Chapter 139 008
RYAN fell into step beside Amelia as she walked toward her office, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The remnants of confetti still littered the corners of the boutique, a silent witness to the celebration that had just ended.
“So,” Ryan began lightly, adjusting the tablet tucked under his arm, “Monday morning surprise successful?” he was still holding the bouquet firmly.
Amelia laughed, shaking her head.
“Successful is an understatement. You almost gave me a heart attack. I nearly broke my neck on those stilettos.”
He grinned.
“Worth it.”
They walked past the open showroom where sales reps were already returning to their stations, murmurs of excitement still lingering in the air.
“But seriously,” Ryan continued, his tone easing into professionalism, “everyone was genuinely happy for you. You could feel it.”
“I did,” Amelia said softly. “And I appreciate it more than I can say.”
He glanced at her hand briefly, just a flicker of acknowledgment.
“The ring suits you.”
She lifted her hand instinctively, smiling.
“Does it?”
“Perfectly.”
They reached her office. Ryan stepped ahead, pressed the handle, and held the door open.
“After you.”
“Thank you,” Amelia said as she walked in.
Her office was a reflection of her— glass walls, warm neutrals, touches of gold, fresh flowers on a low table by the window. She dropped her bag on the desk, took a small sip of wine, then set the glass beside a neat stack of folders before sinking into her chair.
Ryan remained standing for a moment, flipping through his tablet as they continued talking. He had neatly dropped the bouquet already, with deliberate style.
“I still can’t believe you people pulled all that off,” she said, leaning back. “You coordinated Satin and Sage, the flower shop, the resort— without me noticing a thing.”
Ryan chuckled.
“You taught us well. Subtlety is a skill.”
She raised a brow playfully.
“Flattery won’t earn you a bonus, Ryan.”
“Good thing I already earned it,” he replied smoothly.
They both laughed.
“So,” he added, casual but curious, “how does it feel? Being officially… proposed to.”
Amelia exhaled slowly, her smile softening.
“Surreal. I wasn’t expecting it. At all.”
“But you are happy.”
“Yes,” she said without hesitation. “I really am.”
Ryan nodded, accepting that.
“That is what matters.”
There was a brief pause as Amelia selected out a stack of files from the pile on her desk, then tilted her head.
“How is Bernice?”
His face lit up immediately.
“She is good. Very good.”
“She still pretending she doesn’t like attention?” Amelia teased.
Ryan laughed.
“She says she hates it, but somehow always ends up at the center of it.”
“And cohabiting?” Amelia asked lightly. “How is that treating you?”
He leaned back against the edge of her desk.
“Different. Better, though. You learn quickly that love isn’t grand gestures every day, it is patience. Compromise. Arguing over who forgot to buy milk.”
Amelia smiled knowingly.
“And you are enjoying it.”
“I am,” he said simply. “It feels… steady.”
“That is good,” she said, genuinely pleased. “You deserve steady.”
“Coming from you, that is something,” he teased.
She rolled her eyes. “Behave.”
The conversation drifted naturally, as it always did, into work.
Ryan scrolled through his tablet.
“The Satin and Sage order confirmations came in this morning.”
“Oh?” Amelia leaned forward.
“Yes. The palace wedding committee finalized their request. Full bridal suite, custom fittings, same for the entourage.”
Amelia’s lips curved slightly.
“Tell them we will deliver.”
“And the senator’s daughter?” Ryan continued. “She wants a private viewing this evening.”
“Schedule it after hours,” Amelia said. “No leaks. No distractions.”
“Already done.”
They spoke easily, slipping into a rhythm that only years of working together could build.
“Remember when Satin and Sage struggled to sell off racks?” Ryan said casually.
Amelia laughed softly.
“I remember praying someone, anyone, would walk in.”
“And now,” he added, “we are turning down invitations because we can’t accommodate everyone.”
“Growth,” she said quietly.
“Earned,” Ryan corrected.
They discussed timelines, fittings, logistics, names never spoken outright, but weight heavy in implication. Royal weddings. Political unions. Organizations that required discretion more than glamour.
Ryan glanced at the time.
“You have the executive meeting in three hours.”
She nodded. “I know.”
“Are you ready?”
She smiled faintly.
“Am I ever not?”
He chuckled.
“I will take that as a yes.”
He straightened, tapping his tablet closed.
“I will let you breathe for a bit before the madness resumes.”
Amelia looked up at him. “Ryan?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. For today. For everything.”
He held her gaze. “Always.”
Ryan turned and walked out, closing the door softly behind him.
The silence settled.
Amelia leaned back, exhaled deeply, and closed her eyes. Her lips moved in a silent prayer— gratitude, hope, a quiet plea for wisdom to God.
When she opened her eyes, the office phone rang.
Work had begun.