Julian asked her that afternoon.
It wasn't dramatic. No build-up, no grand announcement. Just a quiet moment between classes when they were sitting on a low stone bench near the library, the sun filtering through the trees above them.
"There's a charity gala tonight," he said casually, like he was mentioning dinner plans. "I was wondering if you'd like to come with me."
Aria blinked. "A… gala?"
He smiled, clearly amused by her expression. "Yeah. Formal. Long night. Lots of people pretending they're not judging each other."
She laughed softly. "That sounds… intense."
"It can be," he admitted. Then, more gently, "But I'd like you there. With me."
Something about the way he said it steady, intentional made her heart stutter.
"What kind of charity?" she asked.
"Education and youth development," Julian replied. "It's one of the organizations my parents support. My sister will be there too."
That eased her nerves slightly. "Okay," she said, after a beat. "Yeah. I'll go."
His smile widened, slow and genuine. "Good."
That evening, Aria stood in front of her mirror longer than she wanted to admit.
She hadn't chosen the dress because it was trendy or loud. She chose it because it felt like her. Elegant. Confident. Quietly bold.
The fabric skimmed her body in a way that revealed without screaming for attention. The neckline dipped just enough to feel daring, the slit subtle but intentional. It wasn't about being the most beautiful woman in the room.
It was about feeling comfortable in her own skin.
When Julian arrived, the knock at her door was soft, controlled. She opened it and for a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Julian stood there in a tailored black suit, tie slightly loosened, hair styled just enough to look effortless. His gaze traveled over her slowly, openly, like he wasn't trying to hide the effect she had on him.
"Wow," he said finally.
Aria felt heat rise to her cheeks. "Hi to you too."
He smiled, stepping back to give her space. "You look incredible."
She grabbed her clutch, trying to steady her breath. "You clean up pretty well yourself."
He laughed quietly, offering his arm. "Ready?"
The drive was calm, but charged. The kind of silence that hummed instead of dragging. Julian kept one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting casually near hers, their fingers brushing every now and then.
When they arrived, the venue glowed.
Soft golden lights spilled from tall windows. Valets moved with practiced efficiency. The air buzzed with quiet wealth, polished laughter, and expectation.
The moment Aria stepped out of the car, she felt it.
Heads turned.
Not in a loud, obvious way. Not in a who is she? kind of curiosity. It was subtler than that. Slower. Like the room had collectively paused.
She wasn't the most beautiful girl in the world.
But she had something else.
An ease. A presence. An aura that didn't ask for attention but held it.
Julian noticed.
He straightened slightly beside her, pride flickering through his expression as he offered his arm again. "You okay?"
She nodded. "Yeah."
Inside, the gala unfolded like a carefully curated dream. Crystal chandeliers. Low orchestral music. People dressed in confidence and designer fabric.
Julian introduced her first to his parents.
"Harris Donovan," he said, gesturing to a tall man with sharp eyes softened by a warm smile. "And Amelia Donovan."
Amelia's gaze moved over Aria with gentle curiosity, not judgment. "So you're Aria," she said warmly. "We've heard quite a bit about you."
Aria's stomach flipped. "All good things, I hope."
Harris chuckled. "Julian doesn't talk about many people. When he does, we listen."
Julian shifted slightly, clearly embarrassed. "Dad."
Amelia smiled knowingly, then turned back to Aria. "You're lovely. We're very happy to finally meet you."
Before Aria could respond, a younger voice cut in.
"Is this her?"
A girl with Julian's eyes but Amelia's smile stepped forward. "I'm Lily," she said brightly. "His sister."
Aria smiled immediately. "Nice to meet you."
Lily leaned in conspiratorially. "I like you already. You make him less grumpy."
Julian groaned. "Lily."
Aria laughed, the tension melting away.
As the evening continued, Julian introduced her to several of his friends men and women who carried themselves with the confidence of people used to boardrooms and negotiations. Business partners, mostly older, all polished.
But none of them dismissed her.
They asked questions. They listened. They watched the way Julian looked at her and understood.
At one point, Aria spotted Chloe across the room, dressed in a sleek navy gown, eyes wide when she noticed Aria.
She hurried over. "Are you kidding me right now?"
Aria laughed. "What?"
"You look insane," Chloe whispered. "In a good way. Like… main character energy."
Aria shook her head, smiling. "Stop."
Chloe glanced over Aria's shoulder, smirking. "He hasn't taken his eyes off you once."
As if summoned, Julian glanced their way, meeting Aria's gaze from across the room. His expression softened immediately.
"There," Chloe said. "That. That look."
They chatted briefly nothing heavy, just grounding familiarity before Chloe was pulled away by someone she recognized.
When the gala wound down, Julian drove her home.
The city was quieter now, streets washed in amber light. Neither of them spoke for a moment.
"You were amazing tonight," Julian said finally.
Aria turned toward him. "You didn't say that earlier."
"I wanted to wait," he said, glancing at her. "Didn't want it to feel rehearsed."
She smiled. "Well?"
He parked in front of her house and turned fully toward her. "You looked really good tonight."
Her breath caught.
Then he kissed her.
Not gentle.
Not careful.
It was deep and certain and full of everything they hadn't said out loud yet. His hand slid to her jaw, steady, grounding, while hers curled into his suit jacket.
When they pulled apart, both breathing harder than before, Julian rested his forehead against hers.
"Goodnight, Aria."
She smiled softly. "Goodnight, Julian."
He stepped out, opened her door, helped her down.
She walked inside without looking back because she didn't need to.
She already knew he was watching.