Shonee’s POV
The morning after, the chaotic events of the party dawned with a sense of calmness and clarity.
As the sun rose in the sky, casting a warm glow over the city, I found myself reflecting on the events of the previous night with a mixture of relief and apprehension. Despite the turmoil, there was a sense of closure in knowing that the truth had finally come to light.
Vincent, I and his parents had spent the early hours of the morning discussing the aftermath of the party. Surprisingly, he handled the situation with grace and composure, ensuring that everything was handled respectfully. Avril, Michael, and Richard Payne had been escorted out of the venue by security, and Vincent had made arrangements to address the company's stakeholders and employees about the situation. Now that the wedding had been called off, thanks to the revelation of Avril’s secret affair, Beckham Incorporated and Payne Travel and Tours dropped their plans to merge, meaning Vincent once again had full control of his company. And I couldn’t have been happier for him.
Avril also packed out of his house, and for once the mansion felt homely, like I had an abundance of space and could finally breathe.
The next day, Vincent arranged a meeting with the stakeholders and employees about the new changes that were going to take place. I went with him for moral support.
As the morning sun began to filter through the windows, casting a warm glow over the wide and spacious conference room, Vincent stood before the assembled stakeholders and employees. His voice was steady as he addressed them, his words measured and thoughtful.
"I want to thank you all for being here today," he began, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "As many of you are aware, there were some unfortunate events that occurred at the merge party that happened last week Saturday. I want to assure you that we are taking this matter very seriously. Now that we are no longer under the influence of Mr. Richard Payne, things are going to change around here. A lot.”
He went on to explain the situation, providing as much detail as possible without delving into unnecessary gossip or speculation. He emphasized the company's commitment to integrity and transparency, promising that steps would be taken to ensure that something like this never happened again.
Throughout his speech, Vincent remained composed and professional, earning the respect and admiration of everyone in the room. It was clear that he was a leader who could be trusted to handle even the most difficult situations with grace and dignity.
As the meeting concluded, Vincent received a round of applause from the gathered crowd. It was a small but meaningful gesture of support, and he felt a sense of relief knowing that he had handled the situation as best as he could. I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for him. Despite everything that had happened, he remained steadfast and determined to move forward.
Later that day, we headed over to his office and sat down to talk about everything that had happened. We both agreed that it was best to take things slow, to give ourselves time to process everything that had occurred.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all of this," Vincent said, reaching across the table to take my hand in his. "But I'm grateful to have you by my side."
I squeezed his hand reassuringly, offering him a small smile. "We'll get through this together," I said softly. "And whatever happens, we'll face it head-on, just like we did last night."
Vincent nodded, a determined look in his eyes. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
*****
Two weeks later…
"Hey!" Mirasol splashed me hard, hitting me with a mouthful of chlorine water.
"Haha," she giggled. "I've got you!"
I chuckled, wiping the water from my face and adjusting my sunglasses. "You got me, sweetie. But watch out, or I might just splash you back!"
The pool party at Vincent's mansion was in full swing, with laughter and chatter filling the air. It was my idea to host it. Ever since that merge party, our lives have been a complete rollercoaster, and I not only speak for myself when I say we deserved a break. So Vincent's parents, Gerta, Jordin, James, and a few of Mirasol's friends had been invited, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
The sun beat down warmly, casting shimmering reflections on the surface of the pool. Colourful inflatable floats bobbed lazily in the water, and the smell of barbecue wafted from the grill nearby.
As I waded through the water, enjoying the refreshing coolness against my skin, I spotted Vincent emerging from the main house, looking especially attractive in his swim trunks, his dark hair tousled from the pool water he’d been in earlier.
As I stepped out of the pool, I couldn't help but admire the way the sunlight danced across his skin, highlighting the contours of his muscular frame.
"Hey there," he said, flashing me a charming smile as he wrapped me in a towel. "You look beautiful."
I blushed at his compliment, feeling a flutter of excitement in my chest. "You don't look too bad yourself," I teased, unable to tear my gaze away from him.
He laid a soft kiss on my forehead, my eyes, nose and it all had me giggling. “Stop.” I laughed. “What’s gotten into you?”
“Nothing much, it’s just…” He looked deep into my eyes. “I know we said we were going to take things slow. But over the few days, I’ve been thinking a lot about this, our future and I think it’s high time we take a step in a more…permanent direction.”
My eyebrows dipped low. “What are you saying?”
To my shock and utter disbelief, Vincent got down on one knee beside the end of the pool. My heart raced as I watched him.
“Oh my God, it’s happening.” Jordin chimed and I caught her pulling out her phone from the corner of my eye.
"Shonee Coleman," Vincent began, his voice filled with emotion. "You came into this house as a live-in nanny to take care of my daughter. I initially did not want you here, mostly because Avril hired you against my will and it didn’t help that you were very attractive.”
I caught the playfulness in his eyes and chuckled. The others laughed too.
“But throughout your stay in this house,” he continued, “You’ve shown me a kind of love and compassion that I never knew I needed. You’ve become an integral part of our lives, and I can't imagine facing the future without you by my side. Shonee, you've been a huge impact on my life, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you've made me. So, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared down at him, overwhelmed with emotion. If someone had told me six months ago that I would marry the billionaire I was set to work for, I would have slapped them in the face and called them crazy. But to see it now, happening right before me, my heart was overflowing with nothing but pure joy.
"Yes," I whispered, my voice trembling with happiness. "Yes, Vincent, I will marry you."
A collective cheer erupted from the crowd as Vincent slipped the ring onto my finger, the diamond sparkling in the sunlight. And then, before I could even catch my breath, he pulled me into his arms, his lips meeting mine in the most passionate kiss we’d ever shared.
But just as we were lost in the moment, a small voice broke through the haze. "Mummy!" Mirasol came running towards us, her arms outstretched as she launched herself into my arms.
Vincent and I laughed, pulling her close as we shared in the joy of our newfound family. And as we looked around at the smiling faces of our loved ones, we knew that this was just the beginning of our happily ever after.
The End