CHAPTER 5: A Dress Worth Remembering

Arabella’s POV

“If you keep moving like that, I’m going to assume you’re preparing for a prison escape.”

I stopped pacing and glared at Olivia.

“I am not moving like that.”

“You’ve walked past the same mirror eleven times.”

“I’m checking my appearance.”

“You’re checking your appearance because you’re nervous.”

I looked at the mirror again.

Unfortunately, she was right.

It was Friday evening, and in less than two hours, I would be attending the Sterling Foundation’s charity gala with Alexander Sterling.

The same Alexander Sterling who had appeared at my apartment three days earlier to explain that I had accidentally hired his photograph.

The same Alexander Sterling whose name appeared on the cover of financial magazines.

And the same Alexander Sterling whose grey eyes had been occupying an unreasonable amount of space in my thoughts.

I sighed.

“This is a mistake.”

Olivia looked up from the makeup brushes scattered across my dressing table.

“What is?”

“Going to this gala.”

“It’s too late. I’ve already done your makeup.”

“I can wash it off.”

“And I’ll personally haunt you.”

I laughed.

Olivia returned to arranging the brushes.

“Besides, you haven’t even seen the dress properly.”

I turned toward the garment bag hanging beside my wardrobe.

Inside was a deep emerald-green evening gown Olivia had insisted on buying.

It was elegant, fitted without being overly revealing, with a soft neckline and a flowing skirt that reached the floor. The material caught the light beautifully.

I had protested when she chose it.

She had ignored me.

Apparently, friendship meant spending another person’s money and making executive decisions about their wardrobe.

“Put it on,” she ordered.

I disappeared into the bedroom.

A few minutes later, I stepped out.

Olivia went completely silent.

I raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

She slowly stood.

“Arabella.”

“What?”

“You look expensive.”

I laughed.

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“I’m serious.”

She walked around me, inspecting the dress.

The gown hugged my waist before falling gracefully to the floor. My dark hair was styled in loose waves, and my makeup was soft, with a little extra emphasis on my eyes.

For the first time that evening, I felt genuinely beautiful.

Not because I was attending a billionaire’s event.

Not because Christopher and Vanessa might see photographs.

But because I looked in the mirror and recognized myself.

The woman I had been before everything fell apart.

“Maybe I should cancel,” I said quietly.

Olivia frowned.

“Why?”

“What if people think I’m only there because I’m trying to get something from him?”

“People will think whatever they want. That’s their favourite hobby.”

“I barely know him.”

“Then get to know him. He’s invited you to dinner, not proposed marriage.”

I turned toward her.

“That’s a terrible example.”

She grinned.

“Too soon?”

I shook my head, laughing.

Then my phone vibrated.

A message from an unknown number.

Unknown: Good evening, Miss Hayes. This is Daniel. Mr Sterling asked me to confirm that everything is arranged for tonight. He looks forward to seeing you.

I stared at the message.

Olivia leaned over my shoulder.

“His assistant?”

I nodded.

She smiled mischievously.

“Tell him you look beautiful.”

“I’m not telling his assistant that!”

“Then tell him to tell his boss.”

“Olivia!”

She burst out laughing.

I put my phone down before she could suggest anything worse.

At exactly 7:00 p.m., I arrived at the Sterling Foundation’s gala venue.

The building was magnificent.

A grand historic hotel overlooking Bellacourt’s central square, its exterior illuminated by golden lights. Luxury cars lined the entrance, while photographers waited behind velvet barriers.

I stepped out of my taxi and immediately regretted not bringing Olivia.

She would have enjoyed this.

I adjusted my clutch and walked toward the entrance.

A man in a dark suit approached.

“Miss Hayes?”

“Yes.”

“Good evening. I’m Daniel Foster, Mr Sterling’s assistant.”

I smiled politely.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. Mr Sterling is inside.”

He gestured toward the entrance.

I followed him through the grand doors.

The ballroom was breathtaking.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting warm light over round tables decorated with white flowers. Waiters moved through the room carrying champagne glasses, while a small orchestra played near the stage.

Everywhere I looked, people wore expensive clothes and expensive expressions.

I suddenly became very aware of my dress.

Daniel led me toward the main ballroom.

“Mr Sterling is speaking with a few guests. He should be with us shortly.”

“That’s fine.”

I tried to look comfortable.

I was failing.

A woman in a silver gown passed me, followed by two men discussing a property acquisition.

I caught a few words.

Something about investments.

Something about a European development project.

I decided I was better off not listening.

Then a familiar voice sounded behind me.

“Arabella.”

I turned.

Alexander Sterling stood a few steps away.

For one brief moment, I forgot how to respond.

He wore a perfectly tailored black tuxedo, a crisp white shirt and a black bow tie. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his grey eyes settled on me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.

He looked even more intimidating in person.

