Rivals of the heart

36.Surprises and Res A Night to Remember

Bella's POV:

I had just come back from dance class, feeling lighter and more at ease with life. The work at the new office was actually better than expected. The 27-year-old CEO was laid-back and understanding, which meant I didn't have to stress like I did before. Plus, I finally had time to go to the gym, and I was really starting to get into a routine. I couldn't wait to tell Tessa.

As soon as she picked up the phone, I dove right in. "Tess, guess what? I went to dance class today and still made it to the gym. This new job is really working out for me. The work's more relaxed, and I don't feel like I'm on edge all the time."

Tessa laughed on the other end, "You're loving it, huh? I can tell. It's like you've got this new spark."

I grinned. "Yeah, I do feel good. It's been easier, you know? Less drama. And I can finally focus on things I love."

Tessa hesitated for a moment before her voice turned more serious. "Speaking of drama... you know William's been kind of off these days, right? Like really off."

I rolled my eyes, trying to keep my voice steady. "Maybe something happened between him and Olivia," I said, shrugging even though she couldn't see me. "Honestly, it's none of my business anymore."

She was silent for a beat, sensing something. "Have you really moved on?"

I exhaled. "No. But I'm acting unbothered, and that's what matters. I know better than to let my emotions control me. It's just... complicated. I still don't get why he acted like he cared, but I'm done overthinking it."

Tessa sighed, "I don't know how you do it. If I were you, I'd have been losing my mind."

I smiled softly, "I just know how to play the game now."

The week had flown by smoothly. Work was finally manageable, and the routine I'd settled into made everything feel lighter. Friday evening came, and just as I was about to pack up, I received an email notification. An engagement invitation—Alexander he was a good friend from high school. We hadn't kept in touch much over the years, but working together again had rekindled the old friendship. And now he was getting engaged to Sofia!

What a great way to end the weekend~, I thought, grinning to myself.

I could already picture it—the event was bound to be fun, filled with memories of high school days and plenty of catching up. It felt surreal, seeing how far we'd both come. I couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic, but mostly, I was just excited. It wasn't every day that your boss, who also happened to be a good friend, invited you to celebrate such a big moment in their life.

This weekend was shaping up to be a good one.

The day of Alexander and Sofia's engagement had finally arrived, and I could barely contain my excitement. I wanted to enjoy the night, feel carefree, and celebrate without a worry in the world.

I stood in front of the mirror, carefully deciding on the perfect outfit. After rummaging through my closet, I finally settled on a cute, flowy dress—something fun but elegant enough for the occasion. It was a soft lavender color with delicate lace detailing, paired with silver heels that added just the right amount of sparkle. I curled my hair loosely and put on some light makeup, adding a swipe of lipstick to complete the look.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, I smiled. "Not bad, Bella," I muttered. I was ready to have a good time.

There was a sense of nostalgia mixed with excitement as I grabbed my purse and headed out. I hadn't been to an engagement in a long time, and I was eager to catch up with old friends, laugh, and dance. Tonight wasn't just about celebrating Alexander and Sofia; it was also about letting loose and enjoying the moment.

As I walked out the door, I felt a wave of happiness wash over me. This was going to be a night to remember.

As soon as I stepped into the venue, I was greeted by Alexander and Sofia at the entrance. They both looked stunning—Sofia in her flowing gown, and Alexander looking dashing in his suit. The place was beautifully decorated, filled with soft lights and flowers, and the atmosphere felt warm and festive.

"Bella! Oh my God, look at you!" Sofia's eyes lit up as she pulled me into a hug. "You've changed so much since high school."

I laughed, a little shy but flattered. "I guess I grew up?"

Sofia grinned, giving me a once-over. "In high school, you were so boyish! You only ever hung out with Alexander, and you had that whole tomboy vibe going on. But now... you're so much more of a woman. It suits you, honestly. You're even better now."

I blushed slightly, not expecting that. "Thanks, Sofia. You're too sweet."

We chatted for a while, catching up on everything. Sofia was still the same kind-hearted person I remembered—soft-spoken but with a sharp wit when you got to know her. She had always been the nerdy, soft girl, buried in her books back in school, the complete opposite of Alexander, who had been the popular bad boy everyone talked about.

As we were deep in conversation, laughing about old memories, Alexander leaned in with a teasing smile. "I feel like I'm totally left out here. This is way too much girly talk for me."

Sofia giggled and nudged him. "Oh, please! You're just jealous we're not talking about you."

