Antonio returned to his mansion to find Abuela already seated in the sitting room, hands folded neatly over her cane, eyes sharp as ever.
"Nice of you to return on such short notice," Abuela said coolly.
Antonio paused. "What's the matter, Abuela?"
She placed an envelope on the table between them. "An invitation," she said.
"A gathering of all high-ranking officials. Since you are one of them, I thought it best you attend."
Antonio exhaled slowly. "When is it?"
"Tomorrow night. And you're expected to bring a plus one." A brief pause, then—"Don't worry. I took the liberty of inviting Chloe."
He closed his eyes for a moment. "Very well," was all he said.
The next morning, Antonio sat in his office, documents scattered across his desk like unfinished battles.
The door burst open.
"Mr. Antonio, these are the documents for the Zealand collaboration—have they been signed yet?" Melissa asked, already halfway inside.
"Not yet," he replied.
She nodded and turned to leave.
"Melissa," Antonio called.
She stopped.
"There's something I'd like us to discuss."
Melissa hesitated, peeking through the open door. From downstairs came muffled screams and threats—raised voices, chaos brewing.
"Mr. Antonio," she said apologetically, "can we put a pin on this?"
Before he could respond, she was gone.
Later that afternoon, Antonio headed downstairs, on his way to meet Chloe for her fitting.
Melissa rushed past him, arms full of documents.
He caught her wrist.
"Melissa, we need to talk."
She looked exhausted. Papers pressed to her chest.
Her hair was tied into a lazy bun, held together with a pen—the same pen she had spent thirty minutes searching for earlier before giving up and grabbing another.
"Sir, could it wait?" she asked softly. "The strategic team needs me."
Antonio sighed, frustration tightening his chest, and let her go.
He watched her disappear down the corridor, running like she was always running—from one responsibility to the next.
Antonio met Chloe at the mall.
She talked endlessly—about the weather, about the venue, about things he barely heard.
His mind wasn't there.
By the time she finished, he had already checked out.
She held onto his arm, still speaking, still smiling.
When they passed a display window.
A silver gown. Antonio stopped.
In his mind, he saw Melissa in it—effortlessly elegant, understated, impossible to ignore.
He leaned toward Sebastian. "Get me that dress."
Antonio was exhausted. He genuinely wondered how one person could talk nonstop without pause.
A separate car drove Chloe home.
Antonio returned to the office.
He leaned against his desk, eyes fixed on the door, as though he already knew.
And then—like a miracle—Melissa walked in.
"Mr. Antonio, where were you?" she asked. "You didn't attend the meeting scheduled for 4:30."
"Don't worry," he said. "I handled it."
She nodded briskly. "I'll have someone bring you lunch. In the meantime, I need to organize the company picnic for this weekend."
She turned to leave.
Antonio pulled her back, pinning her gently but firmly against the wall.
"Mr. Antonio?" Melissa gasped, shocked.
"You didn't make time for me," he said, his voice hoarse.
"I told you I had something to discuss, and you made me feel… stupid."
Her expression softened instantly.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"I didn't mean to make you feel that way. Today has been hectic—too many documents, too many partners. I didn't mean to make you upset."
Antonio lowered his head, resting it on her shoulder.
"I'll be attending a party with Chloe tonight," he said quietly.
"I want you to accompany me."
She stiffened. "Me? Why? Your fiancée will be there. Why should I come?"
"Because I want you," he said. "By my side."
Silence.
"Sebastian will bring a dress," Antonio added. "I'll pick you up at seven. Be ready."
Melissa understood exactly what was happening. She had no say in the matter.
"Alright," she said. Just like that, the line between them blurred even further.
Sunny arrived first, armed with snacks and unsolicited opinions.
"Tell me why Sebastian dropped this dress like it was classified government property," she said, eyeing the garment bag on Melissa's bed.
"Who is he trying to intimidate—me?"
Ariana followed behind, calm as ever, already slipping into problem-solving mode. "Open it."
Melissa hesitated.
Her stomach twisted as she unzipped the bag.