And considerably more handsome.

“Mr Sterling,” I managed.

His gaze moved over my dress.

“You look beautiful.”

I blinked.

“Oh.”

A faint smile touched his mouth.

“Was that not the expected response?”

“I was expecting something less direct.”

“Would you prefer an elaborate speech?”

“Not particularly. I’d probably forget how to stand.”

He laughed softly.

It was the second time I had heard him laugh.

I was beginning to suspect it was a rare occurrence.

“Come,” he said, offering his arm. “I’d like to introduce you to someone.”

I hesitated for half a second before placing my hand lightly on his arm.

His gaze flickered toward my fingers.

Then he led me into the ballroom.

Alexander introduced me to several guests.

A property developer.

A banking executive.

A woman who ran an international charitable organization.

I smiled, shook hands and tried not to embarrass myself.

Everyone seemed to know Alexander.

Some greeted him with respect.

Others seemed almost desperate for his attention.

I understood why.

He carried himself like a man who never needed to raise his voice to be heard.

At one point, a gentleman approached us.

“Alexander! I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”

Alexander shook his hand.

“Good evening, Richard.”

The man’s attention shifted toward me.

“And who is this lovely young woman?”

Before I could answer, Alexander spoke.

“Arabella Hayes.”

Richard smiled.

“Pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

“Are you working with Sterling International?”

I opened my mouth.

Alexander answered first.

“She’s here as my guest.”

Richard nodded, apparently satisfied.

“Well, I hope we see more of you, Miss Hayes.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Alexander glanced at me.

I smiled innocently.

He looked amused.

When Richard walked away, I leaned closer.

“Do you always answer questions on behalf of other people?”

“Only when the questions are unnecessary.”

“That must make you very popular.”

“I’m not particularly interested in popularity.”

“Clearly.”

He looked down at me.

“You’re enjoying yourself.”

It wasn’t a question.

I glanced around the ballroom.

“I’m trying.”

“That’s a start.”

“Is there a secret manual for surviving these events?”

“Stand beside me and pretend you understand the conversations.”

I laughed.

“Finally, some useful advice.”

He smiled.

And for a moment, the intimidating billionaire disappeared.

There was simply a man standing beside me, looking at me as though my ridiculous comments were worth listening to.

“Alexander.”

The voice came from behind us.

His expression changed almost immediately.

I turned.

An elegant older woman approached, dressed in a champagne-coloured gown. Her silver-blonde hair was styled perfectly, and the diamond necklace around her neck probably cost more than my entire wardrobe.

Her eyes moved from Alexander to me.

“Mother,” Alexander said.

Victoria Sterling.

I recognized her from photographs.

She was beautiful in the kind of way that suggested she had never once been caught unprepared.

“Good evening,” she said to him.

Then she looked at me.

“And you are?”

“Arabella Hayes.”

Victoria offered a polite smile.

“Victoria Sterling.”

“It’s lovely to meet you.”

Her gaze briefly returned to Alexander.

“I wasn’t aware you were bringing a guest.”

“I decided at the last minute.”

“Interesting.”

There was something about the way she said it that made me feel like I had just been placed under examination.

Victoria extended her hand.

“Alexander has always been rather private about his personal life.”

I shook her hand.

“I’ve noticed.”

A faint smile appeared on her face.

“Have you known each other long?”

I opened my mouth.

Alexander answered calmly.

“Long enough.”

I nearly choked.

That was an interesting description of a relationship that had begun with an unauthorized photograph and an awkward conversation at my apartment.

Victoria’s eyebrows rose slightly.

“I see.”

She turned toward her son.

“Your father would have been delighted to see you taking an interest in the foundation again.”

Alexander’s expression remained controlled.

“I’ve always supported the foundation.”

“Financially, yes. Personally, not as often as I would like.”

“Mother.”

Victoria smiled.

“I’ll leave you to your evening.”

Before walking away, she turned to me.

“Enjoy the gala, Arabella.”

“Thank you.”

I watched her disappear into the crowd.

Then I looked at Alexander.

“Your mother is terrifying.”

He let out a quiet breath.

“She isn’t terrifying.”

“She looked at me like she was calculating my net worth.”

“She’s curious.”

“About me?”

“Yes.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Why?”

Alexander held my gaze.

“Because I brought you here.”

For some reason, that answer made me more nervous than anything Victoria had said.

Later, Alexander led me toward the balcony.

The doors opened onto a beautiful terrace overlooking Bellacourt.

The city stretched beneath us, illuminated by thousands of lights. The distant sound of music drifted through the open doors.

I rested my hands on the railing.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Bellacourt?”

I nodded.

“Especially at night.”

He stood beside me.

“It’s a different city after dark.”

“Less traffic?”

“More secrets.”

I turned toward him.

“That’s a very dramatic thing to say.”

“Do you disagree?”

