When Hearts Collide

New Vibes Only

The ballroom of the Hampton Plaza Hotel was nothing short of breathtaking. Gleaming chandeliers cascaded down from the high ceilings, casting a soft glow on the elegantly dressed guests who mingled, laughed, and sipped champagne. It was the charity gala of the year, an event planned down to the last detail by none other than Lily Harrison, one of the city's most sought-after event planners.

Lily stood near the entrance, scanning the room with her trained eye. The soft hum of classical music filled the air, the floral arrangements were perfectly spaced, and the waitstaff moved like clockwork, ensuring every glass was filled and every guest content. She allowed herself a small moment of satisfaction—everything was perfect, just as she had envisioned.

Her phone buzzed in her hand, snapping her back to reality. She glanced at the screen. Client check-in, she thought. Adjusting her midnight-blue gown, she walked over to the side, where her assistant Emma was already waiting.

"Lily, you did it again," Emma said, her voice brimming with admiration. "Everyone's raving about the décor and the setup. The client is beyond happy."

Lily smiled, brushing a stray curl away from her face. "Good. Let's keep it that way."

Before she could say more, a man's voice interrupted. "Excuse me."

Lily turned to face the source of the voice and was met by a tall, impeccably dressed man with dark, sharp features. His eyes, a striking shade of green, locked onto hers with an intensity that momentarily caught her off guard. It took her a second to realize who he was.

Ethan Blackwood. One of the event's main sponsors and, as she remembered from the briefing, a successful entrepreneur with a reputation for being as brilliant as he was difficult.

"Yes?" she asked, her professional mask firmly in place.

"I just noticed the centerpiece at Table 7," Ethan said, his tone calm but direct. "It's a bit too high. It's obstructing the guests' view of each other. Might want to lower it."

Lily blinked, taken aback. She had spent weeks working on the design and placement of every single piece of décor. To hear criticism, especially on something so small, ignited a flare of annoyance inside her. She quickly glanced at the table in question. The centerpiece—a stunning arrangement of white orchids—was indeed tall, but it was meant to be. It was a deliberate design choice to create a dramatic, luxurious effect.

"It's a statement piece," Lily replied, keeping her voice polite but firm. "The height is intentional to enhance the grandeur of the room."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed by her explanation. "Sure, but your guests might want to see each other more than they want to admire flowers."

His tone wasn't harsh, but it was authoritative, as if he was used to people taking his suggestions as commands. Lily bristled slightly, feeling her control over the event slip, even if only for a moment.

"I'll take it under consideration," she said, her words clipped but still professional.

Ethan gave a slight nod, his lips curving into a faint, almost amused smile. "Please do."

He walked away, leaving Lily standing there, the brief interaction lingering in her mind. Who did he think he was, swooping in and criticizing her work? The event was running smoothly, the guests were enjoying themselves, and yet here was Ethan Blackwood, pointing out a detail most people wouldn't even notice.

She turned back to Emma, who had witnessed the whole exchange.

"Who does he think he is?" Lily muttered, her eyes narrowing as she watched Ethan make his way across the room, effortlessly blending into the crowd.

"Ethan Blackwood," Emma replied, shrugging. "One of the richest men in the room, I suppose he's used to getting his way."

"Well, not tonight," Lily said under her breath, feeling a surge of determination. She wasn't about to let one man's unsolicited opinion derail her event. Not after all the hard work she had put in.

The rest of the evening continued without a hitch—guests laughed, danced, and donated generously to the charity. But even as Lily moved through the room, checking on various aspects of the event, her mind kept drifting back to Ethan. His presence was hard to ignore, even from across the room. There was something about him—his quiet confidence, his sharp wit—that left an impression, whether she liked it or not.

As the night drew to a close and the last of the guests began to leave, Lily finally allowed herself to exhale. It had been a successful event, one that would solidify her reputation even further in the industry. But as she gathered her belongings and prepared to head home, she couldn't help but wonder why a single, seemingly insignificant comment from Ethan had managed to stick with her.

Lily shook her head, dismissing the thought. It's nothing, she told herself. Just a guy with an opinion.

But as she walked out of the ballroom and into the cool night air, she had a nagging feeling that this wouldn't be the last time she crossed paths with Ethan Blackwood