He laughed and shrugged, clearly enjoying being teased. "Maybe."

Back in high school, Sofia was very normal kid with her nerdy glasses and gentle demeanor, she always knew how to make everyone around her feel comfortable. And now, standing here beside Alexander—the once rebellious, bad-boy heartthrob who had somehow ended up with the quiet, soft-spoken girl—it all made perfect sense.

As we continued to chat, I realized how much had changed, but in the best way possible.

I was still laughing at Alexander's playful complaints when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a familiar face. My heart skipped a beat. Was that... Tessa?

"Tessa?!" I called out, completely surprised.

She turned around and, as soon as our eyes met, her face lit up. Without thinking, we both squealed and ran toward each other, giggling like two teenagers seeing each other after summer break.

"Oh my God, what are *you* doing here?!" Tessa exclaimed as she grabbed my hands, her eyes wide in disbelief.

"I was going to ask you the same thing!" I laughed, hugging her tightly. "This is my boss's engagement party. What about you?"

Tessa raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "Your boss? This is *my cousin's* engagement!"

I stared at her, blinking in shock. "Wait, what? *Sofia* is your cousin?"

Tessa nodded, laughing. "Yeah! She's been talking about this engagement for months. I've been helping her plan everything, but I had no idea you worked with Alexander!"

I couldn't stop grinning as everything clicked. "You've been so busy planning your cousin's engagement, and I never connected the dots! I didn't even know Sofia was your cousin!"

Tessa smirked and crossed her arms. "I told you I was busy with my cousin's engagement. You just didn't ask for more details!" She nudged me playfully.

I laughed, shaking my head. "I guess that's on me. But seriously, what are the chances?"

"I know, right? It's wild!" Tessa said, still in disbelief. "And here I thought I was just coming to support my cousin. But now we get to party together!"

Sofia, noticing our excitement, walked over with a curious smile. "What's going on here?"

Tessa turned to Sofia and grinned. "Bella didn't know you were my cousin!"

Sofia's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, Bella, *you* didn't know? I thought you two were close!"

"We are!" I chimed in, still laughing. "But I guess we just missed that little detail. I've been talking to Tessa about work and you've been talking to her about your engagement, and somehow it never came up!"

Sofia shook her head with an amused smile. "Well, now you know! It's a small world after all."

Tessa and I shared a look, and we both burst out laughing. It all seemed too perfect. "I feel like everything's finally falling into place," I said, grinning at both of them.

Tessa nodded, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "It's like it was meant to be! We've got the gang back together. Now we *have* to make tonight epic!"

Sofia, always the calm and gentle one, smiled warmly. "I'm so happy you're both here. It's like a reunion, right?"

"Exactly!" Tessa said, wrapping an arm around Sofia's shoulder. "Now let's get to the fun part—the party! I can't wait to see Bella show off some of her moves on the dance floor."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but laugh. "I knew you'd bring that up."

Tessa winked. "You better be ready to show everyone how it's done. No excuses!"

As we all laughed, I felt a sense of joy and comfort wash over me. Everything, from the engagement to reconnecting with friends, had come together in the most unexpected and perfect way. For the first time in a while, I felt like things were falling into place, and tonight was going to be a night to remember.

The party was in full swing, and Tessa and I were enjoying ourselves—chatting, laughing, and dancing to the upbeat music. I felt like I was on top of the world, celebrating with old friends and making new memories. But then, my excitement was interrupted by a sight that nearly made me drop my drink.

I saw Evan and William chatting with Alexander and Sofia. My heart raced as I tried to process what I was seeing. What were they doing here?

Tessa noticed my shock and followed my gaze. "Is that... Evan? And William?" Her voice was filled with disbelief.

I nodded, my mind spinning. "I can't believe it. I thought this was just a small get-together for close friends and family."

"Seriously, how small can the world get?" Tessa said, shaking her head in amazement.

I watched as William stood next to Olivia, looking relaxed and chatting animatedly with the couple. My chest tightened, and I forced myself to breathe deeply. I had to remind myself that I was here to enjoy the evening, not to let old feelings or unexpected encounters ruin it.

Tessa squeezed my arm, noticing my change in demeanor. "Are you okay?"

I gave her a small smile, trying to appear composed. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just didn't expect to see them here, that's all."

We watched from a distance as William laughed at something Evan said. Olivia stood close to William, looking elegant but also slightly aloof. I felt a pang of discomfort, but I kept my emotions in check. It wasn't worth letting this upset my night.

