Chapter 14

"Are you actually firing me?" Juliette asked, clearly shocked.

"Yes, I am," Ryan confirmed.

"Um...why? Why are you firing me? I demand -and deserve- an explanation," Juliette insisted.

"You don't know why?" Ryan questioned.

"If I knew why, I wouldn't bother asking you in the first place," Juliette responded, her tone changing.

Ryan stood up from his seat, his movements tense yet purposeful as he moved towards Juliette. He reached out, gently resting his hands on her waist and pulling her closer, until she was standing between his legs. His touch both comforting and confusing.

"H-hey, calm down, pretty lady. It's not that serious," Ryan stuttered, trying to regain control of the situation. His touch lingered, his fingers absentmindedly stroking her hair as he spoke.

"We have something special, right?" Ryan whispered, gently stroking her hair. But Juliette remained silent.

"Don't you want to talk to me?" Ryan pressed.

"Why are you firing me?" Juliette asked, her voice filled with confusion.

"Are we officially dating?" Ryan inquired.

"Really?" Juliette responded.

"Just calm down and listen. You don't even know where I'm coming from," Ryan attempted to explain.

"I want to make our relationship official, and I know it won't be possible if you're still working for me," Ryan clarified.

"So, you just thought of firing me without even discussing it with me first?" Juliette questioned.

"I'm sorry, but isn't that the better option? Don't you want to be with me? Don't you want our relationship to be official?" Ryan asked.

"I suppose I do, but I have other things to consider. This is my source of income. You may be wealthy, but I don't want to depend on you entirely," Juliette explained.

"I have that covered," Ryan stated confidently, a smile playing on his lips.

"How exactly?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Ryan motioned for Juliette to turn the letter over and read the contents on the back.

"What? A million dollars? Isn't that an enormous amount?" Juliette exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Anything for my favorite lady," Ryan replied, a hint of playfulness in his voice as he winked at her.

Juliette took a moment to absorb the information. "I need some time to think about it," she finally responded.

"Of course. If you accept my offer, we'll start immediately by contacting job agents to find your replacement, ensuring a smooth transition. And, if you're willing, we can also make our relationship official," Ryan said, his words laced with sincerity.

Juliette couldn't help but tease him. "You didn't even ask me out properly," she jested.

Ryan chuckled. "Not here, not now," he replied, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Both of them shared a warm smile as they embraced each other, feeling the comfort of their bodies intertwining.

"Oh, by the way, did you inform my dad I was in a meeting?" Ryan asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Nope, he didn't inquire and I didn't mention it. Why do you ask?" Juliette replied.

Ryan shrugged, a slight hint of worry on his face. "Just curious, that's all," he said.

"Alright then. I have a few things to attend to at my desk. We can discuss this further later," Juliette suggested.

Ryan's expression darkened slightly. "Okay, you can go. But remember, we're having lunch together today, alright?" he reminded her.

"No problem," Juliette assured him, gently freeing herself from his embrace.

Ryan watched as she exited his office, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. He sighed and settled back into his seat, deciding to open the package his father had sent him earlier.

As he unwrapped the box, his eyes widened at the sight of an exquisite necklace and earrings set, adorned with dazzling diamonds and crafted from elegant white gold.

"Why would he give me jewelry?" Ryan muttered to himself, perplexed.

His hand instinctively reached for his phone, contemplating texting his father for an explanation. However, before he could type out a message, a new text notification appeared on his screen. It was from his father.

"Give it to Anabelle. Apologize to her and propose properly, so she can trust you again," the message read.

Ryan slumped back in his chair, uttering frustration under his breath. "Ugh! This man," he muttered, feeling a mixture of annoyance and resignation.

*

Adrienne had changed into a fresh outfit and found herself in a serene state of meditation in her room. Finally having the time to dedicate to her mindfulness, she peacefully settled onto her mat in her usual contemplative pose. Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered as Daniel barged into her room, abruptly interrupting her session.

"Can we go to the hospital now?" Daniel blurted out.

Adrienne let out an exasperated sigh in frustration. "You're interrupting my meditation," she responded, rising from her mat with annoyance evident in her voice.

"We had plans to visit the hospital today, remember?" Daniel reminded her.

