THE PERFECT WEEKEND
1618 Words
Chapter 16 – The Perfect Weekend
Saturday morning arrived with bright sunshine pouring through the windows of Carter Manor. Unlike weekdays, there were no board meetings waiting for Ethan, no endless stack of contracts to review, and no conference calls scheduled from sunrise.
For the first time in years...
His weekend was completely free.
Olivia woke early as usual and quietly walked downstairs. The mansion was peaceful, with only a few servants beginning their morning duties.
She stepped into the garden carrying a small watering can.
The roses William loved so much were blooming beautifully.
As she carefully watered them, she smiled to herself.
"They're even prettier today."
"That's because they're happy."
Olivia turned around.
William stood behind her with his walking stick, smiling warmly.
"Good morning, Grandpa."
"Good morning, my dear."
He looked at the flowers.
"My wife planted these herself."
"They're beautiful."
"They've survived storms, heavy rain, and harsh winters."
He smiled at Olivia.
"Real love is like these roses."
"It grows stronger with time."
Olivia lowered her eyes.
"I wonder if that's true."
William noticed the thoughtful expression on her face but didn't say anything.
Instead, he changed the subject.
Olivia led Ethan through the lively market, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Every few steps she stopped to admire something a stand of fresh flowers, handmade candles, colorful paintings, or children laughing as they chased bubbles floating through the air.
"You really like this place," Ethan observed.
"I do."
She smiled brightly.
"It reminds me that happiness doesn't always come from expensive things."
Ethan glanced around.
People were laughing, shopping, and enjoying their day.
For once, no one seemed to notice who he was.
It felt... refreshing.
Olivia suddenly stopped at a small flower stall.
An elderly woman stood behind the counter arranging fresh bouquets.
"Good morning," Olivia greeted warmly.
The old woman smiled.
"Good morning, dear."
Olivia admired the flowers before pointing to a bouquet of white roses.
"They're beautiful."
"They were picked this morning."
Olivia carefully picked up the bouquet and breathed in its sweet fragrance.
"I'll take these."
The elderly woman wrapped them neatly before handing them over.
Ethan reached for his wallet.
Before he could pay, Olivia gently stopped him.
"This one's on me."
He looked at her with surprise.
"You don't have to."
"I want to."
She paid for the flowers herself before turning to Ethan.
"They're not for me."
"They aren't?"
She smiled mysteriously.
"You'll see."
They continued walking until they reached a small park beside the market.
Olivia walked toward a lonely elderly man sitting quietly on a bench.
He looked tired and held a faded photograph in his hands.
Olivia approached him with a gentle smile.
"Excuse me, sir."
The man looked up.
"Yes?"
She handed him the bouquet of white roses.
"These are for you."
The old man's eyes widened.
"For me?"
She nodded.
"My grandfather always says flowers make people smile."
The man's eyes became misty.
"My wife loved white roses."
He looked at the bouquet with trembling hands.
"She passed away two years ago."
Olivia gently squeezed his shoulder.
"I'm sure she would have loved these."
The old man smiled through his tears.
"Thank you, my dear."
"You've made an old man very happy today."
As they walked away, Ethan remained silent.
Finally, he spoke.
"You bought flowers..."
"...for a stranger."
Olivia looked at him.
"He didn't look like a stranger."
"He looked lonely."
Ethan didn't know what to say.
He simply admired the kindness that came so naturally to her.
A little farther ahead, the sweet smell of freshly baked pastries filled the air.
Olivia's eyes lit up immediately.
"Oh!"
She pointed excitedly.
"That's the bakery I told you about."
She pulled Ethan toward the small shop.
The baker laughed when he saw her excitement.
"What can I get for you?"
"Two cinnamon rolls and two lemonades, please."
The baker nodded before handing them over.
Olivia took one bite of the warm pastry.
Her eyes closed happily.
"This is amazing."
Ethan watched her.
"You really enjoy food."
"I really do."
She offered him her pastry.
"Try it."
He hesitated.
Then he took a small bite.
For a moment...
He said nothing.
Olivia smiled knowingly.
"Well?"
"It's good."
She laughed.
"Only good?"
He smiled.
"Very good."
"There it is."
"What?"
"The famous Ethan Carter compliment."
He laughed quietly.
"You've started teasing me."
"I'm getting comfortable."
"I'm noticing."
They found a nearby bench beneath a large oak tree and sat together.
Children played nearby while a young musician performed with an acoustic guitar.
The peaceful melody drifted through the afternoon air.
Olivia looked toward the children.
"They look so happy."
"They do."
"When I was little, Mason and I used to come to places like this."
She smiled at the memory.