Tessa, sensing my tension, tried to lighten the mood. "Hey, let's not dwell on them. It's Alexander and Sofia's night. We're here to celebrate, remember?"

I nodded, appreciating her effort to distract me. "You're right. It's not worth getting upset over. Let's go grab another drink and dance."

We made our way to the bar, and I tried to shake off the unease I felt. As I sipped my drink, I focused on enjoying the party and being present in the moment. Seeing William and Olivia was unexpected, but it was important to keep my head high and not let it overshadow the evening.

By the time we hit the dance floor, I felt more at ease. The music was lively, and Tessa's infectious energy helped me forget my worries. We danced, laughed, and made the most of the night, celebrating Alexander and Sofia's happiness.

In the end, I knew I had to stay strong and enjoy the evening for what it was—a joyful celebration with friends. Despite the surprises and unexpected encounters, I was determined to make the most of the night.

The music was infectious, and I was lost in the rhythm of the dance floor. I felt the stress and surprises of the evening melting away as I moved to the beat. At one point, a guy named Iris approached me with a friendly smile, and we started dancing together. He was charming and easy to talk to, and I quickly found myself enjoying the change of pace.

As Iris and I danced, I noticed Evan and Tessa making their way toward the dance floor. Evan had his usual reserved, mysterious air about him, while Tessa, as always, was vibrant and full of life. To my surprise, they somehow ended up in the same dance space, and Evan was soon paired up with Tessa for a dance.

It was a curious sight: Tessa's wild, carefree energy clashing with Evan's almost robotic demeanor. I watched as they began to move together, Tessa's spirited steps contrasting sharply with Evan's precise, controlled movements. The juxtaposition was both amusing and fascinating.

Meanwhile, Iris and I were in our own little world, chatting and laughing as we danced. I could see Tessa throwing occasional glances my way, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Despite the strange pairing, it seemed like they were both making the best of it.

I couldn't help but smile at the unexpected turn of events. "I didn't expect to see Tessa and Evan dancing together," I said to Iris, trying to keep the conversation light.

He chuckled. "Yeah, it's an interesting combination. Tessa's got a way of bringing out the unexpected in people."

I nodded, watching as Tessa twirled with a carefree laugh, while Evan attempted to match her enthusiasm with his own unique style. It was clear that their dance was more of a playful experiment than anything else.

As the song changed, I saw William approaching the dance floor with Olivia. He glanced around and spotted me dancing with Iris. A flicker of recognition passed over his face, but he quickly turned his attention back to Olivia. I didn't let it bother me; I was too wrapped up in the fun of the moment.

The night continued with its mix of surprises and coincidences, but I was determined to enjoy every minute of it. I was surrounded by friends, old and new, and the unexpected pairings only added to the evening's unique charm.

Dancing with Iris, watching Tessa and Evan's unusual dance partnership, and savoring the lively atmosphere made for a memorable night. The world might be small, but tonight, it felt like it was full of possibilities and joy.

As Iris and I danced, I realized just how much fun I was having. It was refreshing to reconnect with an old friend. We chatted about our high school days, reminiscing about the times we'd spent together.

"You know, I haven't seen you in ages!" Iris said with a smile. "I can't believe we're dancing at an engagement party, of all places."

I laughed, "I know, right? The world is full of surprises tonight. I'm really glad to see you here."

Iris grinned. "Me too. It's like a blast from the past. Remember all those crazy school dances we used to have? This kind of feels like that, but with more class."

As we danced, I glanced over at Tessa and Evan. Their dance was turning out to be quite the spectacle—Tessa's wild energy mixing with Evan's more reserved style. It was a sight to see.

"Hey, look at those two," I said, nodding towards them. "Tessa and Evan seem like an odd pairing, don't they?"

Iris chuckled, "Definitely. But that's what makes it interesting. Tessa's got this unstoppable energy, and Evan's so... well, Evan."

We both laughed, enjoying the light-hearted moment. "Yeah, it's great to see how everyone's mingling tonight," I said. "And it's nice to have old friends around. It makes the night feel even more special."

Iris agreed. "Absolutely. It's good to catch up and just have fun. Especially when the world keeps throwing surprises at us."

We continued to dance, and the joy of reconnecting with Iris made the evening even more enjoyable. The party was full of unexpected twists, but with friends old and new around, it felt like everything was falling perfectly into place.