His Shortcake

Chapter 28

Dustyn Franco

The shock hit me like a punch to the gut when I saw her standing in my office. Behind her, Vero looked horrified, and Emil's concerned expression was justified. He knew this woman was unpredictable. No one could tell what she'd do until it smacked them right in the face. That's what worried me the most. If I didn't handle this right, it could spiral into a complete disaster.

For now, I'd watch and see what she did.

Stella Dellova stood confidently, holding a binder in her hands, her long hair pulled into a loose ponytail. She walked into the room like she owned it and positioned herself beside Clarisse. "Here it is," she said, handing the binder over.

Clarisse introduced her with an air of authority. "This is Stella Dellova, a junior of mine. She'll be assisting me with your wedding plans."

Great. Of all people. I had no doubt Clarisse chose her for her competence, but I could see the glint of jealousy in Stella's eyes. It was unmistakable.

Smiling wickedly, Stella extended her hand to Mara, who was still reeling from the sudden development. "It's nice to see you again, although the circumstances are... not ideal," she said, striking a blow with her words right from the start.

"Sir," Emil said, his sharp eyes watching Stella closely. His tone was hard, and his displeasure mirrored my own. He wasn't happy about Stella's choice of words either.

I waved Emil and Vero out of the room. I could protect Mara from Stella without needing Emil to physically remove her. Besides, if Stella was going to assist Clarisse, there was no way I could throw her out without a conversation first. That wouldn't reflect well on us.

Clarisse worked for one of the city's top wedding planning firms. We were her clients, sure, but one wrong move on our part, and rumors would spread. Bad publicity would follow, not just about me and Mara, but also the company we owned.

The limelight was unforgiving. One slip-up, and the consequences could be massive.

The tension from the meeting was palpable, but as the door closed behind Clarisse and Stella, the atmosphere in the office shifted. There was a sense of relief, like a weight lifted off the room. Mara's smile was a testament to her resilience, especially after dealing with the drama Stella brought in with her snide comments. She handled it with grace, but I could see the fire in her eyes—the subtle determination to protect what's hers without being dragged down by petty insults.

When I pulled her close, it was more than just an expression of affection; it was a reminder of how far we've come, of the challenges we've faced, and how much more we'll conquer together. Her arms draped around my neck, and despite the long day, her warmth felt like home.

"I don't think I could ever get sick of you," I murmured, my forehead resting lightly against hers.

Mara chuckled softly, her breath a sweet warmth against my skin. "Well, you say that now, but wait until I start hogging all the blankets."

I laughed, pressing another kiss to the side of her lips, playfully teasing her with near kisses. "Then I guess I'll just have to hold you tighter, so you can't escape with them."

Our playful banter always managed to ease the heaviness of the day, and moments like these reminded me why I fell in love with her. She wasn't just my fiancée; she was my partner in every sense of the word—strong, smart, and always ready to stand her ground when needed. And when she looked at me, it wasn't with expectation or demands. It was with the kind of understanding that runs deeper than words.

"Still," I added after a pause, "I won't tolerate anyone disrespecting you. Not even someone like Stella."

Mara sighed, her fingers tracing absent patterns along the nape of my neck. "I know. But I can handle her. I won't let someone like that ruin this for us."

I admired her resolve. It wasn't that she wanted to avoid conflict; she just didn't see the point in letting small people cast a shadow over something as big as our future together. And she was right—this wedding was about us, not about Stella or anyone else's petty issues.

"You're amazing, you know that?" I told her, meaning every word.

Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she grinned. "You've mentioned it once or twice."

We stayed like that for a moment, savoring the peace between us, a perfect contrast to the whirlwind of the wedding planning. Soon enough, the world outside would pull us back into its demands, but for now, it was just me and her, cocooned in our own little bubble.

And in that moment, I knew that no matter what challenges came our way—whether it was Stella's jealousy or any other hurdles—together, we'd face them head-on.

(A/N: is this too short or just right? I can't tell. Lol. Stay safe, guys.)