Chapter 14 - The Return to the Grand Ballroom
One year later.
The Grand Plaza Ballroom in Chicago was once again ablaze with crystal
chandeliers, champagne towers, and five hundred of the country’s most
distinguished citizens for the Annual Children’s Hospital Charity Gala.
Except this year, the entire gala had been designed, coordinated, and produced
by Romano & Parker Luxury Events—now the premier event production firm in North
America, with branches in New York, Paris, and London.
I stood near the grand entrance wearing a stunning midnight-blue velvet gown,
holding an electronic clipboard, reviewing the final floral placements with my
lead coordinator.
"The white Ecuadorian roses look magnificent, Miss—I mean, Mrs. Romano," the
coordinator smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Sarah. You did an incredible job," I replied with a proud smile.
From across the ballroom, a familiar, commanding figure parted the crowd with
effortless grace.
Enzo walked toward me, dressed in his classic black tuxedo, his amber eyes
locked exclusively onto me, ignoring the socialites and CEOs trying to catch his
attention.
He stopped in front of me, slid his large hand around my waist, and pulled me
gently against his side.
"Still working on your feet, Mrs. Romano?" he murmured teasingly in my ear.
"A good event director never sits down until the first dance, Mr. Romano," I
replied, tilting my chin up to meet his gaze.
"Then let's start the first dance right now," he said.
He took my hand, led me onto the center of the dance floor, and the orchestra
transitioned into our wedding song.
As we swayed beneath the crystal chandeliers, the entire room watched with quiet
admiration—no longer whispering about a scandal, but revering the most powerful,
devoted couple in the city.
"You know," Enzo murmured, resting his forehead against mine as we turned in the
warm light, "I still remember the exact pressure of your hands when you grabbed
my face right here one year ago."
I laughed softly, tracing the sharp line of his jaw with my fingertips.
"Would you have fired me if I hadn't asked you to look obsessed?"
May you like
Enzo smiled—that genuine, breathtaking smile that belonged only to me.
"Natalie, from the second you touched me... I was already yours."
