Chapter 17: Too Late
826 Words
The ballroom slowly came back to life after the anonymous message was read.
The orchestra began playing another soft melody as the host smiled at the guests.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please continue enjoying the rest of the evening."
"Our dance floor is now open to everyone."
Couples gradually made their way toward the center of the ballroom.
Some were husbands and wives.
Some were business partners.
Others were simply friends enjoying the elegant atmosphere.
---
Sofia's POV
Sofia remained seated.
She still couldn't stop thinking about the mysterious message.
Mia gently touched her shoulder.
"Don't think too much about it."
Jenny nodded.
"Just enjoy the rest of the night."
Sofia smiled faintly.
"I'm trying."
Before anyone could say another word...
Ethan appeared with his usual playful grin.
"So..."
"Our famous employee."
Sofia covered her face.
"Please don't start."
"I wasn't going to."
"...Okay, maybe a little."
She laughed despite herself.
"You'll never let me forget tonight, will you?"
"Nope."
"That's what best friends are for."
The four of them laughed together.
Across the ballroom...
Someone quietly watched them.
---
Adrian's POV
Adrian stood beside a group of sponsors, but his attention kept drifting toward Sofia.
She was smiling again.
Talking with Mia, Jenny, and Ethan.
For some reason...
Seeing her smile eased the tension in his chest.
Then Chloe walked over.
"You've looked in her direction at least ten times tonight."
Adrian didn't look at her.
"I've been observing the event."
Chloe smiled knowingly.
"Is that what we're calling it now?"
He remained silent.
She looked toward Sofia.
"The dance floor is open."
"So?"
"So..."
"If you want to ask her..."
"You should do it now."
Adrian frowned.
"What makes you think I want to dance?"
Chloe chuckled.
"Because every time another man talks to her..."
"You stop listening to everyone else."
Adrian didn't answer.
Instead...
His eyes returned to Sofia once more.
She looked happier now.
The embarrassment from earlier seemed to be fading.
"It's just one dance."
"There's nothing strange about asking."
"Stop overthinking."
He took a deep breath.
Then...
He started walking toward her.
---
Sofia's POV
She noticed Adrian walking across the ballroom.
Straight toward her.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Is he coming here?"
Mia noticed too.
She quietly smiled but said nothing.
One step.
Two steps.
Three.
Adrian was getting closer.
For some reason...
Sofia suddenly felt nervous.
Just then—
"Miss Reyes."
A voice interrupted.
She turned.
Standing beside her was Daniel, the young Marketing Manager.
He smiled politely.
"I hope I'm not interrupting."
"Oh..."
"Not at all."
Daniel took a slow breath.
"I know you've had quite an eventful evening."
"But..."
"Would you honor me with this dance?"
Sofia blinked.
She instinctively looked past Daniel.
Adrian was only a few steps away.
Their eyes met.
For one brief moment...
She thought...
He was going to ask her.
But Adrian stopped walking.
Neither of them spoke.
The silence lasted only a heartbeat.
Sofia slowly looked back at Daniel.
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
"I'd be happy to."
Daniel smiled with relief.
"Thank you."
He offered his hand.
Sofia accepted it.
Together...
They walked toward the dance floor.
---
Adrian's POV
He remained where he was.
Only a few steps away.
His hand slowly dropped back to his side.
"Too late."
He watched as Daniel placed one hand on Sofia's waist.
The music began.
They danced gracefully beneath the golden lights.
Adrian couldn't explain the feeling growing inside him.
It wasn't anger.
It wasn't disappointment.
It was something unfamiliar.
Something he had never experienced before.
Jealousy.
---
Ethan's POV
From across the ballroom...
Ethan had witnessed everything.
Every single second.
He walked over and stood beside Adrian.
"You were going to ask her."
"I wasn't."
"You walked halfway across the ballroom."
"I was greeting the guests."
Ethan looked around dramatically.
"In the middle of the dance floor?"
Adrian remained silent.
Ethan laughed.
"You know..."
"If you keep hesitating..."
"Someone else will always get there first."
Adrian said nothing.
His eyes never left Sofia.
Daniel whispered something.
Sofia laughed softly.
For reasons Adrian couldn't understand...
That laugh bothered him.
More than it should have.
---
Chloe's POV
She quietly watched Adrian from a distance.
Then smiled to herself.
"You've finally realized it."
"You're not jealous because another man is dancing with your employee."
"You're jealous because another man is dancing with the woman you've started falling for."
---
The music slowly came to an end.
The ballroom filled with applause.
Daniel bowed politely.
"Thank you for the dance."
"The pleasure was mine."
Sofia smiled warmly.
As she turned to return to her table...
A hotel staff member approached Adrian.
"Mr. Montenegro."
"Yes?"
"The valet has informed us that someone is asking for Miss Reyes outside."
Adrian frowned.
"Who?"
The employee shook his head.
"He refused to give his name."
Adrian's expression immediately changed.
Without another word...
He looked toward the ballroom entrance.
Something told him...
Tonight wasn't over yet.
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