Episode 009
1148 Words
Valentine’s Eve
Jasmine woke to the soft buzz of her alarm. Sunlight filtered through her curtains, casting golden streaks across her cozy living room. She was so sleepy last night that she slept off in her living room. She stretched, her body slowly waking, as remnants of a pleasant dream tugged at her mind.
It was a dream filled with love and warmth — a perfect reflection of the future she hoped to create with Tristan.
Her eyes landed on the photo frame she had placed on the table the night before. It caught the morning light, its glass surface glinting faintly.
Picking it up, she studied the picture inside. The image felt like a promise, a reminder of everything they’d shared and what she hoped to build.
With a deep breath, she placed the frame back down.
“Tomorrow is going to be the start of something even better,” she said softly, her voice steady with determination.
She pushed herself off the couch, heading to the bathroom for a quick shower. By the time she emerged, her excitement had grown. Today was the final push — everything had to be just right.
When Jasmine arrived at the office, she was greeted by a burst of Valentine’s energy. The air buzzed with excitement. Red and pink streamers hung across cubicle walls, heart-shaped balloons floated lazily near the ceiling, and the scent of sugar lingered from trays of cookies someone had left in the breakroom.
Maya was already at her desk, holding a tiny bouquet of roses. Her wide smile lit up the room as she waved Jasmine over.
“Look what arrived this morning!” Maya said, holding up the bouquet proudly. “Ryan sent them all the way from Denver. Aren’t they adorable?”
Jasmine leaned in to admire the flowers, their deep red petals perfectly arranged. Ryan was Maya's first love.
“They’re gorgeous,” she said with a genuine smile. “Ryan really knows how to make you feel special.”
Maya beamed, carefully setting the bouquet down. “So, how are you feeling? Proposal nerves still kicking in?”
“A little,” Jasmine admitted, slipping into her chair. She pulled out her notepad, flipping through the pages filled with scribbles and reminders. “Everything has to go perfectly tomorrow. The flowers, the dinner, the ring — it all needs to show him how much I care.”
Maya perched on the edge of Jasmine’s desk, her expression softening. “It will be perfect, Jaz. You’ve thought of everything. Tristan’s going to love it, and he’s going to love the effort you’ve put into it even more.”
Jasmine nodded, her lips curving into a small, hopeful smile. “Thanks, Maya. I just… I want to remind him how much he means to me. It’s been a while since we’ve had anything really special, you know? We haven't even spoken physically for days now.”
Maya squeezed her hand lightly. “You’re doing this for the right reasons. Trust yourself — and trust Tristan.”
The hours ticked by, and the hum of activity in the office seemed to grow. Everywhere Jasmine looked, people were swapping Valentine’s stories, sharing chocolates, or debating dinner plans for the next evening.
By mid-afternoon, Jasmine’s attention began to drift. Her checklist was nearly complete, and she had already reconfirmed the Californian trip.
Hoping she could talk with Tristan, she went to his office. The sight before her tugged at her heart.
Tristan was there, and so was Sarah. Papers were spread across the table in front of them, and they appeared deep in discussion. Occasionally, they laughed softly, their heads leaning closer together as they reviewed some documents.
Jasmine’s chest tightened involuntarily. She quickly walked away to her office. Focusing instead on her computer screen, she opened a new email, typing rapidly to distract herself.
Maya walked by, catching the brief flicker of discomfort on Jasmine’s face.
“Hey,” she said gently, “You okay?”
Jasmine hesitated, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. Then she nodded quickly. “Yeah, I’m fine."
---
By early evening, the office had begun to empty. Most of the staff had clocked out early, eager to prepare for their Valentine’s plans and also the company event. Jasmine stayed behind, using the quiet time to double-check her proposal checklist.
She opened her calendar app, scrolling through the details she had so carefully organized. The ring was safely hidden in her bedroom drawer, polished and ready.
Her phone buzzed on the desk, pulling her attention away. It was a text from Tristan:
'Working late. Don’t wait up.'
Jasmine’s chest tightened again, though she quickly pushed the feeling aside. Tristan was busy — that was nothing new. And tomorrow, she reminded herself, would be different. Tomorrow will be about them.
She typed a quick response: Okay, see you tomorrow. Love you.
In his office, Alexander sat in his sleek, modern office. The city skyline glittered beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, but his attention was fixed on the documents spread across his desk.
Jonathan entered, holding a tablet. His expression was calm and focused, as always.
“The catering team confirmed the dessert menu. They’ll have the individual heart-shaped tarts you requested, along with the mousse cups.”
Alexander nodded, scanning the schedule in front of him. “Good. And the setup for the venue?”
“All handled,” Jonathan replied. “The team will arrive early tomorrow to ensure everything runs smoothly.”
“Perfect,” Alexander said, leaning back in his chair. “Make sure the photographers know to prioritize candid shots. I want people to feel comfortable — not like they’re on display.”
Jonathan raised an eyebrow. “So, approachable CEO is the vibe we’re going for?”
Alexander’s lips twitched in a faint smile. “It’s Valentine’s Day. Let’s make it memorable.”
As Jonathan left, Alexander glanced out the window, his thoughts drifting. Tomorrow’s event felt significant — not just as a company gathering, but as a chance for something unexpected.
Jasmine arrived home well after dark, her body heavy with exhaustion. She dropped her bag by the door and sank onto the couch, the events of the day swirling in her mind.
The photo frame still sat on the coffee table. She picked it up again, cradling it in her hands. For a moment, she let herself imagine the next day — the joy on Tristan’s face, the promise of a future together.
“This time tomorrow,” she whispered, her voice filled with quiet determination. “Everything will be perfect.”
Across the city, Alexander set down his pen, a rare smile playing on his lips. The anticipation for tomorrow thrummed quietly within him.
The day before Valentine’s ended with quiet anticipation, leaving Jasmine and Alexander poised on the brink of moments that could change everything.
- Writer
