Chapter 150 See My Woman
ANNA'S POV
“Please make sure the center tables are spaced evenly, I don’t want anyone bumping into each other once guests start arriving,” I said, clapping my hands once to get the attention of the decorators hovering around the hall.
“Yes ma’am,” one of them replied quickly, already gesturing to the others to adjust the arrangement.
I glanced at my wristwatch again. Thirty minutes. Just thirty minutes until the ceremony officially began, and my nerves were stretched so tight it felt like one wrong move could snap them completely. Today wasn’t just any event. This ceremony meant everything to Quinn’s Group. Investors, board members, partners, the press, everyone that mattered would be seated in this hall in less than half an hour.
And I was responsible for every single detail.
I turned on my heels and walked briskly toward the catering section, my heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. “How are the drinks coming along?” I asked as soon as I reached the bar area.
“Almost done, ma’am,” the head caterer replied. “Champagne is chilled, cocktails are ready, and the non-alcoholic section has been double-checked.”
“Good,” I said, scanning the trays myself. I reached out and adjusted one glass that was slightly out of place. “Please make sure the waiters circulate evenly once the guests are seated. I don’t want clusters forming in one area.”
“Understood.”
I exhaled slowly and moved on, my eyes sweeping over the hall like a hawk’s. The lighting was perfect, the stage backdrop displayed the Quinn’s Group insignia flawlessly, and the large projector screen loomed behind the podium, ready for presentations. Everything looked exactly how I envisioned it, yet I still felt that familiar restless itch under my skin, the need to check everything one more time.
“Anna,” one of the assistants called from behind me. “The sound system has been tested again. No issues.”
“Thank you,” I replied without slowing down.
My phone vibrated in my hand, but I ignored it for now. There would be time for calls later. Right now, my focus has to stay here. I walked toward the stage, climbed the steps, and tested the microphone myself.
“Good afternoon,” my voice echoed clearly through the hall.
Perfect.
I stepped back down just as a staff member rushed past with a clipboard. “Make sure the VIP seating cards are placed correctly,” I reminded them. “No mistakes.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I stopped near the center aisle and finally allowed myself to take in the whole place. The hall buzzed with controlled chaos — staff moving quickly, low voices exchanging instructions, last-minute adjustments being made. This was my element. This was where I felt the most alive, the most in control.
But even as I stood there, my thoughts betrayed me.
Ryan.
I hadn’t seen him in two days. Two long, quiet days filled with work, overthinking, and too much space to let my mind wander. I hadn’t called him, and he hadn’t pushed either, which somehow made me miss him even more. I knew he’d be here today, he wouldn’t miss this for anything but that didn’t stop the ache in my chest at the thought of him.
“Ma’am, the final guest list has arrived,” someone said, handing me a tablet.
I nodded and took it. “Thank you.”
I was scrolling through the list when a sudden shift in the atmosphere made me look up. I didn’t hear him at first. I just felt it.
Strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me back firmly. Before I could even react, I was turned around and pressed against a solid chest. My breath caught as familiar lips crashed into mine, deep and unrestrained, stealing every thought from my head.
Ryan.
Gasps echoed faintly around us, but I didn’t care. My hands went to his jacket instinctively as he kissed me like he’d been starving for days, like he needed to remind himself that I was real. His kiss was slow, deep, claiming, and for those few seconds, the entire event center disappeared.
When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against mine, his breath warm against my lips.
“I missed you,” he murmured, his voice low and full of emotion. “Two days felt like torture.”
I smiled despite myself, my cheeks warm. “Ryan,” I whispered, half laughing, half breathless. “We’re in public.”
“So?” he said unapologetically. “Let them see.”
I glanced around and noticed a few staff members pretending very hard not to stare. I cleared my throat lightly and stepped back, though I didn’t let go of his hand. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love it,” he replied with a grin.
I shook my head, trying to regain my professional composure. “What are you doing sneaking up on me like that?”
“I came to see my woman,” he said simply. “And to support her. You look incredible, by the way.”
“Flattery won’t distract me,” I said, though my smile betrayed me.
He leaned closer again, lowering his voice. “It already has.”
I rolled my eyes playfully. “Behave.”
“I haven’t seen you in two days,” he said softly. “Can you blame me?”
My expression softened. “I know. I missed you too.”
For a moment, it felt like it was just us again. But reality quickly came rushing back.
“I really have to get back to work,” I said reluctantly, squeezing his hand once before letting go. “This ceremony starts in thirty minutes, and I don’t want anything going wrong.”
He nodded, understanding immediately. “Go. I’ll stay out of your way.”
“Try,” I teased.
He chuckled and stepped aside, watching me with that look that always made my heart skip.
I turned back to my duties, but my focus wavered for the first time since morning.
Isabel.
The thought crept into my mind uninvited, tightening my chest. She will be here today. I still couldn’t believe it. I adjusted a tablecloth absently as my thoughts spiraled.
Mom insisted she had changed.
I wanted to believe that. Truly, I did. But deep down, something didn’t sit right with me. Isabel had never been the type to let things go quietly. And now, with Ryan and I officially together, the possibility of her seeing us like this — happy, public, unashamed, made my stomach twist.
If she hadn’t changed… today could turn ugly.
That was one of the reasons I had fought so hard against her coming to the ceremony. But the alternative had been worse. Either Isabel attends, or she comes back home. And if neither of those happened, Mom would leave.
The memory of my mother’s face when she said that still haunted me. She wasn’t bluffing. There had been no anger in her eyes, just quiet resolve. The kind that told you she had already made peace with her decision.
I swallowed hard and forced myself to breathe.
This was not the time to spiral.
“Anna,” the assistant called again. “Guests will begin arriving in ten minutes.”
“Alright,” I replied firmly. “Positions, everyone. Let’s move.”
I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin. No matter what happened today, I would handle it. This was my event. My responsibility. I refused to let fear or doubt ruin what I had worked so hard to build.
From across the hall, I caught sight of Ryan again. He gave me a small nod, his presence steady and reassuring. Whatever happened, I wasn’t alone anymore.
And for now, that had to be enough.