Friday Evening...
For the first time in his life...
Aaron Steel wasn't thinking about business.
He wasn't thinking about board meetings.
Or billion-dollar contracts.
He was standing in front of his wardrobe wondering why choosing a suit suddenly felt like the hardest decision he'd ever made.
He picked up a navy-blue jacket.
Then put it back.
A charcoal-gray one.
Then another.
A knock came at his bedroom door.
"Come in."
Edward Steel walked inside.
One look at his grandson was enough to make him smile.
"You've changed clothes three times."
Aaron looked down at himself.
"Have I?"
Edward chuckled.
"I remember the day you signed your first international contract."
"You didn't look half this nervous."
Aaron sighed before smiling helplessly.
"I don't know what's wrong with me."
Edward placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Nothing is wrong."
"You're simply in love."
Aaron laughed quietly.
"I never imagined love could make a man this nervous."
Edward smiled warmly.
"It doesn't make you weak."
"It reminds you that your heart is still alive."
...
Across Rosewood...
Celina stood in front of the small mirror inside her bedroom.
Three dresses lay neatly on the bed.
She had changed so many times that even she had lost count.
Her father leaned against the doorway, smiling.
"If you change one more time..."
"I might have to tell the poor fellow to come back tomorrow."
Celina laughed shyly.
"I'm just nervous."
"Why?"
"What if I don't look nice enough?"
Her father walked over and gently held her shoulders.
"My daughter..."
"You don't need expensive clothes to be beautiful."
"You've always been beautiful."
Her eyes softened.
"Thank you, Dad."
Just then...
The doorbell rang.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She opened the door.
Aaron stood outside.
In one hand was a bouquet of fresh white lilies.
In the other...
A small box wrapped in blue ribbon.
For several seconds...
Neither of them spoke.
Aaron simply stared.
She looked breathtaking.
Not because of expensive jewelry.
Not because of makeup.
But because her smile made everything around her seem brighter.
Celina smiled nervously.
"Hi..."
Aaron almost forgot to answer.
"Hi..."
She laughed softly.
"You're staring."
"I know."
"I can't seem to stop."
Her cheeks turned pink.
He suddenly realized he was still standing outside.
"I'm sorry..."
"I meant to give you these."
He handed her the bouquet.
She brought the flowers close and breathed in their gentle fragrance.
"They're beautiful."
Aaron smiled.
"When I saw them..."
"They reminded me of someone."
She looked up curiously.
"Who?"
He met her eyes.
"You."
Celina blinked.
"Me?"
He nodded.
"Not because they're rare."
"Not because they're perfect."
"But because they make everywhere they bloom feel warmer."
For a moment...
She forgot how to breathe.
No one had ever spoken to her that way.
Behind her...
Her father smiled quietly before clearing his throat.
"I think your date is waiting."
Both of them laughed.
Aaron looked at him respectfully.
"Mr. Bakers..."
"I promise I'll have her home safely."
Her father smiled.
"I trust you."
Then, lowering his voice, he added,
"But if my daughter comes home with tears in her eyes..."
Aaron's smile disappeared.
"Then they'll only be tears of happiness."
Her father nodded.
"I believe you."
...
Instead of driving into the busy city...
Aaron headed toward the countryside outside Rosewood.
The road became quieter.
The buildings disappeared.
Soon...
A beautiful lake came into view.
Hundreds of tiny lights hung from the trees surrounding the shore.
Soft music floated through the evening air.
In the middle of a wooden deck...
A table had been prepared for two.
Candles flickered gently.
The lake reflected the golden lights like thousands of tiny stars.
Celina stood speechless.
"You planned all this?"
Aaron rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly looking almost embarrassed.
"I wasn't sure what kind of place you'd like."
"So..."
"I asked myself where I'd want to spend an evening if I could forget I was Aaron Steel."
"And this was my answer."
She looked at him with eyes full of emotion.
"I love it."
Relief spread across his face.
"I'm glad."
"Because I was terrified you'd hate it."
She laughed.
"You?"
"Terrified?"
He smiled.
"You have no idea."
...
Dinner was simple.
Not luxurious.
Just warm food.
Good conversation.
And laughter that seemed to come more easily with every passing minute.
For the first time...
Aaron wasn't the famous billionaire.
Celina wasn't the hospital cleaner.
They were simply...
Aaron.
And Celina.
When dinner ended...
They walked slowly along the edge of the lake.
The moon reflected across the calm water.
A cool breeze carried the scent of flowers.
Neither wanted the evening to end.
Aaron suddenly stopped walking.
"So..."
She looked at him.
"So?"
"I've been trying to tell you something all night."
She smiled.
"I've been waiting to hear it."
He took one slow step closer.
"So many people know my name..."
"But almost no one knows me."
"You do."
"You never cared about my money."
"You never cared about my position."
"You only cared whether I'd eaten..."
Or whether I'd smiled."
His voice became softer.
"And somewhere along the way..."
"I stopped looking forward to tomorrow..."
"I started looking forward to seeing you."
A tear escaped down Celina's cheek.
She laughed softly.
"I promised myself I wouldn't cry tonight."
Aaron gently wiped away the tear with his thumb.
"Then don't."
"Smile for me instead."
She did.
It was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.
Without thinking...
He reached for her hand.
She intertwined her fingers with his.
Their hands fit together perfectly.
As though they'd always belonged that way.
Aaron looked into her eyes.
"May I tell you one more thing?"
She nodded.
"I'm falling in love with you, Celina."
Her eyes filled with tears again.
"So am I..."
She whispered.
The words were barely audible.
But they were enough.
Aaron slowly lifted his hand and gently cupped her cheek.
He gave her every chance to step away.
She didn't.
Instead...
She moved closer.
Their foreheads touched.
Their noses brushed.
They smiled at the same time.
Then...
Very gently...
Aaron kissed her.
Softly.
Tenderly.
Not with urgency...
But with the quiet promise that this was only the beginning.
When they finally pulled apart...
Celina rested her forehead against his chest.
"I don't ever want to forget tonight."
Aaron wrapped his arms around her.
"You won't."
"Because neither will I."
Hidden behind the trees...
A camera shutter clicked.
Click.
Victor lowered the camera.
His expression wasn't triumphant.
It was troubled.
On the screen...
Aaron and Celina looked happier than ever.
His phone vibrated.
A single message appeared.
"Bring the girl to us."
Victor's hand tightened around the phone.
His eyes remained fixed on the couple.
For the first time...
He whispered words he never thought he would.
"...Forgive me."