The venue was nothing like Alicia had ever experienced.
Bright lights.
Elegant decor.
People dressed in power and confidence.
Everything felt… calculated.
As soon as they stepped inside, the noise shifted.
Not louder
Sharper.
More aware.
"They're staring," Alicia said quietly.
Michael didn't look at her.
"They always do."
"That's not comforting."
"It's not supposed to be."
A man approached almost immediately.
"Michael Alejandro," he greeted with a smile. "You never disappoint."
Michael nodded slightly.
"Mr. Collins."
His eyes moved to Alicia.
"And this must be your wife."
Alicia felt the weight of his gaze.
Evaluating.
Judging.
She straightened slightly.
"Alicia Alejandro," she said calmly.
Michael's eyes flickered for just a second.
Noticing.
"A pleasure," Collins said. "We've all been curious."
"I can imagine," Alicia replied smoothly.
Michael glanced at her.
That was unexpected.
As Collins left, another group approached.
Then another.
And another.
Each conversation felt the same.
Polite. Controlled. Curious.
"You're doing fine," Michael said quietly.
Alicia glanced at him.
"Is that another one of your compliments?"
"Yes."
She almost smiled.
Across the room, whispers began to spread.
"Is that her?"
"She doesn't look like what I expected."
"She's… different."
Alicia heard enough to understand.
Her fingers tightened slightly at her side.
"You don't have to listen to them," Michael said.
"I'm not," she replied.
But she was.
A woman approached next.
Elegant. Sharp.
And not smiling.
"So you're the wife," she said, her tone cool.
Alicia met her gaze.
"Yes."
The woman's eyes scanned her slowly.
"I expected someone more… suitable."
A brief silence followed.
Before Alicia could respond
"She is," Michael said.
His voice was calm.
But firm.
The woman paused.
Surprised.
Then forced a small smile.
"Of course."
And walked away.
Alicia turned slightly toward him.
"You didn't have to do that."
"Yes, I did."
"Why?"
A pause.
Then
"Because you're with me."
The words lingered.
Longer than they should have.
Later that evening, the crowd grew thicker.
Music softened the atmosphere, but the tension remained.
Alicia stepped aside for a moment, needing space.
She exhaled slowly.
"This is exhausting…"
"You handled it well."
She turned.
Adrian stood beside her.
"When did you get here?"
"I was always here."
"Watching?"
"Observing."
Alicia shook her head slightly.
"You sound just like him."
Adrian smirked faintly.
"I take that as an insult."
Across the room, Sophie stood near the entrance.
Her eyes scanned everything.
Then landed on Adrian.
And Alicia.
Together.
Her expression shifted.
She walked over quickly.
"So this is where you disappeared to."
Alicia blinked. "I just stepped away."
Sophie crossed her arms.
"And he followed?"
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"I was already here."
"Of course you were," Sophie muttered.
Alicia looked between them.
"You two argue more than necessary."
"He started it," Sophie said.
"I didn't," Adrian replied calmly.
"You exist. That's enough."
Alicia laughed softly.
But her attention shifted.
Across the room
Michael was watching.
Not the crowd.
Not the conversations.
Her.
Their eyes met.
For a moment…
Everything else faded.
Then someone spoke to him.
And the moment broke.
Later, as the night began to settle
Michael approached her again.
"We're leaving soon."
Alicia nodded.
"Good."
A pause.
Then she added
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For earlier."
Michael looked at her.
Just for a second longer than usual.
"You didn't need help," he said.
"Maybe not," she replied softly. "But you still did it."
Something shifted again.
Small.
But real.
As they walked out together
The lights behind them faded.
The noise disappeared.
And the distance between them…
Felt just a little less than before.