Gina checked her phone for the third time in less than a minute, excitement buzzing through her veins as she walked toward the car.
She had gone all out tonight.
Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, glossy and perfectly styled. A fitted black dress hugged her figure just right—not too much, but enough to turn heads. Her heels clicked confidently against the pavement, the kind of confidence that only comes when you really want to be seen.
She slid into Noel's car.
"Hey…" she said shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I didn't keep you waiting, right?"
"No, you're good," Noel replied calmly, starting the engine.
"There are a few things I want to talk to you about today," he added, eyes still on the road. "Stuff I've been thinking about lately."
Gina smiled, nerves dancing in her chest.
"Me too," she admitted. "We've been going out a lot recently, but I never had the courage to say it."
"You can say whatever you want," Noel said casually.
"I won't jump in with my annoying critiques."
Her smile widened. "That's… reassuring."
When they arrived, Gina froze.
"You told me this was a VIP event," she said slowly, staring around.
"But I didn't expect this."
The place was massive—glass walls, golden lights, people dressed in elegant suits and designer dresses. Different languages floated through the air. This wasn't just a party.
"People from all over," Noel said.
"They invited me to represent my family."
"Your family?" Gina laughed softly. "Wow. You're really something, aren't you?"
People turned toward Noel as soon as they noticed him, greeting him respectfully.
"The Williams heir."
"Good evening."
"Pleasure to see you."
Gina watched it all quietly.
Then Noel stepped forward to give his speech.
"First of all," Noel said confidently, his voice clear and steady,
"I want to thank everyone who continues to support and believe in my family."
Gina stood among the crowd, eyes locked on him.
There was no hiding it anymore.
The way she looked at him—soft, proud, almost glowing.
She was completely in love.
As for him?
That was still a mystery.
"My family has always believed in giving back," Noel continued.
"And I'm proud to announce that we're currently working on building one of the largest hospitals in the region—to make sure everyone gets the care they deserve."
The crowd murmured approvingly.
"My family is known for medicine," he added.
"And that's something I stand by. We save lives. We help people."
His tone sharpened slightly.
"I'm also aware of the rumors going around lately—attempts to tear us down. False accusations. Damage to our reputation."
He paused.
"We won't tolerate that. Defamation is a serious matter, and we'll confront it head-on. I ask you not to believe everything you hear or see."
He looked around.
"Now—any questions?"
A woman raised her hand. A journalist, judging by her sharp eyes.
"Yes," Noel said, unfazed.
"There have been rumors," she said,
"about your family's alleged involvement in occult practices. Magic. How do you respond to that?"
The room went quiet.
Noel exhaled slowly, then smiled.
"My answer is simple," he said.
"If my family had anything to hide, we wouldn't be standing here. We're not afraid of the truth."
He shrugged lightly.
"We don't rely on myths or nonsense to succeed. Everything we have—we earned. One achievement at a time."
Confidence.
Borderline arrogance.
But it worked.
Gina stared at him, stunned.
After the event, they stepped outside onto the terrace, the city stretching beneath them like a sea of lights.
"You were amazing tonight," Gina said honestly.
Noel smirked. "I know my words weren't for everyone. But they were true."
"And I didn't see anything wrong with what you said."
He turned to her.
"By the way… you look beautiful tonight."
Gina's cheeks flushed. "Thank you. I—I didn't expect you to say that."
She hesitated.
"A while ago, you told me how you felt about me."
Her throat tightened.
"I was an idiot," Noel admitted.
"I didn't see you for who you really were. I thought you were just like the rest."
"Like who?" she asked quietly.
"People I've met my whole life."
She laughed lightly. "You always talk like you're fifty. You're eighteen, you know."
He chuckled. "My love life's been a mess. I needed a break."
He looked at her.
"And then I found you."
Gina's heart skipped. "Y-you found me?"
Noel stepped closer, his gaze steady.
"I feel the same way, Gina," he said softly.
"I like you."
Her eyes shimmered.
She couldn't believe it—
the words, the moment, him.
"I didn't respond right away because I was stupid," he continued.
"But trust me—I mean it now."
She swallowed hard.
"So… you're saying you feel the same?"
"I—I can't process this, I don't—"
He gently placed a finger against her lips.
"Yes," he said with a small smile.
"I do.
to be continued...