JUST THE TWO OF US

Chapter 9: Stealing the Spotlight

Two weeks after Julian’s impromptu mental health day, the highly anticipated Sterling Holdings Annual Charity Gala arrived. It was the most exclusive event of the year, a glittering night where the city’s most elite billionaires, politicians, and socialites gathered to donate ridiculous sums of money to various charities.

For the past five years, Julian had attended this gala entirely alone. He usually arrived, gave a brilliant but emotionally detached speech, wrote a massive check, and left before the dancing even began.

But this year was going to be entirely different.

On Saturday afternoon, a team of professional hair and makeup artists arrived at Maya’s apartment, completely paid for by Julian. Along with them came a massive, black velvet dress box tied with a silver silk ribbon. When Maya opened it, she literally gasped out loud. Inside lay a custom-designed, sweeping ruby-red gown made of the finest silk. It was breathtakingly elegant, featuring a delicate sweetheart neckline, a fitted bodice that perfectly accentuated her curves, and a flowing skirt with a daring but tasteful slit up the leg.

Tucked into the box was a small, handwritten note on Julian’s thick stationary.

*I saw this and immediately thought of you. You are going to outshine every single star in the sky tonight. I am counting the seconds until I can see you. — Yours, J.*

By seven o'clock, Maya looked at herself in the full-length mirror and could hardly believe her eyes. Her dark, natural curls were pinned up in an elegant, sweeping updo, with a few soft tendrils left loose to frame her face. Her makeup was glowing and flawless, enhancing her warm brown eyes and full lips. The ruby-red dress fit her like an absolute dream, making her look like royalty.

A soft knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts.

Maya picked up her small silver clutch, took a deep breath to steady her rapidly beating heart, and opened the door.

Julian was standing in the hallway, looking devastatingly handsome in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo. His crisp white shirt contrasted sharply with his dark suit, and a black silk bowtie rested perfectly at his throat. He looked like James Bond, only infinitely more powerful and intimidating.

But the moment Julian’s dark eyes landed on Maya, all of his intimidating presence completely dissolved.

He actually stopped breathing. His jaw went slightly slack, and his eyes darkened with a mixture of pure, absolute reverence and fierce desire. He looked at her as if she were a goddess who had just descended from the heavens specifically for him.

"Julian?" Maya whispered softly, a shy, beautiful smile touching her lips. "Is the dress okay?"

Julian finally exhaled a shaky breath, stepping into the apartment and gently closing the door behind him. He closed the distance between them, his eyes scanning every inch of her glowing face.

"Okay? Maya, you look... you are an absolute vision," Julian murmured, his voice incredibly deep and thick with emotion. He reached out, gently framing her face with his large hands, terrified he might somehow break the magic of the moment. "I am going to have to spend the entire night fighting off every man in that ballroom just to keep you to myself."

Maya laughed, the sweet, melodic sound filling the room. She reached up, resting her hands flat against his solid chest, feeling the steady thumping of his heart beneath the crisp tuxedo shirt. "You don't have to fight anyone, Julian. I am entirely yours."

Julian’s eyes softened with profound love. He leaned down and pressed a breathtakingly tender kiss to her lips, careful not to smudge her makeup. "Let's go show the world my beautiful queen."

Thirty minutes later, the sleek black limousine pulled up to the grand entrance of the Plaza Hotel. The red carpet was swarming with flashing cameras, reporters, and the wealthiest people in the country.

The moment the chauffeur opened the door, a hush fell over the crowd closest to the car.

Julian stepped out first, instantly commanding the attention of every single camera. His expression was a familiar mask of cold, untouchable authority. But then, instead of buttoning his jacket and walking inside alone as he always did, Julian turned back to the car. He offered his large hand, his expression softening instantly into something incredibly gentle.

Maya placed her hand in his and stepped out onto the red carpet.