Adrienne attempted to calm herself, trying to downplay the urgency. "Relax. I saw a doctor yesterday," she assured him.

"Really? Only you? Doctor Andy didn't mention anything about your visit," Daniel questioned.

"Well, it wasn't Doctor Andy. Just some other doctor," Adrienne casually replied.

Daniel's concern grew, bombarding her with a cascade of questions. "Who was this doctor? Why did you go alone? Why didn't you mention this earlier today? Don't you have a report or something?"

Adrienne sighed, growing weary of the inquiries. "Oh, too many unimportant questions. I didn't bother asking for a report, but I know I'm fine," she dismissed.

"Tsk tsk tsk," he clicked his tongue in irritation, disapproving of her nonchalant attitude.

Adrienne decided to change the subject, a twinkle in her eye hinting at something exciting. "You know what? Something great is about to happen. I can feel it," she declared confidently, winking at Daniel in anticipation.

Curiosity piqued, Daniel implored her to spill the beans. "Okay, spill it. What's happening?"

Adrienne proudly announced her plans, ready to unveil her latest venture. "I'm planning a skincare and makeup collaboration with Haven Cosmetics," she revealed.

Daniel was taken aback, struggling to comprehend her sudden change in direction. "Huh? What made you decide to do that?"

Adrienne remained unwavering in her decision. "Because it's a brilliant idea. This collaboration will bring in a significant amount of money," she replied confidently.

"Wait a minute. Isn't this something you vehemently opposed last year? You said you didn't want the stress and didn't want to work with outsiders. Why the sudden change of heart?" he inquired, recalling a similar suggestion he had made in the past, only to be met with staunch resistance.

A smirk played on Adrienne's lips as she answered, "Oh, it's all thanks to the irresistibly attractive CEO of Haven Cosmetics."

"Huh?" A confused Daniel echoed.

"I think the CEO of the makeup company we want to partner with is extremely attractive," Adrienne said with a grin on her face. "I can't resist the opportunity to shoot my shot. I mean, the partnership is the perfect excuse, right?"

Daniel chuckled and shook his head. "You really think I'm that naïve? Do I look foolish to you? What's the real reason, Adrienne?"

Adrienne paused, taken aback by his skeptical tone. "Well, I did mention I'm interested in the CEO, didn't I? Isn't that clear enough?"

Daniel rolled his eyes and smirked at her. "You? Interested in a guy? Please, spare me the act."

Adrienne's smile faded slightly, and she sighed. "Okay, fine. I admit I'm just curious about the CEO and their company. There's something suspicious about him, something I can't quite put my finger on."

Curious, Daniel asked, "What did you see that made you suspicious?"

"Well, honestly, nothing," Adrienne confessed. "It's just a feeling I got at the party the other day. Call it instincts or hunches, but I want to explore it further."

Daniel furrowed his brow, still skeptical. "So by partnering with them, how do you expect to uncover anything? What's your plan?"

Adrienne shrugged, her gaze downcast. "Honestly, I'm not sure. But I figure it's worth a shot. Even if I find no useful information regarding my past, at least I'll make a lot of money. So it's a win-win situation."

"Promise me you'll keep me updated on your every movement, your plans, and all the details," Daniel said, sounding genuinely concerned. "I don't want you getting into any trouble."

Adrienne smiled gratefully. "Of course, Captain. You'll be the first to know."

"Have you had breakfast yet?" Daniel asked, changing the subject. "Let's go make something to eat."

Adrienne's eyes lit up at the mention of food. "Yay! Food, my favorite thing in the world."

"Foodie," Daniel teased affectionately.

As they made their way to the kitchen, a comfortable silence fell between them. They shared a glance, their eyes locked in a silent connection.

"You're staring at me like you're trying to bore a hole into my soul," Adrienne remarked playfully.

Daniel smirked, meeting her gaze unwaveringly. "Funny, I could say the same about you."

Adrienne chuckled. "Don't stare too long. You might get lost in my eyes. I wouldn't want you falling for me."

Daniel broke eye contact, laughing. "Fall for you? Please, keep dreaming."

Adrienne raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "What do you mean? I'm pretty charming, you know."

Daniel leaned in closer, his tone playful. "Well, you might have to up your game, because your charms clearly don't work on me."

