Chapter 9: Right There Waiting

The next morning, I walked into the office wearing the biggest smile I'd had in weeks.

Neil noticed immediately.

"Well, well," he teased. "Looks like someone finally forgave a certain stubborn investor."

"Mind your own business," I muttered, trying—and failing—to hide my smile.

Neil laughed so hard that several coworkers turned to look.

"Good. Carl was becoming unbearable."

"He spent the last week asking me what girls liked."

"I thought he'd lose his mind if you rejected him again."

"Mr. Forest!"

"Alright, alright. I'll stop."

Just then, Carl walked into the office carrying two cups of coffee.

Without saying a word, he placed one on my desk.

"Your usual," he said.

"Half sugar, extra milk."

I blinked in surprise.

"You remembered?"

Carl smiled.

"You told me during one of our late-night chats almost a year ago."

"You said bitter coffee made life feel even more exhausting."

A warm feeling spread through my heart.

I had forgotten saying that.

He hadn't.

Over the next few weeks, our relationship quietly became the worst-kept secret in the company.

Carl never made grand gestures.

Instead, he showed up whenever I needed him.

If I worked overtime, dinner would magically appear on my desk.

If it rained, he'd already be waiting downstairs with an umbrella.

If I looked tired, he'd leave snacks beside my keyboard without saying a word.

Even Neil eventually surrendered.

"I'm officially retiring as Cupid," he declared dramatically during lunch.

"Watching you two is giving me cavities."

Everyone laughed.

One month later, Mike Tech successfully signed the investment agreement.

The company organized a celebration party.

The banquet hall buzzed with laughter and music.

After several rounds of applause, Neil suddenly grabbed the microphone.

"Before everyone leaves," he announced, "there's someone who has something to say."

I looked toward Carl in confusion.

He sighed helplessly.

"Neil..."

"Go," Neil whispered with a grin.

"Or you'll regret it forever."

Carl slowly walked onto the stage.

The room gradually became quiet.

His calm eyes searched through the crowd until they found me.

"A year ago," he began softly,

"I met someone online."

"She reminded me to eat lunch."

"She worried whenever I worked too hard."

"She celebrated every tiny achievement with me."

"Without realizing it..."

"She became the brightest part of my life."

The entire room listened in silence.

Carl looked directly at me.

"When I finally met her in person..."

"She misunderstood everything."

"And honestly..."

"It was completely my fault."

Soft laughter spread across the hall.

"Luckily..."

"She was willing to give me another chance."

He stepped off the stage and stopped in front of me.

Then, before everyone in the company...

He slowly knelt on one knee.

The room instantly erupted with gasps.

Carl took out a small velvet box.

Inside rested a delicate diamond ring.

"Winnie James," he said gently.

"Thank you for waiting for me..."

"Even when neither of us knew we were standing only a few floors apart."

"Will you let me spend the rest of my life having lunch with you?"

Tears blurred my vision.

I laughed through them.

"You really know how to ruin my makeup."

Carl chuckled nervously.

"Is... that a yes?"

Instead of answering immediately, I wrapped my arms around him.

"Yes, Puppy."

"A thousand times yes."

Thunderous applause filled the banquet hall.

Neil wiped imaginary tears from his eyes.

"Finally!" he shouted.

"Now I can stop listening to him ask relationship advice every single day!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Carl slipped the ring onto my finger.

This time...

Neither of us had to hide behind anonymous usernames anymore.