I leaned back in my seat, the low hum of chatter from the hall wrapping around us like a velvet curtain. Glasses clinked, cameras flashed, and the orchestra at the far end of the ballroom played something slow and expensive-sounding.

Val was still beside me, perfectly composed as always, her posture straight. She looked calm — radiant, even — like the argument that had been sitting between us for weeks didn't exist.

I turned to her. "So… what exactly is this thing about?"

She blinked, surprised. "The Gala?"

"Yeah," I said, taking a sip of my drink. "I just realized I have no clue what I walked into."

Her lips curved slightly, the kind of smile that meant you should've asked earlier. "It's the Collins Group's annual Business Monarch Gala," she said, adjusting the diamond at her wrist. "They host it every year to recognize the top-performing companies under their global partnership network. Each award is tied to a specific achievement — innovation, sustainability, philanthropy, growth—"

I nodded, pretending to follow, but her voice was soft and steady, weaving through the noise around us. She'd always had this way of talking when she was in her element, like the world slowed down to listen.

"—and this year, they designed the seating arrangements to reflect their core philosophy," she went on, hands moving gracefully as she spoke. "Family and loyalty. Every CEO or executive was asked to bring their partner — business or personal. It's a symbolic statement."

I smiled faintly, not at the explanation but at her tone — the calm rhythm, the way her eyes lit up as she explained something she actually cared about. It was the most I'd heard her talk in weeks.

She was still talking when I realized I'd stopped listening.

My focus drifted to the way her earrings caught the light, the soft curve of her smile as she spoke. It felt like before — before the argument, before the distance, before her father's threats started building walls I couldn't explain.

We hadn't fought that night, not really. But a week later, when the silence stretched too long and the truth stayed buried, that's when it finally cracked. That's what we hadn't talked about yet.

Her voice pulled me back.

"—and the entire event was curated by Mrs. Collins herself. She's quite the—"

"Are you even listening?" Val asked suddenly, brow arching.

"Of course," I said quickly.

Her eyes narrowed. "What was the last thing I said?"

I froze, caught.

She tilted her head slightly, lips pressing together like she was fighting a frown. "Wow."

I grinned, shrugging. "To be fair, you were being distractingly beautiful. I can't be blamed for poor multitasking."

Her eyes softened despite herself. "That excuse only works because it's you."

"So it works," I teased.

She tried to hold her composure, but a small laugh slipped through. For a second, she wasn't Celestia Valentina Moreau, top of her class in International Business and one of the future heads of Moreau Dynamics. She wasn't even the brilliant strategist everyone in the room admired.

She was just Val — my Val — the woman who could light up a room with one look.

Mrs. Tanaka, as they called her tonight.

Somewhere across the hall, Avery glanced our way. She laughed at something Chad said, but the brightness in her eyes dulled a little before she turned back to him.

The orchestra changed tunes, and the lights shifted toward the main stage. The announcer, a man in a crisp suit with the kind of voice that could sell luxury itself, stepped up to the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "on behalf of the Collins Group, I welcome you once again to the annual Business Monarch Gala. Tonight, we celebrate excellence — not only in performance but in partnership."

Applause filled the hall.

Val straightened beside me, her expression turning professional again.

"Our first award," the announcer continued, "recognizes Excellence in Global Innovation. This honor goes to a company that has redefined its industry through vision, technology, and leadership. Please join me in congratulating Prescott Global Industries!"

The crowd clapped politely. Avery's smile was dazzling as she and Chad rose from their seats, walking hand in hand toward the stage. Chad's hand rested proudly on her back. Cameras flashed as the announcer continued.

"Prescott Global has demonstrated unparalleled advancements in medical AI systems, making them a trailblazer in the healthcare sector."

I leaned toward Val. "She's running things there?"

"Her father's company," she said without looking at me. "But yes, she's running operations these days."

I nodded slowly. "Impressive."

She glanced sideways. "It is. But wait for it."