The silver gown spilled out like liquid moonlight—sleek, elegant, dangerously understated.
No excessive sparkle. No dramatic cuts. Just confidence sewn into fabric.
Sunny's jaw dropped. Ariana went very still.
"…Oh," Sunny finally breathed. "He is out of his mind."
Melissa swallowed. "It's just a dress."
"No," Ariana said quietly. "It's a declaration."
Melissa shot her a look. "Don't start."
They helped her change.
The moment the gown slid into place, the room shifted.
It fit perfectly—hugging where it should, flowing where it needed to.
The neckline framed her collarbones just enough to be devastating without trying.
The silver caught the light every time she moved.
Sunny circled her slowly. "Antonio is going to lose his mind."
"That's not the goal," Melissa said, staring at her reflection.
Ariana stepped closer, adjusting a strap.
"Maybe not. But you're not dressing like a background character anymore."
Melissa met her own eyes in the mirror.
For the first time in a long while, she didn't look tired.
She looked… powerful.
Her hair was swept up loosely, soft strands framing her face.
Ariana applied minimal makeup—clean skin, defined eyes, lips left natural.
Sunny grinned. "Okay, but let's be clear—Chloe is going to hate this."
Melissa exhaled slowly. "I don't want trouble."
Ariana squeezed her hand. "You won't cause it. You'll simply exist."
The doorbell rang. All three of them froze.
Sunny peeked through the window and gasped. "Black car. Antonio's here."
Melissa's heart slammed against her ribs.
"Showtime," Sunny whispered.
They all stepped outside only to find Sebastian waiting for Melissa.
"Where's Antonio?" Ariana asked.
"He sincerely apologise for his absence. He had something urgent he needed to take care of." Sebastian said politely.
"Urgent my ass." Sunny scoffs.
"I assure you, he'll be waiting for you at the venue." Sebastian said.
Melissa took a deep breath. "Wish me luck you guys."
"Luck? Bitch please, you'll make heads turn tonight." Sunny said.
"Don't forget to bag a rich one tonight. I wouldn't mind." Ariana said as she waved them goodbye.
Sebastian drove to the venue. When they arrived, a car pulled up in front of them.
Antonio stepped out of the car first.
Impeccably dressed. Controlled. Untouchable.
Then Melissa appeared. Time slowed.
The silver gown caught the ambient light, turning heads before she even reached him. She moved with quiet confidence—not rushed, not hesitant. Just composed.
Antonio forgot how to breathe. For a brief moment, the world narrowed to her.
"You look…" He stopped, jaw tightening. "…perfect."
She nodded once. "Thank you."
He offered his arm. She took it.
Inside the venue, conversations softened, then stalled altogether.
Whispers rippled through the room.
"That's her?" "Who is she?" "She's with Antonio?"
Chloe stood near Abuela, mid-conversation. Her smile cracked. Just slightly.
Antonio didn't let go of Melissa's arm.
"Stay close," he murmured.
"I am," Melissa replied, steady.
Introductions followed—measured, deliberate.
"This is Melissa," Antonio said smoothly. "My associate."
Not assistant but his associate.
Chloe's eyes flicked to Melissa, sharp and assessing.
"How… unexpected."
Melissa met her gaze calmly. "Good evening."
Abuela watched everything, her expression unreadable, calculating.
As Antonio guided Melissa further into the room, she felt it fully now—the shift.
She wasn't invisible. She wasn't hidden.
She wasn't pretending. She was standing exactly where he wanted her and everyone could see it.
Across the room, Sunny and Ariana—who had arrived separately—caught sight of her.
Roberto was absent so Ariana had to represent him. Besides it's a plus one kind of invitation, that's why Sunny's here.
Sunny clutched Ariana's arm. "She walked in like she owned the place."
Ariana smiled softly. "No. Like she belonged."
Antonio leaned closer to Melissa. "You're doing beautifully."
She glanced up at him. "So are you."
He chuckled softly.
Somewhere between the chandeliers, the stares, and the unspoken truths— The night began to change everything.