Yvonne’s POV
The gala was everything my mom had described and more–a hidden world of luxury, and desire. The dark lighted, dreamy atmosphere pulsed with gentle music and whispered conversations. It radiated exclusivity, the kind of place only the elites gathered.
The moment we walked in, I felt dozens of eyes on me. Instead of shying away, I embraced it. Tonight, I wanted to be seen. I needed to feel alive.
Apparently we were late, we came in when the dancing was going on.
I got a cocktail from the tray of one of the servers at the gala,I downed a few shots of it. The cocktail burned a bit as it slid down my throat, giving me the confidence I desperately needed.
I glanced around, absorbing everything in the room. Men and women exchanged partners as they danced softly to the music.
Then I saw him for a brief moment.
As my gaze swept over the crowd, I wondered what–or who–could make me feel that way. Then I saw an outstanding man, he looked different from all, like a knight in shining glamor.
Upstairs, he leaned casually against the railing. He looked like he belonged to another world entirely. His dark curls framed a sharp, chiseled face, and his navy–blue suit fit him perfectly, like it had been tailored just for him. He didn’t move much, but his presence filled the room.
He was watching the crowd, but he wasn’t like the other men here. He wasn’t chasing anyone or trying to impress. He didn’t need to. The way he stood, the way he carried himself–it was like he owned the place. Like he could own me if he wanted to.
My pulse quickened as my eyes locked onto him. He looked older, but I didn’t care. He was incredibly handsome, radiating power and control in a way I couldn’t resist.
“That’s Alex,” my mom whispered in my ear, her voice barely distracting from the cool music. “Yes child, I know what's going on in your head. Come, I'll introduce the both of you..He’s completely off limits but not to you," she grinned.
Alex. The name alone sent a shiver down my spine. I remember seeing him somewhere but couldn't place where.
Before I could protest I was whisked by my mother. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him. His dark gaze swept over the crowd like a predator searching for prey, and for a fleeting moment, it landed on me.
My breath caught.
He held my gaze longer than necessary, as though he was assessing me, deciding if I was worth his time. Then, just as quickly, he looked away, dismissing me like everyone else.
But that single glance lit a fire in me. I felt it in my chest, my stomach–everywhere.
I wanted him to look at me again, to really see me this time.
“Hi Alex, nice to meet you again, remember Yvonne, my daughter? You've met her once I presume,” before I knew it I was being introduced.
I saw him at my mom's company's 15th anniversary party last year!! The "Alex" my mum so badly wanted me to get with."
"Any ways I'll leave you two together to say hello, oh and you must be wondering about her baby? She's all yours for now, someone else is looking after her at home." I rolled my eyes at my mom
“Say hello? Really?” I was already embarrassed by her outright attempt to make me hook up with this guy. "She's all yours for now. " Who says that?
The deed's already been done so I just look up at this man 'Alex' and he's smiling at me probably aware of how mortified I am.
"Wanna know something?" He says, I nod my head telling him yes..
"Well, I have a mom like yours. It's okay to feel the way you do but you've got to stop turning red. "
Omg I just needed to be swallowed up by mother nature.
"I'm not red first off," I choose the defensive route trying to defend my last strand of dignity but off course he sees right through me.
His loud chuckle makes me know that. He pulls his arm in an arc asking for me to take it
"Let's have a dance, Yvonne, it'll ease your nerves."
"Sure , thank you."
So far he's a gentleman and I love that he is because I'm slightly interested in him. We get down to the dance floor and we move in sync. Somehow I spot my mum from the corner of her eye and I see her smile. She got what she wanted alright but this was just all it was "a dance, nothing more".
Pulling me back to the present Alex asks a question or tries to make conversation rather.
"So, I know this is probably not the time to ask but if I may, what of your husband? I thought he'd be around somewhere or something."
My face twitched with fury as I remembered all too well what I'd seen earlier.
"Well, we're getting a divorce," I say , surprising even myself. It was the first time I'd said that out loud instead of just thinking about it. I stare at Alex and his features are relaxed. I can't tell if he's happy about that or not.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that. I would ask the reason but I've already overstepped. I'm sorry about that though." I really didn't get anything he was saying I was lost in his eyes . Yeah, I know but even as cringy as that sounds I couldn't stop feeling the way I felt in this moment with him.
"Yvonne? Yvonne? You okay?" That snapped me back to reality.
"Of course I'm fine, sorry I spaced out." I laid out my pathetic excuse before him. But somehow I knew he felt whatever I felt right now.
His pulse was evidence, our eyes locked and we made a silent agreement to just dance. Dance and not talk , we would do the talking with our eyes.
But this beautiful moment was interrupted by my mom saying she had to snatch me for a moment. I was whisked once again only this time away from Alex.
"What is it this time mom?" I am impatient to get back with a stranger I just met in person. Technically not a stranger but a stranger to me nonetheless.
"Well, spill!" She looked like one of those teenage girls asking her friends for tea. I couldn't help but laugh loudly.
"What's funny Yvonne!"
"What's funny? Mom, you interrupted my peaceful moment just to ask me for tea like a thirteen year old. Tea? I would have given you after the gala tonight"
She rolled her eyes at me, obviously annoyed at my retort.
"Oh well, I just wanted to tell you that your baby is doing fine. I know you must have been a bit worried, I just wanted to let you know.
Have I mentioned how sweet my mom is? Yes she's sweet. "Thank you so much mom." I hug her, she's literally the only support system I have and can trust right now.
"Alright sweetie, get back down there I already know he's waiting for you," she says with a wink.
Jeez! This woman!!
I make my way down to where we were dancing and now, contrary to what we thought, he's not here. Apparently he wasn't interested in me, and with a feeling of disappointment I decided to turn back to get something to drink. And that's when I heard it
Him, his voice.
"Quitting on me already?"
I smile involuntarily, "well I thought you did bail out on me."
"Not now, not ever!" I laugh at his cocky response, he joins in the laugh too and I know it's too soon but I see myself dating him already.