An Unexpected Guest
964 Words
Julian looked at her for a long second before pulling his arm away gently.
The driver stepped out quickly and opened the door for them. The moment Julian stepped outside, bright camera flashes exploded around them from every direction.
“Mr. Vale!”
“Over here!”
“Sir, look this way!”
Reporters crowded the entrance while photographers fought desperately for better angles.
Julian instantly put on the same practiced smile he had perfected over the years. It looked believable enough to fool everyone watching.
Serena stepped out beside him gracefully, immediately slipping her hand into his arm. Together, they walked toward the entrance while cameras flashed endlessly around them.
“They really look happy together.”
“I heard their relationship was struggling after the divorce.”
“Well, that rumor clearly wasn’t true.”
“They look completely in love.”
Hearing those comments made Serena’s smile widen proudly.
She leaned closer toward Julian while still waving elegantly toward the cameras. “You’re doing a good job,” she whispered happily. “People are finally getting the message.”
Julian slowly turned toward her with a smile that looked gentle enough for the cameras watching them. Then he leaned closer until his lips were near her ear.
“Enjoy this moment while it lasts,” he whispered coldly. “Because it won’t last much longer.”
Serena’s smile stiffened instantly.
Her fingers curled tightly around his arm in anger, but she forced herself to keep smiling beautifully for the cameras surrounding them.
Anyone watching would have thought they looked like the perfect couple. No one would have guessed Julian could barely stand her even after doting on her for years.
The moment they entered the ballroom, several wealthy businessmen and investors immediately approached Julian to greet him as the event host.
“Mr. Vale!”
“It’s good to see you again.”
“You’ve been avoiding public events lately.”
Julian shook hands politely while forcing himself to remain patient through every conversation. Serena remained attached to his side, smiling sweetly as though they were genuinely happy together.
After several minutes, Serena tugged lightly on his sleeve. “My parents are over there,” she said softly, pointing ahead. “You should greet them.”
Julian’s jaw tightened slightly.
Across the ballroom, Jada Monroe and her husband stood near one of the large tables, smiling proudly at guests passing by. Moments like this were exactly why they wanted a son-in-law like Julian. They didn't have to fight to get into events like this anymore.
However, Julian wanted absolutely nothing to do with them. Unfortunately, with so many eyes around them, refusing would only attract attention and he had promised his father there would be no drama.
“Fine,” he muttered quietly and they excused themselves from the crowd and walked toward the Monroes.
The moment Jada saw him approaching, her face lit up immediately. “Julian!” she said happily. “You finally look like your old self again.”
Julian forced a small smile that never reached his eyes.
“You’ve been looking much better these days,” she continued warmly. “Honestly, you remind me of how you used to look before all the problems started.”
Julian said nothing. He knew exactly what she meant.
By 'problems' she was referring to Sophie. The thought alone made something twist painfully inside his chest.
Serena’s father patted Julian lightly on the shoulder. “It’s good seeing you both together again.”
Julian nodded mechanically while resisting the urge to walk away. Thankfully, Dan suddenly appeared beside him a moment later.
“Mr Vale,” he said politely. “It’s time for your opening speech.”
Relief washed through Julian immediately. He was sure he would have hugged them if they were in private.
“Excuse me,” he said without hesitation before walking away from the Monroes. Serena watched him leave with irritation burning behind her smile.
A few minutes later, Julian stood at the podium in front of hundreds of wealthy guests filling the ballroom.
He cleared his throat, announcing himself and the room quieted almost immediately. He smiled and adjusted the microphone slightly before beginning his speech, telling himself to do a good job, get this over with, and head home.
“Good evening, everyone,” he said smoothly. “I’d like to thank you all for attending tonight’s charity gala.”
Applause echoed across the ballroom. Julian continued speaking professionally, talking about the importance of the event and the tradition his family had maintained for years. His voice remained calm and steady despite how exhausted he was both mentally and physically.
Then suddenly, the grand ballroom doors opened loudly and instantly interrupted the room.
People turned toward the entrance in confusion as a sudden wave of reporters and photographers flooded inside excitedly.
Camera flashes exploded across the ballroom and whispers from reporters spread through. The chaos was too big to go unnoticed, especially by Julian who was just trying to deliver a good speech and get out of there.
Frowning, Julian tilted his head towards the entrance, trying to see what was the cause. As soon as he did, he froze.
A woman stepped through the doors slowly in an elegant black dress that hugged her figure perfectly. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor as the crowd practically parted around her.
Gasps erupted across the ballroom as they finally understood what there was so much commotion. Julian’s grip loosened around the microphone instantly.
CLANG!
The microphone slipped from his hand and hit the podium loudly as his heart shook and his breathing stopped. His eyes widened as he stared at the woman standing at the entrance, five years disappearing in a second.
"Sophie?"
- Writer
