Chapter 5 - The Gala of Gold and VelvetSix months later, spring had returned to New York.
The Plaza Hotel was decorated with thousands of white orchids, crystal chandeliers, and golden silk drapery for the annual New York Commerce and Charity Gala. The city’s top corporate leaders, politicians, and socialites filled the grand ballroom.
Among them, standing near the center stage, was Matteo Vance. He looked imposing, powerful, and impeccably handsome in a bespoke black tuxedo.
Beside him stood Lydia.
She was the absolute star of the evening. She wore a stunning, floor-length emerald silk gown that hugged her curves perfectly, her dark hair styled in elegant Hollywood waves, a brilliant diamond necklace—a gift from Matteo—resting against her throat.
No one in the room looked at her with disgust. No one pulled their designer bags away. She was recognized by everyone present as the brilliant financial mind who had orchestrated one of the most successful corporate turnarounds in New York history.
"You look breathtaking, my love," Matteo murmured in her ear, his hand resting possessively on the small of her back.
"Better than the mustard turtleneck?" Lydia teased, leaning into his side.
Matteo grinned, kissing her temple. "I still have that turtleneck framed in my private safe, just to remind myself of the best night of my life."
Suddenly, a voice interrupted them. "Lydia?"
Lydia turned around. Standing a few feet away was her father, George Dawson. He wore a neat, tailored navy suit, looking healthy, sober, and genuinely happy.
"Dad!" Lydia smiled, stepping forward to hug him tightly.
"Look at you, sweetheart," George said, tears of pride shining in his eyes. He looked at Matteo, offering a respectful, warm handshake to the man who had once threatened to destroy him. "Matteo. Thank you for inviting me tonight."
"You're family, George," Matteo said sincerely, shaking his hand firmly. "You'll always have a place at our table."
Later that evening, as the orchestra played a slow, romantic waltz, Matteo led Lydia out onto the private balcony overlooking Central Park. The warm spring night breeze rustled the leaves of the trees below, and the city lights glittered like stars.
Matteo stood behind her, pulling her close against his chest as they looked out over the skyline.
"Do you remember what you told me at Ilchino?" Matteo asked softly.
"Which part?" Lydia smiled, resting her head back against his shoulder. "The part where I chewed bread like a wild animal, or the part where I called you old?"
Matteo laughed softly. "The part where you said you intended to make the night very ugly."
He gently turned her around to face him. He took both of her hands in his, looking into her eyes with an intensity that made her breath catch.
"You tried so hard to make yourself repulsive, Lydia," Matteo said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small velvet box. "But you ended up becoming the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me."
He dropped to one knee on the marble balcony.
Lydia covered her mouth with both hands, tears spilling over her eyelashes.
Matteo opened the box, revealing a breathtaking six-carat emerald-cut diamond ring that caught the light of the moon.
"Lydia Dawson," Matteo said, his voice deep and filled with absolute devotion. "You saved my business, you saved my heart, and you gave me a life worth living. Will you marry me?"
May you like
"Yes!" Lydia sobbed happily, dropping to her knees beside him and throwing her arms around his neck. "Yes, Matteo! A thousand times yes!"
Matteo slipped the ring onto her finger, pulling her into a fierce, passionate kiss under the New York sky, while the faint sound of applause echoed from the ballroom behind them.
