Chapter 10 - THE ORIGAMI STAR
Two years later.
The rain battered the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of Julian Vance’s downtown CEO office. Thunder rumbled over the city skyline, but inside, the room was warm and quiet.
Julian stood by the window, adjusting his tie. He was thirty-eight now, at the absolute pinnacle of his career, and happier than he had ever been in his life.
The office door opened with a soft click. Clara stepped in.
She looked breathtaking in a sleek, midnight-blue evening dress. Tonight was the annual Vanguard Gala—the exact same event where, years ago, Julian had taken back his life.
"The car is waiting downstairs," Clara said softly, walking up behind him.
Julian turned around. He didn't look at his watch, or his phone, or the towering skyscrapers outside. He only looked at her.
He reached out, gently pulling her by the waist until she was flush against his chest. Clara smiled, resting her hands on his lapels. The transition from employer and employee, to friends, to something deeply, passionately romantic had been slow, organic, and incredibly inevitable.
"You look stunning," Julian murmured, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her neck.
Clara hummed in appreciation. "And you look like a man who is going to make the board of directors very nervous."
"Let them be nervous," Julian smiled, resting his forehead against hers. "I don't care about them anymore. I only care about you. And Lily."
"Speaking of Lily," Clara said, stepping back slightly and pointing to the massive oak desk in the center of the room. "She wanted me to make sure you put it on your desk before we left. She said it was 'good luck' for the speech."
Julian turned to look.
There, sitting on a custom velvet display pedestal right next to his billion-dollar tech prototypes and multi-million dollar contracts, was a tiny, slightly faded, crumpled yellow origami paper star.
Julian walked over to it, lightly brushing the paper with his index finger. The memory of the dark, cold hospital room washed over him, completely eclipsed by the warmth of the life he had now.
May you like
He turned back to Clara, the love of his life, waiting for him by the door.
"She's right," Julian smiled, offering Clara his arm. "It's the most valuable thing I own. Let's go home."
