FRED
I arrived at the gala way ahead of schedule—always good to be early, especially when
Zealfy Tech is the prime sponsor this year. Had to iron out a few details with the event
organizers to ensure everything is top-notch before the crowd starts rolling in. I’m all
about making sure the setup meets the gala standards before I’m thrown into the mix of
mingling and fun.
Desmond, the guy in charge of the events team, caught me just as I was checking the
lighting. “Hey Fred, everything looking good?” he asked, his eyes darting around to
make sure nothing was out of place.
“Perfect so far, Desmond. Just a few last-minute tweaks and we should be golden. And
where’s Mwangi? I need to touch base with him too.”
Desmond grinned. “Mwangi’s over by the stage, making sure the sound system is dialed
in. He’s a bit of a perfectionist, you know.”
I chuckled. “I know that all too well. Thanks, Desmond.”
I made my way over to Mwangi, who was engrossed in adjusting the speakers. “Hey
Mwangi, just checking in. Everything under control?”
Mwangi gave me a thumbs up. “All set, Fred. The stage is ready, the sound system’s
rocking, and we’re just about ready to roll.”
“Awesome. I’ll leave you to it. Time for me to get ready for the gala’s fun side. Catch you
later!”
As I headed off to get my game face on, I could already feel the buzz in the air. This
night’s going to be epic—here’s to making sure Zealfy Tech gets all the spotlight it
deserves!
LIZZY
The dress Carol picked for me is nothing short of a dream—it’s even an understatement
to say it’s beautiful. She handpicked it, packed it up, and absolutely forbade me from
peeking until the big day. Well, here I am, and let me tell you, this moment feels like a
fairy tale. My makeup is flawless, the dress is pure perfection, and everything about
tonight is already starting on such a high note.
Now, it’s all about making that unforgettable impression, especially on Hussein Rashid,
the founder of Classical Hotels and Tours. I’m determined to dazzle him and make sure
he sees just how fabulous and exciting our project is. The stakes are high, but I’m
feeling confident and ready to shine. Tonight’s going to be magical!
I was in the middle of a video call with Carol, and I could barely contain my excitement.
The moment she saw me in the dress, her face lit up with joy. “Oh my gosh, Lizzy! I
knew it was yours the minute I saw it. That body is bodying! If you don’t catch a man in
that, I don’t even know how to help you. Stop it—you’re making me emotional and I
can’t mess up my makeup. Tears are already balancing on my eyes. You look absolutely
stunning, boo boo. Now go out there and seal that deal!”
I laughed, feeling a surge of confidence from her enthusiasm. “Thanks, Carol! But wait,
where are you flying off to?”
Carol’s grin was positively mischievous. “I’m off to the Maldives, as always—fully paid
trip and all!” she said with a wink before cutting the call. Her sudden departure
left me a bit puzzled but amused.
With a smile still lingering on my face, I wrapped up my preparations, snagged a quick
snack, and headed out. The company had sent a driver, and soon enough, I was on my
way to the gala.
When I arrived, I was utterly awestruck. The venue was nothing short of
magical—glittering chandeliers, elegant drapes, and a sea of sophisticated guests. This
was more than just an event; it was a breathtaking spectacle. I took a moment to soak it
all in before heading to my table.
As I mingled with some early arrivals, trying to balance grace and excitement, Anna, my
ever-efficient assistant, hurried over to me. “He’s here,” she whispered urgently.
My pulse quickened. “How many people is he with?”
Anna glanced around discreetly. “Three—his wife, business partner, and assistant.”
“Alright, let’s go,” I said, attempting to steady my nerves.
As Anna and I made our way toward Hussein’s VIP area, I spotted a familiar face in the
crowd. “What the hell is he doing here?” I thought, a wave of confusion and intrigue
washing over me.
I tried to shake off the distraction and focused on the task at hand. Tonight was too
important, and I needed to stay sharp. The gala was just beginning, and I was about to
step into the spotlight where every moment counted.
FRED
I was doing a final walkthrough, checking off my to-do list, when something stopped me
in my tracks. There she was—Lizzy. I hadn’t seen her in over a month, and our
communication had fizzled out. I’d texted her a few times, but with no response, I was
starting to feel a bit bummed. I really liked her and had every intention of asking her out.
We’d never had the chance to meet in person again after that first encounter, and I’d
been looking forward to it.
As Lizzy walked past me, our eyes locked for a split second. Her face was a mixture of
surprise and confusion, but she quickly masked it and headed straight toward the VIP
section. I could tell she’d recognized me, and the moment of recognition was
electrifying.
I stood there, momentarily stunned. Seeing her again, especially under these
circumstances, was both thrilling and unnerving. I was desperate to get a chance to talk
to her, but with the gala in full swing and the VIP area in the way, I had to figure out how
to make it happen.
The night was starting to feel even more charged than I’d anticipated. If tonight was
going to be memorable, it seemed it would be for more reasons than one.
I was still reeling from the surprise of seeing Lizzy when I noticed her moving through
the crowd. The dress she wore was nothing short of a masterpiece. It was a sleek,
midnight blue gown that hugged her curves perfectly while maintaining an air of
sophisticated elegance. The fitted bodice was adorned with delicate beadwork that
caught the light with every movement, creating a subtle sparkle. The gown flared out
into a floor-length skirt that flowed gracefully, giving her a statuesque presence. A
daring yet tasteful slit up the side added a touch of intrigue.
The way Lizzy carried herself was nothing short of captivating. With each step, she
exuded confidence and grace, her every movement drawing admiring glances from
those around her. The gown accentuated her figure beautifully, and she wore it with an
effortless poise that turned heads.
When I approached her later in the evening, I couldn’t help but admire how stunning she
looked. “Fancy seeing you here, Lizzy,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite
the excitement.
She looked up, her expression momentarily blank. “Frank? With a question mark,” she
said, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
I blinked, momentarily stunned. “Uh, Fred. It’s Fred.”
Lizzy’s grin widened. “I’m just messing with you, Fred. It’s great to see you!”
I let out a relieved laugh, my nerves settling. “You look absolutely stunning tonight. If I
didn’t know better, I’d say you’re here to steal the show.”
Lizzy laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “And you’re looking quite sharp
yourself. I’m just here to make sure everyone’s on their toes.”
“Mission accomplished,” I said with a smile that hinted at more. “Maybe after the gala,
we could catch up properly. I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to.”
Lizzy hesitated, her gaze shifting. “I’d love to, but I have to be at Hussein’s after-party
for business. It’s a big deal.”
That was a bit of a bummer. I’d just received an invite to an after-party hosted by an
investor from Malaysia, which promised to be equally exciting.
“Sounds like a packed schedule,” I said, trying to hide my disappointment. “Maybe
another time, then?”
“Definitely,” Lizzy said with a warm smile. “See you around, Fred.”
As she turned back to her conversation, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and
letdown. Tonight had turned out to be more eventful than I’d anticipated, and the night
was far from over.