CHOOSING BETWEEN TWO

Isabella's pov

My fingers trembled as I stared at the gleaming envelope sitting on my desk, its gold-embrioded letters shimmering under the office's fluorescent lights. Hunter Industries Annual Gala, it read, in elegant script, followed by my name in bold. I shouldn't have been surprised-it was a tradition for every employee to attend-but this year felt different. This year, the invitation was a stark reminder of just how out of place I was in this world of power and privilege.

With a soft sigh, I pushed the invitation aside and buried my face in my hands, my pulse racing with anxiety. It wasn't the thought of wearing a dress or mingling with the city's elite that made my stomach churn. It was the possibility of seeing him again-Ethan Ward, my ex-boyfriend, the man who had shattered my heart into a thousand irreparable pieces.

"Why do I always let myself get worked up over these things?" I whispered to myself.

Just then, a familiar voice cut through the air. "Worked up over what?"

I jerked my head up to see my friend and colleague, Sarah, leaning against the doorway of my cubicle, arms crossed, an amused smile on her lips. Sarah was my polar opposite-confident, outgoing, and completely at ease in the high-stakes corporate world.

"Oh, nothing. Just this," I said, holding up the gala invitation.

Sarah's eyes widened with excitement. "The gala? Oh my God, Izzy! This is your chance to show them all. You'll be stunning, and Ethan won't know what hit him."

I felt my heart tighten at the mention of Ethan's name. "I don't know, Sarah. I'm not sure I want to go. You know how I feel about those kinds of events, and-" I hesitated, "-about him."

Sarah's expression softened as she stepped closer. "Isa, I know you're nervous. But you can't keep hiding forever. You deserve to be seen-by everyone, including him. Besides, don't you want to show Ethan that you're doing just fine without him?"

I bit my lip. Sarah made it sound so easy, but the truth was far more complicated. It had been over a year since Ethan had walked out of my life, choosing someone else over me-someone more glamorous, more ambitious, someone who wasn't a constant source of insecurity like I was. Since then, I had done my best to piece my life back together, but the wounds were still fresh, and the thought of facing him again made me feel small and powerless all over again.

"I don't know if I'm ready," I murmured, looking down at my hands.

"Of course, you're ready," Sarah said firmly. "Look, you're an amazing woman, Isa. You just need to believe it. And if you ask me, there's no better way to make a comeback than at the gala. Who knows? Maybe you'll catch the eye of someone important." She wiggled her eyebrows playfully.

I let out a weak laugh, shaking her head. "I highly doubt that."

Sarah grinned. "Oh, I don't know. I've heard that Alex Hunter himself is going to be there. You know, the man who runs this entire company. Word around the office is that he's single and very, very eligible."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure he doesn't even know I exist."

But even as I said it, my mind drifted to the few times I had seen Alexander Hunter around the office-tall, impeccably dressed, and always surrounded by an air of authority that made everyone take notice. He was elusive, rarely making appearances outside of high-level meetings, and yet, he had a presence that was impossible to ignore.

"Don't be so sure," Sarah said, giving me a wink. "You never know what could happen."

*******

The day of the gala arrived faster than I had expected, and as I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, I felt a familiar wave of dread creeping up my spine. The dress Sarah had helped pick out for me was beautiful-a floor-length, deep emerald gown that hugged my figure in all the right places, with delicate lace detailing on the sleeves. It was far more elegant than anything I had ever worn before, but despite the beauty of the dress, I couldn't shake the feeling that I didn't belong in it.

"You look amazing, Isabelle," Sarah said from behind me, breaking me from my thoughts. "You're going to knock them dead."

I tried to smile, but it came out more like a grimace. "I hope you're right."

***********

The grand ballroom of the Manhattan Hotel was nothing short of breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm glow over the room filled with New York's elite. Waiters weaved between the guests, carrying trays of champagne, while the soft hum of conversation filled the air. I stood at the entrance, feeling like an imposter in a world I had no place being.

"Come on, let's get a drink," Sarah said, linking her arm through mine and steering me towards the bar.

My eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of Ethan. I knew he would be here-he was a regular at these kinds of events, always rubbing shoulders with the rich and powerful. The thought of running into him made my stomach twist, but I forced myself to take a deep breath. I can do this, I said to myself.

But just as I started to relax, I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Isabelle Harrington."

My heart sank as I turned around to find Ethan standing there, a smug smile on his face, his arm draped casually around the waist of Victoria St. James. She was even more stunning in person-tall, blonde, and dressed in a designer gown that screamed wealth and status. Everything I wasn't.

"Ethan," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

He looked at me from up to down, his smile widening. "I didn't expect to see you here. You look... different."

It was meant to be a compliment, but I could hear the underlying condescension in his tone. I forced myself to stand tall, even though all I wanted to do was run and hide.

"Thanks," I muttered, hating how small I felt in his presence.

Victoria smirked. "Nice dress. Where did you get it? The clearance rack?"

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but before I could respond, a deep voice cut through the tension.

"Is there a problem here?"

My breath caught in my throat as I turned to see none other than Alexander Hunter standing beside me, his sharp grey eyes fixed on Ethan and Victoria. His presence was commanding, and for the first time that evening, I felt a flicker of hope.

Ethan's smug expression faltered slightly. "No problem at all. Just catching up with an old friend."

Alex's gaze shifted to me, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Isabelle, care to join me for a drink?"

For a moment, I could only stare at him, stunned that he even knew my name. I glanced at Ethan, whose smile had faded completely, and then back at Alex. A small, unfamiliar feeling of confidence bloomed in my chest.

"I'd love to," I said, my voice stronger than it had been all night.

As Alex led me away from Ethan and Victoria, I couldn't help but feel that maybe, just maybe, this night wasn't going to be so terrible after all.