"Will I have to go to bed with one shoe tonight? "
I muttered to myself, crouching down beside our matrimonial bed, phone flashlight in my hand. My fingers brushed across the floor, desperately searching for the shoe that had kicked off my hands hours ago.
I was still grumbling about how I was always the one losing things when my hand suddenly collided with an object. It was shoved at the back,nearly hidden, like someone didn't want me to find it.
I moved my hands and move the object closer to the edge .it was a black velvet box
I blinked, a chill creeping down my spine "what the hell Is this?"
I glanced around expecting Lucas to walk in any moment,but he didn't
With trembling hands, I reached for it, pushing the box out from its hiding spot. The soft click of the lid opening sent a jolt through me.
Inside, two rings glinted back at me. One is bigger than the other. Which is clearly for a man and a woman
My heart slammed in my chest. I didn't know what I was expecting, but it sure wasn't this. I glanced around again, half-hoping this was some weird misunderstanding.
But no. This was real.
"Is Lucas proposing the second time?" I thought to myself. It's not possible for Lucas to propose a second time. We've been married for five years now.
I snapped the box shut before I could even think, trying to calm my breath.
I placed the box back exactly where I found it, and shoved it under the bed. My fingers brushed against the shoe I had been searching for, but I couldn't focus on that now. I walked up back to the bed.
"Still awake?" Lucas's voice made me jump a little. I looked up and saw him standing in the doorway, looking like he just stepped out of a dreamy TikTok edit. His hair was wet and messy, his white t-shirt clinging to his chest in just the right way. Seriously, how was he real?
"Uh, yeah," I said, holding up my shoe like it was the most fascinating thing in the world. "Lost this under the bed. Took me forever to find it."
He smiled, that stupidly perfect smile that made my knees weak. "You and your shoes." He walked over to me, and as soon as he got close, I could smell that clean, soapy scent mixed with his cologne. I had to force myself to breathe normally.
"What would you do without me, huh?" he teased, wrapping his arms around my waist.
I managed a small laugh, keeping my voice as casual as possible. "Probably wander around barefoot, I guess."
"Cute," he said, kissing my forehead before pulling me toward the bed. "Let's sleep. You're too pretty to look this tired."
We went through our usual routine,him pecking my cheek, tucking me in, saying goodnight like we were some perfect couple in a rom-com. But when his breathing evened out and he fell asleep, I just lay there staring at the ceiling, my stomach twisting.
The next morning, I was up way before him. The first thing I did was check under the bed again, praying maybe I had just imagined the whole thing. But no, the box wasn't there anymore. My heart started racing.
I crept out of the room, keeping as quiet as possible. My mind was running a million miles a second. If it wasn't under the bed, where would he put it? The study seemed like the only other place.
I searched everywhere,the desk, the drawers, even the little shelf where he kept all his books. Nothing. Then my eyes landed on his blazer, the one he wore all the time and the one he is probably going to wear to the office today.
It was hanging off the back of his chair.I reached into the pocket, my fingers trembling, and pulled it out. The black velvet box. My chest tightened as I spotted a folded piece of paper tucked next to it.
I knew I shouldn't, but my hands moved on their own. I unfolded the note.
I barely got through the first line before tears blurred my vision. My heart felt like it was breaking into tiny pieces, but I couldn't fall apart. Not now.
I quickly shoved the note and the box back into his blazer pocket, making sure it looked exactly how I had found it and I left the study room and went downstairs immediately.
Lucas came downstairs not long after, already in his usual morning rush. He kissed me goodbye, smiling like everything was perfectly normal, and walked out the door.
The second he was gone, I let out the breath I didn't even realize I was holding. My chest was still tight, but I wasn't going to sit around feeling sorry for myself.
I jumped into the shower, letting the hot water pour over me while I tried to figure out what to do. By the time I got out, I had made up my mind.
I got dressed, grabbed my car keys, and headed out.
I called my best friend Chloe and I explained everything to her ,she told me to calm down and not do anything funny.
In like an hour time Lucas left the house ,I was already at Alfred enterprises. I got out of my car and walked into the building, used the elevator to the tenth floor.
"Mrs Clarke, good morning!" The receptionist's cheery voice followed me as I walked into the building.
I gave her a quick smile. "Morning."
"Looking stunning today, Mrs Clarke!" Tasha, Lucas's secretary, chimed in.
"Thanks, Tasha," I muttered, brushing past her. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it.
I pushed open the office door, and my breath hitched.
To my greatest surprise.
Lucas was there. On one knee. Eleanor standing in front of him, hands to her face like she was living in some fairy-tale moment. I saw the black velvet box in his hand,so he is clearly proposing to Eleanor ,his personal assistant.
I froze. My grip on the door tightened. My throat felt dry, and I couldn't make a sound neither could they .
Then, footsteps behind me. A presence. I turned slightly and saw Maxwell Hart, the CEO Lucas always complained about. He looked at me, then at the scene in front of us. His eyebrows raised, but he didn't say a word.
I didn't think. I couldn't think. My hand shot out, grabbing Maxwell's blazer. He barely had time to blink before I pulled him closer.
And then, I kissed him. What would you have me do at that point. I had to do something
The room went dead silent.
When I pulled back, Maxwell stared at me, stunned. His lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
"What the hell, Ava?" Lucas's voice cut through the quiet.
I turned to face him, my heart racing but my expression calm. "Oh, don't stop, Lucas. This is good. What's next? Vows?"
Eleanor looked at me, her face pale. "Mrs Clarke, it's not…"
"Will you shut up?" I snapped, cutting her off. My eyes locked on Lucas. "Go ahead. Tell me what's happening here, or better yet…don't."
Lucas stood up, his jaw tightening. "This isn't what you think."
I laughed. A sharp, humorless sound. "You're right, Lucas. It's worse."
Maxwell still hadn't said a word. He just stood there, watching me like I was some wild show he couldn't look away from.
" Happy birthday to you stupid" I said as I smoothed my dress, giving him one last glance before walking out the door. Never would I ever break down in front of those fools.