Lowering his head, Matthew placed a tender ki*s on Stella’s forehead and confessed, “I love you, honey.”
Blushing, Stella slipped out of his embrace, hopped out of bed, and darted away.
“I’m going to take a shower. Goodnight.”
Without waiting for a response, she disappeared into the en-suite bathroom, leaving Matthew slightly lost and pensive.
He sat on the edge of the bed, contemplating the closed door, before retrieving his phone and calling Fernando.
“Prepare something for me.”
The following morning, Stella awoke and ventured out of her room. A hush had settled over the house, and Matthew’s room was conspicuously vacant.
Stella glanced at the clock and couldn’t fathom why he would have left for work so early.
As she descended the stairs, contemplating calling Matthew, her gaze fell upon a resplendent white dress adorning the living room. The sun’s rays streamed through the French windows, casting a warm golden hue upon the immaculate garment. Its craftsmanship was impeccable, clearly the work of a skilled artisan.
Stella found herself utterly captivated by this dress.
She stood in a trance for an extended moment, completely oblivious to someone approaching from behind.
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It wasn’t until Matthew encircled her waist with his arms that she became aware of his presence.
“Why didn’t you make a sound?” Stella leaned against his chest.
“I heard my own footsteps, you know. You were lost in thought and didn’t notice me,” Matthew replied, his lips grazing her hair.
“What do you think of this one?”
“It’s very beautiful.” Stella smiled.
Matthew loosened his embrace, turned Stella to face him, and suggested, “Why don’t you try it on?”
“Me?” Surprise flickered in Stella’s eyes.
Matthew removed the dress from its hanger and placed it in Stella’s hands. Then, he gently nudged her upstairs, saying, “Give it a try.”
Stella returned to her room, the dress still cradled in her arms, her mind in a whirl.
She hastily donned the dress, and to her astonishment, it hugged her form like it had been custom-tailored for her.
Gazing at herself in the mirror, even without a hint of makeup, Stella found herself radiating beauty in the white dress.
When she descended the stairs once more, Matthew remained rooted in place.
Slowly, he raised his head, and his eyes widened in sheer astonishment.