Bryan's POV
I stared at the report in my hand, but I wasn't really reading it. My assistant's words echoed in
my head louder than anything else around me.
"Alicia's the one who caught you before you could hit your head.. You would have gotten a head
injury if she wasn't there."
I exhaled loudly, the image forming in my head. Her arms, stretching out to hold me, before I
could fall. Maybe just before I fell, her voice calling out my name. I didn't even remember the
moment, but the moment….it settled something in me.
A strange warmth spread around my chest, just thinking about the moment.
I didn't know why, not really. But something about her….About Alicia, lingered in my thoughts
more than I expected.
There was this…. quiet strength I found in Alicia. She didn't demand attention for anything, she
never seemed to. The way she looked at people, the way she made me smile out of my
problems, the way she listened, the way she moved through a room like she had experienced
the worst of it and came out stronger.
Her kindness. Subtle and never loud. But it was real. I found everything about it magnetic.
I wanted to see her again.
Not only because of what she had done for me.
I just wanted to see her again.
That's when a good idea struck me.
A medical charity gala.
It was the perfect opportunity to bring together people from the medical field.
And maybe….Just maybe, it was a chance to see Alicia in a different light. The medical charity
event would be the only place I could really see her, be herself more.
I remembered she told me she worked at a top hospital in the city, and without overthinking it, I
called in someone from my personal team.
"I'm planning a medical event and I would love it if you specially send out an invite to this name.
Alicia." I said
"Any last name sir?" The man in my front asks me
"Can't recall. I sent you the hospital she works in. Look around." I replied to him.
He nodded and left my office.
I made sure the invite looked official, clean and elegant, nothing too flashy. Just enough to catch
her attention.
I didn't sign my name.
I didn't want her to come out of obligation.
I wanted it to be a surprise.
And it worked.
Alicia showed up at the event.
I waved her over.
"You came." I said, my voice coming out excited.
"I didn't plan to. My parents insisted." She replied, taking a look around.
I chuckled. "Well, for what it's worth, I'm glad you came."
She smirked, giving me a sideways glance.
From there, we began talking and it progressed to loud jokes.
As we talked, the hospital director delivered his speech. After the elegant dining, we then
mingled with philanthropists, board members, and doctors. I kept close to her. Sometimes I
listened to her talk.
During the live auction, we sat beside each other, listening to different numbers from different
people. I even placed a few bids.
"You don't even know what you're bidding on, do you?" Alicia mused.
I couldn't help but smile at her words. "Not a clue. But you're still talking to me, so I must be
doing something right." I said.
She laughed, "You're ridiculous."
For a moment, everything seemed to go smoothly.
Perfect, even.
Until Rowen appeared.
I spotted him first, moving through the crowd, like someone that didn't belong. His eyes locked
in one direction.
Alicia.
Before I could say anything, I saw her turn. Her expression changed. A mix of confusion and
anger. Her eyes widened. She didn't even have time to move before he was in front of her.
He blocked her like he had every right to and started talking almost immediately.
I moved without thinking.
By the time I got closer to them, he had her cornered near one of the doors. His voice was low
but sharp.
"I've changed, Alicia. You don't understand…. Please forgive me. Just listen to me, please."
She tried taking a step backwards, He stepped in closer to her.
That was enough.
"Hey."
My voice cut through the air. Rowen turned, my voice had startled.
"She said no and I think you should leave."
He looked like he wanted to argue it. But I stepped in between them, backing Alicia.
With quiet authority in my voice, I turned to the nearest staff member.
"Get security. Now."
Within seconds, two security guards appeared beside me. I gave them a single nod and
motioned towards Rowen.
"Escort him out Immediately."
Rowen tried to protest, but maybe the look from the securities or the expression I had on, made
him resign and walk out.
He didn't fight it. He just let both securities lead him out.
The moment he was gone, the room went calm. I hadn't realized the room was tense.
Conversations resumed. Laughter did too.
The room returned to calm.
As the gala wound down and guests began to leave, all heading towards their various homes, I
caught Alicia near the exit, sipping from her drink. Clearly worn out.
"Can I give you a ride home?" I asked.
She hesitated for a second, but then gave a small nod. "Sure."
The drive to her home was quiet, but not uncomfortable. It could even be called Peaceful
Still, I had to ask her. "You okay? After….all that?"
She stared out the window, the city lights slowly dancing on her face.
"He's an old wound," she said quietly, her voice almost barely above a whisper. Then after that
comment, she went silent again.
I respected that. I didn't say anything else.
She directed me to her house and I parked right in front of it. I watched her remove her seatbelt
and reach for the door.
"Thanks for tonight," she said looking back at me.
"Anytime."
I waited until she was safely inside, then I drove away.
I couldn't think of anything else other than how much I enjoyed every single moment with her
today.