You won't."

His answer came so naturally that Sofia blinked.

"...You sound confident."

"If I wasn't confident in your abilities..."

"I wouldn't have asked you to come."

For some reason...

Those words made Sofia smile.

"Thank you, sir."

Adrian didn't respond.

But the corners of his lips softened—just enough to go unnoticed.

---

Twenty minutes later...

The car stopped in front of the luxurious Grand Imperial Hotel.

Valets immediately rushed toward them.

As Adrian stepped out, flashes from cameras lit up the entrance.

Business reporters.

Executives.

Socialites.

Everyone greeted Adrian the moment they saw him.

"Good evening, Mr. Montenegro."

"It's an honor to see you again."

"Congratulations on another successful quarter."

Adrian simply nodded politely.

He wasn't rude.

He was just... distant.

Sofia quietly followed behind him.

The hotel's grand ballroom was breathtaking.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead.

A live orchestra played soft classical music.

Round tables filled the room, each decorated with elegant white roses.

"This place is incredible..." Sofia whispered.

Adrian heard her.

"First time?"

She nodded.

"I've only seen places like this in movies."

He looked at her for a moment.

"Don't look so nervous."

"I'm trying not to."

"You belong here."

Sofia smiled gratefully.

"Thank you."

---

As they walked farther inside...

A middle-aged businessman approached them with a bright smile.

"Adrian!"

Adrian shook his hand.

"Mr. Lim."

The older man then turned to Sofia.

"And who is this lovely young lady?"

Sofia immediately bowed politely.

"Good evening, sir. I'm Sofia Reyes, Mr. Montenegro's executive assistant."

Mr. Lim laughed warmly.

"Executive assistant?"

He looked at Adrian with amusement.

"You've never brought one before."

"I brought the most capable one."

Sofia's eyes widened.

She slowly turned toward Adrian.

Did he...

Just compliment her?

Mr. Lim chuckled.

"I like her already."

"Take good care of her, Adrian."

"We're here for business."

"Of course you are."

The older man walked away, still laughing.

Sofia leaned closer and whispered,

"Sir..."

"You've been complimenting me a lot lately."

"I've only stated facts."

She couldn't help but smile.

---

Across the ballroom...

A pair of sharp eyes watched them.

Chloe Villanueva stood near the champagne table in a stunning red evening gown.

Elegant.

Confident.

And undeniably beautiful.

She watched as Adrian spoke to Sofia.

More importantly...

She noticed something Adrian himself hadn't realized.

He wasn't avoiding Sofia.

He was paying attention to her.

Every time Sofia spoke...

His eyes naturally found her.

Chloe tightened her grip on her champagne glass.

"So..."

"It really is you."

---

The evening continued with presentations and business discussions.

Sofia carefully took notes while Adrian negotiated with several investors.

She admired how calm and composed he was.

He never raised his voice.

He never showed unnecessary emotion.

Yet every word he spoke carried authority.

*"No wonder everyone respects him,"* she thought.

When the meeting finally ended, Adrian excused himself.

"I'll be back."

Sofia nodded.

"I'll wait here."

As Adrian disappeared into a nearby hallway, Sofia wandered toward the dessert table.

Everything looked delicious.

Tiny cakes.

Macarons.

Chocolate fountains.

She reached for a strawberry tart.

At the same time...

Someone else reached for it.

"Oh!"

"I'm sorry."

Sofia looked up.

A beautiful woman smiled at her.

"It's alright."

"You can have it."

Sofia smiled politely.

"Thank you."

The woman studied her for a moment.

"So..."

"You're Sofia."

Sofia blinked.

"You know my name?"

The woman's smile remained calm.

"Of course."

"My name is Chloe."

"I'm Adrian's fiancée."

The words hit Sofia like a sudden gust of cold wind.

"...Fiancée?"

Chloe nodded elegantly.

"Our families have known each other for years."

"We'll be getting married soon."

Sofia forced a polite smile.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

Chloe tilted her head slightly.

"Adrian doesn't usually bring employees to events."

"You must be very special."

"N-No..."

"I'm just doing my job."

"I'm sure you are."

Although Chloe's voice remained gentle...

Her eyes told a different story.

They were studying Sofia.

Judging her.

Measuring her.

For the first time...

Sofia felt genuinely uncomfortable.

Before either of them could continue—

A familiar voice interrupted.

"Chloe."

Both women turned.

Adrian stood a few steps away.

His expression immediately became colder.

"What are you doing here?"

Chloe smiled sweetly.

"I came to support you."

"I wasn't informed."

"I wanted to surprise you."

Adrian's face remained unreadable.

"You've seen me."

"You can leave now."

Even Sofia was shocked by how direct he was.

Chloe laughed softly, pretending not to be hurt.

"Still as charming as ever."

She stepped closer to Adrian.

"I'll see you soon."

As she walked away, she glanced at Sofia one last time.

That smile...

Didn't reach her eyes.

---

The ride back to the city was much quieter than before.

Sofia stared out the window.

Her mind replayed Chloe's words.

*"I'm Adrian's fiancée."*

She wasn't sure why...

But hearing those words left an unfamiliar heaviness in her chest.

Adrian noticed her silence.

"You're unusually quiet."

Sofia quickly smiled.

"Just tired."

He didn't believe her.

But he didn't press the issue.

When they arrived outside Sofia's apartment, Adrian stepped out first.

"I'll walk you to the entrance."

"Sir, you don't have to—"

"It's late."

She nodded.

Together, they walked through the quiet street.

As they reached the gate, Sofia turned to him.

"Thank you for today."

"You did well."

She smiled brightly.

"Good night, sir."

"Good night."

Sofia disappeared inside the building.

Adrian remained standing outside for a few seconds before returning to his car.

Just as he opened the driver's door, his phone vibrated.

It was a message from an unknown number.

Attached was a single photograph.

A photo of Sofia entering her apartment moments ago.

Below it was one short message.

"Stay away from her... or she'll pay the price."