Accidental "I Do"

Episode 006

Practice Makes Perfect

Later that night, Jasmine stood in front of her bathroom mirror, the small notepad clutched tightly in her hands. She tilted her head, studying her reflection as if searching for confidence within herself.

“Alright, Jasmine,” she muttered, flipping through the notepad. “You can do this. It’s a proposal, not a courtroom argument.”

Clearing her throat, she began to rehearse, her voice soft but steady.

“Tristan,” she started, meeting her own gaze in the mirror. “From the moment I met you, I knew you were someone special. You bring so much joy into my life, and I can’t imagine a future without you. So…”

She faltered, shaking her head. “No, too scripted. It sounds like I’m giving a speech.”

Dropping the notepad onto the sink, she leaned forward and let her words flow more naturally.

“Tristan, I love you. You’re my best friend, my partner, and the person I want to share my life with. That’s why I want us to take the next step together.”

She paused, staring at her reflection. A small, nervous smile tugged at her lips.

“That’s better,” she whispered.

Her mind wandered as she adjusted her posture, picturing the moment she would finally say these words to Tristan. Memories flooded in: their first dinner date, where he’d ordered tiramisu just because she mentioned liking it; the way he always made her feel safe, no matter what chaos surrounded them.

Her chest tightened at the thought. “He’ll say yes,” she said aloud, willing herself to believe it. “He loves me.”

And yet, the tiniest sliver of doubt lingered — a shadow she couldn’t quite shake. What if he didn’t feel the same urgency she did?

“Stop it,” she chided herself, straightening up. “This proposal would be perfect. He’ll see how much effort I’ve put into this.”

Reassured, she practiced the speech a few more times before finally heading to bed, dreams of a perfect future carrying her into sleep.

The next morning, Jasmine stepped into the office with renewed determination. The faint hum of chatter and ringing phones filled the air as she greeted a few coworkers on her way to her desk.

She settled into her chair, pulling up the day’s reports. She was happy at the progress she was making.

Later that day, she walked out of her office for a stroll around the company. As she neared Tristan's office, a familiar laugh caught her attention.

Glancing up, she spotted Sarah in Tristan’s office. Sarah leaned casually against his desk, her blonde ponytail swaying as she gestured animatedly. Tristan sat across from her, his expression focused, but a faint smile played on his lips.

Jasmine’s heart did a small, uncomfortable flip. Sarah had always been around — she was Tristan's assistant, after all — but lately, it seemed like she spent an inappropriate amount of time in Tristan’s office.

“It’s probably just the merger,” Jasmine whispered to herself, returning her gaze to her screen. One of the company’s impending merger with a competitor had everyone on edge, and Sarah was part of the logistics team handling key details.

Still, it was hard not to notice the closeness between the two. Jasmine forced herself to focus on her work, determined not to let her mind spiral into unnecessary doubts.

By mid-afternoon, Jasmine decided to step out for a meeting. She gathered a stack of files and made her way to the elevator, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor.

As she approached, the elevator doors began to close.

“Hold the door, please!” she called out, quickening her pace.

A hand shot out to stop the doors, and they slid open again. Jasmine stepped inside, her files balanced precariously in her arms.

“Thank you,” she said, glancing briefly at the man who’d held the door.

Alexander Chase stared back at her. He was tall, impeccably dressed in a tailored charcoal suit. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his green eyes were striking against his sharp features. There was an air of quiet authority about him, though his expression remained neutral.

“You’re welcome,” he replied, his voice warm but reserved.

Jasmine pressed the button on her floor and leaned back against the wall, adjusting her files. She was aware of his presence beside her, but she was too preoccupied to give him more than a passing thought.

Alexander, however, seemed more intrigued. How come she didn't give him the respect he deserved as the CEO? Could it be he wasn't even known among the employees?

His gaze flicked toward her, lingering for a moment before he spoke again.

“Busy day?” he asked casually.

Jasmine blinked, caught off guard by the question. “Oh, uh, yeah. It’s always busy around here.”

He nodded, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “I can imagine.”

The elevator continued its ascent, the hum of the machinery filling the silence. Jasmine focused on the floor numbers ticking upward.

When the elevator dinged, signaling her floor, she offered him a polite nod. “Thanks again for holding the door.”

“You’re welcome,” Alexander said again, his tone almost amused.

As she stepped out, she didn’t see the way his eyes followed her, nor did she notice the faint smile that lingered on his lips as the doors closed.

Back at her desk, Jasmine sank into her chair, brushing off the brief elevator encounter. She had more important things to focus on, like finalizing the details of her proposal.

She opened her browser and began scrolling through articles about romantic gestures. Should she write a letter to go along with the ring? Maybe plan a surprise outing during their trip?

Her phone buzzed on the desk, and she grabbed it quickly, hoping it was Tristan.

Jasmine frowned, setting the phone back down. It was just an email about her present project.

Just as she was about to return to her planning, a deliveryman approached her desk, carrying a large bouquet of flowers. Jasmine’s eyes widened as he set the arrangement down in front of her.

“For you, Miss Reese,” he said with a smile, handing her a small envelope.

The bouquet was stunning — roses, lilies, and daisies arranged in a burst of vibrant colors. Her coworkers glanced over, whispering and exchanging knowing smiles.

Jasmine opened the envelope, her heart pounding. Inside was a small card with Tristan’s familiar handwriting.

“Sorry for being distant. I’ll make it up to you soon. -Tristan”

Relief washed over her as she read the note. She placed the card down and leaned forward to inhale the sweet scent of the flowers. She could see Maya smiling at her from across the office.

Jasmine smiled back, her doubts seeming to fade, replaced by a renewed sense of confidence in her plans. Tristan always found a way to remind her why she loved him.

She smiled, tucking the card into her purse. This was just a small bump in the road. Everything would be perfect — she would make sure of it.