Chapter 7: A Different World
The invitation arrived on a cream-colored card with elegant gold lettering.
Layla turned it over in her hands, reading it again.
A business networking dinner. Exclusive guests.
She hesitated before accepting.
That evening, she stood in front of the mirror longer than usual, adjusting her dress, fixing her hair, studying the reflection of the woman she was becoming. The simple café owner was gone. In her place stood a confident businesswoman—someone who belonged in rooms like this.
The venue was breathtaking. Crystal lights sparkled above polished marble floors. Soft music floated through the air as laughter and clinking glasses surrounded her.
Layla felt nervous at first… then exhilarated.
"This must be Layla Norris," a man's voice said smoothly.
She turned to see a tall man in a fitted suit, his smile confident and practiced.
"I'm Victor Hale. I've heard a lot about your restaurant."
His eyes held admiration—open, obvious, and flattering.
"Thank you," Layla replied, surprised by how easily the conversation flowed.
Victor spoke of investments, expansion, luxury dining chains, and international travel. He talked about success as if it were inevitable, not something earned through scraped knees and sleepless nights.
Layla listened, captivated.
For the first time, she didn't have to explain her dreams. He already understood them.
Later that night, her phone buzzed.
Shane: Hope the event is going well. Don't forget to eat.
She stared at the message.
Instead of replying, she slipped the phone back into her purse.
Victor noticed her hesitation. "Someone important?"
"Just… someone I know," Layla said quickly.
He smiled. "Well, tonight, let's focus on you."
And she did.
She laughed more than she had in weeks. She felt seen—not for where she came from, but for where she was going.
When she finally returned home, the apartment was quiet. Shane was asleep on the couch, waiting for her, just like always.
Layla paused, looking at him.
For a brief moment, guilt twisted her chest.
But another thought followed quickly—He doesn't belong to my future anymore.
She stepped past him without waking him.
That night, as Layla lay awake, she didn't realize she had taken her first step into a world that would give her everything she wanted… and later, take something she could never replace.