CHAPTER 3: THE SECOND ENCOUNTER
795 Words
Morning sunlight poured through the large windows of Giovanni Events, filling the office with warmth.
Mackenzie stood in front of the mysterious bouquet of white lilies, still staring at the black card.
For the fearless woman.
She read it again.
Then again.
"...Who sends flowers without signing their name?" she muttered.
Sophia, who had stopped by the office, grinned mischievously.
"Maybe you have a secret admirer."
"I highly doubt that."
"Oh, come on! You're beautiful. It was bound to happen."
Mackenzie rolled her eyes.
"If someone admires me, they should at least have the courage to introduce themselves."
Sophia laughed.
"I like him already."
"You don't even know who he is."
"Exactly."
The two women burst into laughter.
Little did they know...
The sender was watching through a security camera feed in another part of the city.
Lawson Tower.
Damien placed another file on Kelvin's desk.
"Our men confirmed she received the flowers."
Kelvin didn't look up immediately.
"Her reaction?"
"Confused."
"And?"
"She smiled before becoming suspicious."
A faint curve tugged at the corner of Kelvin's lips.
"Good."
Damien hesitated.
"There is something else."
Kelvin finally looked at him.
"Speak."
"Tonight's charity gala."
Kelvin frowned.
"What about it?"
"The Giovanni Events Company has been hired to organize it."
For the first time that morning...
Kelvin's attention sharpened completely.
"What did you say?"
"Mackenzie will personally supervise the event."
Silence.
Then Kelvin stood.
"Prepare the car."
Damien blinked.
"The gala starts in six hours."
"I know."
"I'm arriving early."
By evening...
The luxurious Royal Crescent Hotel glittered beneath hundreds of crystal lights.
Staff members hurried through the grand ballroom, making last-minute preparations.
Mackenzie walked from table to table, checking every detail.
"The centerpieces look perfect."
"The orchestra arrives in twenty minutes."
"Candles should only be lit after the guests are seated."
Everyone admired how calm she remained under pressure.
She loved creating beautiful moments.
As she adjusted a floral arrangement, she accidentally stepped backward—
Straight into someone.
"Oh!"
The impact almost made her lose her balance.
Before she could fall...
A strong hand caught her waist.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"I'm so sorry," she said quickly, turning around.
Then she froze.
The same piercing grey eyes.
The same perfectly tailored black suit.
The same expressionless face.
It was him.
The man from the convoy.
Kelvin Alexander Lawson.
For a brief moment...
Neither of them spoke.
His hand was still around her waist.
Steady.
Protective.
Mackenzie cleared her throat.
"I think..."
She glanced at his hand.
"...you can let go now."
Kelvin looked down as if he'd only just realized he was holding her.
He slowly released her.
"My apologies."
His voice was calm.
Deep.
Powerful.
She straightened her dress.
"Thank you."
Without another word, she returned to arranging the flowers.
Kelvin remained exactly where he was.
Watching her.
She hadn't thanked him because she recognized who he was.
She thanked him because he had prevented her from falling.
No fear.
No nervousness.
Just simple gratitude.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Later that evening...
The ballroom buzzed with influential guests.
Business tycoons.
Politicians.
Celebrities.
Every conversation stopped the moment Kelvin entered.
People instinctively moved aside.
Some nodded respectfully.
Others lowered their heads.
The atmosphere changed completely.
Mackenzie noticed it immediately.
She quietly asked one of the hotel managers,
"Why is everyone acting like that?"
The manager whispered,
"That's Kelvin Alexander Lawson."
"I know his name."
"You don't know his reputation."
Before Mackenzie could ask another question...
She felt someone watching her.
She turned.
Across the ballroom...
Kelvin stood with a crystal glass in one hand.
His grey eyes met hers once again.
This time...
He didn't look away.
Neither did she.
Damien leaned closer.
"Boss..."
Kelvin didn't answer.
"Should I introduce you?"
"No."
"Then what would you like me to do?"
Kelvin's gaze never left Mackenzie.
"Nothing."
Damien frowned.
"But..."
"I want to see how long she'll keep pretending she isn't curious."
A small smile appeared on Kelvin's face.
The first genuine smile Damien had seen in years.
"She's unlike anyone I've ever met."
Near the end of the gala...
Mackenzie walked outside to get a breath of fresh air.
The night air was cool.
Peaceful.
She closed her eyes for a moment.
"You organized a beautiful event."
The familiar deep voice came from behind her.
She turned slowly.
Kelvin stood a few feet away.
Hands in his pockets.
Looking every bit as intimidating as before.
She smiled politely.
"Thank you."
"I mean it."
"Thank you... Mr. Lawson."
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"You know who I am."
She nodded.
"The hotel manager told me."
"And yet..."
He stepped a little closer.
"...you still don't seem afraid."
Mackenzie met his gaze.
"Should I be?"
For the first time in a very long time...
Kelvin was speechless.
- Writer
