Chapter 6 – The Charity Gala
715 Words
By Wednesday morning, Blackwood International was in full preparation mode.
The annual Blackwood Foundation Charity Gala was only three days away, and every department seemed to be working overtime.
Amelia barely had time to finish one task before another appeared on her desk.
"Miss Carter?"
She looked up to see Daniel leaning against her desk with his usual mischievous grin.
"You've been officially invited."
"Invited to what?"
"The gala."
She smiled nervously.
"I've never been to a charity gala."
"Then you're about to experience the most expensive evening of your life."
"I don't exactly own a designer gown."
Daniel's grin softened.
"Don't worry."
Before she could ask what he meant, Adrian stepped out of his office.
"Miss Carter."
"Yes?"
"You'll attend as my guest."
The office fell silent.
Every head turned toward them.
Amelia blinked.
"Your... guest?"
"It is customary for my assistant to attend."
Daniel coughed into his hand.
"It wasn't customary last year."
Adrian shot him a look.
"It is now."
Daniel wisely decided to stop talking.
───
That afternoon, Amelia stood outside an elegant boutique, clutching the address Adrian's driver had handed her.
Inside, a stylist greeted her warmly.
"Miss Carter? We've been expecting you."
"Expecting me?"
"The gown has already been selected."
"The gown?"
The stylist smiled.
"Mr. Blackwood chose it himself."
Amelia's eyes widened.
"He... what?"
A few moments later, the stylist pulled back a curtain.
Amelia's breath caught.
The dress was breathtaking.
It was made of deep midnight-blue satin that shimmered like a star-filled sky. The fitted bodice flowed into a graceful skirt that moved with every step.
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
"It reminded Mr. Blackwood of the night sky."
Amelia couldn't help smiling.
For a man who claimed not to notice flowers because they were "distracting," he had surprisingly thoughtful taste.
───
Saturday evening arrived.
As Amelia descended the staircase of her apartment building, Adrian was waiting beside a sleek black car.
He turned at the sound of her footsteps.
For a long moment...
He simply stared.
"You look..." he began.
She smiled.
"Yes?"
"...beautiful."
His voice was almost inaudible.
A blush spread across Amelia's cheeks.
"You clean up rather well yourself."
The corner of his mouth lifted.
"I've been told."
───
The ballroom sparkled beneath crystal chandeliers.
Music floated through the air as business leaders, philanthropists, and celebrities mingled across the room.
Everywhere they walked, cameras flashed.
Whispers followed them.
"Who's she?"
"That's Adrian Blackwood."
"They look good together."
Amelia pretended not to hear.
───
Halfway through the evening, the orchestra began playing a slow waltz.
Daniel appeared beside them with an overly innocent smile.
"Oh, look."
Adrian narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
"The auction won't begin for another ten minutes."
"So?"
"You should dance."
Adrian sighed.
"I don't dance."
Daniel looked at Amelia.
"He's lying."
"I am not."
"You won three ballroom competitions at university."
Amelia's eyebrows shot up.
"You dance?"
"I used to."
Daniel grinned.
"And you're about to again."
Before Adrian could protest, Amelia held out her hand.
"One dance."
He looked at her hand.
Then at her hopeful smile.
Finally...
He took it.
The orchestra swelled as Adrian placed one hand gently at her waist.
His other hand held hers with surprising care.
"You really know how to dance," Amelia whispered.
"I told you."
"You told me you didn't."
"I said I don't."
"There's a difference?"
"There is now."
She laughed, the sound light and genuine.
For the first time all evening, Adrian wasn't thinking about business deals or speeches.
He was focused entirely on the woman in his arms.
As they turned across the polished floor, the rest of the room seemed to disappear.
Neither of them noticed the photographers capturing every moment.
Until a bright flash broke the spell.
Amelia looked up.
"So much for keeping a low profile."
Adrian met her gaze.
"I stopped worrying about that the moment you walked in."
Her heart skipped.
Before she could respond, applause erupted around them as the dance ended.
Reluctantly, they stepped apart.
But neither of them wanted to.
Across the ballroom, hidden behind a marble pillar, a familiar man watched with narrowed eyes.
He lifted his phone.
"They're falling for each other," he said quietly.
A woman's voice answered.
"Perfect."
She ended the call.
The man smiled.
"They'll never see what's coming."
- Writer
