Hmmm?

Sophia’s tears spilled over, and she nodded vigorously. “Yes,” she managed to choke out. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

The lounge erupted in applause and cheers. Ron’s face broke into the widest grin she’d ever seen as he gently took her hand, sliding the ring onto her trembling finger. The diamond caught the light once more, sending tiny sparkles dancing across the room.

Ron stood, pulling Sophia to her feet with him. She stumbled slightly, her knees weak with emotion, but he steadied her, his hands firm on her waist. They stood there for a moment, eyes locked, the world fading away again.

And then, as if drawn by an invisible force, their lips met. The kiss was long, deep, and full of promises yet to come. The lounge erupted once more in whistles and shouts of congratulations.

When they finally broke apart, Ron turned to the crowd, lifting Sophia’s hand high. “She said yes!” he shouted, his voice brimming with pride and joy.

“Woohoo!” came the collective response, the crowd roaring with approval.

As they sat back down, still giddy and glowing, strangers began approaching their table. One by one, they offered their congratulations, some shaking Ron’s hand, others hugging Sophia. It was a night neither of them would ever forget— a night that marked the beginning of forever.

\--------------------

Two Days Later...

The first rays of dawn filtered through the horizon as the private jet’s cabin door swung open, revealing Sophia at the top of the stairs. She paused briefly, savoring the cool Los Angeles morning breeze that teased her loose waves of hair. Her sneakers made a soft yet definitive sound against the metallic steps as she descended, her cream cardigan swaying gently against her body. Behind her, Ron followed closely, his tall frame exuding a calm yet commanding presence, dressed sharply in a tailored navy-blue blazer.

The sun kissed their skin, highlighting the glittering diamond ring on Sophia’s finger, which caught and reflected the light in a dazzling display. As they reached the tarmac, Ron stretched out his hand with a tender smile, his voice warm as he said, “Follow me.”

Sophia placed her hand in his, their fingers intertwining in a seamless motion that spoke volumes about their connection. They moved towards a sleek black Cadillac SUV parked a short distance away, their steps in perfect sync, radiating the kind of effortless confidence only seen in the movies. Heads turned as airport staff and onlookers subtly watched, mesmerized by the couple who oozed an undeniable power-couple energy.

As they approached, the man standing by the SUV— a tall, impeccably dressed individual in a tailored black suit— quickly stepped forward to meet them. His polished shoes clicked against the pavement as he closed the distance. Bowing slightly, he greeted them with a professional yet warm tone.

“Mr. Bill, Ms. Cooke, welcome back to the States. How was your trip to Europe?”

“It was fantastic,” Ron said, his deep voice carrying a note of satisfaction. He glanced at Sophia, his smile widening as he added, “Magical, really.”

“As it should be,” the man responded, his smile widening as he observed their glowing faces.

Sophia let out a soft laugh, the corners of her mouth lifting in an infectious grin. “Yes, it really was,” she said, lifting her hand to show off the diamond ring. The large, flawless gem sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.

The man’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You’re engaged?” he asked, his astonishment genuine.

“Yes, we are,” Sophia confirmed, her laughter bubbling out again as a faint blush colored her cheeks.

“Congratulations!” he said, beaming. His gaze lingered on the ring. “That’s an incredible ring. Beautiful, really.”

“Thank you,” Sophia replied, lowering her hand modestly.

Turning to Ron, the man gave him a knowing look and an approving smile. “I always knew you had it in you, boss. Congratulations!”

Ron chuckled softly, giving the man a firm nod. “Thanks, Ben.”

Ben straightened, glancing towards the jet behind them. “Should I grab the luggage?”

Ron looked over his shoulder, motioning towards the cluster of bags resting by the plane. “Yeah, sure.”

“On it,” Ben said, already moving towards the jet.

As Ben busied himself with the luggage, Ron and Sophia reached the Cadillac. Ron opened the back door, his hand resting lightly on the small of Sophia’s back as she climbed in. Once she was settled, he slid in beside her. The plush leather seats cradled them in comfort, and the soft hum of the air conditioning added a serene undertone to the space.

Ben returned quickly, placing their luggage in the trunk before shutting it with a quiet thud. He then opened the driver’s door and slid into the seat with practiced ease. Adjusting the rearview mirror, he asked, “Where to? Ms. Cooke’s residence in Bel Air or your estate in Malibu?” His gaze flicked briefly towards Ron.

Ron exchanged a glance with Sophia, her lips curving into a small smile. “Bel Air,” Ron said decisively. “We’ve got some big news to share with the little man.”

Ben’s expression softened as he nodded. “Understood, sir.”

The SUV glided smoothly out of the airport, merging into the light morning traffic. Sophia leaned into Ron’s side, resting her head on his shoulder, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. The genuine smile on her lips hadn’t wavered since they landed.

“You know,” she murmured, her voice soft, “I couldn’t have asked for anything more. This past year has been everything I didn’t know I needed.”

Ron tilted his head slightly, his shoulder shifting to better accommodate her. “Hmmm?” he hummed, his tone teasing as though he hadn’t quite heard her.