Chapter Twenty-One: One Dance

For the first time in weeks, the office felt... normal.

No police officers standing at the entrance.

No emergency meetings.

No anonymous messages.

Just people rushing to meet deadlines, phones ringing, keyboards clicking, and the smell of fresh coffee drifting through the executive floor.

Zara was grateful for it.

She needed a break from all the chaos.

She had just finished arranging Adrian's afternoon schedule when Evelyn walked over.

"Good news."

Zara smiled.

"I could use some."

"The charity gala is back on."

"The one that was postponed?"

Evelyn nodded.

"It'll be this Saturday."

"What does that have to do with me?"

Evelyn looked at her as if the answer was obvious.

"You're going with Adrian."

Zara blinked.

"I'm... what?"

"As his executive assistant."

"Oh."

She let out the breath she was holding.

For one embarrassing second, she'd thought Evelyn meant something else.

"You'll help him with the presentations and greet a few investors."

"I can do that."

"Good."

Evelyn smiled.

"And wear something nice."

---

Saturday came faster than Zara expected.

She stood in front of the mirror in her tiny apartment, staring at herself.

She had borrowed a simple emerald-green gown from her cousin.

It wasn't expensive.

But it fit perfectly.

She curled her hair herself after watching three different tutorials online.

The result wasn't perfect.

A few strands refused to cooperate.

She sighed.

"Good enough."

Her phone buzzed.

Adrian: I'm outside.

She grabbed her purse and hurried downstairs.

The black SUV was waiting.

Adrian stepped out as soon as he saw her.

For a moment...

He forgot to speak.

The green dress brought out the warmth in her skin.

She wasn't wearing much makeup.

Just enough to brighten her face.

She looked elegant without trying too hard.

"You look..."

He stopped.

She smiled nervously.

"I look what?"

He cleared his throat.

"You look very nice."

She laughed.

"That almost sounded painful."

"I'm not good at compliments."

"I noticed."

She got into the car before he could think of another awkward sentence.

---

The gala was held at one of the most luxurious hotels in Lagos.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling.

A live orchestra played soft music.

Business leaders, politicians, and celebrities filled the ballroom.

Zara suddenly felt very out of place.

She leaned toward Adrian.

"I think I wore the wrong dress."

He looked at her.

"No."

"Everyone looks so..."

"Wealthy?"

She nodded.

He smiled.

"So do you."

She looked at him suspiciously.

"Are you trying to be nice today?"

"I'm making an effort."

"Keep practicing."

He laughed quietly.

---

The evening went smoothly.

Zara helped Adrian greet guests, introduced him to investors, and even reminded him about two meetings he'd almost forgotten.

"You've saved me three times tonight," Adrian whispered as another guest walked away.

"Only three?"

"I stopped counting."

She grinned.

"Good."

---

An hour later, the host stepped onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

The music faded.

"As part of tonight's fundraising event, we'd like every guest to join us for one dance."

The ballroom erupted into applause.

Couples began finding each other.

Zara quietly stepped backward.

"I'll wait over there."

She had barely taken two steps when Adrian spoke.

"Zara."

She turned.

"Dance with me."

Her eyes widened.

"What?"

"I don't know anyone else I'd rather dance with."

Her heart skipped.

People around them were already watching.

She lowered her voice.

"Mr. Knight..."

"Adrian."

She smiled.

"We're at work."

"Not tonight."

He extended his hand.

For a second, she just stared at it.

Then...

She placed her hand in his.

The orchestra began playing a slow song.

"I should warn you," Zara said.

"I'm not a very good dancer."

"Neither am I."

"That's comforting."

He rested one hand lightly at her waist.

She placed hers on his shoulder.

They moved slowly, almost awkwardly.

At one point, Adrian accidentally stepped on the edge of her dress.

She burst into laughter.

"You really aren't good."

"I told you."

"You did."

Instead of being embarrassed, he laughed too.

People around them smiled.

Some even pulled out their phones.

Neither Adrian nor Zara noticed.

They were too busy trying not to trip over each other.

Halfway through the dance, Adrian looked at her.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You just did."

He shook his head, smiling.

"Do you always joke this much?"

"When I'm nervous."

"You're nervous now?"

"A little."

"Because of the crowd?"

She hesitated.

"...Because of who I'm dancing with."

He didn't reply immediately.

Neither did she.

The music continued.

"I've been thinking about what Vanessa said," he admitted.

"What did she say?"

"That I look at you differently."

Zara's heartbeat quickened.

"And?"

"I didn't believe her."

He met her eyes.

"I think she was right."

She stopped moving.

"So now it's my turn to ask a question."

He nodded.

"Go ahead."

"What happens if people are right about us?"

Before Adrian could answer...

A woman in a sparkling silver dress approached them.

She slipped her arm around Adrian's.

"Darling."

Both Adrian and Zara looked at her.

The woman smiled brightly.

"I've been looking everywhere for you."

Adrian frowned.

"I'm sorry..."

"Do I know you?"

The woman's smile didn't fade.

"Oh."

"I guess you haven't told her yet."

She looked directly at Zara.

"I'm Adrian's fiancée."

The smile disappeared from Zara's face.

And so did the color from Adrian's.