The morning sun rose lazily over the skyline of Clearvillle casting a warm, golden hue across the city like an artist brushing gold across a canvas. It was one of those rare mornings when the air felt electric—filled with the weight of expectations and the thrill of something life-changing about to unfold. The streets thrummed with the usual rhythm of a Saturday morning—horns honked, coffee carts bustled, joggers pounded sidewalks in their weekend routines. But within the walls of the Journals, the energy was anything but routine.
There was a rush of activity—like the heartbeat of a machine fine-tuning itself for launch. Today was the day before the DreamWeaver Ad Launch . Seven days of hard work, creativity, stress, arguments, breakthroughs, and sleepless nights were all winding to this one moment.
Mirabel stood by her office window, gazing out at the sun-soaked city. Dressed in sleek beige slacks and a blazer, she looked every bit the boss she was—but her eyes held something deeper… something personal. Her heart was pounding, but she couldn't quite place why. Maybe it was the pressure. Or maybe it was something else… someone else.
She turned, picked up her phone, and hit the intercom. "Everyone, boardroom. Now."
Within minutes, the boardroom was packed. All employees were seated around the long round table,chattering with the giddy excitement of nearing the finish line.
Mirabel walked in, "Good morning," she said, placing a folder on the table.
"Morning " they chorused.
" Alright, I'm sure we are all pomped up for tomorrow's launch and I hope we are fully prepared…" she asked,
" Definitely.., just little tweaks and adjustments needs to be done and that's all…" Mason replied.
" Alright then…, I…" she paused,she scanned the room, eyes flitting across each familiar face—until she noticed the empty seat at the far end.
"Where's Vicky?" she asked, her brow subtly furrowing.
There was an awkward pause. The room exchanged glances.
"If he's not in the room, then he probably hasn't arrived yet," Dianne replied.
Mirabel's voice dropped slightly. "I just hope he's not up to something reckless…"
"Did you say something?" Dianne asked, raising a brow.
Mirabel quickly shook her head. "No, no. It's nothing. You can all head back to your workstations. I just wanted to check on the progress."
With that, the team nodded and made their way back to their offices, leaving Mirabel lost in thought.
Minutes stretched into hours, and still, there was no sign of Vicky. Mirabel paced restlessly around her office, anxiety building with each passing second. Every now and then, she'd step out and sit at the reception, hoping—praying—to see him walk through the door. But nothing.
She tried calling him again. No answer.
Her worry deepened.
In a last attempt to ease her nerves, she made her way around the offices, checking in on her employees—maybe Vicky had arrived quietly, maybe she had missed him. But with each face she passed, the reality remained the same: Vicky was nowhere to be found.
"Why hasn't he shown up? What could he possibly be up to?" she muttered under her breath.
She tried to calm herself. "Relax, Mirabel. He's not a child. There's no need for this unnecessary panic."
She returned to her seat, took a deep breath, and attempted to shake the thoughts off. But the restlessness returned like a wave. She sprang to her feet again. "Who am I kidding…"
Making her way downstairs, she stood by the entrance, eyes scanning the road.
Then she turned—and spotted Rose walking by.
Mirabel rolled her eyes and turned away, but then paused. "Let me just ask her," she muttered. "She always seems to know where Vicky is these days…"
She walked briskly toward her. "Hey," she said, her tone curt.
Rose stopped and turned slightly. "Uhm… hi. I….."
"It's okay, no need for the formalities," Mirabel cut in, her tone brisk.
"Alright then… I'll get back to work," Rose replied, turning to leave.
"Wait," Mirabel said, stopping her. "I want to ask you something—if you don't mind."
Rose turned back around, a subtle smirk tugging at her lips. "Sure. You're the boss—you can ask me anything. Who am I to object?"
Mirabel hesitated for a second before asking, "Do you know where Vicky is? He hasn't shown up all day, and I was just wondering if… maybe you've heard from him?"
Rose blinked. "No… he didn't tell me anything. I don't know where he is. I mean, why would I? He wouldn't exactly tell me about his whereabouts…" she trailed off, fumbling over her words.
Mirabel's gaze narrowed, disgust briefly shadowed her features, but she composed herself quickly and turned away. "Alright. You can go."
"Okay…" Rose mumbled before walking off, her steps brisk and uneasy.
Mirabel remained at the entrance, scanning the horizon with quiet desperation, as though willing Vicky to appear. Moments later, she heard footsteps behind her.She turned to find a group of her employees standing there, concern etched on their faces.
"What are you all doing here?" she asked, folding her arms.
"You're worried," Ethan said simply. "We thought we'd stay and keep you company."
Mirabel shook her head lightly. "No, it's fine. I'm not that worried. It's just that—"
"No need to explain," Jessica interrupted gently. "We understand. So we'll wait with you… until he shows up."
And with that, they all stood quietly by the office entrance, a solemn silence falling over the group as they stared out into the distance—waiting.
Minutes passed. Still nothing.
And then—just when hope felt like it was slipping—
The front doors slid open.
