Chapter 4: The Billionaire's Proposal

The dining room suddenly fell into an awkward silence.

Emerald could feel Achilles' storm-grey eyes resting on her while everyone else exchanged greetings.

Seven years.

It had been seven years since they had last stood this close.

Back then, she had been a heartbroken teenager.

Now, she was a confident twenty-two-year-old woman who refused to let her emotions control her.

"It's been a long time," Tobias broke the silence with a grin. "Ace, you remember my little sister, right?"

Achilles didn't take his eyes off Emerald.

"I never forgot her."

His deep voice was calm, yet something about those four words made Emerald's heartbeat skip.

She quickly looked away.

"Dinner's getting cold," Mrs. Hutton interrupted with a smile.

"Let's eat first."

Everyone took their seats.

By some cruel twist of fate, the only empty chair happened to be beside Achilles.

"Emerald, sweetheart, sit there," her mother suggested.

Emerald wanted to refuse.

Instead, she forced a smile and sat beside him.

The scent of his cologne instantly reached her.

It was different from years ago.

Richer.

More mature.

But somehow still familiar.

"How was New York?" Richard asked.

"Busy," Emerald replied.

"College kept me occupied."

"And now she's graduating with honors," Beth proudly added through a video call the family had started earlier.

"She was one of the best students."

"I'm not surprised," Achilles suddenly spoke.

Everyone looked at him.

"She was always intelligent."

Emerald glanced at him in surprise.

He remembered that?

"Thank you," she answered politely.

Again...

Mr. Valencian.

Mr. Valencian.

Every formal word pushed Achilles further away.

Dinner continued with casual conversations.

Business.

Travel.

Future plans.

Only Emerald and Achilles remained unusually quiet.

After dessert, Tobias stood up.

"Let's go to the game room like old times!"

"Pool?"

"Poker?"

"Chess?"

At the word chess, Emerald froze.

Her fingers tightened around her glass.

"I'm tired," she said quickly.

"I think I'll head upstairs."

"Already?" Mrs. Hutton frowned.

"You just arrived."

"It's been a long flight."

"I need some rest."

She excused herself before anyone could stop her.

Once inside her bedroom, she closed the door and leaned against it.

"Pull yourself together," she whispered.

"He's just another man now."

"Nothing more."

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in."

The door slowly opened.

Achilles stepped inside.

"May I?"

Emerald frowned.

"You already did."

He closed the door behind him.

"You're avoiding me."

"Am I?"

"Yes."

"Maybe because we don't have anything to talk about anymore."

"I disagree."

"Really?"

"We have seven years to talk about."

Emerald folded her arms.

"I have nothing to say about those seven years."

"But I do."

"Then talk to someone else."

Achilles stared at her quietly.

"You're angry."

She laughed bitterly.

"You're seven years late to notice."

For the first time, uncertainty crossed his face.

"Rosebud..."

"Don't call me that."

Her sharp reply stunned him.

"I'm not your Rosebud anymore."

Silence filled the room.

Achilles looked at her as though she'd slapped him.

"What happened that day?" he finally asked.

"The day you left."

"Nothing happened."

"You're lying."

"Believe whatever you want."

"I came to your house the next morning."

"You were already gone."

"You left without saying goodbye."

Emerald smiled sadly.

"Some goodbyes are easier in silence."

"Not for the person left behind."

His words caught her off guard.

"What?"

"Forget it."

He rubbed his jaw before taking a slow breath.

"I'm hosting a charity gala tomorrow night."

"I'd like you to come."

"No."

He blinked.

"You didn't even think about it."

"I don't need to."

"I don't attend events with strangers."

The word stranger visibly hurt him.

"Is that what I am now?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"No."

"To me..."

He paused.

"You're still the same girl who beat me three times in chess."

"And you're still the man who never likes losing," Emerald answered.

For the first time that evening...

A faint smile appeared on Achilles' face.

"You're right."

"I hate losing."

"Especially what's mine."

Emerald frowned.

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing."

He slipped a black invitation card onto her desk.

"If you change your mind... I'll be waiting."

Without another word, he walked toward the door.

Just before leaving, he looked back.

"Good night... Emerald."

The door quietly closed behind him.

Emerald stared at the invitation card.

She picked it up.

Then immediately threw it into the trash bin.

"I'm not falling into your games again."

Downstairs, Tobias caught up with Achilles before he reached the front entrance.

"Everything alright?"

Achilles looked toward Emerald's bedroom window.

"No."

"She hates me."

Tobias sighed.

"Can you blame her?"

"No."

"But I intend to change that."

"Good luck."

"You'll need a miracle."

Achilles smiled faintly.

"I don't believe in miracles."

"I believe in strategy."

"Chess taught me one thing..."

"Every game can be won with enough patience."

He looked back toward the glowing bedroom window one last time.

"And this time..."

"I won't lose my Rosebud again."