The Invitation

Chad sat at his office, head buried in his palm as his mind raced. 

The previous night at the gala had been… a lot. Jasmine had played her part well—maybe even too well—up until the moment she nearly drowned herself in champagne.

She had enjoyed Ava’s reaction, that much was obvious. But Chad wasn’t sure how he felt about it. Ava hadn’t spared him a second glance after their first exchange.

Had she already moved on or was it just her way of ticking him off.

Regardless, he didn't care or at least that was what he told himself.

A knock on the office door jolted him out of his thoughts. Ahead was Peter. He gestured for him to come in and the young man strolled in with confidence.

“This just arrived for you,” Peter said, placing the envelope on his desk.

Chad's eyes roamed over the sleek black envelope.

“What is it?” He asked.

“An invitation,” Peter replied.

Picking it up, he expression shifted, the seal was embossed in a golden intricate crest—the Reeds family emblem.

Ava’s family.

His jaw tightened. 

They could have easily emailed him whatever this was, but instead, they had gone out of their way to send a formal message. 

Chad exhaled sharply before breaking open the seal in one swift motion, unfolding the ivory paper inside. His eyes scanned the elegant script, and as the words sank in, his grip on the paper tightened ever so slightly.

They were inviting him for a week-long Christmas retreat in Swiss Alps.

He dropped the envelope down, still contemplating the letter. Christmas was in nine days and he'd initially planned on spending it home buried in a pile of paperwork but now this was sudden.

“Have these just only been sent out to me?” He inquired from Peter who still stood statue waiting for his dismissal.

“No, they've sent to a large number of high-profile models and businessmen and women. 

Chad already expected the answer, it wasn't the first time Ava was throwing something like this, last year had been on a cruise and she'd made sure to invite more people than they could count all to worship her. 

He handed the invitation back to Peter.

“Dispose this, I think I'd rather spend the holiday doing helpful work than waste it away in some holiday charade.” 

Peter hesitated for a moment, glancing between Chad and the invitation. 

“Are you sure? This isn’t just any retreat—it’s the Reeds’ Christmas retreat. People would kill for an invite.”

Chad scoffed, leaning back in his chair. “Let them. I have better things to do than play along with Ava’s vanity project.”

He could already picture her, effortlessly commanding the room drawing attention and acting as if nothing had ever happened between them.

“Get rid of it,” he repeated, more firmly this time.

Peter gave a small nod and he turned on his heel and walked out, the invitation still in hand.

The door clicked shut behind Peter, leaving Chad alone with his thoughts. He ran a hand down his face, exhaling slowly. He had made his decision—he wasn’t going.

So why did it still bother him?

Ava had invited half the damn business world. He was nothing more than another name on a long list. That should have been a relief. Instead, it grated at him.

His fingers tapped impatiently against his desk before he let out a sharp curse.

To hell with it.

He wasn’t going to sit around and let Ava think she had won. If she wanted to play her little game, he’d play right back.

Reaching for his phone, he scrolled through his contacts before pressing dial. It didn’t take long before a sultry voice answered.

“Well, well, if it isn’t my dear fiancé,” Jasmine teased. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Chad didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Pack your bags. We’re going to the Swiss Alps.”

A pause. Then, a delighted laugh. 

“Don't tell me this has to do with the Reed's holiday retreat?”

He was taken aback. “You know about it?”

“Of course, your ex-girlfriend isn't exactly the secretive type. It's all over the news. Now you're dragging me into a vacation.” 

Of course, she'd made a global announcement, he couldn't expect anything less from her.

“It’s not a vacation,” he corrected. “It’s a strategy.”

“Sure.” She said and he could already tell she'd rolled her eyes but he didn't press further.

“If Ava wants to parade around like I don’t exist, I want her to see exactly who she’s ignoring. And you’re going to help me make sure of that.”

Jasmine hummed in amusement. “Of course, this is about her again.”

Chad pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s about making a point.”

“To her or to yourself?”

His jaw tightened, he didn't know if Jasmine was the one getting under his skin or Ava at the moment.

Jasmine chuckled, clearly enjoying this far too much. “So let me get this straight. You want me to spend an entire week playing the devoted fiancée? At a luxurious resort in the Alps? Surrounded by expensive champagne and exclusive parties?” She clicked her tongue. “Oh, Chad, you drive such a hard bargain.”

“Cut the sarcasm, Jasmine,” he said dryly.

She sighed dramatically. “And here I thought you were calling because you missed me.”

“Jasmine.”

“Relax, fiancé,” she teased. “Of course, I’m in. But you owe me.”

“I already paid you.”

She laughed. “True, but this is different. A week of playing the perfect couple requires effort. I’ll need something in return.”

He sighed. “What do you want?”

“Hmm, I haven’t decided yet. I’ll think about it on the private jet.”

“You assume there’ll be a jet.”

“Oh, please,” she scoffed. “We both know you wouldn’t fly commercial.”

Chad smirked despite himself. “Fair point.”

“So,” she drawled, “shall I pack something elegant or something scandalous?”

“Both,” he said without hesitation. “We will discuss the details tomorrow.”

The line hung up soon enough and a smirk curled up his lip.

If Ava wanted to play then he’d give her a show she wouldn’t forget.