"You look so beautiful today, Chloe!" her coworker beamed as Chloe Reed stepped into the grand ballroom.
Chloe offered a soft smile, her cheeks warming with a mix of flattery and nerves. She had indeed taken extra care with her appearance tonight, more than ever before. Her silk champagne gown hugged her silhouette in all the right places and her hair flowed in elegant waves.
Her boss, Leo, whom she'd admired since college, was returning after a month from a long business trip. Chloe had counted the days, replayed their conversations in her mind, re-read every casual message, and tried to decode the unspoken things in his silences.
For the past few days, the entire office buzzed with rumors that Leo would announce something about his love life. Everyone knew Chloe had been by his side for years and maybe, just maybe, tonight he would finally confess his feelings and ask her to be his girlfriend.
She still remembered the accident that she met during her freshman year. She had just finished a late evening class when a screech of tires and a scream split the night. A truck had barreled through the bus stop. Chloe had rushed in without thinking, trying to help a bleeding child, when a metal pillar came crashing down. Everything went black.
She woke up in the hospital, and all she remembered was a man's arms lifting her, the scent of his cologne, the blood staining her blouse, and his white shoes. She then recalled Leo wearing the same shoes and shirt on campus, something inside her clicked. She was certain that Leo had saved her life.
"About the accident last week…" Chloe had said to Leo one day when she found the courage to thank him.
"I'm just glad you're okay," Leo had replied gently, avoiding her eyes. "Witnessing something like that is traumatic."
Since then, Chloe had grown to admire him quietly, content to stay by his side even if he only saw her as a younger sister.
The lights in the ballroom dimmed. Murmurs rippled through the crowd. The main doors swung open, and a spotlight lit the red carpet. A hush fell over the room.
Chloe turned toward the entrance, heart thudding.
Leo walked in but he wasn't alone.
His arm was around her. Linda. His ex-girlfriend. The woman he had once loved, the one he claimed was part of a closed chapter.
Chloe's chest tightened.
On stage, Leo took the microphone. "Thank you all for being here tonight. I'm thrilled to introduce my fiancée, Linda."
The room erupted into applause. But Chloe's world went silent.
Her hands trembled. She turned away, her vision blurring. The applause felt like daggers to her chest. She ran, heels clicking against marble, escaping into the hotel corridor.
She didn't care who saw her. She needed air. She needed to breathe.
As she reached the elevator, a man was waiting.
She didn't look at him. Her tears blurred everything. The elevator doors opened, and they entered together.
Then her phone rang. The name on the screen was her Mom.
She hesitated but she answered the call.
"Chloe! You finally picked up," her mother snapped, voice tight with frustration. "Do you know what today is? Everyone's been waiting, but you didn't show up!"
Chloe blinked, confused, trying to focus.
"I'm sorry, Mom," she murmured.
"Is anything more important than your engagement dinner? Thankfully, the other family is understanding. Everything's been finalized. You're officially engaged!"
Click and the call ended.
The elevator was silent. She fled the elevator the moment it stopped, the air outside the hotel sharp against her damp cheeks. She stood on the curb, lost.
"Mr. Sinclair, your car is ready," a valet announced.
Chloe turned when she heard a familiar name. And she recognise it was the man from the elevator.
He walked toward a sleek black car, tall and commanding. As he glanced at her, their eyes met.
Something electric passed between them.
He's my fiancé? she thought, stunned.
The realization dawned like a bolt of lightning. The look he gave her, calculated and intense, was not of a stranger. It was someone who knew. He had overheard everything.
Ryan Sinclair got into the car and drove off without a word.
But Chloe could still feel his gaze on her, long after the tail lights disappeared.
*****
Later that night, Ryan stood in the grand foyer of his penthouse apartment when the front door opened.
His older brother, Shawn, walked in, his expression stern.
"Ryan, why didn't you attend the engagement dinner tonight?" Shawn asked, removing his coat.
Ryan loosened his tie, his face unreadable. "There was a crucial meeting I couldn't reschedule."
Shawn sighed. "You know how important this is. This engagement was arranged by Mom. Even though she's gone, this was her last wish."
"I know," Ryan said quietly.
"She wanted you to marry Chloe. Grandma does too.."
"I'm not opposed, Shawn. I just didn't expect it to unfold this way."
Shawn walked over, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're supporting the company and our legacy. And now, you're stepping into this marriage. It's a lot. But you're not alone."
Ryan nodded. "If Mom chose her, I'll honor it."
"I sent you Chloe's contact info and address. Next week is our parents' death anniversary. Bring her to Grandma's house," Shawn said firmly. "It's time to fulfil our mum's wish."