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1244 Words
Chapter One
~ Emma’s POV ~
I ran my fingers across the little velvet box in my hand for like the hundredth time today, my heart was beating so fast with excitement.
It was Valentine’s day. Today was finally the day, I had planned and pictured everything to the last detail, the ring, the proposal and even a surprise getaway to maldives that Mark would never see coming.
I knew he would laugh and probably tease me for “beating him to it” but i couldn’t wait anymore. I was ready to start forever with the man of my dreams, it has been eight months so i know i am ready. My best friend, Kim had tried to convince me not to propose but i had made up my mind.
She had always had this thing against him but she never had a valid reason it was always “You are too good for him” or “he doesn’t deserve you”.
The elevator dinged which broke me out of my thoughts, i smoothened my dress and checked my make up in the reflection of the doors i took a deep breath… i was so nervous.
I could already picture it… I will sneak into Mark’s office, close the door softly behind me, and when he looked up.
I’d be down on one knee with this ring.
I wanted to see his face light up with surprise and to hear him laugh that warm laugh of his that i fell for years ago.
The hallway to his office was quiet, the only sound my heels, the receptionist gave me a warm smile and pointed toward Mark’s door, whispering, “He’s in there.” I nodded and returned her smile as I walked towards the door.
But as I got closer, I realized something was off. The door was slightly ajar and I heard voices.. a low murmur and then a laugh.
A woman’s laugh no doubt… it was light and familiar.
Rachel?
My heart began to beat faster than when i was in the elevator but before I could decide what to do my hand had already pushed the door open.
And there they were.
Mark was sitting on his desk with his arms wrapped tightly around Rachel’s waist and his head close to hers with their bodies pressed together.
I watched as he leaned in and kissed her with his hands sliding up her skirt while pulling her closer.
It felt like the floor was crumbling as my mind went blank… I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.
All I could do was stand there…. frozen.
Every plan, every late night call, every promise, every night we made love… it all felt like a cruel, twisted lie.
My stomach twisted with nausea, and a wave of heat flushed through my cheeks as I realized what I was holding in my hand. The ring. I felt sick. I couldn’t stand there a second longer.
“Emma?” i heard him call out my name but i didn't even turn i could not bear to see his face.
I took a step back my vision blurring as tears filled my eyes, and I stumbled out of the office my legs moving as if they had a mind of their own. I had to get out of there, out of that building, before I completely breakdown.
By the time I reached the lobby, I was practically shaking, clutching the little velvet box and my head was spinning.
Part of me wanted to run back upstairs and scream at him, to throw the ring in his face.
But I couldn’t… I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d hurt me this much. I felt humiliated and stupid, like I’d been blind all along, letting myself fall for a fantasy.
I stared at the ring in my hand with my thumb brushing over the small stone.
This had been everything. It had been my future, my hope, my idea of love.
And now? Now it was just a cruel reminder it was a twisted joke that i had made of my own life.
I don’t know how long I stood there lost in my own misery but then, as if by fate someone appeared in front of me.
A man, tall and very handsome like an angel… no… like a god, with dark hair.
He was dressed in a suit… he moved toward the doors as if he owned the place.
There was something about him that drew me in and in my moment of madness I took a step forward as i blocked his way.
Without thinking I reached out grabbed his hand and i slipped the ring onto his finger.
It was impulsive or would i say ridiculous and everything inside me was screaming that this was a terrible idea, but I didn’t care.
Right now I just needed to do something that would drown out the ache in my chest.
“Will you marry me?” I heard myself say the words barely above a whisper were raw and desperate.
I didn’t even know what I was asking.
I only knew that in this one reckless moment I wanted to erase the hurt and to replace the emptiness with something… anything… else.
The man’s eyebrows rose in surprise as he looked down at me.
For a split second, I expected him to laugh or to shake his head and walk away.
But instead he smiled and i noticed the cute dimples on the side of his cheeks.
Then he gave the smallest nod and in a calm voice, said, “I do.”
I blinked repeatedly thrown by his answer.
I hadn’t expected him to say yes but I hadn’t even thought this far ahead.
But as I stood there speechless he gave my hand a light squeeze and he kissed me. He tasted like mint and i didnt want the kiss to end, it felt like i was in another world.
Before I could process what was happening, a familiar figure appeared… Mark.
He’d followed me down here, looking around the lobby with a puzzled look and his eyes wide in shock with his jaw opened wider than his eyes as he took in the sight of me standing with this stranger and his hand in mine.
“Emma?” Mark’s voice was a mixture of disbelief and confusion so was his eyes shiting between me and the man standing beside me.
“Mr Chen? Boss?” He called out again.
My heart stopped as i pieced it together. This man… the stranger i had just proposed to… was Liam Chen, my company elusive CEO.
The man who held the power to control my career.
“Holy f**k” i cursed out as i realised what i had just done.
“You must be the ex,” he said as he turned to Mark, his expression calm and unbothered, like this was all perfectly normal.
Mark stared at him speechless. He looked like a cartoon character, his face shifting between anger and shock, and for the first time since I’d walked out of his office, I felt a small, fierce spark of triumph.
“Well,” he continued “I think it’s time for us to go princess.”
Without another word, he pulled my hands and led me toward the doors, leaving Mark standing there jaw ajar and humiliated.
- Writer
