Claire
Life couldn't be better.
All my dreams have been realized.
Epica's doing great. It's still my company but because of our expansion, we’re buying the building next door. It's equally as historic and has a lot of charm.
Being with Liam has changed my life in a lot of ways. For one thing, I consider him my mentor in business. Under his guidance, I've managed to grow my company, keep it financially solid, and yet still maintain the artistic flair that sets us apart.
Epica is and will always remain small. I consider my team the best of the best and by keeping things intimate, we can cater to only the best clients and there's an air of exclusivity around our services.
I'm in Liam's penthouse that I've all but moved into. My stuff is everywhere, and he says that he likes it that way.
We try to spend as much time together as possible while running our respective businesses. The difference with Liam now is that he's become a hands-on boss instead of the distant one he was before. He’s more freely expressing his creativity and he's more apt to give his opinions now.
It's an opinion I'm seeking to get at this time. I find Liam is an excellent sounding board for all my ideas. He has a really sharp eye for design and I value his opinion.
I'm working on my laptop, in his king-sized bed, when he comes in with freshly squeezed orange juice.
"Here you go baby, compliments of the chef."
"He's here?"
"Setting up brunch right now. Shall we eat on the terrace?"
I look out the window and see that it's a beautiful day. The snow has subsided, and the sun is shining.
"It's so gorgeous outside. I wish I could work out there."
"Then why don't you?" he comes into bed and kisses my forehead.
"Okay," I say. "But first, I need your opinion. Look at these new drawings I've prepared for Velvet Luxe. Do you think it looks too busy? Be honest."
He looks at my work and I appreciate the time he takes to go over the details.
"Do you really want to know what I think?" he asks.
"Of course."
"I think you're so good that you don't need my advice. I think you should trust yourself and that solid intuition you have."
I smile.
"Really? No advice?"
"Really. Now come with me to eat on the terrace."
I get out of bed wearing the latest Velvet Luxe design, a black slip with strips of lace cut across it.
"Am I dressed okay?" I ask, wondering if the private chef's still there.
"Don't worry, he's gone. You could come out nude and make me very happy."
I hold his hand and we go to the terrace. To my surprise and delight, it's littered with rose petals. A romantic table's set up with tall candles and flowers.
Liam holds out a plush robe for me to slip into that will block out the cold air. The sun is out and that helps too.
"What’s all this?" I ask. Liam is normally sweet, and he sweeps me off my feet with his grand gestures sometimes, but I don’t recall planning for anything special today. It’s too early for anything anyway.
And then, I see him get down on one knee and it becomes apparent what's happening. The moment I've been waiting for since I was a girl is before me.
"Claire," he says holding out a box containing a very large diamond ring. "Will you do me the great honor of never leaving my side, being mine forever, and marrying me?"
"Yes!" I say without hesitation. "A million times yes. I love you, Liam. I think some part of me always has, since the moment we met."
His eyes gleam with happiness and satisfaction. He gets up and places the ring on my finger. Then, instead of brunch, he grabs a bottle of champagne from the table and picks me up in his arms.
"I have to consummate this," he says, and I can sense the hunger in his voice.
Our connection is as deep as ever. It's something between us that no one could ever explain. We both feel it all the time as if we're soul mates or something.
I know it's meant to be. I know he's the one and I guess I've always known since the first moment I laid eyes on him. I guess it’s the undeniable connection I’ve felt with him ever since.
Tears stream down my face, and he smiles softly at me.
"Look at you, vulnerable as ever. You're mine, Claire. Let this ring prove that."
He takes me back to the bedroom and I know I can't escape. I’ll never want to escape this intimate connection that we have which defies all words.
I kiss him, and he throws me down on the bed. I can tell, this is just the beginning of our wild adventure together.