Elena Hart checked the time on her phone for the third time.

"Five minutes," she muttered.

The ballroom was already filling up, and her team was still trying to fix the flower arrangement near the entrance.

"Move those two tables closer together."

Elena pointed toward the left side of the room.

"Why?"

Sarah looked at her.

"Because the guests are going to need more space when they come in."

Sarah glanced at the tables. "Oh. Right."

Elena turned away and checked the event schedule again.

Everything had to be perfect tonight. The Bennett Foundation's annual charity dinner was one of the biggest events their company had handled all year. Important guests were coming, including business owners, politicians, celebrities, and people whose names Elena had only seen in newspapers.

One mistake could cost their company another major contract.

"Elena!"

She turned. Daniel was hurrying toward her.

"The caterers are asking where they should place the drinks."

"Tell them to use the side table near the stage. Not the main entrance."

"Got it."

He started walking away.

"And Daniel?"

He stopped.

"Make sure nobody moves the tables after we arrange them."

He gave her a tired smile. "I'll try."

"Don't try. Do it."

He laughed and walked away.

Elena shook her head. Her team knew better than to change anything without telling her. At least, she hoped they did.

The doors opened a few minutes later. Guests began walking into the ballroom.

Elena moved around the room, checking the tables, greeting staff members, and making sure everything was going according to schedule. For the first thirty minutes, everything went smoothly.

Then Roman Bennett arrived.

He walked into the ballroom with two men in suits behind him. Several guests immediately went over to greet him.

Elena barely paid attention. She had other things to worry about. A waiter had nearly dropped a tray. One of the guests couldn't find her assigned table. And Daniel had disappeared.

"Elena!"

She turned. Sarah was standing near the entrance.

"What?"

"Table twelve."

Elena frowned. "What about it?"

"The guest says she doesn't like her seat."

Elena sighed. "Of course she doesn't."

She picked up her clipboard and walked over. She was halfway there when she noticed someone standing beside the table.

Roman.

He was looking at the seating arrangement. One of the event staff members stood beside him.

"Move this table slightly to the side."

The staff member nodded. "Sir."

Elena stopped walking. "Wait."

The staff member froze.

Roman turned. His eyes landed on her.

Elena walked toward them. "Please don't move that table."

Roman looked at the table. "Why?"

"Because that's where it's supposed to be."

"I don't think it matters."

Elena stared at him. "It matters to me."

Roman looked at her again. There was something about the way he looked at her that immediately irritated her. Calm. Unbothered. Like he had all the time in the world.

"Then explain why."

She pointed toward the entrance. "Guests will be coming through there. If the table stays here, it'll block part of the walkway."

He looked toward the entrance. "There seems to be enough space."

"There isn't."

"There is."

Elena folded her arms. "Do you work here?"

"No."

"Then please let the people who do handle it."

His expression changed slightly. "And you work here?"

"I do."

"Then you should know that the table wasn't supposed to be there in the first place."

Elena frowned. "What?"

"I had it moved because it was blocking the view of the stage."

She looked toward the stage. Then at the table. Then back at him.

"You moved it without asking anyone?"

"I told someone to move it."

"So you just decided to rearrange the event?"

"I moved one table."

"You moved one table that took three people ten minutes to position."

He glanced at the staff member beside him. The man quickly found something else to look at.

Elena looked back at the stranger. "Please leave it where it is."

Roman didn't move. "You're very bossy."

"And you're very annoying."

For a second, neither of them said anything. Then Roman looked at the staff member.

"Leave it."

The staff member nodded and stepped away.

Elena grabbed the edge of the table and pushed it back into position. "Thank you."

She expected Roman to walk away. He didn't. Instead, he looked at her for another second before saying, "You could have asked nicely."

Elena looked up. "I did."

"No. You ordered me."

"Because you weren't listening."

He gave her a flat look. "You're difficult."

She smiled without humor. "So I've been told."

She turned back to the table. "Now, unless you're planning to help me move this, you can go."

Roman actually looked amused for half a second. Then he walked away.

Elena watched him leave. "What an arrogant man."

She turned back to the table. She had no idea that she had just argued with Roman Bennett. The owner of the very foundation hosting the event. And the man everyone in the room had been waiting to see.

An hour later, the ballroom was full.

Elena stood near the entrance with a clipboard in her hand, checking the guest list. Everything was finally under control.

Until Sarah came running toward her.

"Elena."

"What happened?"

"Mr. Bennett is here."

Elena barely looked up. "Which Mr. Bennett?"

Sarah stared at her. "Roman Bennett."

Elena paused. "The owner?"

"Yes."

"So?"

Sarah lowered her voice. "You know everyone has been talking about him all week."

"I've been working all week. I haven't had time to talk about anyone."

Sarah sighed. "Just behave when you see him."

Elena looked at her. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Because he's—"

Sarah stopped.

Elena's attention moved past her. Roman Bennett was standing near the main table, speaking to several guests.

Elena looked at him for a moment. She knew that face. "Oh."

Sarah looked at her. "What?"

Elena pointed subtly toward him. "That man."

Sarah followed her gaze. "What about him?"

"He moved my table."

Sarah's mouth dropped open. "That was Roman Bennett?"

Elena looked at her. "I don't know who he was five minutes ago."

Sarah looked horrified. "Please don't tell me you argued with him."

Elena glanced toward Roman. He was speaking to one of the guests. Then, as if he could feel her staring, he turned. Their eyes met.

Roman recognized her immediately.

Elena looked away. "Unfortunately," she said, "I did."

Sarah covered her face. "We're finished."

Elena frowned. "Why are you acting like I insulted the president?"

"Because that's Roman Bennett."

"And?"

Sarah stared at her. "You really don't know who you're dealing with."

Before Elena could answer, someone called her name. She turned to respond. When she looked back, Roman was already walking toward them.

He stopped in front of Elena. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Elena sighed.

"Oh. It's you."

Roman's expression remained completely calm. "Yeah. It's me."

Sarah slowly stepped away.

Elena noticed. "Traitor."

Sarah pretended not to hear.

Roman looked at Elena. "I don't like you either."

Elena blinked. Then she gave him a small nod. "Good."

She looked back at her clipboard. "We agree on something."