A delivery man walked in with,holding a sleek white package under one arm. "Delivery for… Mirabel…"
"I'm Mirabel," she said, stepping forward, heart thumping wildly.
The man handed her the package. "Just this. No note. No sender."
He walked away.
The office held its breath.Mirabel slowly opened the box. Inside was a brand-new phone—slim, dark grey, untouched.
The screen lit up instantly, revealing just one thing:
Play.
Her heart stopped.
With trembling hands, she tapped the screen.
The video began.
Vicky was seated on a chair, dressed in a simple white shirt and jeans, a serene breeze rustling through the trees behind him.
He looked… calm.
But his eyes glistened.
"If you're watching this, then I guess I've finally run out of ways to impress you," he said with a wry smile. " Well I did think really hard of what I could really do but I had nothing…but this isn't about stunts or games…."
Mirabel's throat tightened. Her eyes welled up.
"This… is about you. About how you made me feel alive again. The moments I spent beside you, starring at your face.., those little moments we stood beside each other, holding hands, sharing our feelings were honestly the best moments of my life."
Gasps echoed around the room. Dianne clutched her chest, emotional. Lucy rolled her eyes but stayed rooted. Rose's jaw clenched, arms crossed as she drew near to hear Vicky's words clearly.
" I know I messed up.. big time, I made you feel lost, unwanted, jealous and worthless and I really regret the things I did and said. If I could change the past then I would gone back to those horrible days and change the whole narrative but I can't. I've spent every day of this challenge hoping and doing my best to prove to you that I really want to make you feel loved, not lonely, not worthless. I want to make you feel loved and I really do want that Mirabel…but if this doesn't convince you then I'll just accept the fact that we weren't meant to be, that it's over.., that the Vicky and Mirabel love story was never meant to be completed…".
The video began to zoom out.
Vicky stood slowly from the chair. The environment shifted, revealing the edge of a high, towering cliff. Wind howled around him as he stepped to the edge.
Mirabel allowed a small smirk to escape. "Probably another of his grand gestures. Never mind him." But deep inside, a pinch of worry took root in her chest.
"I don't know if I've earned your love, Mirabel,or if I even deserve it.." he said softly. "But I know I've given you all of mine."
He looked into the camera.
Smiled.
Tears in his eyes.
"I love you, Mirabel…and I always will…and I can't imagine living a life without you in it…" he says and then—
*he jumped.*
"NOOO!!!" Mirabel screamed, collapsing to her knees as the phone slipped from her hand. Tears streamed down her face, soaking her blouse.
Rose fell backwards, shock and despair written all over her face.
The office erupted in chaos. They all gasped, some holding their heads. A haunting silence fell over the room.
Mirabel sobbed uncontrollably.And then…a soft hand tapped her shoulder. She turned around, shaking.Vicky stood behind her. Alive. Smiling. Teary-eyed.
"You didn't think I'd actually do it… did you?, how was my acting…" he said gently.
Mirabel froze.
Then, in one swift moment, she threw her arms around him and held him tightly. The office burst into thunderous applause.
" Bravo Vicky…Bravo…" John says.
Lucy rolled her eyes and stormed off. Rose stood still, still shocked, she tries wrapping her head around the incident that just took place as she forced a smile.
Vicky cupped Mirabel's face. "I'm sorry for scaring you."
She smacked his chest lightly. "You idiot…"
He grinned. "But I'm your idiot now… right?"
She laughed through her tears, nodding.
" Awwwn.., this is so cute…." Emily says,
" Yeah it is.." says Tyrone.
" Don't tell me you guys had a hand in this too…" Mirabel asked,
" Yes of course.., and we enjoyed every bit of it…" Dianne replied.
" I can't believe this.." Mirabel says, a broad smile cutting across her face.
Vicky extended his hand toward her. "Come with me," he said softly.
Mirabel raised a brow. "Where are we going?"
"Just trust me," he replied, a small smile playing on his lips.
Without another word, she slipped her hand into his, and together they walked out of the office into the golden warmth of the setting sun. The sky blazed in hues of orange and rose, casting long shadows as they strolled a short distance away from the building.
Then Vicky stopped.
He turned to face her, gently taking both of her hands and pressing them to his chest. His heartbeat was steady… sincere.
"Right here," he began, his voice low and full of emotion, "under this setting sun, I make you a promise… I will never break your heart. I will never let you feel unwanted, or insecure, or scared, or less than you are. I won't give you reasons to doubt me, or to compare yourself to anyone else. I will always—always—make you feel deeply loved."
Mirabel's eyes softened. A quiet smile curved her lips as she stared into his eyes. "I still can't believe you pulled off all of this… just for me," she whispered. "I just hope you stay this way… that *we* stay this way."
"I will," Vicky replied, his grip tightening slightly.
And beneath the glowing sunset, wrapped in the fading light of the day, they stood—hand in hand, heart to heart—two souls who had endured the chaos, now finally finding their peace… in each other.