After a week of exchanging messages and sneaking into each other's busy schedules, Emily decided it was time to invite Matthew over to her house. She wanted to provide a nice evening, something intimate, without flashes and spotlights, where they could finally relax and get to know each other even more. When the morning arrived, she was full of anticipation and, at the same time, a little nervous. Emily didn't receive such special guests in her apartment often, and she wanted everything to be impeccable.
Early in the morning, she called Elisa, the head maid, to instruct her on the preparations. Elisa knew Emily's apartment and preferences well, but she noticed the special care her boss was putting into every detail this time.
"Elisa, I want the living room to be perfect, with a more cozy decoration. And please make sure the flowers are fresh. I thought of white roses and lilies," Emily said, as she walked around the space with a careful look.
"Of course, Miss Emily. We'll make sure everything is in order," Elisa replied with a smile, noticing the sparkle in the young woman's eyes.
Emily spent much of the morning organizing the details. She instructed the kitchen to prepare a table with some appetizers and a light meal, in case they wanted to have dinner. She also ordered a special wine that she knew Matthew loved. The paintings and decorative objects were discreetly rearranged to create a more welcoming and personal environment.
After the instructions, Emily returned to her room to get ready. She wanted her appearance to convey naturalness, but without giving up the charm that always accompanied her. She chose a simple but elegant dress that subtly highlighted her features. She applied a light perfume and left her hair loose, creating a casual and relaxed air.
As the clock ticked, Emily felt her heart beat faster. She found herself checking the room one last time, checking out every detail. The lights were adjusted to create a comfortable atmosphere, and the background music was soft, the kind of jazz that she knew Matthew enjoyed.
When everything was ready, Elisa approached to let her know that Matthew had just arrived. Emily took a deep breath, trying to contain her anxiety, and walked to the door with a calm smile, but her eyes were shining with expectation.
When she opened the door, she found Matthew there, impeccable as always. He was wearing casual attire, but his natural elegance made any outfit seem sophisticated. When he saw her, his eyes lit up and he smiled, that smile that always left her a little speechless.
"Welcome, Matthew," she said, her voice soft, but conveying the joy of having him there.
"Thank you for the invitation, Emily. The place is beautiful," he commented, admiring the carefully prepared environment, capturing her dedication in every detail.
As he entered, they exchanged a look full of complicity.
Matthew looked around the apartment, admiring the delicacy with which every detail had been prepared. The cozy environment seemed to reflect Emily's personality — a mix of elegance and authenticity. The soft music, the warm lights, and the subtle scent in the air created a perfect setting for the evening they were about to share.
"You really set me up," he commented, smiling and adjusting his collar, a gesture he always did when he was a little nervous.
Emily smiled, a touch of shyness on her face. "I wanted you to feel welcome. I don't get to do this often... so I hope you like it."
"I already like it," he replied, sincerity in his green eyes that stared at her.
They walked to the living room, where a tray of wine glasses was waiting for them. Emily poured two glasses, handing one to Matthew, while he took the opportunity to lean a little closer.
"To our evening," he toasted, his eyes fixed on hers.
"To our evening," Emily replied, feeling the heat of the moment. They toasted, and the lightness of the wine seemed to accentuate the intimate atmosphere between them.
The conversation flowed naturally, with Matthew talking a little more about his family and the challenges of running Lancaster Corp. He told some funny stories about his younger brother, who, according to him, was a "young rebel with a heart of gold." Emily laughed, absorbing every detail with genuine interest, delighted to see him so relaxed and sincere.
Emily, in turn, shared behind-the-scenes stories, telling about funny and challenging moments on the set. Matthew was curious, asking questions and showing interest in every detail of her work.
As the night progressed, the conversation became lighter, the laughter became more frequent, and the space between them seemed to decrease with each passing second. As the music softened even more, Matthew held out his hand to Emily, inviting her to dance. She accepted with a smile, and although the dance was slow and improvised, the connection between them was deep and genuine.
The moment their eyes met, the outside world seemed to disappear. Matthew gently pulled her closer, and Emily allowed herself to relax in his arms. It was a quiet moment, but full of unspoken meaning, and they both knew that, in that moment, they had created a precious memory.
When the song ended, they pulled away, but the bond between them seemed even stronger. Matthew, smiling, took her hand. "Thank you for tonight, Emily. It was perfect."
She just nodded, still immersed in the wonder of the moment. And, as he prepared to leave, Emily knew that this was just the beginning of something that they both, silently, longed to explore.
After that unforgettable night, Emily and Matthew's lives began to intertwine in a natural and intense way. The connection they had, so evident to both of them, made them seek more time together, each taking small steps to adapt to this new reality.
Matthew, always so focused on his obligations at Lancaster Corp, began to organize his schedule to make room for Emily. Meetings that used to last until late began to be shortened, and he began to avoid social events that he considered unnecessary. During breaks, he would find himself looking at his cell phone, waiting for a message from her, a sign that they could see each other, even if it was only for a few minutes.
Emily, on the other hand, between her responsibilities on the set and the attention that her career demanded, was also finding a way to balance everything. Whenever she had a gap between scenes, she would send Matthew quick messages, updating him on her day or just sending a smile, knowing that it would remind him of her. She began to plan her days off in advance, wishing for more moments like the one they had shared in the apartment.
Despite the hectic routine, they were both happy. One night, after a long and exhausting shoot, Emily finally had the chance to lie down and rest. She was on the verge of falling asleep when her cell phone vibrated, revealing a message from Matthew.
"I'm thinking of you. How was your day?"
She smiled, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. Her answer was short, but it carried the affection that only they could understand: "Tiring, but your thoughts made it all better."
Across town, Matthew smiled too. He knew that no matter how hard the days were and how many commitments he had, there was a special person waiting for him, ready to share both the small and the big moments of life.