Chapter 322: A New Year's Confession

Ambryan headed for the staircase at the hallway when he walked out of the bedroom, leaving Mikael to tend to an unconscious Elias. He stumbled upon a mirror on the way and noticed his crooked tie. Halting in his steps, he straightened his lapels and started fixing the tie.

"Looks like you had a rough time with Elias," Eve spoke as she emerged from the top of the stairs. Her legs led her towards the gap between her fiance and the mirror. And, her hands snatched the tie away from him.

"It was certainly unexpected."

"Mhm."

Silence fell over them as Eve redid the knot. Ambryan watched her hands handle the material delicately. Then, his gaze flickered to her face. The corner of his lips tugged upwards. Eve probably didn't know it but the smile he wore was a mirror to her own. 

"I remember this," Ambryan said after a while.

Eve raised her eyebrows without taking her eyes off the necktie. "Remember what?"

"The first time you did my tie."

This time, she looked up at him. "At the launch party?"

"Yes."

A soft chuckle flowed out of her lips. "It certainly leaves an impression."

She went back to work, nearly finished. She had to wrap one end around the other several times just to get the right shape. That part had always been tricky to her—especially when ties were made from different fabrics. Each one required a set of new skills. 

Ambryan took a deep breath, sighing and shaking his head.  "I would have never guessed the woman that walked down those stairs was my secretary."

Eve paused to glance at him through her lashes. "News flash. It did happen like that."

"Very funny."

"There you go." She patted his chest and stepped back, leaving her hands on either side of the tie and admiring her handiwork. "That has to be the best one I have done so far."

Ambryan lifted her left hand and kissed the back of her fingers. "Thank you."

"For the tie?"

"That and for agreeing to marry me." He smirked and didn't let go. He held her hand over his heart. "I don't think I've ever known true happiness until that moment."

Eve narrowed her gaze. "I could still change my mind."

Ambryan merely chuckled, letting their hands finally drop. He snatched her right one this time and headed for the corner where another hallway was. "Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"To the bedroom."

They encountered no one on their way. All the servants were downstairs, taking care of the party and preventing guests from prohibited areas. It was the most privacy they had since coming to manor. The eerie quiet almost seemed scary.

Eve struggled to catch up to Ambryan's long strides. "Which one?"

"Mine. The fireworks are better enjoyed in the bedroom."

"I think that's a different type of fireworks."

She bumped into his back when he stopped abruptly. Her brown eyes met his when he glanced over his shoulder. A sheepish expression painted over her face, bluntly ignoring how her own sears had grown hot.

"I'll behave."

"I can't promise the same."

Before Eve could come up with a retort, they had reached Ambryan's childhood room. They had slept in one of the guest rooms during their stay since this one didn't have a big enough bed. Avery had suggested switching it out but Ambryan insisted a guest room was perfectly fine.

Eve stayed by the doorway while Ambryan disappeared into the small opening. She took everything in, from the navy blue walls to the grey carpet of the sitting area. Her eyes scanned the toys on the shelves near the play area. 

If she looked closely enough, she could see dust on the tower of blocks on the floor.

'Had they never cleaned this room?' Her mind wondered. Then, she checked the rest of the floor and that didn't seem to be the case. Her head whirled around in search for Ambryan and finally noticed the short hallway inside the room.

Another wave of blue greeted her sight. Unlike the sitting area, this one definitely resembled a boy's bedroom. Eve shook her head at the wall of books. His home office had a smaller version. The study table looked as neat as his desk. The only thing different was the swivelling chair which had blue cushions.

"Is your favorite color blue?" Eve remarked, walking further into the room and sitting on the twin bed. "Aunt Avery told me you locked yourself in here a lot."

"I did," Ambryan replied. He stood in front of the windows with his hands tucked inside his pant pockets. His ears picked up the faintest sound of the countdown. "Only my grandmother could come in."

Eve left the bed until she stood directly  behind him. "Why?"

