The stake holder's gala
913 Words
Chapter five.
The grand ballroom sparkled under the crystal chandeliers. Guests dressed in elegant gowns and tailored black tie suites filled the room, their conversations fitting in with the soft music from the live band.
Sophia stood near the entrance, smoothing the deep green fabric dress that flowed around her. She had never attended a luxurious event like this before.
"You look beautiful."
She turned to find Alexander standing behind her in a perfectly fitted black gentle suit. His eyes remained on her for a minute longer than they should have.
"Thank you," she replied shyly. "You don't look so bad yourself."
A beautiful smile spread across Alexander's face.
"Come on. They are waiting for us."
As they entered the ballroom together, everyone's head turned. The whispers started almost immediately.
"Who's the woman with Alexander Reid?"
"I've never seen him bring anyone to a gala."
"They look good together."
Sophia could feel the attention and instinctively moved closer to Alexander.
"Relax," he whispered. "Just stay with me."
She nodded, taking a deep breath.
The evening began with speeches from board members and major investors of the company. Alexander confidently presented what the company has so far achieved and also it's future plans.
The room suddenly gave an applause.
When he stepped off the stage, several stakeholders approached him with congratulations.
One elderly investor smiled at Sophia.
"So this is the young woman we've heard about."
Sophia blinked in confusion.
"He speaks very highly of you."
She looked at Alexander, whose expression remained unclear.
"I... I don't know about that," she said softly.
The investor smiled softly before walking away.
Sophia turned to Alexander.
"You talk about me?"
"I mention people who do their jobs well."
She folded her arms.
"That's not really an answer."
"It wasn't meant to be."
For the first time, she laughed, and Alexander couldn't stop himself from smiling.
As the band began a slow ballroom dance, couples drifted toward the dance floor.
Alexander looked at Sophia.
"Would you like to dance?"
Her eyes widened.
"I don't really know how."
"l will lead."
She hesitated before placing her hand in his.
The moment they stepped onto the dance floor, the rest of the room seemed to disappear.
Alexander's hand rested gently on her waist while Sophia placed hers on his shoulder. They moved slowly to the music.
"You were scared earlier," Alexander said quietly.
"still lam."
"Because of the people watching?"
"No..."
He looked into her eyes.
"Then why?"
She smiled faintly.
"Because I'm dancing with my boss."
For the first time in years, Alexander laughed,a genuine laugh that surprised even himself.
Around the room, several stakeholders exchanged knowing glances.
"It seems our CEO has finally met someone who can make him smile."
But across the ballroom, one pair of eyes watched them with the feeling of bitterness.
A stunning woman in a red gown tightened her grip on her champagne glass.
"So," she muttered under her breath, "this is the girl who's stolen Alexander's attention."
She wasn't about to let that happen.
She set down her glass and began walking toward the dance floor.
Sophia noticed the woman approaching and she stepped back without thinking first as the music ended.
The heartless woman stopped in front of them and smiled sweetly at Alexander.
"Alexander... It's been a long time."
Sophia looked from the woman to Alexander.
The warmth in Alexander's face disappeared instantly, replaced by a cold, unreadable expression.
"Victoria," he said rudely.
Sophia's heart skipped a beat.
Who was Victoria... and why did Alexander suddenly look as if he had seen someone he has never met before.
Alexander's jaw tightened the moment he saw Victoria.The warmth that had filled his eyes while dancing with Sophia disappeared,he replaced it with a cold, unreadable expression, Sophia's attention moved from Alexander to the elegant woman in the red gown,sensing a history neither of them was willing to explain.
Victoria's confident smile suggested,she believed she still had a place in Alexander's life,but the tension in Alexander's body told a completely different story.
Sophia's fear grew stronger but she knew that this wasn't the right place to ask questions.
Sophia instinctively took a step back,feeling as someone who has suddenly become an outsider in the conversation.The excitement she had felt moments earlier faded into uncertainty.
She watched Victoria move close to Alexander with the confidence of someone who knew him very well, unfamiliar ache settled deep inside her so much.
Afterall it was just a contract marriage.... wasn't it? But seeing another woman stand so close to him stirred emotions she wasn't ready to admit.
Just as Sophia turned thinking it would be better to leave the two of them alone,she felt warm fingers gently wrap around her hand.
she looked back in surprise.Alexander's grip was firm yet reassuring,silently asking her not to leave.
Without saying a word,he led her towards the center of the ballroom .Conversations gradually died down as everyone's curious eyes followed them.
The live band stopped playing, leaving only the sound of Alexander's steady footsteps echoing through the wall.
Alexander accepted the microphone from the event host and slowly looked around the grand ballroom.
Every investor, executive,journalists and the guests watched him with curiosity.He took a slow breath before saying anything in a calm but commanding voice.
"May l have everyone's attention for just a moment?"
The room fell completely silent, even the waiters stopped moving as everyone waited to hear what the powerful CEO was about to say.
- Writer
