Chapter 9: The Ice Breaks

#### **Chapter 9: The Ice Breaks**

Keisha stood in front of her full-length mirror, staring at her reflection with a mix of disbelief and frustration. Her black dress clung to her body in all the right places, elegant yet simple. The soft fabric cascaded down to her knees, revealing just enough of her legs to give her a sense of confidence, while still maintaining her usual guarded demeanor. She didn’t usually wear things like this. Dresses were never really her style, especially not for work-related events. But tonight was different.

_"Anong ginagawa ko?"_ Keisha muttered to herself, adjusting the thin strap on her shoulder.

She had sworn she wouldn’t go. She didn’t want to go. But when Jarren had sent that formal invitation to attend a high-profile event with him, she felt compelled to say yes. It wasn’t out of desire to be there or even to be with him—it was work. They had a business part