The week before Rivera Group's twentieth anniversary passed more quickly than Sofia Mirano expected.
Work became busier than usual.
Departments rushed to finalize reports, executives prepared presentations for the event, and the entire building buzzed with a level of excitement that rarely existed in a corporate environment.
Even Sofia felt it.
Every morning when she walked into the office, someone mentioned the party.
What would they wear?
Who would attend?
Which executives from other companies might show up?
Sofia tried to stay focused on her responsibilities.
But the closer the event came, the harder it became to ignore the anticipation.
Especially since she would be attending with Leo Rivera.
Thursday morning arrived with soft sunlight spilling across the glass walls of Rivera Group's top floor.
Sofia sat at her desk reviewing the final schedule for the day.
Leo had a meeting with the finance department at ten.
Another meeting with investors at one.
And a strategy discussion in the afternoon.
The party was tomorrow night.
Sofia double-checked everything carefully.
Her phone buzzed.
Lucy.
Sofia already smiled before opening the message.
Lucy:
Good morning.
Lucy:
Important question.
Sofia laughed quietly.
Sofia:
What now?
Lucy replied instantly.
Lucy:
Are you nervous?
Sofia paused.
Then typed slowly.
Sofia:
Maybe a little.
Lucy's reply came immediately.
Lucy:
Good.
Lucy:
That means you care.
Sofia shook her head slightly, smiling to herself.
Lucy always had a way of saying things so directly.
Before she could reply again, Leo's office door opened.
"Sofia."
She stood immediately.
"Yes, Mr. Rivera?"
"Come in."
Inside the office, Leo stood near his desk reviewing a stack of documents.
His suit jacket rested on the back of his chair, and his sleeves were rolled slightly past his wrists.
It was a rare sight.
Leo Rivera usually looked perfectly composed.
But today he looked… tired.
Sofia placed the files on his desk.
"The contracts for tomorrow's presentation."
Leo nodded.
"Thank you."
Sofia hesitated.
"You've been working late this week."
Leo glanced at her.
"Preparing for the event."
Sofia nodded.
"That makes sense."
Leo leaned back in his chair and studied her quietly.
"You seem distracted."
Sofia blinked.
"Do I?"
"Yes."
She smiled faintly.
"Everyone is talking about the party."
Leo almost smiled.
"That tends to happen with company events."
Sofia hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"Are you looking forward to it?"
Leo considered the question.
Then he answered honestly.
"I wasn't."
Sofia tilted her head.
"Wasn't?"
Leo met her eyes.
"But now… I am."
Sofia didn't ask why.
She simply nodded and left the office.
But her heart beat slightly faster than usual.
Later that afternoon, Sofia finished the final reports and checked the time.
Five thirty.
The office slowly began to empty as employees prepared to leave for the evening.
Just as Sofia packed her bag, her phone rang.
Lucy.
Sofia answered immediately.
"Hello?"
Lucy sounded extremely excited.
"Tonight."
Sofia frowned.
"Tonight what?"
Lucy laughed.
"Final dress rehearsal."
Sofia groaned softly.
"Lucy…"
"I'm serious."
"You're always serious about dresses."
Lucy ignored that.
"You need to come over."
Sofia smiled.
"Alright."
Lucy's boutique glowed warmly under soft lights when Sofia arrived that evening.
The store was quiet.
Lucy stood beside a large mirror, already holding a small makeup kit.
"You're late."
Sofia laughed.
"I left the office as soon as I could."
Lucy waved her toward the fitting room.
"Go."
A few minutes later, Sofia stepped out wearing the midnight-blue dress again.
Lucy clapped softly.
"Perfect."
Sofia turned slowly in front of the mirror.
The fabric flowed gracefully around her.
Even she had to admit—
The dress was beautiful.
Lucy adjusted the neckline slightly before stepping back.
"You're ready."
Sofia smiled.
"Thank you."
Lucy crossed her arms and studied her carefully.
"You know what tomorrow night means, right?"
Sofia raised an eyebrow.
"A company party."
Lucy shook her head dramatically.
"No."
"It's the night your CEO realizes he's in love with you."
Sofia laughed loudly.
"Lucy!"
Lucy grinned.
"You think I'm joking."
Sofia turned back toward the mirror.
But Lucy's words lingered in her mind longer than she expected.
Across the city, Leo Rivera sat alone in his office long after most employees had left.
The building was quiet.
Only the soft glow of city lights illuminated the room.
Leo stared at the calendar on his desk.
Tomorrow.
The anniversary event.
He had attended hundreds of corporate gatherings during his career.
They were always the same.
Formal conversations.
Networking.
Polite smiles.
But somehow…
This one felt different.
Leo leaned back in his chair.
Because he knew one thing for certain.
Tomorrow night, Sofia Mirano would walk into that room wearing the dress he had seen in Lucy's boutique.
And he still hadn't forgotten the way she looked that night.
The memory alone had followed him all week.
Leo exhaled slowly.
He had built his life around discipline and control.
But lately…
Sofia had started quietly disrupting that control.
Her calm voice.
Her quiet smile.
The way she always stayed composed no matter the situation.
Leo stood and walked toward the window overlooking the city skyline.
Tomorrow night would simply be a company celebration.
Nothing more.
At least…
That's what he told himself.
Meanwhile, Sofia lay in bed later that night staring at the ceiling of her apartment.
Lucy had already sent three messages reminding her not to panic tomorrow.
Sofia smiled softly at her phone before placing it on the nightstand.
But sleep didn't come easily.
Because tomorrow night…
She would walk into a ballroom full of executives and employees.
Standing beside Leo Rivera.
And for some reason…
That thought made her heart race in a way she couldn't quite explain.