Wooing The Ex-Wife
Chapter 15: The Ballroom Meet And Greet - 1

Liza stood in front of the mirror, her hair was piled up on her head, leaving a few curls to frame her face, her midnight blue chiffon dress hugged her curves perfectly and her feet were encased in silver stilettos. She felt beautiful. There was an impatient knock on the door, quickly giving her reflection a once over she rushed to open the door. There in front of her stood a handsome Alex dressed in a gray tux, his hair slicked back. "You ready?" Alex asked taking Liza in and releasing a slow whistle. A warm blush crept into her cheeks and Alex chuckled. "Yeah sure, just let me get my wrap and clutch," Liza said as she quickly grabbed her clutch and silver silk wrap. "Come on let's go," she said. "You are looking really beautiful Liz" Alex complimented her. "Thanks, Alex, You are looking dashing too" she replied as they made their way out of the building.

After a few moments of silence had passed Alex cleared his throat. "How are you holding up Liz?" he asked, his eyes full of concern. "Huh?" Liza looked at him confused. "I mean, how are you dealing with Jonathan's situation? Are you fine?" "I am alright I guess. I have stopped avoiding him and have become somewhat civil to him. I even enjoy talking to him sometimes, but there is always this shadow looming over us. I cannot just forget about what happened, I cannot trust him again" Liza said thinking back to a few days before when Jonathan had asked her to be his date for the ball. "It's alright Liz. You are doing great. I just don't want to see you get hurt again. You have been through a lot and have overcome it wonderfully. You are honest and wonderful and a beautiful woman Liz, you will do fine. Just do whatever you feel is right, okay." Alex said. "Yeah, I will try. I am just afraid that I will end up making the wrong choices again" Liza replied with a sigh as she turned her turned to gaze out of the window putting an end to their conversation.

"You look beautiful," Jonathan said. "Thanks, Jonathan". "I cannot thank you enough for doing this. I know that you must be tired and it was all of a sudden. You are the best" Jonathan said with a sincere smile. "It's okay Jon. I can do this much for you. Just don't expect me to dance alright?" she said reciprocating his smile. Jonathan's hair was slightly messy and he was wearing a dark blue almost black colored tux, which brought out his vibrant green eyes. "You are looking handsome too," she said after a few minutes. "Thanks, Al. Let's go now" Jonathan replied as they got into the car.

The ballroom was lit up with golden lights and was beautifully decorated with flowers and small chandeliers. It smelt vaguely of lavender mixed with the scent of perfumes of the guests. Liza took in the scene before her with wide eyes. People dressed in expensive dresses milled around, some were chatting and sipping wine from the flute, while some were dancing to soft number in the middle of the ballroom. Liza held on to Alex's hand tightly. She had been to various functions but by far it was the grandest party she had ever attended. Alex chuckled at Liza's sudden nervousness. "It's alright Liz It will be okay." He said in Liza's ear. With this, he pulled her deeper into the crowd of people. Liza felt someone's eyes trained on her as she dodged people while trying to keep up with Alex. Finally Alex came to a stop. "Really Alex, you dragged me all the way here for food?" Liza questioned him with an amused look. "Food is life, Liz. It is the only thing enjoyable about any party" Alex replied. "You are such a dork Alex" Liza teased him with a light laughed.

Jonathan watched as Liza danced with the same guy from the office, what was his name again, uh yeah Alex. he thought to himself bitterly. Liza was laughing as he twirled her once and then dipped her. "Why the scowl Jonathan?" Alice inquired. Instead of saying anything he just pointed at Liza who was smiling at whatever Alex had said. He was, however, unable to see Alex's expression as his back was facing him "Oh my God, is she who I think she is?" Alice asked. Jonathan nodded. "Come on, let's go and meet her Jonathan," she said bouncing with excitement. Jonathan understood her excitement. It had been long since she had met Liza and it was his fault that there was a distance between both of them now. So Jonathan once again nodded and made his way towards Liza and her date.

Liza was having fun dancing with Alex, as they twirled around the dance floor. Currently, they were swaying to the rhythm of a particular slow song when suddenly she was ripped from Alex and enclosed in a hug. Liza was shocked for a second before she regained her composure and pushed the person away ready to tell them off. But she suddenly stopped. She saw her long auburn hair and familiar green eyes. "Alice!!" Liza exclaimed "Is it really you?" she asked barely containing her excitement. "Of course it's me Liz" Alice replied as she pulled Liza in a hug again. It has been so long" Liza said "Why did you stop talking to me, answering my emails," Liza asked again hurt seeping into her voice. "I couldn't continue talking to you Liz, not after everything Jonathan did to you. I felt like it was partly my fault too. "she replied. "Oh, Alice you know that I would never blame you." Liza said.

Alice was about to say something when someone coughed behind Liza "Do you mind introducing me to your friend here Liz, or are you planning to leave me standing in the middle of the dance floor all by myself?" spoke a husky voice. Alice had heard that voice before, In fact, she had replayed that voice so many times that it had become hard to forget it. "Of course" Liza spoke. "Alice meet my date for tonight Alex and Alice she is my best friend from college Alice" Alice's eyes widened as she saw the face she had been dying to meet for so many days after their last encounter. Their eyes clashed and it was as if they were transported back to her restaurant in Paris. Alice gave Alex a shy smile, light crimson blush seeping into her cheeks. But then it slowly registered in her mind that Liza had called him her date and all of a sudden her thoughts came to a halt. She remembered how painfully Jonathan had told her about Alex, how he was worried that Alex might steal Liza away before Jonathan even had a chance to make things right and it was then when her heart broke.00☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