novelnext Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Although my feelings for Sonny had completely faded, and I no longer felt any resentment or affection toward him, I preferred to keep things minimal between us. The project proposal was nearly finished, and this meeting would likely just be a final review. My absence wouldn't make much of a difference.
Just as I finished briefing my team on the key points, my phone rang, it was Mark.
"Are you busy?" he asked.
I glanced at the time and realized it was already nearly time to head home.
"Not really, just about done here," I replied, already guessing where this conversation might be heading.
Sure enough, he invited me to join him for the evening. "I'm going to a banquet tonight. Would you like to come with me as my date?"
I didn't see any reason to say no, so I agreed right away.
I could hear the excitement in Mark's voice, and I almost imagined the smile on his face as he spoke again.
"Great! Go home and rest for a bit. I'll have a dress delivered to you, and I'll pick you up later."
When the custom-made dress arrived, I was stunned. Even with my limited knowledge of luxury brands, I could tell that this handcrafted gown had to have been ordered well in advance, there was no way it was a last-minute arrangement.
It was clear how much thought and effort Mark had put into this, but I didn't ask questions. I didn't need to; I already knew the truth in my heart.
The white silk gown fit my figure beautifully, flowing to the floor like a waterfall. Tiny pearls and gemstones were sewn into delicate floral patterns on the strapless bodice, giving the dress an air of refined elegance.
When Mark saw me in the gown, he was momentarily speechless. He had ordered it while studying abroad, imagining how stunning I would look in it. To him, the dress seemed to perfectly embody my character, simple yet full of life.
Mark stepped forward, draping his jacket over my shoulders before kneeling down to gently slip a pair of high heels onto my feet. I looked down at the top of his head, feeling a rush of emotions as I experienced the warmth of his hands guiding my feet into the delicate shoes. Though his actions felt intimate, oddly enough, I didn't mind the closeness.
"Beautiful Miss Wendell, please step into the car," Mark said with a smile, extending his hand to help me into the passenger seat.
Fortunately, the banquet wasn't overly formal, it was a networking and appreciation event hosted by a major brand.
At the venue, I could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on me. They were confused, no doubt wondering what was going on. Mark had never attended an event like this, and he had never brought a date before. The typically composed, refined man was acting out of character, and it was clear everyone was curious about the story behind it.
I barely noticed their attention as I sipped the red wine Mark had handed me. The taste was bitter, and I made a face as I took a sip.
Noticing my reaction, Mark took the wine glass from my hand and replaced it with a dessert.
I watched him mingle, giving polite smiles to those who acknowledged me. For the first time, I felt like I was basking in his influence. CEOs and high-ranking executives, regardless of their status, greeted me warmly, all because of Mark. It fed my vanity a little, but I kept my feet on the ground.
After a while, the high heels began to hurt. I quietly let Mark know and slipped away to find a quiet corner where I could rest.