Chapter 80 - Emily

**EMILY**

Emily began her day as usual with a strong cup of coffee and the soft clicking of her keyboard as the offices of Fitzpatrick Designs slowly came to life.
Vivien entered the office with a cheery “Good morning!” and a box of fresh donuts. “I thought we could all use a little pick-me-up today,” she announced beaming, placing the box on Emily’s desk.
Emily smiled gratefully. “You really know how to make my morning.”
“And how I do!” Vivien laughed and winked at her before sitting down at her own desk and bending over the first piles of files of the day.
A little later, Ms. Harper entered the office, as always, wearing her immaculately tailored blazer and a look that brooked no excuses. “Good morning, ladies. I hope you are ready for a productive day.” She was coming out of a brief meeting with the CFO and seemed almost cheerful. The meeting must have gone very well.
Nicole, the intern, was already at her desk, eagerly typing numbers into an Excel spreadsheet. Her nervousness was palpable, and Emily couldn’t help but smile as she saw Nicole look up at Ms. Harper in embarrassment. “Nicole, don’t forget to check the amounts in column D. There were some inaccuracies last week,” Ms. Harper reminded her in a friendly but firm manner.
“Of course, Ms. Harper. It won’t happen again,” Nicole promised hastily and turned back to her work, obviously trying not to make any mistakes.
Vivien leaned over to Emily and whispered, “Poor Nicole. She just takes every mistake too much to heart.”
Emily shrugged. “Well, in accounting, you don’t want mistakes that could lead to unpleasant consequences,” she whispered back.
The morning hours passed in a rhythmic alternation of reviewing invoices, confirming payments, and preparing reports. Emily was in her element. She was very good at her job, and it gave her a certain satisfaction when the numbers matched perfectly at the end of the day.
Around noon, Ms. Harper arrived at Emily’s desk with a stack of new files. “Emily, could you get these transfers ready today? We need to make sure the vendors get paid on time.”
Emily nodded. “Of course, Ms. Harper. I’ll get right on it.”
Nicole lifted her head and looked at Emily questioningly. “Do you need any help? I’ve almost finished my task.”
Emily smiled encouragingly at the young woman. “Thank you, Nicole. Perhaps you could help me enter the data into the accounting system once I have checked the amounts.”
Nicole beamed and got to work. Emily glanced at Vivien, who was watching them, and said with a wink, “Well, you’ve got yourself a little assistant.”
“Maybe it will help us all get out of work quicker,” Emily replied kindly.
The afternoon flew by, and before she knew it, the sun was already low in the sky. Emily put down her pen and stretched as the office door opened. Alexander Fitzpatrick entered, elegantly dressed and with a charming smile on his lips.
The entire office fell silent for a moment. Ms. Harper, usually unflappable, straightened and took a step back. “Mr. Fitzpatrick,” she said, surprised but respectful. “What an honor to see you here.”
Alexander nodded politely, but his eyes immediately fell on Emily, who looked at him in astonishment. “I hope I’m not disturbing you,” he said calmly. “But I came to pick up Emily.”
Vivien made a soft sound of surprise and looked at Emily with her eyes wide open. “Wow,” she murmured, raising her eyebrows. “You’re being picked up by our boss in person? That’s a change.”
Emily blushed and stood up, quickly gathering her things. “Uh, yeah... I’m done for today,” she stammered, glancing at Ms. Harper, who just nodded knowingly.
“Good work today, Emily. See you tomorrow,” Ms. Harper said kindly.
Emily’s heart pounded as she followed Alexander out of the office. It was only the second time he had shown up at Accounting. The last time he had come to take her away and introduce her to his world of pain. What did he have planned for tonight?
The black limousine was already waiting in front of the building and Alexander held the door open for her. She got in and sank into the soft leather seats while he sat next to her. The chauffeur started the engine and the city slid past the windows as the sun disappeared behind the skyscrapers.
“I hope I didn’t embarrass you too much,” Alexander explained, taking her hand to bring it to his lips.
“Maybe a little. But I think Vivien and Nicole found it quite exciting.” She took a deep breath as he nibbled at her fingertips. A tingling sensation spread through her and she realized she was wet and ready for him again - whatever he had planned.
