Chapter 10 – Always, Us
409 Words
A year later.
The office looked the same—sleek glass walls, modern lighting, that constant hum of caffeine-fueled ambition—but everything had changed.
Emily Carter stood at the head of the conference table, presenting the closing slides of the most successful campaign the company had seen in five years. She wore confidence like armor, her voice steady, her presence magnetic.
Next to her, Jake stood with his hand resting lightly on her chair, the perfect balance of calm and charisma.
They weren’t just the company’s top creative duo anymore.
They were partners in every sense.
As the presentation ended and applause filled the room, Mr. West smiled from across the table. “Brilliant work, both of you. Again. I don’t know how you keep topping yourselves.”
Emily gave a humble nod. “We just… work well together.”
Jake grinned. “She’s the brains. I just bring coffee and chaos.”
Laughter rippled through the room.
When the meeting ended and the others filed out, Jake caught Emily by the hand and tugged her gently toward the window.
“Come with me,” he said.
“To where?”
“You’ll see.”
They took the elevator up to the rooftop—the same place where they’d first really talked. Where something unspoken had started between them. Now, it was the place they returned to when they needed air, space, or each other.
Emily stepped into the cool evening breeze and turned toward him.
He was already holding something in his hand.
A small, velvet box.
Her breath caught.
Jake opened it slowly. Inside, a delicate gold band shimmered in the fading sunlight, simple and stunning—just like their love.
“I don’t want a perfect life,” Jake said. “I want this life. With all its chaos and laughter and deadlines and dreams. But only if it’s with you.”
Tears filled Emily’s eyes before she could stop them.
“Will you marry me?” he asked, voice steady, but eyes full of hope.
She didn’t hesitate.
“Yes.”
The word was soft, certain, and everything in between.
He slid the ring on her finger, then wrapped her in his arms as the city lights flickered to life behind them.
For a moment, they just stood there—two hearts that had collided, cracked, healed… and finally chosen to stay.
Not by accident.
Not by force.
But by love.
Always.
The End.
- Writer