"We didn't have much money."
"But somehow..."
"...those are still some of my happiest memories."
Ethan listened carefully.
"My childhood was very different."
She looked at him.
"How?"
"I had everything money could buy."
He paused.
"But very little time with the people I loved."
Olivia looked at him with gentle understanding.
"I think..."
She smiled softly.
"...you deserved more."
Their eyes met.
Neither of them looked away.
For a moment, the sounds of the market faded into the background.
Only the two of them seemed to exist.
Then a small voice interrupted.
"Excuse me."
A little girl, no older than six, stood in front of them holding a tiny bouquet of wildflowers.
She looked at Ethan.
"Mister..."
"I think your wife is the prettiest lady here."
Olivia laughed in embarrassment.
The little girl smiled before handing the bouquet to Ethan.
"My daddy says boys should give flowers to girls they like."
The girl's mother hurried over.
"I'm so sorry."
"It's alright," Olivia said with a smile.
The little girl waved before running back to her mother.
Ethan looked down at the tiny bouquet in his hand.
Then he slowly turned to Olivia.
Without saying a word...
He held the flowers out to her.
She accepted them with a bright smile.
"Thank you."
"They suit you."
She looked at the colorful wildflowers before meeting his gaze.
"I think I'll keep these forever."
As the sun slowly began to set, Ethan realized something that surprised even him.
He had attended countless business dinners, luxury galas, and exclusive parties.
Yet none of them had brought him the peace he felt sitting on an ordinary park bench beside Olivia.
Perhaps...
The happiest moments in life weren't the most expensive ones.
Perhaps...
They were simply the ones shared with the right person.
Together, they stood and began walking back toward the car, their fingers naturally intertwining once again.
This time...
Neither of them even thought about letting go."I have a favor to ask."
"What is it?"
"I want you and Ethan to spend the day together."
Olivia blinked.
"We already spend time together."
"I mean without business."
She laughed softly.
"I'll see what he says."
Just then, Ethan walked into the garden wearing a simple white polo shirt and dark jeans.
Olivia couldn't help noticing how different he looked without his usual suits.
He looked younger.
More approachable.
"Good morning."
She smiled.
"Morning."
William looked between them before pretending to remember something.
"Oh dear..."
"I just remembered I have an appointment."
Ethan frowned.
"On a Saturday?"
William nodded confidently.
"Very important."
Olivia looked confused.
"I thought you said you had no plans."
"I do now."
Before either of them could question him further, William quietly walked away with an amused smile hidden on his face.
Ethan watched him disappear.
"I think he planned that."
Olivia laughed.
"I think you're right."
For a few moments they stood in comfortable silence.
Then Ethan spoke.
"Would you like to go somewhere?"
She looked at him.
"Where?"
"I'm not sure."
She smiled playfully.
"So Mr. Carter doesn't have a plan?"
"Not today."
She pretended to think deeply.
"In that case..."
She pointed toward the city beyond the mansion gates.
"Let's do something normal."
"What does that mean?"
"No luxury restaurants."
"No business meetings."
"No bodyguards following us everywhere."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"The last one may be impossible."
She laughed.
"Fine."
"But everything else stays."
He nodded.
"I can agree to that."
An hour later, they left Carter Manor in a simple black SUV instead of the usual Rolls-Royce.
Daniel looked surprised.
"Sir..."
"No security convoy today."
"Are you sure?"
"I'll be with my wife."
Daniel smiled.
"I understand."
As they drove through the city, Olivia looked out the window excitedly.
"I've always wanted to visit the Saturday street market."
Ethan looked at her.
"The street market?"
She nodded enthusiastically.
"They have handmade crafts, fresh pastries, flowers, music..."
She smiled brightly.
"...and the best lemonade in the city."
He chuckled.
"You've really planned this."
"I've dreamed about it."
Twenty minutes later, they arrived.
The market was alive with music and laughter.
Children ran between colorful stalls while local artists displayed paintings and handmade jewelry.
The smell of fresh bread filled the air.
Olivia's face immediately lit up.
"It's exactly how I remembered."
Ethan looked at her instead of the market.
Seeing her this happy somehow made the ordinary place feel special.
She turned and noticed him watching.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You weren't looking at the market."
"I was looking at someone enjoying it."
She smiled shyly before gently taking his hand.
"Come on."
Without thinking...
Ethan let her lead him through the crowd.
For the first time in years...
He wasn't the billionaire everyone feared.
He wasn't the chairman of Carter Group.
He was simply Ethan...
Walking hand in hand through a crowded market with the woman who had slowly begun changing his world.
And surprisingly...
He had never felt more at peace.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD