Sky Chandler, a powerful CEO, first captured Jules Parker's heart in high school with kindness and charisma. Jules idolizes Sky, but when their paths cross again years later in the unforgiving corporate world, the hero of Jules' past becomes a guard...
Mon, don't be mad at me for leaving you all alone, okay?" Dianne soothes, handing Jules a drink with a warm smile. Just then, Tee and Kade join the circle.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"I'm so happy for Jim. She finally found her man," Tee begins with a grin.
"Right? Living the life she does yet ending up married that's the plot twist of the century," Kade adds, smirking.
Dianne nudges Kade playfully. "So, when are you getting married, Kade?"
"Ha! Marriage? I don't even have a man," Kade laughs, but her laughter fades as she notices Jules, her gaze drifts up toward Sky, a wistful look crossing her face.
Tee notices too and hesitates before asking, "What about you, Mon? What about you and... him?"
"What are you talking about?" Jules replies, feigning innocence, though her eyes give away her unease.
"Come on, has he ever told you if he likes you? Or... if you like him?" Kade asks, her curiosity piqued.
"I've always liked Sir Sky," Jules says, attempting to close the conversation. "A lot."
Dianne sighs and nudges her friend. "Not as an idol, Mon! I mean, do you like him as... more than a friend?"
"Sir Sky has Miss Mia—he's taken," Jules answers softly, her gaze dropping.
Tee, sensing her disappointment, offers a small smile. "How about this, we'll keep it a secret, I promise." He leans in closer. "You can tell us, Mon.
Has Sir Sky ever told you... anything?" Jules looks at each of them, surprised. But the blank stares on Tee, Dianne, and Kade's faces tell her they know as little as she does. Kade lifts her drink to lighten the mood, and Jules joins in, though a hint of sadness lingers in her eyes.
Suddenly, a voice cuts through the music. "Everyone, can I have your attention, please?" Martha, the star of the day, calls out. "I almost forgot one of our most important wedding traditions! I'd like to invite all the single ladies to the front for the bouquet toss!"
Jules hesitates, but at everyone's urging, she joins the others at the front, alongside Mia.
"Three... two... one!" Jim tosses the bouquet high into the air. To her surprise, Jules catches it in her hands. She glances toward Sky, who watches her, a small, bittersweet smile on his face. Applause rings out around her, but before Jules can savor the moment, a voice from behind cuts in, stern and commanding.
"I'm so sorry to interrupt the celebration, but today feels like the perfect day to share something I've wanted to for a long time," Mia announces, stepping to the center of the floor as the crowd falls silent. Soft, somber piano music plays as she faces Sky, her expression unreadable.
"What are you doing, Mia?" Sky asks, his confusion evident.
"We've been friends since childhood, business partners, and each other's rock through tough times. Not once have we let go of each other's hands," Mia says, her voice steady but charged with emotion. "But today, I want to take another step in our journey. There's no limit to how love can be expressed, and as a woman, I feel proud and fulfilled to have a man like you by my side. So I'll ask you, here and now..."
Without breaking eye contact, Mia drops to one knee. "Will you marry me?" A collective gasp echoes through the crowd, and cries of "Say yes!" ring out.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
But Jules stands frozen on stage, bouquet in hand, watching the scene unfold in disbelief. Her heart shatters as she sees Sky's torn expression. A tear slips down her cheek, and her fingers loosen, letting the bouquet fall to the floor. In that moment, time itself seems to stop as Jules and Sky lock eyes, sharing a silent, heart-wrenching exchange across the room.