Friday had finally arrived, carrying with it the electric, intoxicating promise of the VH Group annual office party. To ensure every employee was perfectly primed for the grand event, Nick had declared the day an unofficial holiday. The nervous energy of the past week, fueled by the David incident and Nick’s protective fury, had finally been channeled into joyful anticipation.

Ellie and Freya had spent the afternoon immersed in a spa and salon, a necessary ritual of purification and glamour. Ellie chose a dress that spoke of quiet confidence—a floor-length gown in a deep, vibrant crimson silk that draped perfectly, demanding attention without screaming for it. She wore minimal jewelry, letting the rich color and the simple, elegant cut speak for themselves. Her hair was styled in soft, cascading waves, framing her face perfectly.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery oranges and soft purples, Ellie walked into the living room. Nick was already waiting.

He was breathtaking. He wore a bespoke black suit, tailored to perfection, emphasizing the breadth of his shoulders and the lean power of his physique. He stood with his back to her, adjusting something—a small, dark velvet box—into the inside pocket of his shirt, a small, private gesture he quickly completed before turning around.

Ellie paused, completely captivated. She understood then, on a cellular level, why Joy—and indeed, probably half the female employees—were so easily drawn into a state of adoration and drooling admiration. Nick was not just handsome; he was a vision of focused, powerful masculinity. His eyes, usually sharp with executive precision, held a deeper, more vulnerable light tonight. He was the kind of man a girl dreamed up when sketching her ideal future: intelligent, commanding, effortlessly elegant, and now, finally, hers.

It’s lucky for me he was so devoted to work and so emotionally unavailable to the rest of the world all this time, she thought with a private, possessive satisfaction. He was only meant for me. He is mine.

When Nick finally looked up and saw her, a genuine, unguarded smile transformed his face, smoothing away the stern lines of the CEO. His breath hitched—a tiny, insignificant sound that felt deafening in the silence of the room. Ellie knew in that moment that all the effort, the fear, and the chaos had been worth it. She didn't need heavy jewelry or complicated makeup; the way she carried herself, wrapped in the crimson silk, was enough to make the most eligible man in the room speechless.

A sharp, timely knock on the door broke their spell. Nick regained his composure, his professionalism returning just enough to move. He opened the door to reveal the rest of their inner circle: Ethan, Freya, Tony, and standing beside Tony, a stunning, unfamiliar woman.

Ellie’s heart lifted instantly at the sight of her family of choice. Nick welcomed them all in.

“Kate!” Nick exclaimed warmly, shaking her hand. “It’s been too long. How are you?”

“I’m fine, Nick. You look well,” Kate replied, her voice soft and pleasant.

Nick turned to Ellie. “Ellie, this is Kate. We worked in the same firm with Tony years ago. And she is, finally, Tony’s official better half.”

Tony beamed, his chest swelling. “And the best news,” he interjected, “Kate is moving here. She’ll be joining our HR team in a month!”

Ellie greeted Kate with genuine enthusiasm, a feeling of joyful completeness settling over her. Freya, ever practical, clapped her hands. “Alright, everyone, let’s get this show on the road! We can’t be late for our own party.”

They traveled in separate cars, maintaining the appropriate level of corporate distinction for the CEO and CTO, though the air was charged with private, shared excitement.

The event was magnificent. Joy, dressed beautifully and maintaining a strict, almost painful professional composure, was stationed at the welcoming area with her date. She greeted them all with forced pleasantries, though her eyes lingered on Ellie and Freya with an unreadable mix of jealousy and confusion. She couldn't help but notice how both girls were being escorted by two of the most powerful, eligible bachelors in the room—one the CTO, and the other, the CEO. How do these girls do it? she thought, the automatic, gossiping thought popping up. They always snag the big shots. But the memory of Nick’s stern, terrifying warning kept her silent. No gossiping, she repeated like a mantra, forcing herself to focus on the welcoming duties.

The party was a spectacular success. The guests danced enthusiastically, shedding the stiffness of corporate life for the freedom of the music. Nick, surprisingly, was an excellent dancer, holding Ellie close and moving with a fluid grace she hadn't anticipated. They laughed, they spun, and for a few blissful hours, they were just two people lost in the joy of the moment.

As the evening wore on, the music softened to match the dinner vibe. Nick and Ellie moved to a quiet table for a light meal, sharing intimate glances across the silverware. Once they finished, Ellie subtly pulled on Nick’s sleeve, leaning in to tell him something.

At that exact moment, a waiter rushing past with a tray of gravy-laden plates stumbled slightly. A rogue splash of rich, brown sauce flew through the air, landing with a perfect, sticky splat right on the sleeve of Nick’s pristine black jacket.

“Oh, Nick! I am so sorry!” Ellie gasped, grabbing a napkin.

Nick examined the stain, then chuckled—a low, genuine sound. “Don’t worry about it. It’s no problem. Actually, it’s quite welcome. I was roasting after that last dance. I was going to take the jacket off anyway.”

Ellie's eyes lit up with sudden inspiration. “Good. Because I need you to come with me.”

“Where?” he asked, confused but intrigued by the sudden change in her demeanor.

“I’ll show you,” she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

As they walked toward the exit, they spotted Ethan, Freya, Tony, and Kate gathering their things, ready to leave.