“Then it was worth it to pick you up in person. I wanted to end the day with you. Just the two of us tonight, no strings attached.”
Emily felt a warm wave of affection run through her body. “That sounds perfect,” she whispered.
She closed her eyes and leaned against him as the limousine sped through the streets of Los Angeles on its way to his luxurious penthouse apartment. Although she spent every night with him, she had not yet given up her own apartment. She had no way of knowing how long he would continue to enjoy her. In the meantime she had found out that his best friend Dominik changed his slaves regularly. It was obvious that she would be replaced as soon as he got tired of her. 
Alexander kissed her deeply as they rode the elevator up to his apartment, and Emily moaned sensually into his mouth. He turned her on, and she longed for his firm yet loving hand. But she also knew he never played here. They only met for sessions at his country house, and by now he had acquired quite a few toys. He had even moved his bed so he could chain her to it.
“Oh, Alex,” she breathed, moaning as he pinched her nipples, “can’t we make an exception and have a little spanking session here?”
“No, my love, but if you can’t stand it, I’ll take you to Club Dom Nights later.”
“Dom Nights?” She looked at him wide-eyed. He had never taken her there before because it was an elite and extremely notorious, illustrious society that enjoyed themselves there.
“Yes, Dom Nights, my dear.” He smiled. “But now come.” He gave her another kiss on the mouth, and at the perfect moment, the elevator doors opened. They entered his luxurious apartment and Alexander led her out onto the spacious terrace.
“How romantic,” Emily sighed as she saw the fairy lights sparkling like little stars. Soft music played in the background, and a table was set with small appetizers and a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket. Alexander held her hand and gently led her to the table, turning her so that she had a view of the city.
“Emily,” he began, his voice deeper and softer than usual. “You know what I love about this city?”
She shook her head slightly and smiled uncomfortably. “That you can control it like everything else?” She was confused. She already knew that he liked to surprise her, but this string of lights, the champagne... What was he up to?
He laughed softly and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “No, it’s more than that. I love L.A. because it led me to you.”
Emily felt her heart quicken. His words, simple as they were, touched her deeply. She looked up at him, and in his beautiful brown eyes she saw a tenderness she wasn’t used to - an openness he usually hid so carefully.
“I had planned everything to be perfect,” he continued. “A big gala, an orchestra, a dress even more stunning than the last. But when I looked at you tonight, I knew I didn’t need a show. Just you. Right here. Now.”
He let go of her hand, but only to kneel before her. In that moment, Alexander Fitzpatrick, the powerful billionaire, was nothing more than a man risking everything. He took a small, plain box from his pocket and opened it. Inside was a ring that sparkled like the city lights behind them.
“Emily Saron,” he said, his voice trembling with excitement and genuine, deep love. “I have achieved many things in my life, but you are the one thing I never dared to dream of. You are my balance, my heartbeat. Will you be my wife?”
For a moment, time stood still. Emily felt tears of joy well up in her eyes and had to bite her lip to keep from sobbing loudly.
“Yes,” she finally whispered, laughing as she saw the relief on his face. “Yes, Alexander Fitzpatrick, I will marry you.”
He stood and took her in his arms and kissed her - a kiss that said all the words they no longer needed to speak. It was a promise stronger than any contract, any agreement they had ever signed. It was the promise of a life together full of love, arguments, reconciliation, passion, and everything in between.
As he placed the ring on her finger and held her hands, they looked into each other’s eyes, lost in love. “And in a moment, my darling,” he breathed into her ear, “we will celebrate our engagement with a wonderful session at Dom Nights.”
Alexander pulled her close, and in that moment Emily knew she had arrived - not in a life of luxury and glamor, but at his side. Exactly where she belonged.

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THE END
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