Love Beyond Fortune

d to be tonight-not at this glittering charity gala surrounded by the city's elite. She wanted to be in her tiny apartment, pouring

catching on sequined gowns and polished tuxedos. Waiters glided through the sea of laughter and clinking glasses, balancing tray

ing to the tray of delicate champagne glasses. "Don't trip, don't

k hair was swept back with precision. Alex scanned the crowd with the detached air of someone who had been to too many of these events. His name alone car

o hide his disinterest. The conversations around him blurred into meaningless chatter about market share

t a group of animated guests, one of whom gestured wildly, nearly knocking her of

n't belong here, that much was clear. The other servers moved with practiced grace, but

r. "Champagne, sir?" she asked, her voice

shifting back to the crowd. She stepped forw

la watched in horror as the champagne glass nearest her slid toward the edge, its golden liq

littering droplets catching the light befo

topped as she froze, her tray tilted precariously in he

is jaw tightened, and for a moment, his expression was unreadable. Lila e

and grabbing a napkin. She stepped closer, her hands trembling a

alm, but there was an edge to it. He held up

ed, unsure if she

ng at the stain lightly before turn

ila. For a moment, their eyes met, and she was struck by the intensity o

, aren't you?" he a

don't usually do this kind of w

lesson in balance." His lips curved into the faintest hint of a smirk befor

oment already fading into the background noise of the gala. But Lila couldn't shake the feeling that she'd b

hm of the evening, determined to finish her shift without any furthe

ely different from the practiced perfection of the world he inhabi

to see h