The Woman In Red
1513 Words
Alicia had never seen so many expensive cars in one place.
The charity event was being held at the Grand Meridian Hotel, one of the most exclusive venues in the city. Crystal chandeliers illuminated the massive ballroom, and elegantly dressed guests filled every corner of the room.
As Alexander’s car pulled to a stop, Alicia stared through the window.
“This is a fundraiser?” she asked.
Alexander glanced at her.
“You sound disappointed.”
“It looks like a royal wedding.”
A faint amusement flashed across his eyes.
“Welcome to high society.”
The driver opened the door.
Immediately, flashes exploded.
Cameras.
Reporters.
Photographers.
Alicia froze.
Alexander stepped out first.
Then he turned toward her.
For a brief moment, the noise seemed overwhelming.
Then Alexander extended his hand.
The gesture was simple.
Expected.
Professional.
Yet somehow reassuring.
Alicia placed her hand in his.
The moment she stepped out of the car, the flashes intensified.
Questions flew from every direction.
“Mr. Hayes!”
“Who is she?”
“Are the engagement rumors true?”
Alicia’s heart pounded.
Before she could react, Alexander’s hand settled against her waist.
The movement was effortless.
Natural.
Possessive.
Every reporter immediately fell silent.
Not because he had spoken.
Because the gesture itself spoke loudly enough.
Alexander guided her toward the entrance.
“Stay close.”
His voice was calm.
Unbothered.
As if hundreds of cameras weren’t pointed at them.
Alicia swallowed.
“Easier said than done.”
For the first time that evening, she heard a low chuckle from him.
The sound surprised her.
Inside the ballroom, the atmosphere shifted instantly.
Conversations paused.
People noticed Alexander Hayes.
Then they noticed the woman beside him.
Alicia felt dozens of curious gazes.
Some were friendly.
Others weren’t.
She lifted her chin anyway.
If she was going to survive this world, she refused to look intimidated.
For the next hour, Alexander introduced her to several business associates and charity organizers.
To her surprise, the conversations weren’t terrible.
Most people were polite.
A few were genuinely kind.
Others clearly questioned why she was there.
Alicia ignored them.
She had dealt with worse than judgmental millionaires.
Then the room changed.
Not dramatically.
Subtly.
Conversations lowered.
Heads turned.
Several guests suddenly became interested in the entrance.
Alicia followed their gaze.
And immediately understood why.
A woman in an elegant red gown had just entered the ballroom.
She was beautiful.
Confident.
And completely aware of both facts.
The woman moved through the crowd as though she owned the room.
Alicia watched her approach.
Something about her instantly irritated her.
Not because she was beautiful.
Not because she was confident.
But because she carried herself as though she was above everyone else.
Who exactly does she think she is?
The thought appeared before Alicia could stop it.
The woman stopped directly in front of them.
Her smile widened.
“Alexander.”
Alexander’s expression didn’t change.
“Vanessa.”
No warmth.
No excitement.
No special reaction.
Yet the woman looked entirely pleased with herself.
So this was Vanessa.
The woman Henry had never mentioned.
Vanessa’s gaze swept over Alicia slowly.
Not rudely.
Not obviously.
But enough.
Enough to make Alicia feel like she was being inspected.
Measured.
Judged.
And for some reason, that irritated her immediately.
Who does she think she is?
The thought appeared before Alicia could stop it.
The woman hadn’t insulted her.
Hadn’t raised her voice.
Hadn’t done anything wrong.
Yet somehow she carried herself as though everyone around her existed several steps below her.
Vanessa smiled.
“Alicia, isn’t it?”
Alicia returned the smile.
“That’s right.”
“I’ve heard quite a bit about you recently.”
Something about the way she said it made Alicia uneasy.
Not because it sounded friendly.
Because it didn’t.
It sounded like a warning disguised as politeness.
“Hopefully nothing too terrible.”
Vanessa laughed softly.
“Oh, quite the opposite.”
The lie was so smooth Alicia almost admired it.
Almost.
Vanessa glanced toward Alexander.
Then back at Alicia.
“Alexander usually avoids these kinds of events.”
There it was.
The first move.
Alicia immediately understood.
This wasn’t information.
It was a message.
I’ve known him longer than you.
I know things you don’t.
Alicia smiled sweetly.
Then turned toward Alexander.
“Really?”
Alexander lifted an eyebrow.
Vanessa waited.
Alicia’s smile widened slightly.
“Then I suppose I should feel honored.”
Silence.
“Considering he’s still here.”
