Chapter Forty-six
Abigail-Ann
“The best proof of love is trust.”
~ Joyce Brothers
O ne minute, my mom was talking about spending the day in Chinatown—something about wanting to see the markets and try new foods. The next, Mikkel was telling them to get ready. By the time they were, a car was already waiting, and he’d arranged an entire tour.
Mom, Dad, and Aurora stood there, stunned, their jaws practically on the floor. I couldn’t blame them. He had pulled it all together in less than an hour. But I wasn’t surprised. I knew Mikkel all too well.
“You really didn’t have to go through all this trouble,” my mom said as we piled into the car.
Mikkel adjusted his glasses with an easy shrug. “It’s no trouble at all, Alicia.”
Her smile was warm, appreciative. “Still, we appreciate it.”
The day unfolded in a blur of vibrant sights and rich aromas. We wandered through Chinatown, snapping pictures in front of colorful storefronts, tasting dumplings from a tiny, bustling shop, and exploring the markets. At one point, we stopped in an antique store, and as I admired a display of old teacups, I felt Mikkel’s gaze settle on me.
He didn’t even ask, just walked over and, without hesitation, bought the whole set, clearly catching the owner’s eye. I stared at him with a knowing smile on my face. “Thank you.”
He just smiled, handing me the bag with the teacups. “Always, baby.”
We kept browsing, and when we talked with the couple behind the counter, Mikkel switched to Mandarin with ease. My mom’s eyes widened, and my heart skipped a beat. I knew he spoke Mandarin, but I’d never actually heard him use it.
“I didn’t know you speak Mandarin,” my dad said, clearly impressed.
Mikkel flashed a grin. “I learned it a few years ago.”
Aurora’s eyes widened. “I definitely didn’t see that coming.”
We continued down alleyways with hanging lanterns, Mikkel joking with my dad and effortlessly charming everyone. My mom was drawn to a tea shop, where she and Mikkel spent an hour tasting blends and chatting with the owner. After a fun morning, we stopped for lunch at a cozy restaurant, enjoying baozi and spicy noodles, the kind of comfort food that made everything else fade away.
Afterward, we returned home, full and happy. Mikkel excused himself to take a work call, leaving me with my family in the kitchen.
“So, when’s the wedding?” Aurora teased, leaning against the counter.
“Soon enough.” I smiled, feeling content in this moment.
My dad nodded, looking pleased. “Well, I have to say I’m impressed.”
Aurora raised an eyebrow, shocked. “Dad? Impressed? That’s new.”
I rolled my eyes. “That’s Mikkel. He’s just…”
I paused, trying to find the exact words to capture how great he is.
“In love with you?” Aurora finished for me.
My smile softened. “Yeah. ”
Aurora smirked. “I mean, you’ve got a guy who’s willing to make a day in Chinatown happen for your family in under an hour. Can’t argue with that.”
“That’s not even close to being the best part of him,” I replied, my voice quieter.
A lull settled in, and I felt a sudden urge to escape for a moment. Without saying much, I quietly slipped away, making my way upstairs to my room.
Mikkel was on the bed, his brow furrowed, looking slightly irritated yet deep in thought. I walked over and, without hesitation, sat down on his lap.
“Everything okay at the office?”
He nodded, but his expression didn’t change. “There’s this company, Luxe Transports.”
“A smaller transport company, right?”
“Yeah,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “They want me to buy them out, but it’s a bit sudden.”
I thought for a moment. “Is it?”
He looked at me, confused.
“I don’t think it’s sudden. You’re having back-to-back successful expansions on the first try, plus your Seattle acquisition is huge. Maybe they want to join the ever-winning side instead of competing.”
He grabbed my thigh, his fingers sending a jolt of warmth through me, then flashed that grin.
Thank God I was seated because my feet went lifeless.
“That’s one of the things I love about you, baby. You’re so fucking smart.” He leaned in closer, his breath warm against my skin.
I grinned. “I know.”
The conversation faded as we lingered in the silence, but I soon stood up, a new idea sparking in my mind.
“I want to take you somewhere.”
Mikkel raised an eyebrow. “Where?”
I smirked. “It’s my turn to surprise you. ”
He chuckled, his eyes glinting. “Lead the way.”
I handed him a pocket knife.
“We’re gonna need this.”
His brows raised in curiosity. “What kind of adventure are we in for?”
I just laughed, letting the mystery linger as I turned to lead him on.
I loved how the leaves turned warm shades of brown, and the crisp air carried just the right chill of autumn—a natural romance, even without a love story. What made it unforgettable was sharing it with my favorite person.
As we stepped into the park, a brisk autumn breeze greeted us, rustling the leaves and sending golden foliage swirling around our feet. I glanced at Mikkel, admiring how the amber sunlight illuminated his features, casting his strong jawline into sharp relief. He looked striking in a white sweater and jeans, perfectly layered for the San Francisco chill, his style blending with the vibrant park backdrop.
“Where exactly are we headed?” he asked as he gently squeezed my hand.
“We’re almost there,” I replied, a mischievous smile playing at my lips. “Just trust me.”
“I trust you, Red.”
We followed the winding path deeper into the park and the sounds of the city faded away, replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird.
“This place is beautiful,” Mikkel remarked, his gaze sweeping over the tranquil surroundings.
