Chapter 50

Ron’s eyes linger on me, a mix of surprise and admiration flashing across his face. He’s not used to me jumping into his world like this, offering to help with his work. His fingers brush against mine as he hands me one of the files, and the warmth of his touch sends a shiver down my spine.

“Are you sure?” he asks, still hesitant. “It’s pretty tedious stuff.”

“Positive,” I reply, opening the file. “If it means I get to spend more time with you, it’s worth it.”

He smiles, that soft, genuine smile that I adore. “Alright, then. We’re looking at these contracts. Just skim through them and highlight any clauses that seem too restrictive or unusual. They’re merger agreements, so they need to be airtight.”

I nod, trying to focus as I scan the document in front of me. The legal jargon is dense, but I push through, determined to be of some use. For a few minutes, the room is quiet, save for the sound of paper rustling and pens scratching. Ron’s presence beside me is both comforting and distracting; I catch myself glancing over at him every now and then, admiring the way his brow furrows in concentration.

Time passes quickly, and before I know it, the hour is almost up. I’m deep into the second contract when Ron suddenly checks his watch and sighs.

“I have to get ready for the meeting,” he says reluctantly, setting his pen down.

I look up, feeling a pang of disappointment but trying not to show it. “How long will it take?”

“Probably a couple of hours. It’s with the board, so it could drag on,” he replies, standing up and stretching. His muscles flex under his shirt, and I force myself to look back at the contract, knowing that I’ll just miss him more if I keep staring.

“Do you want to wait here? You can stay in my office until I’m done,” he offers, his tone hopeful.

I hesitate. The thought of being alone in his office, surrounded by his things, is tempting. But I also know I’ll be restless, counting down the minutes until he’s back.

“I don’t know…” I start, but Ron interrupts me with a quick kiss on the forehead.

“You’ll be fine. I’ll be back before you know it.” His voice is reassuring, and I find myself nodding in agreement.

“Okay. I’ll wait here,” I decide, and his smile broadens, lighting up his face.

“Good. If you need anything, just ask Maria. She’s got everything covered,” he says, already moving towards the door. But before he leaves, he pauses and turns back to me. “Amanda… thank you. For being here. It means a lot.”

His words warm me from the inside out, and I can only manage a smile and a soft, “Of course.”

With one last lingering glance, Ron leaves the office, the door clicking shut behind him. The silence that follows is heavy, and I suddenly feel the absence of his presence acutely.

I glance down at the file in front of me, but the words blur together. My thoughts drift back to our earlier encounter—his hands on my waist, his lips on mine, the way he made me feel like I was the only thing in the world that mattered. A sigh escapes my lips as I lean back in his chair, trying to shake off the longing that’s settled in my chest.

I stand up and start to wander around his office, trying to get a sense of the man I thought I knew everything about. The room is spacious and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a breathtaking view of the city. His desk is sleek and organized, the epitome of professionalism, but there are small touches that reveal his personal side—a framed photo of us from our last vacation, a book on leadership that I know he’s been meaning to read, and a small crystal paperweight that looks oddly out of place.

I pick up the paperweight, turning it over in my hands. It’s beautiful, yet simple—a clear prism that catches the light and throws tiny rainbows onto the walls. I smile, imagining Ron sitting at his desk, fiddling with this while deep in thought.

My curiosity leads me to a bookshelf filled with neatly arranged binders and books. One shelf, however, is dedicated to personal mementos—pictures of his family, a small model of a classic car that I know he loves, and a few awards from his work. But what catches my eye is a small, nondescript box tucked away in the corner.

I hesitate for a moment, feeling a bit like I’m invading his privacy, but my curiosity gets the better of me. I carefully pull the box off the shelf and set it on the desk. It’s plain and unmarked, with a simple latch keeping it closed.

My fingers hover over the latch, and I take a deep breath before opening it. Inside, I find a collection of small items—an old wristwatch, a few concert tickets, a keychain from a road trip we took together, and… a note.

I unfold the note, my heart pounding as I read the familiar handwriting.

*Amanda,*

*You are the love of my life, and I can’t imagine my world without you in it. This box holds memories of us, of the moments we’ve shared and the ones I cherish most. I hope that one day, we can fill it with even more memories—ones that will last a lifetime.*

*With all my heart,*

*Ron.*

Tears well up in my eyes as I carefully fold the note back and place it in the box. My chest tightens with a mix of emotions—love, longing, and a deep appreciation for the man who has given me so much.

I close the box and return it to its place on the shelf, my mind racing. I hadn’t expected to find something so intimate, so filled with love, hidden away in his office. It makes me realize just how deeply he feels for me, even if he doesn’t always say it out loud.

The door opens, and Maria steps inside, interrupting my thoughts.

“Mr. Stallion asked me to bring you something to drink while you wait,” she says with a bright smile, holding out a cup of coffee.

“Thank you, Maria,” I reply, accepting the cup with a grateful smile.

As she leaves, I take a sip of the coffee and glance out the window, my thoughts still lingering on the note. Ron may be in a meeting, but he’s here with me in so many other ways.

And as I sit back in his chair, the weight of his love surrounding me, I know that waiting for him—no matter how long it takes—will always be worth it.