Chapter 114 - Back to Home.

Baldwin's Mansion

As the month-long trip wrapped up, life went back to normal back home in the States, but Savannah felt everything was a bit different. The warm, romantic feelings she shared with Blaze during their travels stayed with her, making even the everyday stuff seem special.

Still, she was eager to get back to work at the hospital, taking care of patients and catching up with her colleagues—especially her good friend Bella, who would surely have tons of questions.

Sitting in the hospital cafeteria, Savannah enjoyed a steaming cup of coffee. Her mind drifted to Blaze, who was back at his corporate office, handling all the complex tasks of being a chairman with his usual sharpness.

Even though they were both swamped, they managed to send texts to each other throughout the day, a small sign of their strong bond. She gave a little smile thinking about him, and her engagement ring caught the light as she fiddled with her coffee cup.

Across from her, Bella was anything but calm. The nurse sat wide-eyed, her jaw practically hitting the table. She pointed animatedly at Savannah's hand, her voice full of shock and disbelief.

"When? How? What's going on?" Bella blurted out, her words coming out so fast they nearly ran together. "You vanish for a whole month, then pop back looking like you've won the lottery, and now you're engaged? Engaged? Savannah! Who is he?"

Savannah chuckled softly, taking a sip of coffee to buy some time. "It just... happened." she said with a slight smile, her cheeks turning red as she remembered Blaze popping the question.

"It just happened'? That's all you've got?" Bella groaned, throwing her hands up. "Come on, Sav. Give me the scoop! Who is he? Where did it happen? I need answers!"

Savannah paused, not sure how much to share. She leaned back in her chair, absently pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Someone." she said with a playful smile, but firm too. "That's all you're getting for now."

"Someone?" Bella repeated, aghast. "Savannah, I'm your closest friend! How can you leave me hanging like this? Mystery fiancé? Mysterious proposal? What's next? A secret honeymoon?"

Savannah chuckled, standing up with her coffee. "It's not a mystery, Bella." she said softly, slipping her bag over her shoulder. "It's privacy, sweetie."

Bella's face dropped, her pout getting bigger as she crossed her arms in fake annoyance. "Privacy, huh? You're killing me here, Sav."

Savannah glanced at her friend's crestfallen expression and felt a pang of guilt. Wrapping an arm around Bella's shoulder, she gave her a reassuring squeeze. "Alright, how about this? Tonight's my treat. Dinner, your pick. Deal?"

Bella's face immediately brightened up, her big disappointment disappearing. "You better not back out!" she warned, waving a finger. "I'll get every juicy detail out of you, one way or another."

Savannah grinned. "I'll be there. I promise."

With that, they headed back to the hospital. Savannah felt lighter than before. She couldn't help but feel grateful for Bella's contagious energy and her constant support.

As they walked down the hallways, Savannah's mind drifted to the dinner ahead. She knew Bella wouldn't let her off without sharing some details about her whirlwind engagement. Maybe, just maybe, Savannah was finally ready to talk more about the love story that had changed her life forever.

The rest of the day at the hospital flew by with patient check-ups, updating charts, and brief chats with coworkers. But Savannah's mind kept wandering to her dinner with Bella later. She knew Bella wouldn't let it go; she'd want all the details. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to share a bit more of what's been going on. After all, Bella has always been there for her through thick and thin.

When Savannah finished her shift, she was tired but happy. She changed into a simple yet nice outfit: a soft beige sweater with high-waisted jeans and ankle boots. She put on a delicate gold necklace—Blaze had given it to her during their trip—and let her hair fall in loose waves. Grabbing her coat, she headed to the small Italian bistro Bella picked out for their dinner.

When Savannah got there, Bella was already at a cozy corner table, waving her over excitedly. The restaurant had a warm, inviting feel with soft lights, gentle music, and the smell of fresh bread in the air.

"Finally!" Bella said as Savannah came up. "I thought you'd bailed on me!"

Savannah laughed as she slid into her seat. "As if I'd miss this. You'd hunt me down."

"You're right, I would." Bella said with a mischievous grin. "Now, let's order quickly so you can spill the tea."

The two looked at the menu and placed their orders-lasagna for Bella and a creamy risotto for Savannah, accompanied by a bottle of sparkling rosé. Once the waiter left, Bella leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Alright, spill. Who is this 'someone'? Don't make me guess, because I will."

Savannah took a deep breath, swirling her glass of rosé before speaking. "He is the man that showed me what true love looks like." she began, her voice soft but steady. "We've been seeing each other for a while now, but we kept things private. He's... everything, Bella. Kind, thoughtful, supportive-and incredibly romantic."

Bella's jaw dropped, and she grabbed Savannah's hand over the table. "Did you say yes to him? Like, forever-yes?"

Savannah smiled and touched the ring that sparkled under the lights. "Yeah, forever-yes."

Bella let out a loud squeal that made some people nearby chuckle. "This is nuts! What does he do? Where did he propose? Oh my gosh, how did he propose?"

Savannah laughed at Bella's excitement and decided to tell her all about it. She described the magical night in Paris, how Blaze had planned the whole thing, and how overwhelmed she felt when he got down on one knee. Bella listened closely, her face changing from amazement to pure joy.

"Savannah, that's like something out of a movie!" Bella said, practically bouncing in her seat. "And he's, what, a millionaire CEO or something?"

Savannah laughed. "Something like that. But honestly, Bella, the money doesn't matter to me. It's him—his heart, his dedication, the way he looks at me like I'm his whole world. That's what I love."

