10. Apologize

The sun had barely risen when the news began to spread like wildfire through the elite circles of the city. Emily had finally left Alexander, the man she had loved so deeply and so openly. It was a story that everyone was talking about, from the grand mansions of the old money aristocrats to the sleek, modern homes of the new rich. The rumor mill was relentless, each telling more dramatic than the last.

But nothing could have prepared them for what happened next.

Just as the whispers of Emily's departure had reached a fever pitch, another piece of gossip surfaced—one that sent shockwaves through the community.

Alexander, the proud, arrogant CEO who had always seemed untouchable, had been spotted doing something utterly unthinkable. He was standing outside a small coffee shop—Emily's friend's newly opened café, to be precise—holding a massive bouquet of 999 red roses. His usually impeccable suit was slightly rumpled, and he was down on one knee, surrounded by an elaborate heart-shaped arrangement of flowers on the pavement.

"Is this really happening?" one onlooker whispered, her eyes wide with disbelief as she watched the scene unfold from across the street.

"Alexander Sterling, on his knees? I never thought I'd see the day," another murmured, pulling out her phone to snap a picture. "I heard he was cold-hearted, that he didn't care about anyone but himself. What is he doing here?"

"He's begging for Emily's forgiveness," someone else said, shaking their head in amazement. "After everything that happened, he's finally realized what he lost."

The scene was surreal. The usually confident and composed Alexander was visibly shaken, his desperation palpable as he knelt there, waiting for Emily to emerge. His expression was a mix of regret, hope, and a vulnerability that none of them had ever seen before.

Inside the café, Emily stood frozen behind the counter, staring out at the scene through the window. Her heart pounded in her chest as she watched Alexander kneel among the flowers. The customers in the café had gone quiet, their attention entirely focused on the drama unfolding just outside.

Beside her, her best friend Clara placed a comforting hand on Emily's shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, concern evident in her voice.

Emily nodded, though her throat felt tight. "I don't know what to think, Clara. This is... so unlike him."

Clara glanced outside, her expression unreadable. "He's definitely putting on a show, but the question is, why? Does he really mean it, or is this just another one of his games?"

Emily sighed, torn between disbelief and the tiniest flicker of hope. "I don't know. But after everything that's happened, I'm not sure I can trust him anymore. He broke my heart, Lisa. He didn't care until I was gone."

Clara squeezed her shoulder gently. "You don't have to decide anything right now. But whatever you do, just know that you deserve better than what he's given you so far."

Outside, Alexander remained on his knee, oblivious to the growing crowd that had gathered to witness his public display. He had only one focus, one goal in mind: to see Emily, to tell her everything that had been locked inside him for far too long.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door of the café opened. Emily stepped out, her expression a mixture of shock and skepticism. She couldn't believe the sight before her—Alexander, the man who had always seemed so unreachable, so emotionally distant, was kneeling in front of her, holding out the bouquet with trembling hands.

"Emily," Alexander began, his voice thick with emotion, "I know I've hurt you, and I can't even begin to express how sorry I am. I've been a fool, blind to what was right in front of me. I took you for granted, and I pushed you away when I should have held you close."

Emily stared at him, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. "What do you want, Alexander? Why are you doing this now?"

Alexander looked up at her, his eyes filled with a desperation that mirrored the turmoil in his heart. "I want to make things right, Emily. I've realized how much you mean to me, and I'm begging you—please give me another chance. I know I don't deserve it, but I'll do anything to prove to you that I've changed."

The crowd around them murmured, captivated by the raw honesty in his voice. But Emily remained silent, her heart warring with itself. She had dreamed of this moment once, of Alexander finally realizing what she had meant to him. But now that it was happening, it felt almost surreal, like she was watching someone else's story play out in front of her.

"Do you really think this changes anything?" Emily asked quietly, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside her. "Do you think a few roses and a public apology can undo the months of pain you put me through?"

Alexander winced at her words, the reality of what he had done crashing down on him like a wave. "I know it's not enough, Emily. I know I have a lot to make up for. But I'm not asking for your forgiveness right now. I'm asking for a chance to earn it, to show you that I can be the man you deserve."

For a long moment, Emily just looked at him, the tension between them almost unbearable. Then she slowly shook her head, her expression softening just a little. "I don't know if I can ever trust you again, Alexander. You broke something in me, and I'm not sure it can be fixed."

Alexander felt a cold dread settle in his stomach at her words, but he forced himself to stay calm. "I understand, Emily. But I'm not giving up on us. I'll wait as long as it takes. I'll prove to you that I'm worth the risk."

Emily's gaze flickered down to the roses, then back to his face. "You have a lot to prove, Alexander. And I'm not making any promises. But... maybe, just maybe, I'll consider it."

The faintest glimmer of hope sparked in Alexander's chest, and he nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "That's all I'm asking for."

As Emily turned to walk back into the café, the crowd slowly began to disperse, murmuring among themselves about what they had just witnessed. Alexander remained where he was, still holding the roses, his heart pounding in his chest.

He knew he had a long road ahead of him, one that would be filled with challenges and setbacks. But for the first time in a long while, he felt like he was on the right path. And no matter what it took, he was determined to win back the woman he had lost—because now, he knew, she was the only thing that truly mattered.