Chapter 328 - Is that a yes?

Next morning, JoAnna woke up in a bed full of red rose petals. She was surprised to see that the whole bedroom was covered in them as well. It looked like a red storm swept through the room. At first, JoAnna smiled, but then she saw a note on the pillow next to her, and her mood dropped. The note meant that Jeff already left for work. She sighed thinking how she would replace all the flowers in the world for morning cuddles with Jeff. JoAnna reached for the note and read:

"Good morning, beautiful!

I need to leave early, and don't want to wake you up on your day off.

Rest well and see you for lunch,

With love, Jeff"

The note made her smile. 'He is so thoughtful.' Every time Jeff left early, JoAnna found a note from him, and she would feel as if his love is embracing her in his place. But she would still prefer a real hug.

JoAnna took her time in the bed, stretching lazily and inhaling Jeff's scent from the bedsheets which mixed with rose petals.

…

JoAnna saw the car that Jeff sent for her and paused. It was a black limousine with tinted glass. She was not sure if it's the same one as one they used on Monday, but it looked the same. JoAnna remembered how they said goodbye at the airport, and she felt that her cheeks are heating up. During the drive, she glanced few times at the back seat and every time her heart rate would speed up. JoAnna forced herself to look away, in order to suppress mental images which stirred up her desires.

When they reached White corp. JoAnna dashed into the elevator that took her to the 22nd floor.

When Jeff's secretary spotted JoAnna, she stumbled out of her seat and welcomed her with a wide smile while opening the door for her. "CEO White is expecting you."

JoAnna returned the smile and walked into his office while trying to suppress butterflies that spread from her stomach through her body making her breathing unstable. She found Jeff at his desk, looking at some papers. With his glasses on, Jeff looked absolutely enchanting. JoAnna's feet stopped and she held her breath while taking in the scene in front of her.

She is not sure how long she stood there. It was anywhere between a second and a week before he lifted his head and their eyes met.

"Hi, beautiful..." Jeff greeted her with a smile. He stood up and walked to her. "How was your morning?" His smile captivated her, and she nodded.

Jeff kissed her lightly on the lips.

JoAnna eagerly responded to his kiss, wrapping her arms around him and pulling herself closer. Her tongue found its way inside his mouth and hungrily explored while enjoying the taste. She was slightly aroused from her racy thoughts in the car. Seeing him so handsome with glasses on, and feeling him close, made JoAnna's body heat up. Jeff felt her desire and pulled her close to him. JoAnna was panting for air when he broke the kiss and checked his phone.

Jeff took a deep breath and cleared his throat, "We need to leave soon."

She mischievously smiled and glanced at his office desk, "We can try out the desk first."

Jeff swallowed hard, obviously controlling himself, "We have a reservation."

JoAnna frowned, "Since when Jeffrey White cares about being late for lunch?" After few seconds of pouting, JoAnna decided to give it another try. She wrapped her hands around his waist and looked at him suggestively, "We can make it quick."

Jeff closed his eyes. After another deep breath he took her arms in his and pulled them up releasing his waist from her hold. "This is important." He kissed her hands.

Office door opened and Steve peeked in. He showed Jeff a thumbs up and swiftly disappeared before JoAnna had a chance to turn and see who it was.

JoAnna was upset. 'I come to his office, and put myself out there... and he refuses me? What restaurant is this important?'

Jeff got a white silk scarf from the sofa next to them and wanted to blindfold JoAnna. She stepped back, frowning.

"Do you trust me?", Jeff asked with a smile.

JoAnna reluctantly nodded and let him put the scarf over her eyes. When he made a knot in the back of her head, he took her hands in his and pulled her gently. "I prepared something... and I hope you will like it."

JoAnna was surprised that his palms are sweaty and voice shaky. 'Is he nervous?'

He led her outside his office and up the stairs. JoAnna estimated that they climbed only one floor up when she heard heavy door open. She felt the breeze on her skin as she stepped over the threshold. JoAnna can tell that they are outside and guessed that it's some balcony. She stopped for a second when she felt that she is walking on something soft. 'Is this grass?'

Even if it's grass, they didn't take the elevator, and it's only one floor up. 'It must be a balcony, or a terrace'. JoAnna guessed that he arranged for them to have lunch on the terrace. 'How is this important reservation that can't wait?' Jeff never refused intimacy. Thinking about that, she giggled and asked playfully, "Is this what you planned instead of your office desk?"

Jeff responded by clearing his throat and squeezing her hands nervously. JoAnna got this as a message to be patient and not make assumptions. But she could not help herself think, 'Is he telling me to stop guessing because I'm right? Or because I'm wrong?'

About a dozen steps later, they stopped walking.

After few seconds of quiet anticipation, JoAnna heard Jeff's nervous voice. "You can remove the scarf."

JoAnna took few seconds to adjust her eyes to the bright sunlight. She realized that they are on the roof above his office, and she is standing in a park-like setting on the grass. They are surrounded with numerous extravagant flower arrangements, and the breeze is moving countless rose petals making the ground appear alive.

JoAnna inhaled sharply and held her breath when her eyes landed on Jeff who was down on his right knee and looking up at her with eyes full of love.

"JoAnna Hill...", Jeff's voice was shaky. "From the day I saw you in the hospital, I knew that you are the one I was looking for and that we are meant to be together. Since then, you are always in my thoughts and my heart belongs to you. I promise you, no one will work harder to make you happy or cherish you more than me. I want us to be together and never part, from this day on." He extended his arm toward her, and in his palm was an open dark blue jewelry box holding a diamond ring within its satin fold. "Anna, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"

JoAnna was overwhelmed. She felt her heart beating in the back of her head and her legs turned into jelly. JoAnna fell on her knees and hugged Jeff. JoAnna didn't realize that she was sobbing.

Jeff hugged her back and asked apprehensively. "Is that a yes?"

JoAnna vigorously nodded. "Yes... yes, I will marry you." She said through her sobs.

Jeff took the ring from the box and slid it on her left ring finger. He had a wide grin on his face. "From now to forever." Jeff stood up and embraced JoAnna, lifting her up and kissing her.

JoAnna was pulled out of her daze by claps and cheers which came from behind.

She turned her head and saw Sarah and Sophia with Aiden and Felix. All four of them with faces full of joy. In the back was Steve, his eyes were full of tears.

JoAnna noticed a small camera for video chatting on the bench next to Sarah. "Who is watching?", JoAnna whispered to Jeff.

"Our parents.", he smiled.

"Oh, Jeff, this is perfect." JoAnna hugged him tightly and could not stop smiling.