Chapter 268: ~ 267
Chapter 267
~Clinton~
I stared at the thick folder on my desk, a slow, massive grin spreading across my face. I grabbed my expensive fountain pen and signed my name on the final line with a dramatic flourish.
Done. It was officially done.
I leaned back in my leather office chair, letting out a loud, triumphant shout into the empty room. This contract was a massive milestone for me. It didn’t just solidify my standing in the business world; it completely skyrocketed my personal income, boosted my financial independence once and for all. I was finally building a solid, unshakeable foundation entirely on my own two feet.
I didn’t waste a single second. I grabbed my phone and immediately dialed Annie’s number, my heart bouncing against my ribs with excitement.
"Hey, handsome!" Annie’s voice came through the speaker, sounding a little breathless and distracted. In the background, I could hear the faint, familiar scratching sound of a paintbrush moving against a canvas.
"Hey, beautiful," I beamed, leaning forward over my desk. "Guess who just closed the biggest contract of his career? Your boyfriend is officially a very successful man, Annie."
"Oh my gosh, Clinton! Really?" I could practically hear the massive smile on her face, followed by the sound of her setting her palette down. "I am so, so proud of you! I knew you could do it!"
"Thank you, sweetheart," I said, but then I let out a loud, exaggerated groan, slumping back into my chair like a dramatic teenager. "But I have a major problem. I want to see you right now and celebrate, but you sound like you’re busyy."
Annie let out a sweet, musical laugh. "I’m so sorry, babe. I’m still stuck in the studio. I am frantically putting the absolute final brushstrokes on my last painting for the gallery exhibition. If I stop now, the texture won’t dry correctly."
"Unbelievable," I whined playfully, pouting my lips even though she couldn’t see me. "I miss my girlfriend so much. I feel like I haven’t held you in ages, Annie. This is cruel and unusual punishment for a man who just won a major victory."
"Stop being a giant puppy," she teased, though her voice was full of absolute affection. "We will have a massive celebration dinner later tonight, okay? Just the two of us. I promise."
"Fine," I sighed dramatically, a warm, fiercely loving feeling washing over my chest just hearing her voice. "I suppose I can wait a few more hours. I love you, Annie. I’m blowing you a kiss right through the phone right now, listen close."
I made a loud, exaggerated kissing sound directly into the receiver, making her burst into a fit of giggles.
"I caught it," she whispered sweetly. "Go finish up your work. I’ll see you tonight."
After hanging up, I spent a few minutes cleaning up my desk. Before leaving the office, I opened my laptop to quickly approve the monthly wire transfers and payroll. My finger paused over one specific file, the payroll for my late mother’s estate.
A lot of people in my circle thought I was completely crazy. They didn’t understand why I refused to sell the house or why I was still paying a full staff of maids, chefs, and gardeners to take care of a completely empty property. But to me, that house was a sacred sanctuary. It was the only place that completely preserved my mother’s beautiful memories, and the rare, fleeting memories of when my father was actually a good, decent man before everything fell apart.
I decided a long time ago that I would keep paying the staff their full salaries. I told Trudy to instruct them that they just needed to keep the dust off the furniture and maintain the gardens, but otherwise, they were completely free to use their time to go to school, take care of their own families, or do whatever else they wanted to do on my dime. It made me feel good knowing I was protecting both my mother’s past and their futures.
With a satisfied nod, I approved the transfers, grabbed my coat, and left the building.
Thirty minutes later, I arrived at Trudy’s new apartment building. She had recently moved out of the old family house and into a cozy, beautiful apartment in a quiet, high-end neighborhood. I rode the elevator up, my hands suddenly starting to feel a little clammy.
I knocked on her door, and within seconds, Trudy opened it. She looked wonderful, wearing a comfortable knitted sweater and a warm, maternal smile that instantly made me feel at home.
"Clinton! What a wonderful surprise," Trudy beamed, stepping aside to let me into the brightly lit apartment.
"Hey, Trudy. I brought your favorite pastries from that bakery downtown," I said, handing her the small white box as I walked in.
"Oh, you always spoil me," she chuckled, leading me into the cozy living room. We sat down on the comfortable sofa, catching up normally for a little while. I told her all about the massive new business contract I had just signed, and she was absolutely ecstatic, patting my arm and telling me how incredibly proud she was of the man I had become.
But as the conversation started to wind down, a sudden, overwhelming wave of nervousness hit me. My stomach did a violent flip. I started to fidget in my seat, rubbing the back of my neck and shifting uncomfortably on the cushions.
Trudy noticed the change in my energy immediately. She set her teacup down on the table and looked at me with soft, perceptive eyes. "Clinton? Sweetheart, what is it? You look like you have something heavy on your mind."
I took a deep, shaky breath, my heart hammering violently against my ribs. I looked at Trudy, my eyes full of raw, vulnerable emotion.
"Actually, Trudy... I have been meaning to ask you something," I started, my voice sounding incredibly nervous and trembling slightly. I swallowed hard, trying to find the courage to say the words. "I... I want to get your permission and your blessing. I want to ask Annie to marry me."
The room went completely still for a split second.
Then, Trudy’s face lit up with absolute, pure ecstasy. Her eyes instantly welled up with thick, happy tears, and she let out a loud gasp of joy. Before I could even blink, she threw her arms entirely around my neck, pulling me into a fierce, desperate, and incredibly emotional hug.
"Oh, Clinton! Yes! You have my blessings.!" Trudy cried happily, squeezing me so tightly I could barely breathe. She pulled back just enough to cup my face in her warm hands, her tears spilling over her cheeks as she looked at me with absolute pride. "Of course I approve! You have no idea how long I have prayed for this day. You are going to be the most wonderful husband, Clinton. You are always a son to me."