A Ring
1971 Words
September 2, 2022
Adam sat at his desk, surrounded by sketches and notes for the upcoming winter women’s collection. He was brainstorming new ideas when his phone suddenly rang.
He usually kept it on silent, but this time—thankfully—he hadn’t.
A smile crept across his face as he read the caller’s name: Freesia.
He answered, heart unexpectedly light.
“Hello, Adam” her voice chimed through.
“Hey, Freesia.”
“I’m sorry for calling out of the blue, but I wanted to return your jacket. If you send me your address, I’ll have it delivered.”
He didn’t like the idea—not at all. He wanted to see her.
“Well, I’m at the office now, and there’s no one home to receive it” he replied truthfully.
His father was at work, and his mother was currently reviewing a few of his designs at the company. He had asked her opinion since the collection was geared toward her age group.
“How about we meet up for lunch? If you’re free, of course.”
He didn’t wait for her answer. He expected her to politely decline or insist on sending it another time.
“Actually… I just finished my lectures. We could meet up.”
His grin widened.
“Great! Send me the location of your university—I’ll come pick you up.”
“No, that’s alright. Just tell me where to meet you.”
“Come on, Freesia, it’s cold out. Just send me the address.”
She finally gave in and shared the location.
“It’s not far from my office—I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
“Okay… drive safely.”
He smiled at the sweetness in her voice and ended the call.
He immediately buzzed his secretary.
“Postpone the staff meeting to four PM. I’ve got something important. And let my mom know I stepped out to meet someone.”
“Yes, sir” she replied before leaving. He followed her out.
Adam checked his reflection in the car mirror. Luckily, he wasn’t wearing his usual formal attire—just jeans, a white shirt, and a brown jacket.
His black hair, falling to the nape of his neck, was perfectly tousled.
He was handsome—hot, even—and fully aware of it.
With one last glance in the mirror, he drove off to see her.
🌺
Fifteen minutes later, Freesia stepped out of her university gates. She carried a bag with his jacket and a small backpack. She wore wide-legged white trousers and a short, oversized brown wool sweater. Her hair, as usual, was tied in a messy bun, a few strands framing her face—her favorite look.
A sleek black Mercedes pulled up in front of her.
Adam got out and walked toward her, smiling as he approached.
“I’m not late, am I?”
“No, you’re right on time. Here’s your jacket—and thanks again for yesterday.”
He took the bag from her, but what really made him smile was their matching outfits. They were both in brown.
Then he noticed her sweater—it was one of his designs.
He had never been satisfied with that particular piece… but seeing it on her changed everything.
She caught him staring.
“Is there something wrong with my outfit?”
He quickly looked away.
“No, not at all. It’s just… that sweater—”
“It’s from your brand” she said, finishing his sentence.
“I actually buy most of my clothes from your brand. I was surprised to learn you’re the man behind it all.”
He laughed. “Because I’m too young?”
“It’s not about age, Adam. It’s about talent. And your designs are amazing.”
.
She loved his brand. And she was wearing his design... he loves that.
“I guess we’ll have a lot to talk about over lunch” he said, opening the car door for her.
🌺
They sat in a cozy restaurant.
“So, Freesia, what year are you in?”
“Senior year.”
“So this is your last year?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know I’m two years older than you?”
“I do.”
“How?”
“You and Kevin have been best friends since you were kids. Same university, same major—you must be the same age. Kevin is two years older than me, so you must be too.”
He chuckled. “Smart deduction.”
She smiled but didn’t respond.
“Can I ask you something?” he continued.
She nodded.
“Why do you like wearing from my brand?”
She paused, set her spoon down, and laced her fingers together.
“Well, I love comfortable, modest, and elegant clothes—and your brand has all of that. Your designers are genuinely creative.”
A smile tugged at his lips.
“Did you know I personally designed the sweater you’re wearing? I’m the lead designer at my company.”
Her eyes widened.
“I didn’t expect that… I thought you were too busy managing the company to be designing.”
“I studied fashion design for years—not just to be a CEO.”
“That’s amazing, Adam.”
He felt proud—really proud.
He usually didn’t talk about work casually. But with her, he found himself wanting to share.
“I’ll be right back” she said, excusing herself to the restroom.
🌺
Ten minutes passed.
He glanced at his watch. What’s taking so long?
When she finally returned, his eyes widened.
She was crying.
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
“My ring… the one I always wear on my finger—it’s gone!”
He exhaled in relief. For a moment, he feared something serious had happened.
“You’re crying over a ring? You can always buy another one.”
“No” she sobbed. “It’s not just any ring. I’ve worn it since middle school, Adam.”
