The invitation arrived unexpectedly. The Kelridge CEO, visibly impressed by the seamless completion of the merger, extended an offer to Lila: attend a private gala celebrating the partnership. The event promised to host top executives, industry leaders, and influential players in the corporate world.
When Lila mentioned the invitation to Ethan during a casual team meeting, his response was immediate.
"Are you going alone?" he asked, his tone laced with casual curiosity.
"I hadn't thought about it," Lila admitted. "It's more about networking than socializing."
Ethan tilted his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Well, if you need a plus-one for the 'networking,' I'm available."
Lila arched an eyebrow, feigning skepticism. "You want to spend an entire evening at a corporate gala?"
"For the sake of appearances," he said, leaning slightly closer, "I'd make the sacrifice."
Though she rolled her eyes, a part of her was relieved by his offer. The thought of navigating the event alone, surrounded by people constantly evaluating her every move, felt suffocating.
"Alright," she said after a moment's pause. "You can come. But don't expect it to be fun."
Ethan grinned, the mischievous spark in his eyes making her heart skip a beat. "Challenge accepted."
---
The night of the gala, Lila found herself staring at her reflection longer than usual. Her sleek black gown fit perfectly, its understated elegance reflecting her professional demeanor. Yet as she applied the final touches to her makeup, she couldn't shake the nerves fluttering in her chest.
It's just another event, she told herself. Nothing to be nervous about.
When Ethan arrived to pick her up, his presence was magnetic. Clad in a tailored tuxedo, he looked effortlessly composed, his confidence radiating in a way that made Lila's breath hitch.
"You look…" he began, pausing as if searching for the right word. "Stunning."
Lila felt a rare blush creep up her cheeks. "You're not too bad yourself."
The drive to the venue was filled with easy banter, but Lila could sense an undercurrent of tension between them. She chalked it up to the formality of the evening, though part of her wondered if there was something more.
---
The gala was everything Lila had anticipated: opulent, dazzling, and carefully orchestrated to impress. Crystal chandeliers bathed the grand hall in warm light, and the hum of polite conversation filled the air. Servers weaved through the crowd with trays of champagne, and a string quartet played softly in the corner.
Lila stepped into the room with Ethan at her side, her posture straight and her expression composed.
"Quite the spectacle," Ethan murmured, his gaze scanning the room.
"Welcome to corporate culture," Lila replied dryly.
They were quickly approached by a Kelridge board member, who greeted Lila warmly and introduced her to several key figures. Lila shifted seamlessly into professional mode, her charm and intelligence on full display as she navigated the conversations.
Ethan hung back slightly, observing her with quiet admiration. She moved with such ease, commanding attention without demanding it. Yet he noticed the subtle tension in her shoulders, the flicker of exhaustion behind her polished smile.
As the evening wore on, Ethan found moments to interject, offering insights that impressed the Kelridge executives. His contributions didn't go unnoticed by Lila, who threw him an appreciative glance when no one else was looking.
"You're surprisingly good at this," she said during a brief lull.
Ethan smirked. "I told you, I'm a team player."
Their moment was interrupted by another round of introductions, but the warmth of their exchange lingered.
---
Later in the evening, as the crowd began to thin, Ethan found Lila standing by the bar, her glass of champagne untouched.
"Taking a break?" he asked, stepping up beside her.
She sighed, her professional mask slipping slightly. "It's been a long night."
"You handled it beautifully," he said, his voice sincere.
Lila turned to him, her gaze softening. "Thank you. For being here. It's… easier with you around."
Ethan's eyes searched hers, his usual lighthearted demeanor replaced by something deeper. "Lila," he began, his voice low, "you don't always have to do this alone. You know that, right?"
She looked away, the vulnerability in his tone making her chest tighten. "I'm used to it."
"That doesn't mean it's how it has to be," he said gently.
Before she could respond, they were interrupted by the Kelridge CEO himself, who congratulated Lila on her impressive leadership. Though the interruption was brief, it was enough to break the moment.
By the time Ethan and Lila left the gala, the night air was crisp and quiet. They walked to the car in companionable silence, but Lila could feel the weight of unspoken words hanging between them.
---
Back at her apartment, Lila kicked off her heels and sank into the couch, replaying the evening's events in her mind. Ethan's words echoed in her ears: "You don't always have to do this alone."
She glanced at her phone, half-expecting a message from him. Instead, she found herself scrolling through old texts from her father, each one a reminder of his relentless expectations.
"Well done on the merger. But remember, there's no room for complacency."
The exhaustion she'd pushed aside all evening came rushing back, and Lila rested her head in her hands. For so long, she had convinced herself that carrying the weight alone was a necessity. But now, for the first time, she wondered if it was a choice she no longer had to make.