Adrienne couldn't resist the urge any longer. She stood up and hopped on Daniel's back, surprising him. "Hey, carry me downstairs like this."

Daniel groaned but eventually gave in, carrying her downstairs to the kitchen where they cooked breakfast together, their laughter filling the room.

*

"I can't believe I'm doing this," Ryan said disappointedly as he took a drag from his cigarette, his face etched with resignation.

In the dimly lit restaurant, Ryan oversaw the proposal setup with a heavy heart. This was not what he wanted, but circumstances had led him down this path. The air hung heavy with a mix of nervous anticipation and a hint of artificial sweetness. Dressed impeccably in a well-tailored suit, Ryan stood by the entrance, observing the laborers meticulously arranging the tables adorned with elegant flower arrangements and delicate cutlery.

As the clock struck 9 pm, the door swung open, revealing Anabelle's entrance. She glided into the room, donning a stunning dinner gown, her eyes betraying a hint of skepticism. Ryan hastily straightened his posture, attempting to wear a genuine smile on his face. Although a feeling of disappointment washed over him as he glanced at her, he steeled himself and reassured his purpose.

Anabelle maintained a composed exterior, unaware of Ryan's true intentions. She approached him cautiously, her gaze sweeping over the elaborate setup before her. Confusion marred her face as she spoke, "I thought we were just going to talk over dinner. What is all this?"

Ryan took a deep breath, mustering warmth in his voice as he greeted her.

"Anabelle, you look absolutely stunning tonight. Thank you for joining me," he said, though his mannerisms betrayed a touch of tension. The couple exchanged pleasantries, their conversation polite yet distant, masking their underlying emotions beneath a veil of forced charm.

As they made their way to the exquisitely adorned table, Ryan guided Anabelle to her seat, gallantly pulling out her chair. She hesitated momentarily, attempting to decipher his true intentions, but ultimately took her place, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

Seizing the opportunity before the impending proposal, Ryan incorporated their son, Brian, into the picture. An innocent bystander caught in the complexities of his parents' strained relationship, Brian nervously approached the table, clutching a small, beautifully wrapped box.

Taking a seat beside Anabelle, Ryan's voice carried false sincerity as he spoke. "Anabelle, I want you to open this gift. It's from both of us," he said, his gaze shifting between Anabelle and Brian. The atmosphere grew heavy, each member of this surreal love triangle acutely aware of their role. Brian was gently guided back to the kitchen where his nanny awaited him, leaving Ryan and Anabelle alone to face the inevitable.

Anabelle gracefully accepted the gift, delicately untangling the ribbons. As she lifted the lid, a glimmer of disappointment crossed her face, her eyes settling on the extravagant diamond ring nestled inside. Ryan's heart sank, the hollowness of this proposal punctuating the quiet moment.

His voice trembled, betraying his true emotions, as Ryan softly pleaded,

"Anabelle, please believe me, I still care for you. And our son, Brian, wants us to be a family. Can't we give it another chance?"

Anabelle sighed, the weight of fleeting emotions locked behind a fortress of practicality. She looked at Ryan, her gaze devoid of affection but harboring a hint of longing for financial stability. Finally, after a momentary pause, she acquiesced, her words laced with thinly veiled truth. "Yes, Ryan, let's get married," she responded, a transactional agreement that brought a forced smile to Ryan's face.

"I got you a present," Ryan said and handed her another box. Anabelle opened it, revealing a necklace and earrings set. Her eyes gleamed with excitement as a broad smile grew on her face. It was a genuine smile, though Ryan couldn't shake the thought of her materialistic tendencies.

"I'm glad you like it," Ryan said, his smile forced. "Pick a country you want us to have our wedding. Let's get married soon, okay? Brian can't wait to have his mommy back in the house." Another fake smile accompanied his words.

Anabelle leaned in and kissed Ryan. He wanted to push her away, feeling a surge of resentment, but knew he had to go along with this plan. Lips still locked together, he guided her to stand up and placed her on the table. Anabelle wrapped her hands around his neck as they kissed for more than two minutes, their connection strained and devoid of true passion.

In this bittersweet moment, the truth remained hidden beneath the surface. The restaurant hummed with an ambiance seemingly filled with love and hope, but beneath the facade laid an intricately woven dance of deception, obligation, and a longing for escape.