His smile faded.
‘It must mean a lot to her…’
“When did you notice it was gone?”
“I don’t know. I just realized now.”
He searched the area around their table but found nothing.
“Let’s check the car. Maybe it fell there.”
She nodded, wiping her tears.
He paid the bill and led her outside, arm gently around her shoulder, trying to comfort her.
“Wait here” he said when they reached the car.
He checked the passenger side, and sure enough—there it was under the seat.
He returned, holding it up. “Found it! Can you stop crying now?”
But her tears only flowed harder.
He smiled, placing a hand on her cheek, gently wiping the tears.
He didn’t know what pushed him to touch her this way—but he did.
“Freesia, look, it’s here. Please, stop crying. For your beautiful eyes, okay?”
“Okay” she whispered.
He took her left hand.
“This is where you wear it, right?”
She nodded.
He slid the ring back on her finger.
“There. It’s home.”
Her face lit up with relief. He couldn’t help but smile.
Seeing her cry had affected him more than he expected.
He never wanted to see her like that again.
🌺
They sat quietly in the car.
She stared at the ring.
He stared at her.
“Freesia… can I ask who gave you that ring?”
She turned to him, lips pressed into a line.
“It was a gift from someone I love.”
‘You’d better back off, Adam,’ he told himself. ‘Sounds like she’s taken.’
“Can I know who?”
🌺
After dropping her off, he returned to his office, still smiling at her response.
“It’s my friendship ring with Lily.”
“What?!” he had shouted at the time, startling her.
“You’re telling me all those tears were over a friendship ring with Lily?”
She nodded.
He swore the way she looked at him in that moment could bring any man to his knees.
“Seriously, Freesia… I thought it was from a boyfriend or something.”
“I don’t have a boyfriend.”
Well, now he had an answer to a question he wasn’t quite ready to ask.
He leaned back, laughing.
“Don’t laugh, Adam. I’ve worn that ring since middle school. Lily and I promised not to take it off until we meet the one who will spend our lives with replaces it with another. Honestly, I get scared just thinking I might lose it.”
He had no idea what was happening inside him—but he kept smiling because of her.
He walked down the hallway, replaying every moment in his head.
When he entered his office, his mother was there waiting.
“Finally, you’re back.”
“You’re still here, Mom?”
She folded her hands and stood in front of him.
“I want to know who this ‘important’ person is—who made Mr. Adam postpone a staff meeting.”
He laughed at her intuition.
“I’ll tell you later, Mom. I just need a minute to rest before the meeting.”
Raising her brows, she watched him. Something’s definitely going on with him, she thought.
“Alright. But are you going out again tonight like usual?”
She hoped he’d say no—just this once.
“Yeah, I am” he replied.
Her face fell.
She couldn’t force him to change—he was no longer a child. But oh, how she wished he would.
I thought maybe this girl would be different, she sighed to herself.
🌺
That night, Adam entered the nightclub and headed straight to his usual spot, where his friend Edward sat chatting with two women.
“Adam, you’re finally here! What took you so long?”
“Had some work.”
Edward nodded as Adam pulled out his phone.
He was waiting for something.
“Want me to introduce you to one of them?” Edward offered.
But Adam didn’t respond.
A notification lit up his screen.
His expression shifted instantly.
She had accepted his follow request.
She was following him back.
He opened her profile immediately.
The first picture he saw was from Lily’s wedding.
His grin widened when he saw her comment on his latest post: Freesia: "It’s not easy to make someone feel warm just from a design—but this one does. Truly special."
He didn’t even notice how widely he was smiling.
A woman sat next to him, but he barely registered her presence.
Edward gestured. “Let me introduce you—”
“I’m leaving” Adam cut in. “Talk later.”
He left the night club before 9 PM—a place he rarely left before midnight—leaving Edward stunned.
🌺
10:00 PM
Adam entered the house, surprising both his parents.
“Is that really you?” his dad asked, stunned.
“I’ve got something more important than where I was” Adam said absentmindedly, eyes fixed on his phone as he headed upstairs.
His mom looked at her husband.
“Something’s definitely going on…”
Upstairs, fresh from a shower, Adam lay in bed scrolling through Freesia’s profile.
Photos of her, nature, flowers, and oceans… but one photo stopped him.
She wore a summer dress, smiling up at the sky.
He stared, not just at her, but at the way the design fit her so perfectly.
He saved the photo.
“Why does everything I design look amazing on you, Freesia?” he murmured.
And just like that, he drifted off to sleep—phone in hand, smile still on his face.
- Writer
