A week flew by in a blur, and Alexandra could confidently say it had been one of the most exhausting weeks of her life.
The pressure of the upcoming event was already overwhelming, but Julian certainly wasn't making things any easier.
Since his arrival, he had been nothing but a constant source of headaches for her.
Blowing up her microwave was just the beginning—he had also managed to break her vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, and even the pressure cooker.
He was walking disaster, and honestly, she was terrified to leave him alone for too long, fearing he might accidentally set the house on fire—or worse, himself.
It was as if losing his memories had also stripped him of his basic survival instincts.
Getting dressed for the evening event, Alexandra slipped into a black velvet blazer with satin lapels paired with high-waisted, wide-leg silk trousers that gave her an effortlessly polished look. A champagne colored camisole peeked from beneath the blazer.
Her dark hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail, and her makeup was classic and refined. She finished the look with stilettos and gold accessories.
The final look commanded attention while also blending seamlessly into the luxurious birthday celebration.
Stepping into the living room, she found Julian on the couch. They had taking off his bandages within the week, so he looked more normal now.
His gaze swept over her, lingering for a brief second before he arched a brow.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
Shifting slightly under his scrutiny, she replied, "The event I was planning is today."
Julian leaned forward, his expression unreadable. "Take me with you."
"No," she deadpanned.
The party would be filled with influential guests, and she couldn't make connections and keep her eyes on him at the same time. One wrong move in front of those people, and her career would be over.
"I can't stay here alone," Julian pressed. "Hire me as your assistant. That way, I can start paying you back for everything I have damaged."
Alex hesitated, swayed by his proposal. As much as she wanted to shut him down, a part of her dreaded leaving him unsupervised. What if she came home to find her apartment in flames?
Plus, the event would be packed with guests from all over the city—there was a chance someone might recognize him.
Alex strongly suspected Julian came from a wealthy background, from his mannerisms and appearance. A dignified air surrounded him, and the fifty-thousand-dollar suit he'd been wearing when she hit him reinforced that theory.
The only mystery was why no one was searching for him yet.
"What do you know about event planning?" She asked with her hands on her hips.
"I can help with smaller tasks." He sounded oddly persuasive. "Besides, we both know leaving me alone is dangerous."
Alex sighed, knowing he had a point.
Previously, she had sent his bloodstained suit from the night of the accident to the laundry for cleaning, and they had miraculously salvaged it. So she just handed it back to him to wear.
And they left together, arriving at the venue hours before the party, ensuring everything was set up accordingly, and addressing last-minute issues. Overall, she was happy with her performance since everything worked out well.
Slowly, guests trickled in.
The hall radiated pure luxury.
Lauren had requested an ethereal theme, and Alex tried her best to deliver.
Soft, dreamy lights bathed the room in a warm, golden glow. From the high ceilings, sheer billowy fabrics cascaded gracefully, resembling floating clouds, their gentle sways adding an air of elegance.
LED lights were strategically placed throughout, giving the room a magical ambiance. Every detail, from the shimmering decor to the beautifully arranged tables, was breathtaking.
Alex introduced Julian to Willa, her shy secretary, who couldn't stop ogling at his handsome face. But most importantly, Willa was also glad they had a new hand to help them out.
The party was in full swing.
Leaving Willa at the registration desk, Alex and Julian floated around the party, making sure everything ran smoothly, and from the smiles on people's faces, they did.
Everyone was either in an elegant evening gown or a tailored designer suit.
On stage, the birthday girl, Madison, stood beside her towering six-inch cake, taking photos with her friends.
"This is not bad," Julian remarked from her side.
Alex let out a small laugh, pleased with how well the night was unfolding. "This is the best event I have organized in a while," she admitted.
As they conversed, a voice suddenly spoke from behind them.
"Alexandra."
At the sound of her name, Alex turned to find Lauren Hearst beaming at her, wearing a stunning satin dress. Despite having an adult daughter, Lauren didn't look a day past thirty and seemed to grow more radiant with time.