"Because she would be the only one trying not to get me to leave." Ambryan angled his body towards the left, still not meeting her eyes. He pointed to the corner of the room. "Her and mom used to sit in that rocking chair beside the bed. Mom would do it until I fell asleep. Nana would do it and hold me on her lap whenever I missed mom."

"So what you are saying is," she started to say, staring at the chair. "You've been a ladies' man since you were a kid?"

Ambryan stepped in her direction and quirked an eyebrow. "I only had one lady."

Eve tucked her chin in. She met his gaze with a knowing stare. "That's not what Mila said. Frankly, I think you forgot how I worked for you which includes breaking up your flings on your behalf." 

Then, she looked up at the ceiling and rubbed her chin. A deep scowl creased above her nose. "I actually wondered if I would have to do that to myself."

"Then, it's a good thing you don't work for me anymore." Ambryan pulled open the windows. Eve moved closer and placed both of her hands on the windowsill. Both of them stared at the dark sky, hidden from everyone else.

The first set of fireworks shot up and exploded like stardust. Eve leaned into Ambryan, hugging his torso. She fit perfectly right under his arm. His heartbeat filled her ears along with the music from a distance. It seemed like a mundane start to the new year but she had a different opinion.

She had attended these parties before. Her Christmas days were dedicated to the twins and Andie's family. They'd spend the whole day celebrating and bonding. In return, they let her attend the New Year's Eve party in this manor where she recorded the fireworks show for them.

She'd come back to let them watch it from her phone along with gifts and their favorite cake.

Not once had she gone up the second floor. Let alone be in Ambryan's bedroom. To her, it may seem simple but it was intimate in a multitude of ways. This room held much more value than the one in his penthouse or his residential house that she hadn't seen yet.

If only she also had her childhood room.

Then, she could let him experience this feeling as well. 

Ambryan wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Except for that one time, he hadn't been in this room since he moved out of the house. He only stayed during breaks while attending college. His attachment to the room was nothing compared to the one in Cornelia Town—but it had a fair share of impact in his life.

With Eve here, the past came back to him once again. Only this time, he accepted its presence and let it consume him. Numerous days were spent alone. His younger self could have felt lonely at the time but looking back now, it didn't seem like that anymore.

His eyes landed on Eve.

She felt his gaze and stared back. "What?"

Something had always been missing about this room. It could have been his absent mom—or his grandmother when she passed away. But no. It was also her, Everlee Hart. Her mere existence made him glad to have something to share about himself. 

No doubt she would enjoy scouring this room, all of its nooks and crannies. She'd dig up every story and memory he made in it. He could almost hear her infectious laugh.

"I love you," Ambryan whispered.

Eve averted her eyes for a second. Then, she made eye contact with him again.

"As I love you," she answered, pressing her lips together. It felt both foreign and familiar to her. She had almost said something sarcastic but changed her mind. If she was about to say these words for the first time…

… New Year's Day had to be one of the best times.

Ambryan leaned down to kiss her. She closed her eyes, reciprocating the gesture. Her hand cupped his cheek while he grasped the side of her neck. The fireworks continued their work while they retreated to their little bubble.

"Can you say that again?" Ambryan mumbled against her lips.

Eve grinned at his eagerness. A pelt of kisses attacked her jawline. 

"I love you." She giggled before Ambryan captured her lips once more. 

The fireworks show had stopped but they failed to notice. Neither noticed how much time passed by, acting as if there was never enough in the first place.

"Are you sure that day I agreed to marry you is still the happiest day of your life?" Eve joked, pulling back for some air. They still had the late dinner meal to attend to. Avery would choke them if they failed to make an appearance. 

Like Eve's admission of her feelings, the madam also thought New Year's Day was the best time to announce a certain engagement.

Ambryan wrapped his arms around her thighs, sweeping her off the floor. A wide grin spread across his face as he stared up at her. "I have a feeling the actual wedding would top it."