Chapter 18: Struck by Lightning?
Alexander's bizarre actions silenced the bustling ballroom. A hush fell so profound, one could hear a pin drop. A couple stood at the doorway—familiar, yet strangely unfamiliar.
It was the day of the gathering, so Isabella, out of courtesy, had dressed up slightly before leaving home. She wore a sky-blue dress and a white silk scarf. Her perfectly proportioned figure made even this simple attire seem runway-ready. Her ebony hair cascaded in waves, each strand gleaming. Light makeup subtly enhanced her natural beauty, her ruby lips contrasting with pearly white teeth. Her shapely, ebony eyes, usually crystalline, were wide with surprise—a result of Alexander pinching her cheek—adding to her charm. Her lips were slightly pouted, reflecting surprise and anger at Alexander's actions.
She was dramatically different from the Isabella they'd met two years prior. Then, a pervasive gloom had obscured her beauty. Now, they understood her artistic potential; her face and figure alone were more than sufficient qualifications.
At the main table, some less prejudiced guests compared Isabella to Eleanor. In terms of appearance, Isabella surpassed Eleanor. More than that, something about Isabella and Alexander, standing side-by-side, suggested an even better match than Alexander and Eleanor had ever been.
Alexander, with his dark eyes and handsome features, wore a well-tailored suit that perfectly complemented his physique. He looked like a sculpted model. Despite knowing he was married, many women blushed at the sight of the former heartthrob, shyness evident in their eyes.
The Alexander of the past had been somewhat boyish. However, the decisiveness and ruthlessness acquired in the business world had elevated his allure. Powerful men held an undeniable magnetism; a woman held and gazed upon by such a man might well feel weak-kneed. The unique Alexander before them captivated the women present.
Even during university, when he and Eleanor were a well-known couple, their relationship seemed different now. It was hard to describe. Beside Eleanor, Alexander had been a statue, unaffected by her presence. Beside Isabella, he was anything but flawless and impeccable. This change further enticed his former admirers; it was as if a god had descended to earth, igniting a desire to vie for his attention. Isabella’s appearance and her interaction with Alexander sowed seeds of doubt in the hearts of many.
The gossip that day, heard at the main table, was that Eleanor was also attending. Eleanor, the woman who had won the heart of the unattainable heartthrob, had been his first love. Their breakup had been sudden and unexplained—he’d been dumped, she’d gone abroad. Logically, such a breakup should have been filled with regret. It was an unfinished story, ripe for a sequel. Rumors of problems, even the lack of a wedding ceremony, had dogged Alexander’s marriage.
Everyone believed that if Eleanor returned, apologized, and worked to repair their relationship, she had a chance of reconciliation. But now, they doubted it. Alexander and Eleanor's relationship had spanned years. They were a seemingly perfect match in terms of background and capabilities. Isabella was in a different league entirely. Confusion reigned.
Isabella, too, was bewildered. Not only had Alexander pinched her, but his dark eyes seemed to glare at her, as if he held some grievance.
“Why are you pinching me?” she asked.
Seeing Isabella’s confusion, and his own rage subsiding, Alexander released her cheek. Her cheeks flushed slightly from the pinch; his eyes flickered with regret. He’d pinched too hard, and gently rubbed the spot with his thumb.
“There was a stain on your face,” he lied.
Isabella eyed him suspiciously. She hadn't done anything to provoke him; perhaps he'd been trying to remove a stain but had misjudged his strength. He needed a lesson in gentleness!
Alexander’s mood inexplicably improved as he listened to her sarcastic complaints. He was about to loosen his arm around her when he sensed her inner thoughts: Could this be a breakdown? Has the news about his ex-girlfriend thrown him off? Before her thoughts could spiral, he pulled her into a tighter embrace and headed towards the main table.
Isabella felt overwhelmed, quickly composing herself. By the time she managed a polite smile, Alexander had placed her before the assembled guests. “Sorry we’re late,” he murmured.
Facing potential gossip, Isabella remained amiable, but was met with stunned expressions. She was utterly bewildered.
Had they been struck by lightning?
Alexander, too, found their reaction odd. Before he could speak, Roland, who followed them, cleared his throat to draw attention to their arrival. The guests remained oblivious. Then, a woman in a pink and white knitted dress, who had been facing away, turned. Her long hair draped over her shoulder, her downcast eyes giving her a vulnerable appearance, she seemed mildly panicked. She held a bag in one hand and instinctively cradled her stomach with the other.
Ignoring Alexander and Isabella, she addressed Roland: “Roland, Queenie contacted me. There may be a problem at work. I'm worried about her handling it alone, so I need to go back. I won't be able to stay.”
Roland was taken aback. He'd brought her to announce their upcoming early wedding, due to an unexpected pregnancy. He’d intended for them to make the announcement together. Now, she was leaving due to work. Though he respected her, he felt discomforted. Seeing her urgency, however, he couldn't refuse. "Okay, I'll drive you," he said.
A flicker of joy crossed her face, quickly suppressed. "No, it's okay. This is a rare get-together. I won't keep you. I'll take a taxi."
She left, offering a brief, apologetic nod to Alexander and Isabella before hurrying away. Roland, concerned, saw her into a taxi.
This interlude broke the spell. Guests finally recovered from their shock and greeted Alexander and Isabella. Alexander seated himself beside Isabella, their every move under scrutiny. Isabella, in turn, carefully observed the individuals who had been the subject of her overheard gossip.