When he said he was going to move to another law firm, the Representative reacted as if the world had collapsed.
“Just once, think about it just one more time! What’s the reason? What did they offer you over there? I’ll give you anything, I’ll do everything you want! So please, just don’t say you’re quitting…!”
He abandoned all pretense and desperately clung to him. Seeing him so desperate, as if he were about to cry, or rather, with tears actually welling up, Dominic felt nothing. No appeal moved Dominic’s heart. He wanted only one thing, and unfortunately, the Representative couldn’t give it to him.
“Thank you for everything so far.”
Dominic left the office with those insincere words. Now he was completely free.
The date for starting work at the new law firm was set for three months later. They clearly didn’t like the fact that he wasn’t starting immediately and had a three-month grace period, but that was the only request Dominic made in exchange for agreeing to transfer, so they had no choice but to grant it.
Although it was three months, it was actually a short time for Dominic. Because there were many things he had to do in the meantime. He was planning to marry Juliet.
There would be no need to ask Juliet for his opinion.
Because he also loved Dominic. Juliet had said he wanted to have children, so that was a shame, but there was also the option of adoption, so there would be no problem.
His Secretaries were busy searching for a wedding venue and looking for a new house to suit their demanding boss’s tastes, but he chose the design of the ring himself.
Dominic spent three days searching for a ring that would suit Juliet, but eventually decided to design it himself and have it custom-made.
The large diamond ring, surrounded by pink diamonds reminiscent of cherry blossom petals, would suit Juliet’s long fingers very well.
All preparations were going smoothly. Even the usually fickle weather was good, making it feel perfect.
The only problem was that he couldn’t properly get in touch with Juliet. While ordering the creation of the one and only ring and reviewing the mansions and travel destinations that the Secretaries had narrowed down, he tried to meet Juliet several times, but even talking on the phone was difficult.
-I’m busy right now, can we talk next time?
Every time he called, Juliet would try to hang up in a hurry, and there were countless times when he didn’t answer at all. He even felt like he was somehow anxious, but Dominic thought it was nothing. Unlike himself, Juliet was working at a company, so it was natural for him to be busy.
But as the days of postponing and avoiding Dominic dragged on for almost three weeks, he could no longer stand it.
“Should I go to your company? What kind of case are you handling that’s keeping you so busy?”
When he finally got through on the phone again, Dominic couldn’t hide his annoyance and snapped. Even this was a lot of patience for Dominic. Juliet was the first person he had ever been so patient with and suppressed his emotions for. Juliet also noticed this, and after dragging out the time, he finally opened his mouth.
-Can we meet briefly for lunch on Wednesday?
Lunch on a weekday.
It was a time slot like making a business appointment, but when you’re working on a case, it’s not easy to take time out for lunch. It wasn’t the right place or timing to propose, but there was no more time. If they were going to get married, Juliet would need time to tell his company and take time off.
“I will.”
Dominic nervously swept back his hair and added in a subdued voice.
“I have something to give you.”
As he hinted before hanging up, Juliet gave an awkward laugh.
-What is it? I’ll look forward to it.
Hearing his voice eased his unpleasant mood.
“I love you.”
Dominic said the words he hadn’t been able to say until now. He smiled, assuming that the same words would naturally come back, but that didn’t happen.
-Yeah… Sorry, I’m busy.
Leaving only ambiguous words, Juliet hung up the phone. Dominic stared intently at the phone with the screen turned off.
Looking at the black screen, he felt an unpleasant feeling, as if something hideous was crawling up his legs. Feeling this emotion for the first time, he frowned and looked down, but of course there was nothing there.
He was dumbfounded by what he had done and laughed briefly. He was Dominic Miller. That kind of thing couldn’t happen.
He was just being sensitive.
Dominic simply dismissed the thought. After a few boring and anxious days, the day finally arrived.
Summer comes earlier to the city than to other places. The sun was already shining quite intensely, but the climate was still cool. Dominic walked down the street, leaving the hem of his thin coat fluttering in the wind.
He had woken up early in the morning and leisurely finished his preparations. Today was finally the day. It would have been better to have a leisurely dinner and talk, but this wasn’t bad either. Soon the two of them would be going on a long vacation together.
A faint smile appeared on Dominic’s lips. The ring was in his suit’s inside pocket.
It was almost time. As he imagined Juliet being surprised to receive the proposal ring, his usually stern face softened. Anyone who knew Dominic would be surprised and shocked, but he didn’t care at all. All that mattered now was the fact that he was going to meet Juliet.
Juliet.
Just repeating his name in his mouth made all boredom and hostility disappear. His life, which had been so boring until now, was unbelievably sweet. It seemed as if the scent of flowers was coming from somewhere, mixed with the wind. Along with whispers of love.
It was 15 minutes after the appointed time that the man entered the private room. Waiting for an appointment like this. It was a first for Dominic in his entire life.
Juliet, who opened the door to the private room and entered, was pale and his shoulders were shaking.
“I’m sorry, I’ve been so busy lately.”
Juliet apologized, looking flustered, but Dominic’s heart immediately softened.
“I’m only letting it slide today.”
He conspicuously checked the watch on his wrist and added a warning, but his tone was so gentle that no one listening would have thought it was a warning.
“Yeah, thank you.”
Juliet said with an awkward smile. He looked so pitiful that Dominic didn’t push him any further.
Let’s forgive him because today is a special day.
“How have you been? You look good.”
After the staff brought the amuse-bouche, Juliet spoke first. It was just a commonplace, insincere greeting, but in Dominic’s case, it was true, so it couldn’t really be called superficial.
“Is that so?”
Dominic smiled faintly, looking at Juliet across from him. It wasn’t just Dominic who looked good. Juliet was the same. His neatly combed-back hair and perfect suit were the typical image of an office worker, but there was one thing that was special. It was Juliet.
Seeing the face smiling at him, Dominic’s remaining unpleasantness completely disappeared. Thinking that it couldn’t be helped, he simply chuckled.
“You look good too.”
“I’ve had some good things happen.”
“Really?”
Dominic smiled at his reaction of constantly avoiding eye contact, as if he had something to say.
“I’m curious, what happened?”
“How do you think the law firm will be? I heard you’re starting in three months?”
Juliet changed the subject instead of answering. Dominic said casually.
“Yeah, I have some important things to take care of before that.”
The flow of the conversation was good. When the timing felt natural to speak, Dominic deliberately leaned back in his chair.
Now, when should I take out the ring?
He wanted to quickly see Juliet’s happy face at the gift he had prepared. Is this the feeling of excitement he had never felt before in his life? Forcibly suppressing the corners of his mouth that were naturally loosening, Dominic spoke.
“I have something to tell you.”
Juliet, who had been drinking water, turned his head to look at him.
“Ah, me too. I have something to tell you.”
Dominic wore a relaxed smile on his face at the awkward reaction.
“You go first.”
The delayed confession timing wasn’t a big problem for Dominic at this moment. The important things usually come later.
Above all, today he was more considerate and caring than anyone else in the world. As if he could do anything for the man in front of him, as if he would accept any rudeness he committed.
Juliet, averting his gaze from Dominic’s soft face, opened his mouth. Looking in another direction, as if spitting it out urgently.
“I’m getting married.”
Except for one thing.