Into the storm

The following morning, I woke up to sunlight streaming through the curtains, painting the room in soft golden hues. My hand, still wearing the ring Lorenzo had slipped onto my finger, rested on the pillow beside me. The diamond sparkled in the light, a tangible reminder of the whirlwind that had become my life.

I stared at it, still half-disbelieving. We were engaged. Me—Lila Summers, the flower shop owner who had spent her life tending to roses and daisies—was engaged to Lorenzo Hayes, the billionaire with a smirk that could freeze water and eyes that could set fire to stone.

I rolled over in bed, my thoughts racing. The night before had been magical, but the stark light of day brought its own questions, ones that had begun to creep in even as Lorenzo and I had left the gala hand-in-hand.

What happens now?

The media frenzy was sure to explode, and I couldn't ignore the small voice in my head that wondered whether I was truly ready for the storm that would follow.

*****

Downstairs, Lorenzo was already awake, sitting at the breakfast table with a mug of coffee in hand. He looked up when I entered, his face lighting up with a smile that chased away some of my lingering doubts.

"Good morning," he said, standing to pull out a chair for me.

"Good morning," I replied, sitting down and wrapping my hands around the mug he handed me.

For a moment, we just sat there in comfortable silence, the quiet broken only by the occasional sound of birds outside.

"You're quiet this morning," he said, studying me. "Are you having second thoughts?"

"No," I said quickly, looking up to meet his gaze. "Not about us. But... everything else?"

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. "The media?"

"The media. The attention. Your world," I admitted. "It's a lot to take in."

He reached across the table, his hand covering mine. "I know it's not easy. And I won't pretend it's going to get simpler overnight. But we'll face it together."

"Together," I echoed, the word feeling both comforting and daunting at the same time.

*****

The first test of our new reality came sooner than I expected.

As I opened my shop later that morning, I was greeted by the familiar sight of reporters camped outside. Cameras clicked as soon as I unlocked the door, the sound grating against my nerves.

"Miss Summers, how does it feel to be engaged to one of the city's most eligible bachelors?"

"Are the rumors true that you've been planning this relationship for months?"

"Lila, do you think you're ready to step into the spotlight as Mrs. Hayes?"

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to ignore the barrage of questions. The door clicked shut behind me, muffling the noise, but I could still feel the weight of their presence.

This is my life now, I realized.

I spent the morning trying to focus on my work, but my thoughts kept drifting to Lorenzo. He had promised we'd face this together, but how could I expect him to understand what it felt like to have every corner of my quiet life turned inside out?

*****

By lunchtime, the tension was too much to bear. I grabbed my phone and called Lorenzo, needing to hear his voice.

"Lila," he answered on the first ring, his tone immediately concerned. "What's wrong?"

"The reporters," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "They're everywhere, Lorenzo. Outside the shop, outside my apartment... I don't know how to deal with this."

"Stay where you are," he said firmly. "I'm coming to you."

*****

True to his word, Lorenzo arrived less than an hour later, his black car pulling up in front of the shop. He stepped out, his presence commanding enough to make the reporters part like the Red Sea.

He entered the shop, his expression softening when he saw me. "Are you okay?"

"I'm trying to be," I admitted, leaning into his embrace.

He pulled back slightly, his hands resting on my shoulders. "I have an idea. Come with me."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see," he said, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

We drove for nearly an hour, the city slowly giving way to rolling hills and open fields. I watched the scenery pass by, my curiosity growing with each mile.

Eventually, Lorenzo pulled onto a gravel driveway that led to a secluded estate. The house was stunning, with ivy-covered walls and a view that stretched for miles.

"What is this place?" I asked as he helped me out of the car.

"It's a property I've been working on restoring," he said, leading me up the steps. "I thought it might be a good place for us to get away when things get overwhelming."

"You did this for us?"

He nodded. "I know how important your shop is to you, and I'd never ask you to leave it. But I also know the city can be... relentless. I wanted you to have a place where you could breathe."

I stared at him, my heart swelling with emotion. "Lorenzo, this is..."

"Too much?" he asked, his expression uncertain.

"No," I said quickly, shaking my head. "It's perfect."

*****

We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the property. The house was a blend of modern elegance and rustic charm, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. Outside, there was a sprawling garden, complete with a gazebo that overlooked a small pond.

As the sun began to set, we sat together on the porch, watching the sky turn shades of pink and orange.

"Do you think we can make this work?" I asked quietly.

"I know we can," he said, his arm wrapping around my shoulders. "As long as we don't let the noise distract us from what's real."

"What's real," I repeated, leaning into him.

He tilted his head to look at me, his expression serious. "Lila, I meant what I said last night. You're it for me. And no matter what happens, I'll never let anything come between us."

I looked up at him, the sincerity in his eyes erasing any lingering doubts. "I believe you."

And in that moment, I knew we were ready to face whatever came next. Together.