"Lauren, are you enjoying the party?" Alex asked with a warm smile.
"Of course! You really outdid yourself this time. Madison is so thrilled," Lauren praised before shifting her gaze to Julian. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "And who is this handsome fellow?"
"This is Julian, my…assistant," Alex introduced quickly, blurting out the first thing that came to mind. "Julian, this is Lauren Hearst, CEO of Hearst Winery."
Julian flashed Lauren a charming smile, the kind that could make hearts race. "Nice to meet you, Lauren. You look beautiful tonight."
"Oh," Flattered, Lauren laughed, placing a hand on her chest. Impressed, she turned to Alex and said, "You should date him instead and get rid of that sleazy boyfriend of yours."
The smile on Alex's face faltered for a brief second, but she quickly masked it. She hadn't heard Chad's name in a week, and the reminder stung more than she cared to admit.
But Lauren, unaware of Alex's shift in demeanor, went on without hesitation.
"You know, I saw him again this week acting all lovey-dovey with another girl—ugly tramp. He isn't good for you, but you don't listen. A pretty girl like you deserves someone better. Why do you insist on staying with a scumbag like him?" Lauren asked, her brows furrowing with concern and confusion.
Julian glanced between them awkwardly, clearly sensing the tension.
Alexandra sighed.
Lauren was one of the first people to warn her about Chad, trying to get her out of her relationship two years ago. She had always looked out for her like a big sister.
Maybe, just maybe, if she had listened back then, she could have spared herself all this heartache.
"We broke up." Alex finally admitted, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Julian, hearing this for the first time, raised a questioning brow. They had lived together, yet she had never let it slip that she was going through a heartbreak.
From what he gathered, the man must have cheated on her. His eyes darkened as an unexplainable feeling settled in his chest. He wanted to hit something.
"Thank the Lord." Lauren grinned but quickly realized her mistake and gave her a comforting hug. "I'm sorry you had to go through that," she pulled away and gave a small smile. "I know what will cheer you up. There is an important guest here who has an event coming up. Why don't I introduce you to her?"
Alex's bad mood vanished in an instant. More work meant more money.
"I would appreciate that a lot," she said eagerly.
"Wait here. I'll go find her." Lauren replied before disappearing into the crowd, leaving Julian and her standing alone.
Julian slowly turned to Alex, giving her a pointed look.
"What?" she asked, unable to meet his eyes.
"When did you break up with your boyfriend?" He asked.
"That's none of your business," Alex shot back.
"Is it?" His voice dipped lower as he reached out, gently tilting her chin up until their eyes locked.
Alex's breath hitched.
Instinctively, she tried to back away, but his fingers held her in place, firm yet careful. Alarm flickered through her, but so did something else.
"Because my instincts tell me it caused my accident," he murmured, his piercing gaze searching hers.
Alex swallowed. His intuition was sharp, too sharp.
She was suddenly aware of how close he was, how the air between them felt charged.
"Let's talk at home," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Julian reluctantly released her chin and exhaled sharply, loosening his tie in irritation. The idea that she ran him over out of sheer anger towards men did not sit well with him.
She seemed level-headed. Maybe the accident was just an accident. Either way, he intended to find out the truth when they got home.
"I need to use the bathroom." He muttered before leaving.
Alex released a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Just now, he looked like a predator eyeing his prey. She was the prey.
She tried to keep him from knowing the circumstances of his accident for this exact reason.
"Alexandra, I'm back," Lauren called out, snapping Alex from her thoughts.
Quickly, she composed herself, forcing a pleasant smile.
Lauren wasn't alone this time.
Standing beside her was a tall, stunning woman who Alex found familiar.
If Julian was there, perhaps the sight of her would have triggered his memory. Because this was the woman he was supposed to meet the night of his accident. The woman who had stood him up.
"This is Sierra Leone." Lauren introduced.
Sierra gave a proud smile, tucking a stand of golden brown hair behind her ear. "Future Mrs. Saintclaire," she added.