Ava sat at her desk, going over the details of the project that she and Alexander had discussed during their meeting. She had been excited by the possibilities they had discussed, and she had been working hard to prepare a proposal that would impress him.
As she was finishing up, her phone rang. It was Alexander's assistant, inviting her to a private dinner at the palace.
"A private dinner with the prince?" Ava repeated, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"Yes, that's correct," the assistant said. "His Highness was so impressed with your ideas and your company's track record that he wanted to personally invite you to dinner to discuss further collaboration."
Ava tried to contain her excitement as she accepted the invitation. A private dinner with the prince of Baronia - this was an unexpected and thrilling opportunity.
The day of the dinner arrived, and Ava arrived at the palace feeling both nervous and excited. She was greeted by Alexander's assistant, who led her to a private dining room. As she entered, she saw that Alexander was already there, looking dashing in a formal suit.
"Ms. Johnson, thank you for coming," he said, standing up to greet her. "I'm so glad that we have this opportunity to discuss our plans further."
Ava felt a thrill run through her as she took her seat across from him. The room was beautiful, with ornate decorations and a large table set for two. As the meal began, Alexander asked her questions about her background and her company, and she found herself opening up to him in a way that she hadn't expected.
As the night wore on, Ava and Alexander found themselves growing more comfortable with each other. They talked about their families, their passions, and their hopes for the future. Ava was surprised by how easy it was to talk to him - he was both charming and sincere, and she felt like she could tell him anything.
As they finished their meal, Alexander surprised her by presenting her with a gift - a beautiful necklace that he said was a traditional Baronian symbol of gratitude.
"I hope you will wear this as a reminder of our collaboration," he said, smiling at her.
Ava felt her heart swell with gratitude as she accepted the gift. She had never felt so appreciated and valued before.
As the night drew to a close, Alexander walked her out of the palace and into a waiting car. As she settled into the backseat, she couldn't help but think about the unexpected turn her life had taken. Just a few weeks ago, she had been a busy businesswoman, working hard to make her mark in the world. But now, she was beginning to realize that there was more to life than just work.
As the car pulled away from the palace, Ava couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her and Alexander. She had a feeling that this was just the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in her life.