Chapter 57 Epilogue.
Everything happened in a beautiful rush. Alessandro agreed to let us stay in Paris for a few more days, allowing us to spend some much-needed time alone together before returning to the chaos in California.
Although, I suppose I shouldn't call it "chaos" anymore. According to Alessandro, neither Alessandra nor Mr. Ricci were against our relationship. For the first time, I felt like I could truly be with him without the constant fear of being caught or judged. We spent our days on romantic dates; he took me to the finest restaurants, and I took him on tours through the winding streets of Paris. We were so happy that a part of me wished we could stay there forever, shielded from whatever awaited us back home. But eventually, reality called.
When we finally returned to California, I was stunned. I was received at the Ricci mansion with a warmth and love I never expected. Alessandra pulled me into a deep hug, apologizing fforbeing against our love. But it was Mr. Ricci who surprised me the most. The old man sat me down for nearly an hour, apologizing for his lack of consideration. He admitted he had pushed me into impossible situations, taking advantage of my respect for him, and he expressed his deep regret. I hadn't realized how much I needed to hear those words until he said them. Even Anna came forward, apologizing for the way she had threatened me.
It was as if the pain of the past few months had simply evaporated.
Alessandro and I became inseparable—the "It Couple" of the social scene. Returning to Ricci Enterprises, I discovered that Alessandro hadn't been there once since I left; he had been too busy looking for me. I jumped back into my work immediately, and Tina was more than happy to have me back. Everyone welcomed me with open arms.
Alessandro and I began working side-by-side. He even insisted his office be moved close to mine, just so he could sneak in whenever he had the chance to have his way with me. Soon, the whole company knew we were dating. Alessandro didn't mind the attention; he seemed proud to show everyone that I belonged to him. While there was some initial gossip, it died down quickly when people saw that Alessandra, my former fiancée, was our biggest supporter. Her blessing gave people no choice but to shut their mouths.
Five months later, life was absolute perfection. If anyone had told the "past me" that I would come to love and enjoy the company of another man like this, I would have told them they needed a doctor. But here I was, completely happy. I was still figuring out my identity, but one thing was certain: I was madly in love with Alessandro Ricci. He was the missing piece I had been looking for my entire life. He was everything I needed, and I had already made up my mind to be with him forever. I was just waiting for the perfect moment to tell him.
That moment came on a Friday evening. Alessandro told me he was taking me on another date, but it felt different. For months, our dates had been flawless—private movie screenings, reservations at the most exclusive restaurants, or quiet nights at home. But tonight, he wanted me to meet him at a luxury hotel.
I left work early and told Tina she could head home. I went back to the house to change into something casual—a white shirt, faded jeans, and a brown jacket. I’d noticed Alessandro always seemed to love it more when I dressed down.
In a state of nervous excitement, I took a cab to the hotel. When I arrived, I walked straight to the receptionist. "Hello, I'm here to see Alessandro Ricci. He has a reservation."
The receptionist’s confused expression shifted instantly into a wide, knowing smile. "You're Mr. Rowan Brooks, right?"
I was a bit stunned that she knew my name without checking a guest list, but I nodded. "Yes, I am."
"Please, come with me," she said excitedly, stepping out from behind the counter.
I followed her through the lobby and up a grand staircase. My heart hammered against my ribs. Whatever Alessandro was planning, it was huge. We reached a set of double doors, and she pushed them open to reveal a room cast in absolute darkness.
The receptionist smiled at me one last time. "Please go in, sir. Mr. Ricci is waiting for you."
I walked in with a wary nod. As soon as I crossed the threshold, the door slammed shut behind me. I gulped, feeling a momentary prickle of fear. "Alessandro?" I called out.
As if on cue, a single spotlight flashed onto me, nearly blinding me. I stood there, frozen, until a second spotlight cut through the dark, illuminating Alessandro.
My breath hitched. He looked like an angel. He was wearing an all-white suit that made his tan skin and piercing green eyes stand out vividly. He had a smile on his face—the kind of smile that made my skin tingle and my heart flutter.
He walked toward me until he was standing inches away. "Hi, Rowan."
I recovered from my daze at the sound of his magnetic voice. "Sandro... where are we? What is this?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he slowly dropped to one knee. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, red velvet box. I shivered, the realization hitting me like a physical wave.
"Rowan," he began, his voice steady but thick with emotion. "I know it hasn't been that long since we officially got together, but from the very first moment I set eyes on you, I knew you were someone special. I was completely mesmerized by you. As I got to know you better, I fell in love with the amazing man you are. I am certain that I want to build a life with you."
He took a deep breath. He tried to hide it, but I could see his hands trembling slightly. "So, Rowan Brooks... will you marry me?"
Suddenly, the silence was broken by a chorus of "Awws," giggles, and cheers coming from the darkness.
"What the—?!" I jumped, startled. "We aren't alone?"
I looked down at Sandro, my eyes filling with tears of pure joy. "You know how much I love you, Sandro. I would be the stupidest man on earth if I said no to spending the rest of my life with you. So, yes! Yes, I will marry you!"
Shouts and applause erupted as the lights flooded the room. Alessandro slid a gold ring onto my finger—it fit perfectly. He stood up and pulled me into a searing kiss as I realized the room was filled with hundreds of guests: our families, Mr. Ricci, Alessandra, Anna, and even Tina.
They had all been in on it. I couldn't believe no one had breathed a word, but I loved the surprise. In that moment, I truly was the happiest man on earth.
I was soon to be Mr. Rowan Ricci. I couldn't wait to start this new life with the man who had become my everything. A new chapter was beginning, and I was ready to live through every second of it with Sandro by my side.
THE END
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