Vanessa’s smile froze.
Only for a second.
But Alicia caught it.
A small victory.
A satisfying one.
Vanessa recovered quickly.
“Alexander has always been difficult to persuade.”
Alicia nodded thoughtfully.
“I’m beginning to notice that.”
A few nearby guests laughed.
Vanessa’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
“You’ll learn.”
There it was again.
The implication.
You don’t know him.
Not like I do.
Alicia tilted her head.
“Maybe.”
Then she smiled.
“Though people can surprise you.”
Vanessa studied her carefully.
The smile never left her face.
Neither woman’s did.
Yet Alicia suddenly understood something.
This wasn’t a conversation.
It was a competition.
And neither of them intended to lose.
Vanessa lifted her champagne glass.
“I suppose you’ll eventually get used to this world.”
Alicia smiled.
“The world?”
Vanessa gestured toward the ballroom.
“The expectations. The people. The attention.”
The implication was obvious.
Alicia understood immediately.
For a moment irritation flared inside her chest.
Who does she think she is?
Every sentence sounded polite.
Every smile looked perfect.
Yet somehow Vanessa managed to make everything feel like a challenge.
Alicia glanced around the ballroom.
Then smiled.
“I think I’m adjusting just fine.”
Vanessa laughed softly.
“Of course.”
The words sounded pleasant.
The tone didn’t.
Alicia was beginning to understand the game.
Nothing was said directly.
Everything was implied.
Vanessa turned toward Alexander.
“Do you remember the charity auction in Paris?”
Alicia almost rolled her eyes.
There it is again.
Another reminder that she belonged to his world.
Or at least believed she did.
Before Vanessa could continue, Alicia placed a hand lightly on Alexander’s arm.
“Alexander.”
Both of them looked at her.
Alicia offered a small smile.
“I’m tired.”
Vanessa’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
Alicia continued.
“I think I’d like to leave.”
For a brief moment Vanessa looked amused.
As though she expected Alexander to refuse.
Instead Alexander simply nodded.
“Alright.”
Vanessa blinked.
Alicia nearly did too.
That was it?
No argument.
No discussion.
No hesitation.
Just alright.
For some reason, satisfaction warmed her chest.
A small, ridiculous amount of satisfaction.
She immediately pushed the feeling away.
Vanessa recovered quickly.
“Leaving already?”
Alicia smiled.
“Unfortunately.”
Then she added sweetly,
“We wouldn’t want to overstay our welcome.”
The emphasis was subtle.
Barely noticeable.
But Vanessa noticed.
The smile on her face tightened.
Only slightly.
Only for a second.
Alicia considered that a victory.
Vanessa set down her glass.
“I suppose I’ll see you at the Hayes Gala.”
The statement felt less like a farewell and more like a challenge.
Alicia met her gaze.
“I’m sure you will.”
Neither woman looked away.
Then Vanessa smiled.
“Goodnight, Alicia.”
“Goodnight, Vanessa.”
The exchange was perfectly polite.
Which somehow made it worse.
As Alexander guided Alicia away, she could practically feel Vanessa’s eyes following them.
Only when they reached the entrance did Alicia finally breathe.
The cool night air felt refreshing.
The ballroom suddenly seemed very far away.
She resisted the urge to look back.
Who does she think she is?
The thought returned immediately.
Vanessa hadn’t insulted her.
Hadn’t raised her voice.
Hadn’t done anything openly wrong.
Yet Alicia had never wanted to win a conversation so badly in her life.
As they approached the car, she allowed herself a small smile.
At least she hadn’t looked weak.
That counted for something.
“Alicia.”
Alexander’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.
She looked up.
He was watching her.
“What?”
A faint pause.
Then:
“You handled yourself well.”
The compliment caught her completely off guard.
For a moment she simply stared.
Then she looked away.
“It wasn’t a big deal.”
“It was.”
Alicia shook her head.
“I wasn’t trying to impress anyone.”
“No?”
She folded her arms.
“No.”
A brief silence followed.
Then she added,
“I just didn’t want her thinking she could walk all over me.”
Something that almost resembled amusement appeared in Alexander’s eyes.
Almost.
For a moment neither spoke.
Then the driver opened the car door.
Alicia slid inside.
Alexander followed.
As the vehicle pulled away from the hotel, the city lights blurred beyond the windows.
The event was over.
Yet somehow Alicia had a feeling the real battle hadn’t even started.
Because in only a few days, the Hayes Gala would arrive.
And something told her Vanessa Whitmore wasn’t planning to lose.
- Writer