“Not entirely. But you make everything sound like the opening scene of a thriller.”

He laughed.

I smiled.

For a while, neither of us spoke.

It was strangely comfortable.

Then he asked, “How are you feeling about Saturday?”

My smile faded slightly.

“The wedding?”

He nodded.

“I’m fine.”

He looked at me.

“That’s not what I asked.”

I sighed.

“I don’t know. I keep telling myself it doesn’t matter, but sometimes I still wonder why it had to happen that way.”

Alexander remained silent.

“I trusted both of them,” I continued. “Christopher was my boyfriend, but Vanessa was my sister. I never thought either of them would do that to me.”

“Trusting someone doesn’t make you foolish.”

I looked at him.

“Sometimes it feels that way.”

“Then perhaps you’ve been judging yourself for someone else’s choices.”

I lowered my eyes.

He continued, his voice quiet.

“You don’t have to prove anything to them tomorrow.”

I swallowed.

“I’m not trying to.”

He didn’t argue.

Instead, he looked out at the city.

“Good.”

I studied his profile.

“Do you always say the right thing?”

“No.”

“That’s disappointing.”

“I can say something inappropriate if it would make you more comfortable.”

I laughed.

“Please don’t.”

His mouth curved.

“Then I’ll behave.”

I shook my head.

For the first time since receiving Vanessa’s invitation, I felt my chest loosen.

Maybe the evening wouldn’t be so terrible after all.

Inside the ballroom, Victoria Sterling watched her son through the glass doors.

Ethan Cole appeared beside her, holding a glass of champagne.

“Interesting, isn’t it?”

Victoria didn’t look at him.

“What is?”

“Alexander.”

Her eyes remained on the balcony.

“He seems unusually attentive.”

Ethan smiled.

“I noticed.”

“Do you know who she is?”

“Arabella Hayes.”

“That’s her name. I asked whether you know anything about her.”

“Not much.”

Victoria finally looked at him.

“Find out.”

Ethan’s smile disappeared.

“Victoria, she’s Alexander’s guest. I don’t think—”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion.”

He studied her expression.

“Is there a problem?”

“Not yet.”

She turned back toward the balcony.

“But I would like to understand why my son, who avoids every social invitation I arrange for him, has suddenly decided to bring a woman nobody knows into this family.”

Ethan said nothing.

He had known Alexander for years.

And he had never seen him look at a woman quite the way he was looking at Arabella.

That alone was enough to make him curious.

When the evening finally began winding down, Alexander walked me toward the entrance.

“Thank you for coming,” he said.

“Thank you for inviting me.”

“Did you enjoy yourself?”

“I survived.”

“An impressive achievement.”

I smiled.

“Your mother is still terrifying.”

“I’ll inform her.”

“Please don’t.”

He laughed.

A black car waited outside.

I turned toward him.

“Goodnight, Alexander.”

“Goodnight, Arabella.”

I took two steps before his voice stopped me.

“Arabella?”

I turned.

“Yes?”

“I hope tomorrow goes well.”

For a moment, I didn’t understand.

Then I remembered.

The wedding.

“Thank you.”

He looked at me for another second.

“And don’t let anyone make you feel that you need to earn your place in a room.”

I stared at him.

It was such a simple thing to say.

Yet somehow, it stayed with me.

“Goodnight,” I repeated.

This time, I got into the car.

As we drove away, I looked through the window and saw him standing beneath the golden lights of the hotel entrance.

A billionaire in an expensive suit.

A man who belonged to a world I knew almost nothing about.

And, somehow, the man who had made me feel more comfortable in a room full of strangers than I had felt in months.

I looked away.

Tomorrow was Vanessa’s wedding.

I needed to remember why I was going.

I wasn’t going for Alexander.

I wasn’t going for Christopher.

And I certainly wasn’t going to let Victoria Sterling decide whether I belonged anywhere.

I was going for myself.

At least, that was what I kept telling myself.

Alexander’s POV

I watched her car disappear into the night.

“She’s interesting.”

Ethan’s voice came from behind me.

I didn’t turn.

“You’re still here?”

“Unfortunately, yes. I have to make sure you don’t fall in love and forget how to run a company.”

I gave him a flat look.

He grinned.

“Your mother has already asked about her.”

“I know.”

“She wants Daniel to investigate.”

My expression hardened.

“She won’t find anything worth worrying about.”

Ethan tilted his head.

“You sound certain.”

“Arabella isn’t a threat.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

I ignored him and walked toward the car.

Ethan followed.

“Are you seeing her tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

He smiled.

“Of course you are.”

I opened the car door.

“Get in, Ethan.”

He laughed as he climbed inside.

I glanced once more toward the hotel.

Tomorrow, I would see Arabella again.

And for reasons I hadn’t yet bothered to understand, I was looking forward to it.