The city glittered with lights as Izzy stepped out of the car. The valet took her keys, and she smoothed her dress nervously, taking a deep breath to calm the butterflies in her stomach.
Two days ago, she had spent hours shopping with Maya, trying on gown after gown before finally choosing the perfect one. A red tube dress that hugged her curves, showing just enough of her shoulders and back to be elegant but still daring. She had picked it to impress Dominic, hoping even a flicker of his attention would make all the effort worthwhile.
Now, standing at the grand hotel ballroom entrance, she felt a tangle of excitement and nerves. Inside, the room shimmered with crystal chandeliers, polished marble, and people dressed in their finest. Steele Enterprises' elite filled the space... executives, investors, and their partners, all mingling with ease, laughing politely, and making deals in quiet corners. The air smelled of perfume, cologne, and ambition.
She straightened her shoulders and walked in, trying to appear confident.
Her eyes immediately found Dominic. He was standing across the room with the woman who kissed him. She was striking... confident, perfectly dressed, her laugh light and easy as Dominic looked on. His hand resting on her back. As he laughed.
A sharp pang of jealousy twisted in Izzy's chest. The dress, the hours of preparation, all seemed meaningless if he wasn't even noticing her.
She swallowed hard, forcing herself to walk forward, pretending not to care.
Then a voice cut through her thoughts.
"Well, what do we have here? A beautiful lady standing alone?"
She turned to see a tall man in a sharp dark suit, smiling with confidence and charm.
"I'm Adrian Cross," he said, offering his hand. "I run Cross & Co. Consulting... Aquitance to the Steele family. And now, I hope to make this evening a little more pleasant for you."
Izzy smiled and shook his hand, her nerves settling slightly. "Izzy Hart. And yes… a little company would be nice."
Adrian leaned closer, his eyes glinting with amusement as he watched her staring at Dominic. "That woman standing with Dominic the one in the sharp red dress and heels? That's Sienna Clarke. Senior Project Manager at Steele Enterprises' Italy branch. Beautiful Sienna.. She's the epitome of beauty and brains.. That's why Dominic adores her."
Izzy's stomach sank. She looked at Sienna again... poised, polished, confident. And there she was, laughing at something Dominic said.
Her chest tightened, but she forced a small, polite smile.
Adrian seemed to notice her glance. "And you are way… more beautiful than Sienna."
Izzy nodded, appreciating his attempt to distract her. But her mind kept drifting back to Dominic. She noticed the subtle way he scanned the room, the way his eyes flicked toward her ever so briefly, hidden under his calm mask.
He looked powerful, untouchable.… commanding attention without trying. People respected him, some even feared him. His movements were precise, controlled, and yet effortless. Everything about him drew her in, as it always had.
And yet tonight, he seemed… distant.
Almost unreachable, wrapped up in the world she wanted to be part of but wasn't sure she belonged to.
She forced herself to focus on Adrian again, letting his conversation ground her. He was charming, easy to talk to, a distraction she needed. Her lips curved in a small smile, but her pulse kept quickening every time her eyes wandered back to Dominic.
The pang of jealousy refused to fade. She hated how easily he could affect her feelings, how even the smallest glance or flicker of his attention made her heart race.
But then a realization struck her: she wasn't just watching Dominic anymore. She was here, in his world, the same room, breathing the same air.
And that thought.. dangerous, thrilling, and utterly impossible to ignore... made her pulse quicken even more.
Tonight, she wasn't invisible. Tonight, she belonged.
Somehow.
The party continued, the ballroom buzzing with conversation, laughter, and clinking glasses. Crystal chandeliers threw warm light across the room, reflecting off the polished suits and glittering gowns.
Izzy tried to focus on the food and small talk, but her eyes kept drifting toward Dominic. He remained with the woman she now knew as Sienna Clarke... elegant, confident, and effortlessly captivating.
Before she could settle, Adrian reappeared. He leaned casually against the edge of the dance floor, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
"Well, Izzy," he said, voice low and teasing, "I can't just leave you sitting here all alone. May I have this dance?"
Izzy blinked, caught off guard. "Dance?"
He extended his hand smoothly, the kind of confident, effortless gesture that made her stomach flutter. "It's just a dance. No harm in that, is there?"
She hesitated, glancing around the room. Dominic hadn't noticed... He seemed preoccupied as he whispers something into Sienna's ear. Slowly, she placed her hand in Adrian's.
As they moved to the dance floor, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back, Adrian's other hand brushing hers gently, he leaned close. "You look incredible tonight," he murmured. "That dress… wow. And here I thought I'd be the only one impressing the ladies tonight."
Izzy felt a warmth rise in her cheeks. "Thank you," she said softly, unsure how to respond.
Adrian chuckled, leaning just slightly closer. "Maybe after this dance, we could continue the evening… with dinner?"
She blinked, unsure what to say, when suddenly, a voice cut sharply through the music:
"Stop inviting my assistant out to dinner."
Her head snapped up. Dominic stood behind them, his dark eyes burning, voice low but sharp enough to carry across the dance floor. He stepped closer, the air around him heavy with authority. "If you need someone to dine with, get yourself an assistant," he added, his tone ice-cold, but controlled.
Adrian didn't flinch. Instead, he straightened, a sly smile appearing on his face. "Well, well, Dominic. It's a pleasure to see you again."
Dominic's jaw tightened imperceptibly. Izzy noticed it, the barely restrained anger beneath his calm exterior. The tension between them crackled, unspoken but tangible, and Izzy felt caught in the middle.
"Mr Steele," she began, stepping slightly back.
"Never knew this beautiful lady here was your assistant"
Dominic ignored her, his eyes locked on Adrian. "I said, stop it," he said evenly, though every word was sharp.
Adrian tilted his head, a playful glint in his eyes. "Ah, still as serious as ever. I wouldn't expect anything less."
Dominic's gaze darkened. "You forget yourself, Adrian."
Adrian's smile didn't waver. "And you never change, Dominic. Still arrogant as ever.
Izzy's stomach tightened. She didn't know whether to feel flattered, nervous, or frustrated. The tension between the two men was almost palpable, making the air around her electric.
Dominic stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Izzy," he said softly, just enough for her to hear, "step away from him."
She obeyed, moving subtly back toward the edge of the ballroom, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel Dominic's gaze burning into her, possessive and unreadable.
Adrian laughed softly, letting his eyes linger on her for a moment. "Enjoying the evening, Izzy.. See you nextime sweetheart," he said, his tone was teasing, almost mocking Dominic's control.