The ballroom sparkled with soft golden lights, crystal chandeliers swaying above the sea of silk dresses and tailored suits. You moved through the crowd, clipboard in hand, scanning the faces for your boss — Brent Dorvaris— the CEO himself. You were his secretary assistant, and though this was his big event, he had a habit of disappearing right before key moments.

You sighed, weaving past laughing executives and servers carrying trays of champagne.

But then you stopped cold.

Across the room, standing near the dessert table, was someone you hadn’t expected to see ever again — your ex.

Dressed in his usual smug aura, arm around a girl clinging to him like he was the prize in a lottery. His eyes widened when he saw you.

He walked over with a smirk. “What are you doing here?”

You raised a brow. “Working.”

He scoffed. “Don’t tell me you’re still hung up on me? Secretly stalking me now? That’s why you’re here?”

You laughed, genuinely amused. “Please. Don’t flatter yourself. I didn’t even know you’d be here — I stopped caring a long time ago.”

Before he could speak again, you suddenly felt a hand slide gently around your waist.

Startled, you turned — and there stood Brent Dorvaris himself, calm and confident in a black suit, eyes flicking coolly toward your ex.

“Is everything alright here?” Brent asked, his voice low but commanding. “I saw you from across the room. Took me a minute to get through the crowd.”

You froze for a beat, stunned by his casual touch, but quickly nodded. “All good.”

Your ex blinked, clearly thrown off. “And… you are?”

Brent looked at him, then down at you, then back again with a slight smirk. “I’m her boss. Brent Dorvaris. And you are…?”

Your ex stuttered for a moment. “Uh—just someone from the past.”

Brent’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Hmm. Funny how the past has a habit of showing up when it’s not needed.”

Then he looked at you, his arm still comfortably around your waist.

“Let’s go,” he said softly. “They’re about to announce the donors, and I want you by my side.”