The paparazzi went absolutely wild. Flashbulbs exploded like fireworks as Julian wrapped his arm securely around Maya’s waist, pulling her flush against his side. He didn't care about the cameras, the reporters shouting his name, or the shocked gasps of the elite socialites. He only cared about keeping Maya comfortable. He leaned down, whispering a soft, reassuring joke into her ear that made her smile radiantly for the cameras.

Inside the grand, gold-leafed ballroom, the atmosphere was electric. The moment Julian and Maya walked in, heads turned. Whispers rippled through the sea of expensive gowns and tailored suits. *Who is she? She’s stunning. I've never seen Julian Sterling look at a woman like that.*

Maya felt a slight wave of nervousness at all the staring, but Julian’s warm hand resting firmly on the small of her back anchored her completely.

"Mr. Sterling!" Marcus, Julian’s loyal assistant, practically beamed as he approached them with two glasses of champagne. "And Miss Hayes. You look absolutely magnificent tonight. The entire room is practically vibrating with shock."

"Thank you, Marcus," Maya smiled warmly, taking a glass.

Before Julian could respond, a sharp, heavily perfumed presence inserted itself into their circle. It was Victoria Vance, the wealthy daughter of a rival CEO. Victoria had been trying to get Julian’s attention for three years, completely convinced that they were meant to rule the corporate world together. She was wearing a blindingly tight silver dress and a perfectly fake smile.

"Julian, darling," Victoria purred, stepping too close and completely ignoring Maya. "It’s been far too long. I was hoping we could discuss the merger tonight over a private drink?"

Julian didn't even blink. He didn't take a single step away from Maya; in fact, he pulled Maya closer. "This is a charity event, Victoria, not a boardroom. If your father wishes to discuss business, he can call my assistant on Monday."

Victoria’s fake smile faltered for a fraction of a second before her cold, calculating eyes finally slid over to Maya. She looked Maya up and down, taking in the stunning ruby dress.

"And who is this?" Victoria asked, her tone dripping with subtle, condescending venom. "I know nearly everyone in our circle, but I don't recognize you. Are you new to the city, or just one of the... hired staff from the catering company playing dress-up?"

Maya opened her mouth to calmly introduce herself, but Julian beat her to it.

The temperature around Julian dropped to absolute zero. The gentle, loving man from the apartment vanished entirely, replaced by the terrifying, ruthless billionaire who destroyed companies for fun.

"Victoria," Julian’s voice was dangerously quiet, slicing through the loud chatter of the ballroom like a razor blade. "This is Maya Hayes. And she is not just anyone."

Julian looked down at Maya, the lethal ice in his eyes completely melting away into unfiltered, breathtaking devotion for the entire world to see. He gently lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles deliberately in front of Victoria and half the room.

"She is the absolute center of my universe," Julian continued smoothly, his eyes snapping back to Victoria with a freezing warning. "She is the woman I love. And if you ever speak to her with anything less than profound respect again, I will personally buy your father’s company and liquidate it before you can even finish your champagne. Now, excuse us."

Without waiting for Victoria’s shocked, horrified response, Julian seamlessly guided Maya away, leaving the snooty heiress standing utterly frozen and humiliated in the middle of the ballroom.

Maya looked up at Julian, her heart swelling with so much love it physically ached. "You really didn't have to threaten her father's company, you know. I can handle a mean girl."

"I know you can, sweetheart," Julian smiled warmly, leading her directly toward the center of the massive dance floor. "But I don't want you to ever have to. Not when you have me."

The orchestra began to play a slow, sweeping waltz. Julian gently took her glass of champagne, set it on a passing tray, and pulled her into his arms. One large hand rested firmly on her waist, and the other clasped her hand softly.

As they swayed to the beautiful music, surrounded by hundreds of the wealthiest people in the city, the rest of the world simply faded away. There was no Sterling Holdings, no jealous heiresses, and no paparazzi. There was only Julian, holding her as if she were his most precious treasure, and Maya, absolutely certain that she had found her forever in his arms.