The silence in the lavish drawing room of the Palanca estate was thick with tension.
Soraya stood by the tall French windows, her arms folded, eyes blazing with fury. Across from her sat her mother, elegant in a tailored navy suit, her cold eyes as sharp as steel. Not a hair was out of place, her red lips pursed in quiet authority.
"You agreed to this behind my back?" Soraya's voice cracked through the air, sharp and tremulous. "You made arrangements with the Osmans without even talking to me first?"
Mrs Palanca sighed and set down her porcelain teacup with precision. "We had to, Soraya. The Palanca name doesn't hold the same weight it once did. Your father's business ventures have failed, and the board is restless. This marriage is our only chance to recover."
Soraya stepped forward, her heels clicking furiously against the marble floor. "So I'm just a pawn now? A bargaining chip to secure your place in the business world?"
Mrs Palanca met her daughter's glare without flinching. "You always were a smart girl. Don't act surprised."
Soraya felt her stomach twist with disbelief. "You raised me to be powerful, to be proud and now you want me to kneel before a man I despise?"
Her mother's expression turned icy. "Watch your tone, Soraya. Ivan Osman is the heir to a business empire that could swallow ours whole. He's influential, ambitious, and he's shown interest in you. You will marry him."
"I'd rather rot."
Mrs Palanca rose from the settee, her frame imposing. "Don't you dare throw this opportunity away because of childish emotions. This is not about love. It's survival."
"Maybe that's what you settled for," Soraya snapped. "But I'm not you."
"YOU..."
There was a knock at the door.
Before Mrs Palanca could retort further, a maid stepped in timidly, eyes darting between mother and daughter.
"Miss Soraya… You have a visitor. Mr. Ivan Osman is here to see you."
Soraya stiffened, her jaw clenching. "Of course he is," she muttered.
Mrs Palanca's entire demeanor shifted. She straightened her skirt and patted her hair with a smile more polished than genuine. "Perfect timing. Now wipe that glare off your face and behave."
Moments later, Ivan Osman entered the room. Tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a dark tailored suit, he exuded the quiet arrogance of a man born into wealth and used to getting his way. In his hand was a bouquet of white roses tied with a golden ribbon.
"Mrs Palanca," he said with a charming smile. "Always a pleasure."
"Oh, Ivan," her mother cooed. "So lovely of you to stop by. My, how handsome you look."
Ivan chuckled smoothly, his eyes barely sparing a glance at Soraya, who looked at him as though he were something unpleasant stuck to her shoe. "I wanted to see how my bride-to-be was doing."
"Of course," Mrs Palancs said sweetly. "I'll leave you two alone. Spend some time… get to know each other." She gave her daughter a warning glance before disappearing from the room.
Soraya immediately turned on her heel and strode out toward the garden. Ivan followed without waiting for permission.
He found her standing by the fountain, arms crossed, her silhouette regal even in anger. The scent of jasmine drifted in the breeze, but it did nothing to calm the storm between them.
"You're not even going to say hello?" he asked, stepping beside her with an amused smirk.
Soraya gave him a look of disdain. "Why bother? You're not welcome here."
Ivan's expression hardened just slightly. "That's no way to speak to your future husband."
She scoffed, turning to face him fully. "You will never be my husband. Not now. Not ever."
He held out the bouquet. "These are for you."
She took them and then without hesitation, threw them to the ground and crushed them beneath her heel, her eyes never leaving his.
Ivan's smile faltered. "That was unnecessary."
"You're unnecessary," Soraya hissed. "I don't want your flowers. I don't want your name. I don't want you. You're arrogant, entitled, and delusional if you think I'd ever bend to a man like you."
"I'm offering you power, status, everything a woman like you should want."
"I want respect. I want choice. And the last thing I want is to end up tied to a man who thinks I'm something to possess."
Ivan's jaw ticked. His fingers curled into a fist. No one had ever spoken to him like this especially not a woman. "Careful, Soraya. Pride can be dangerous."
She stepped closer, unafraid. "So can forcing your will on someone who has none of it for you."
He said nothing as she turned and walked away, her posture fierce, her back straight. He watched her go, his eyes darkening with humiliation and fury.
No woman had ever dared to reject him.
No one.
As her figure disappeared behind the hedge, Ivan's mouth twisted into a cruel smile. "Fine," he whispered. "You want war? You'll get it. But by the time I'm done, you'll be begging to take my name."
He turned and walked back toward the mansion, white rose petals crushed underfoot.
It was in the evening when Harry arrived from his trip back to the lake house. The first place he entered was Ana's room.
His footsteps slowed as he approached her. The tension in his shoulders melted as his eyes drank in her peaceful expression. He smiled as he gently caressed her cheeks., leaning down he kissed her affectionately. Ana was jolted awake by the feeling of something soft touching her mouth. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Harry...You're back". Harry nodded. They hugged.
Slowly, He gathered her into his arms without hesitation. Being in his embrace always made her feel warm and safe.
"Did you miss me?" he murmured into her ear.
She shyly nodded.
With a mischievous smirk, he gently bit her earlobe, drawing a soft gasp from her lips. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she instinctively hugged him tighter. Amused, Harry chuckled.
He brushed his lips against her pouted mouth, whispering, "Come with me."
Taking her hand, he led her quietly out of the room and down to his car.
"Where are we going?" she asked curiously as he started the engine.
"I want to show you something special. Trust me, you'll love it."
They drove under the blanket of night until they reached a secluded private airfield. Ana's eyes widened in awe as she spotted a sleek helicopter waiting for them, its polished surface gleaming under the floodlights.
Bold letters across its body read: FAIRCHILD.
"You... own a helicopter?" she asked, dumbfounded.
Harry laughed. "It's the family's. I want to show you how amazing the city looks at night."
To Ana's even greater surprise, Harry got into the pilot's seat.
"You know how to fly this thing?" she asked nervously.
"I do," he said, flashing a reassuring smile. "Do you trust me?"
She looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. "With my life."
The helicopter lifted into the night sky. As they soared above the city, Ana was spellbound. The city lights sparkled like stars, and the streets below glowed like golden veins.
"It's so beautiful," she said breathlessly, pressing her face to the window like an excited child. "I've never seen anything like this."
Harry watched her with a smile, his heart full.
They landed atop a skyscraper where a candlelit dinner awaited them. A trio of violinists played a soft, romantic tune. The setting was enchanting.
Ana's eyes never left Harry's as they danced slowly, wrapped in each other's arms.
"This feels like a dream," she whispered. "Harry, if this is a dream... please don't wake me up."
"You're not dreaming," he said. "Do you know how long I've waited to be with you like this?"
From his coat pocket, Harry pulled out a velvet box. Inside was a breathtaking teardrop-shaped pink diamond necklace, shimmering under the lights.
Ana's mouth fell open. "It's... so pretty."
"Do you like it?"
She nodded, still stunned.
"This belonged to my mother. It's a Fairchild family heirloom, traditionally passed down to the family's daughter-in-law. My mother would've given it to you someday, but since she's not here... I want to do it myself."
Ana's eyes widened with disbelief.
He stepped behind her and fastened the necklace around her neck. The gem rested just above her heart.
"This," Harry said softly, "is a token of my heart. Ana... do you accept it?"
Tears welled up in her eyes. She turned to face him. "Yes... I accept."
That night, their love was once again sealed beneath the stars in an intimate embrace.