“We’re taking off,” Ethan announced. “We’ll call you two later. Have fun.”

Nick nodded. Before following Ellie, he pulled off his stained coat and tossed it to Ethan. “Take this. I’ll collect it tomorrow. It’s filthy now anyway.”

Ethan caught the jacket with a grin, and Nick followed Ellie, his heart inexplicably soaring.

Ellie led him to a small, nondescript door at the end of a long hallway. A sign in bold red letters clearly stated: DO NOT ENTER. EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY.

“Ellie, this says ‘Do not enter,’” Nick pointed out, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“I know,” she replied, winking. “I asked the hotel manager to put that sign up specifically so no one would find this spot tonight.”

Nick’s smile broadened. He was completely hooked. “Lead the way, my daring executive.”

She pushed the door open, revealing a hidden stairwell. They climbed a short flight of steps, and then Ellie pushed open another door, allowing the most spectacular view to unfold before them. They were on a vast, private terrace overlooking the ocean.

A colossal full moon hung heavy and low in the sky, casting a brilliant, silvery path across the dark, undulating surface of the sea. The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing below was the only sound, providing an immediate, calming contrast to the loud party they had just left. The moonlight caught the white-capped waves, making the entire ocean sparkle like scattered diamonds. It was breathtakingly romantic.

Ellie turned, her eyes reflecting the silver light of the moon. She reached out and took Nick’s hand, lacing their fingers together, and began to speak, her voice soft and vulnerable.

“When I came here for the final event organization check, I saw this view for the first time. It was so beautiful, Nick, and the first thought that came into my mind was, you were missing. I realized I couldn’t enjoy this view completely without you beside me.”

Nick didn't speak, just looked at her, his gaze steady, his thumb gently caressing her knuckles.

“Even when we were fighting during our childhood days, I used to talk to you every time,” she continued, the memories making her voice tremble slightly. “I wanted a reason to fight with you, just so I could talk to you, just so I could be near you. I was truly heartbroken when you left for studies abroad and didn’t even say goodbye. It wasn’t the distance that hurt, it was the silence.”

A tear tracked a path down her cheek, but she continued, pouring out years of guarded emotion. “I struggled to fall into any real relationship because, subconsciously, I didn’t realize I was searching for your qualities—the focus, the integrity, the demanding kindness—which I couldn't find in anyone else.”

She tightened her grip on his hand. “When our fake marriage was arranged, I wasn’t angry or disappointed. I was ready. I wanted to find out if my lifelong search for you would finally stop. And it did, Nick. It stopped. I feel like this is where I’m supposed to be, where I belong. I feel completely home when you are near me. I love you, Nick. I have loved you for years. What do you think? Do you like me?”

She finally turned to face him fully, her eyes wide, glistening with tears and hope, offering him her entire heart.

Nick looked into her eyes, and a deep, overwhelming wave of emotion washed over him. He felt the exact same way. He slowly and gently disentangled his hand from hers.

Ellie’s heart sank, confusion and a terrifying anticipation of rejection clouding her face.

Before she could form a question, Nick did the unexpected. He slowly knelt down on one knee on the cool stone terrace.

“You said every single word that I went through, Elara,” he said, his voice husky with emotion. “I don't have anything to speak, only one thing I want to ask you now.”

He reached into his pocket—the one he’d adjusted earlier—and pulled out the small, dark velvet box. He flipped it open, revealing a brilliant, stunning diamond ring that seemed to catch and distill the moonlight into a single, blinding spark.

“Ellie,” he commanded, his eyes completely, utterly devoted to her. “Will you be my wife? For real, this time? Will you marry me?”

Ellie gasped, tears flooding her eyes now, washing away the final remnants of doubt. He was always one step ahead of her, anticipating her confession, preparing the final, beautiful command. She nodded tearfully, unable to speak.

“Yes, Nick! Yes, I will!”

Nick rose, the happiest he had ever been, and carefully slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly, a symbol of a destiny long delayed. He didn’t wait another second. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, a deep, passionate kiss filled with years of longing, confusion, and finally, undeniable love.

They were lost in the moment, clinging to each other under the watchful, shimmering light of the full moon.

At that precise moment, the Do Not Enter door creaked open slightly. Joy, having gone to retrieve something she’d forgotten, had seen the light on the terrace. She poked her head around the door, searching for the source.

Her view was immediately arrested by the sight of Ellie passionately locked in an embrace with a tall, handsome man whose back was completely to her. Crucially, the man was coatless, his clothing rumpled from the passionate moment and the earlier dance, making him seem like a random date.

Joy’s mind immediately supplied the familiar, delicious narrative: It must be that married man she was dating! She’s making out with him on the terrace after the party!

She paused for a second, a mischievous smile starting to form on her lips, ready to rush back inside and tell someone. Then, the terrifying memory of Nick's cold, hard face and his warning about "career damage" flashed through her mind.

Joy pulled her head back in quickly, letting the door swing shut with a soft click. She whispered to herself, a final, self-imposed muzzle of silence.

“No gossiping. No gossiping, Joy. Anyways, they’re just making out. Focus on the job.”

And she quietly walked away, missing the greatest gossip scoop of the year—the CEO proposing to his ‘intern’—and leaving the newly engaged couple to their passionate, moonlit victory.