When Avery took the mic to give her speech, her voice was confident — smooth, practiced. She made sure to thank Chad, her "partner in both life and vision." The crowd melted for it.

Val smiled faintly, a polite one, but I saw it, that subtle flicker in her eyes. Competitive. Controlled.

The announcer returned to the mic once Avery and Chad stepped down. "And now, for our next recognition. The Pioneer Achievement in Sustainable Technology — awarded to Moreau Dynamics!"

The applause grew louder this time. Val didn't look surprised — just composed, poised, like she'd expected nothing less. Then she turned to me

"Come on," she said softly, standing.

I rose with her, buttoning my jacket. Her hand slipped through my arm — gentle, firm, familiar. Together, we walked to the stage under the spotlight.

Mrs. Collins herself greeted us with a radiant smile. "Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka," she said, shaking our hands. "You two embody what this event stands for — brilliance and unity."

"Thank you," Val said smoothly, accepting the award.

I smiled, but my eyes were on her. The confidence, the elegance, it was all there again. The Val who could silence a room with poise alone.

We posed for a photo, the flash bursting like applause. When we stepped down, her fingers brushed mine, and for a moment, it didn't feel staged at all.

---

By the time the Gala wound down, the night had blurred into laughter, speeches, and the faint buzz of champagne. Couples were starting to leave, drifting toward the exit in pairs.

Val and I were doing the same when she suddenly slowed down.

"Wait," she murmured, wincing slightly.

I turned. "What's wrong?"

"My ankle," she said, frowning. "I think I… I stepped wrong."

Concern kicked in immediately. "Did you twist it?"

"Maybe," she said, her voice soft. "It hurts a little."

Before I could ask further, she leaned on me lightly, the picture of grace in distress. "I think I just need to sit for a second."

I guided her toward a nearby stone ledge just off the path — high enough for her to rest on. A few people turned as I helped her sit. Mrs. Collins, passing by, gave us a fond smile. "Young love," she whispered to someone beside her.

Val bit her lip, looking every bit the fragile beauty in heels and silk. I crouched in front of her. "Which foot?"

She pointed, her lips twitching like she was suppressing a grin. "Right one."

I took her ankle gently, careful, rubbing lightly over the strap of her shoe. "You really did a number on yourself," I said softly.

"Mm," she hummed, watching me.

Somewhere behind me, a few couples smiled as they passed — a CEO and his wife, an investor with his fiancée. From their angle, it must've looked romantic. The perfect husband fussing over his wife.

"Better?" I asked, looking up.

She tilted her head, eyes glinting. "A little."

I smiled faintly and went back to massaging, too focused to notice anything else.

Across the lot, Avery was still standing with Chad, her eyes following us. For a split second, her smile faltered, realization flickering through her features.

Val noticed.

Of course she did. She'd been waiting for that exact moment — the perfect timing, the perfect audience. The ankle, the stumble, the soft little pout, none of it was real. Every bit of it was part of her quiet, calculated grace.

Because Val didn't just notice Avery coming. She'd been waiting for her to see — a silent message wrapped in a smile, her way of saying... look, we're still very much in love.

Before I could look up again, she stuck her tongue out — quick, playful, perfectly hidden from everyone but Avery.

Avery blinked, her expression cracking, just slightly, before she caught herself and turned away, laughing at something Chad said again. But it wasn't the same.

Val had just won — without saying a word.

"Does it still hurt?" I asked, unaware.

She smiled down at me, soft and satisfied. "Not anymore."

I stood, brushing off my knees. "You should probably get those checked when we get home."

> "Of course."

Her teasing tone made me grin. I offered her my hand. "Come on."

She slipped her fingers into mine, steady and sure. As we started toward the exit, her hand stayed where it was, and her steps matched mine perfectly.

The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of champagne and perfume. Cameras still flashed somewhere behind us, but I didn't care.

We'd come here barely holding it together. And somehow, we were leaving as one — side by side... still moving in sync.

---

To be continued…

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