Bella sighed dreamily. "Okay, you win. He sounds perfect. But I have one condition—you better let me be involved in all the wedding planning. I'm talking dress shopping, cake tasting, everything."

"Of course." Savannah said with a wider smile. "I wouldn't want it any other way."

Their food arrived, and they chatted about lighter stuff while eating, but Bella stayed excited. Savannah felt grateful for her friend's enthusiasm—it reminded her how lucky she was to have Bella by her side.

As the evening wrapped up, Savannah's phone buzzed with a message from Blaze:

-"Miss you already. Hope you're not having any trouble at the hospital. Call me when you get off work? I love you"-

Her heart did a little flip, and she quickly shot back:

-"Miss you too. See you later. I love you."-

Bella noticed the smile on her friend's face and teased, "Let me guess your Prince Charming?"

"Something like that." Savannah replied with a playful grin.

As they walked out of the restaurant, Savannah felt really happy. Life was changing in surprising ways, but she was ready to take it on. With Blaze beside her and Bella cheering for her, she knew she had all the love and support she needed.

Few days later

Herbert Medical and Technology

Blaze, dressed in a sharp, tailored navy-blue suit with a crisp white shirt and a burgundy tie, strode through the sleek, futuristic lobby of the company he helmed. His polished black oxford shoes clicked against the marble floor, exuding authority and focus. His secretary, Arthur, a poised man in his late forties with glasses perched on his nose and a leather-bound notebook in hand, walked beside him.

"Boss." Arthur said as they got to the private elevator, "the investors are waiting in the conference room. They've looked over the first details of our new project and they're excited to talk about investing."

Blaze nodded, his face giving nothing away. Even though he kept a straight face, his mind wandered to Savannah. He had been hesitant about leaving her alone for the day, especially since it was a weekend, but she had told him to go.

"Aze," she said that morning, her voice gentle but strong, "you've worked really hard for this company. It's okay to focus on it sometimes. I'll be here when you get back. Promise."

Her support gave him the push he needed to head out the door.

As the elevator doors closed, Blaze fixed his cuffs, feeling determined. By the time he stepped into the conference room, he was all business—calm, cool, and collected.

Baldwin's Mansion

Meanwhile, Savannah was enveloped in a world of her own. The patio, her sanctuary, was alive with colors and fragrances from the flowers and plants she had carefully curated. The soft rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird provided a soothing soundtrack to her creative endeavor.

Dressed in a flowing white sundress adorned with delicate floral prints, her hair cascading in straight locks down her back, Savannah looked effortlessly elegant. Despite her neat appearance, her hands were smudged with paint as she concentrated on the canvas before her. She tilted her head, assessing the strokes she had just made, and let out a soft sigh of frustration before carefully adding another layer.

From a distance, Elijah observed her with a fond smile. The usually composed man found it amusing to see her so animated, her expressions changing with every detail she painted with her hands. Her focus was absolute onto the canvas in front, yet her energy was light and carefree-a stark contrast to the rigid environment he was used to.

"You know," Savannah said suddenly without looking up, "You don't have to stand there like a statue. Come take a closer look."

Elijah's smile wavered for a second, surprised by her sharp observation, but he moved closer and stepped onto the patio. "You got me." he said, standing next to her.

Savannah leaned back, giving him room to check out her work. "What do you think?" she asked, her voice both hopeful and playful.

Elijah examined the painting—a bright scene of the mansion's garden, full of tiny details and vivid colors. "It's beautiful." he said honestly.

Savannah squinted at him playfully. "Be honest."

Elijah chuckled. "I am. It's genuinely beautiful, Savannah."

She smiled, happy with his answer, and went back to her canvas, fiddling with some brushes next to her. As she moved, something shiny caught Elijah's eye. He looked over and saw the diamond ring sparkling on her finger.

"Sit!" Savannah said, patting the spot next to her. Elijah sat down, his eyes fixed on the ring.

"It's beautiful," he said softly.

Thinking he was talking about her painting, Savannah replied, "I know, I worked hard—"

"The ring." Elijah clarified, cutting her off. His voice was warm, full of admiration and curiosity.

Savannah followed his gaze to her hand and realized what he meant. "Oh, this?" She held up her left hand so the sunlight could catch the diamond. "I forgot to show you. Sorry!" she said with a laugh.

Elijah examined the ring, a perfect piece of jewelry, then looked back at Savannah's glowing face.

"Beautiful." he repeated, his voice sincere. "It suits you."

"Doesn't it?" Savannah said, her voice laced with excitement. "I still can't believe it. That day... it took me completely by surprise."

Her eyes softened as she stared at the ring, remembering the moment Blaze proposed. The love in his eyes, the nerves beneath his calm—everything came flooding back.

Elijah watched her with a gentle smile, seeing how happy she seemed. "You're happy, right?" he asked, his voice soft but strong.

Savannah looked up at him, her face beaming. "Really happy." she said firmly.

Elijah reached out, his hand resting lightly on the top of her head. It was a simple gesture, but it carried a world of meaning. "I hope you're always this happy, Savannah." he said sincerely.

She smiled at him, the kind of smile that lit up the entire patio. "Thank you, Eli." she said softly.

For a moment, they just sat in comfortable silence, the air filled with the smell of flowers and the soft hum of the garden. It was a rare, peaceful moment—one that felt like new beginnings and showed the quiet strength of friendships formed in unexpected places.

Author's Note :

Happy reading<3

More updates coming;)

Have a good day/night <3<3