“It’s one of my favorite hidden gems.” Nostalgia crept into my voice. “My family and I come here all the time. ”
I pointed out landmarks—a towering redwood, a babbling brook—until we reached a secluded clearing, where a stream trickled over smooth stones. His eyes widened in awe at the serene beauty, and I smiled.
I then led him to a tree, its bark carved with initials and symbols. “My family carved our initials here, and when my parents were busy, I’d come with Aurora.”
He ran his fingers over the carvings, tracing the letters with a soft smile. “This is perfect.”
Sharing this special place with Mikkel felt right, like I was giving him a piece of my past, a part of myself. I turned to him, finding his eyes already on me, filled with love and gratitude. That was the thing with Mikkel, no matter what I was looking at, he was always looking at me with an indescribable fire and an undisputed amount of passion.
“Thank you for sharing this with me.” There was a tenderness in his tone that made my chest clench.
I stepped closer, wrapping my arms around him and inhaling his familiar scent. “I want us to carve our initials in the tree.”
He placed a soft kiss on my lips. “Now I know why we needed a knife.”
I chuckled, followed by a nod, and he grabbed it, glancing at me for approval. At my silent cue, he began carving.
When he finished, he turned to me, his eyes full of love. “Now we’re a part of this place too, baby.”
Tracing the freshly carved letters with my fingers, warmth bloomed in my chest. “It’s perfect,” I whispered, leaning in to kiss him, feeling whole in that moment.
Hand in hand, we strolled down the shaded path, the scent of pine and earth in the air. My heart felt lighter, and a smile tugged at my lips. The day was perfect.
Until it wasn’t.
My steps faltered as I spotted Joshua’s father, leaning against a red car. His sharp suit did little to mask the venom in his gaze. He wasn’t just looking at me—he was dissecting me, the same way he used to, with judgment and disdain that suddenly felt heavier than ever.
Anxiety tightened my chest, crawling up my throat. Mikkel noticed immediately, his thumb brushing over the back of my hand as he murmured, “What’s wrong, baby?”
I forced myself to look at him, pulling my hand free to straighten his collar nervously. “Don’t get mad…”
His brows drew together, a mix of curiosity and concern shadowing his features.
I exhaled shakily, darting a glance toward the man who still hadn’t stopped staring. “The man staring at me…” My voice cracked, my words coming out in a stutter. “It’s… it’s Joshua’s father.”
The shift in Mikkel was immediate. His hand flexed at his side, his jaw tightening like he was biting back a storm. “The one that told yo—”
“Yes.”
His eyes blazed with an anger I hadn’t seen before. “I’m going over there.”
I quickly grabbed his arm. “Are you sure you want to do that?”
He turned to me, his expression softening just enough to remind me why I loved him so fiercely. “I’m sure. He raised the idiot who hurt you, played a part in it, and now he’s staring you down like a fucking creep.”
I hesitated, torn between stopping him and letting him fight the battle I never could. Finally, I exhaled. “Okay.”
And just like that, Mikkel’s grip tightened on my hand and he strode toward the man, every inch of him radiating the kind of power that made people think twice about crossing him. Joshua’s father straightened at the sight of him, his smirk slipping into something more measured. Did they know each other?
“Mikkel Suarez,” he greeted, his voice dripping with feigned cordiality. “This has to be some form of sign. I just re-sent a proposal to your company. I’m hoping we can—”
Mikkel chuckled, interrupting him. The sound was low and sharp, sending a chill through me. “What makes you think I’d ever work with you?”
His smile faltered, confusion flickering across his face. He glanced at me briefly before snapping his attention back to Mikkel. Recognition dawned in his eyes, but he acted as if I weren’t there .
“I’m not—”
“ Cierra la puta boca , 161 ” Mikkel snapped, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. His expression hardened as he stepped closer, his frame towering over the man.
The man blinked, his mask slipping just enough to reveal the cracks.
“Your son,” Mikkel continued, his voice calm but seething with rage, “humiliated her, treated her like nothing. You and your wife played a part in breaking her down, making her question her worth. And then you have the audacity to stare at her. Do you even realize the damage you’ve caused?”
“Mikkel, I—”
“It’s Mr. Suarez when you address me.” Mikkel’s voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade. “Don’t flatter yourself by thinking we’re on the same level.”
The man swallowed hard, his confidence wavering. “Mr. Suarez, I’m sure there’s been some misunderstanding—”
Mikkel let out a bitter laugh. “Misunderstanding? No. I understand perfectly. You and your son are nothing but cowards—pathetic little men who thrive on tearing others down because it’s the only way you can feel powerful.”
My breath caught, tears stinging my eyes. His words—his unwavering defense—hit harder than I’d imagined. No one had ever stood up for me like this.
“Please,” the man tried again, his tone shifting to desperation. “This doesn’t have to affect the proposal—”
“There is no proposal.” Mikkel’s voice was ice. “I wouldn’t let you within a mile of my company, let alone entertain doing business with you.”
The man’s face paled, his mouth opening and closing like he wanted to argue, but Mikkel had already made his judgment.
Without another word, Mikkel wrapped his arm around my waist, his grip firm, protective. As he led me away, the world blurred around us, but I didn’t care. I clung to him, my heart pounding. For the first time, the battles I fought in my mind weren’t mine to fight alone.