Signed to love

Chapter 10

The car came to a slow stop in the underground parking lot, Mr Amirion stepped out without another word and walked straight inside.

"Good morning, Mr Amirion"Employees greeted him one after another, but unlike every other day, he merely nodded absentmindedly.

He entered his private office and placed the blue folder on his desk, his hand paused.

For some reason, the sweet scent of fresh roses still lingered in his mind.

"...Ridiculous"He loosened his tie and sat down.

Just then, there was a knock.

"Come in" Sophia entered.

"Sir, the investors from London have arrived"

"I'll be there"

"Is... everything alright, sir?"Sophia hesitated before asking, Mr Amirion looked up surprised by the

"Do I look unwell?"

"No, sir."

"Then don't ask unnecessary questions"Sophia quickly excused herself, as soon as the door closed, Mr Amirion leaned back in his chair.

His thoughts wandered once again, she looked hurt.

"Why am I thinking about her?"He frowned.

He had made it clear from the beginning that this marriage was nothing more than an arrangement.

She shouldn't expect kindness from him, yet,the image of her lowering her head after he scolded her refused to leave his mind,he clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Troublesome"

Back at the mansion...

Mrs Loveth stood beside Chloe, who was carefully trimming the stems of another bouquet of roses.

"You really aren't upset?" Mrs Loveth asked gently.

"I am"Chloe smiled, Mrs Loveth's expression fell.

"But I also understand him"

"You do?"Mrs Loveth was surprised.

"He has lived in that silence for years"She placed another flower into the vase.

"If someone suddenly opened all the windows after staying in darkness for so long... wouldn't the light hurt their eyes at first?"

Mrs Loveth stared at her in amazement.

"You really think that way?"Chloe nodded.

"I don't want to force him to change"

She smiled softly.

"I just want to remind him that happiness still exists"Mrs Loveth felt her eyes sting with tears again.

"Miss Chloe..."

"You have such a kind heart"

Just then, one of the younger maids came running into the living room.

"Mrs Loveth!"

"What is it?"

"The florist just delivered more roses."

Chloe's eyes sparkled in excitement.

"Perfect!"Mrs Loveth couldn't help laughing.

"You aren't giving up, are you?"

"Nope"Chloe grinned mischievously.

"Mr Amirion has already declared war"

"So?"

"I'm going to win it"

The maids burst into laughter.

For the first time in years, genuine laughter echoed through every corner of the mansion.

And though he wasn't there to hear it.

Somewhere deep inside, the cold walls surrounding Mr Amirion's heart had already developed it's very first crack.

The meeting room was silent.

The investors from London sat across from Mr Amirion, waiting for him to begin.

Usually, he was the kind of man who got attention the moment he entered a room. His confidence, his sharp words, and his intimidating presence were enough to make even experienced businessmen nervous.

But today, something was different.

"Mr Amirion?"One of the investors called his name, bringing him back to reality, he blinked repeatedly

"Yes?"

"The revised proposal"

Sophia,who was standing beside him, immediately noticed her boss's unusual reaction.

Mr Amirion looked down at the documents in front of him.

For a moment, his mind wasn't on business.

It was on a lady standing on a small ladder, smiling proudly while hanging decorations in a house that wasn't hers, he frowned slightly.

"Mr Amirion, are you satisfied with the terms?"He finally looked up.

"Yes"His voice was firm again.

"The agreement will proceed. However, I want the final adjustments completed before the deadline"

The investors nodded, impressed by his seriousness.

The meeting continued, but Sophia noticed something unusual.

Mr Amirion was less harsh than usual, he corrected mistakes without humiliating anyone.

He even listened patiently to suggestions.

When the meeting ended, Sophia followed him back to his office.

"Sir"

"What?"

"Are you feeling alright today?"Mr Amirion stopped walking.

"Why do you keep asking me that?"

"Because you seem different"

"I don't" Sophia raised an eyebrow indirectly disagreeing to that.

"Of course, sir"

Mr Amirion entered his office and closed the door, but the moment he was alone, he sighed.

He hated it was noticeable he was acting different, especially because he didn't understand it himself.

That evening,the mansion was brighter than usual.

The fresh flowers had remained, the curtains were open, allowing the golden sunset to fill the living room.

Mr Amirion stepped inside and immediately noticed, he expected the silence, the emptiness.

The cold atmosphere he had grown used to, but to his biggest surprise he heard laughter. He froze.

"Laughter?"He asked himself trying to be sure he was hearing right

Slowly, his eyes moved toward the living room. Chloe was sitting on the floor with the maids, arranging small flower pots.

She looked completely comfortable, as if she had always belonged there.

One of the maids noticed him first and immediately stood up.

"Master!"The laughter disappeared, everyone became tense.

Chloe turned around.

"Oh" Her smile faded slightly.

"You're back"

Mr Amirion looked around, the mansion looked different not because of the flowers or the decorations but because people were no longer afraid to breathe.

"What is this?" He asked, Chloe stood up.

"Nothing serious"She replied as she brushed the dirt from her hands.

"We were just planting some flowers"

"You spent the entire day doing this?"

She shrugged as she replied

"Not the entire day" A small pause followed.

"I also learned how to make your favorite tea"Mr Amirion's expression changed slightly.

"My favorite tea?"Chloe nodded.

"Mrs Loveth told me."

He looked toward Mrs Loveth, she immediately lowered her head.

"Miss Chloe insisted, Master" Mrs Loveth quickly said

"I see"

Silence followed.

Chloe looked at him carefully, for a second, she wondered if she had crossed another line.

"I'm sorry if I went too far again"Her voice became softer.

"I just thought..."She stopped.

"What?"

She looked away.

"I thought this place deserved to feel happy too"

Those words caught him off guard, because deep down he knew she wasn't talking about the mansion. She was talking about him.

Before he could respond, Chloe walked toward the kitchen.

"I'll prepare your tea"

"No."He replied and she stopped,Mr. Amirion looked away.

"I mean..."He cleared his throat.

"You don't have to"

Everyone looked surprised,even Chloe.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

A brief silence,then he added quietly.

"The flowers can stay."

Chloe's eyes widened slightly, a small smile appeared on her face.

"Really?"

"Don't make me repeat myself"He said sternly,she smiled wider and hugged him.

He was shocked

"Thank you"She said still not letting go

"You can let go now"He said as he cleared his throat, she immediately did and he looked away.

He didn't understand why those two words and hug affected him,he only knew one thing for the first time in years, coming home didn't feel like returning to an empty place.