I gawked at him in disbelief.“You’re lying.”
“You know that’s not my style,” he replied, his grin widening.
I squeezed his hand, feeling a surge of exhilaration. A private tour of Prada was a dream come true. As we walked inside, I could hardly contain my excitement.
A distinguished-looking man approached us, smiling warmly. “Dr. Romano, Ms. Moretti, welcome,” he said. “I’m Matteo, and I’ll be your guide today.”
Matteo handed me a beautifully wrapped bag. “On behalf of Prada, these are some special edition items for you.”
I opened the bag to find a limited edition handbag, a pair of crocodile leather heels, and a silk scarf with a unique design. My eyes widened in amazement. “These are incredible,” I breathed, looking up at Ronan. “Thank you.”
He squeezed my hand. “You deserve it,tesoro,” he said softly.
Matteo led us through the grand halls of the fashion house, each room more breathtaking than the last. We saw the design studios where sketches came to life, the ateliers where skilled artisans meticulously crafted each piece, and the archives housing Prada’s rich history.
I was captivated by the detailed process behind each creation. Matteo explained how every design began with a concept, followed by countless hours of drawing, selecting fabrics, and perfecting patterns. We watched as seamstresses skillfully sewed intricate garments, their hands moving with practiced precision.
“This is where the magic happens,” Matteo said, opening the doors to a room filled with vibrant fabrics and sewing machines.
I turned to Ronan, my eyes shining with gratitude. “This is amazing,” I whispered. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch sending shivers down my spine. “I wanted to show you how much I believe in you, Nina. You’re an incredible designer, and you deserve to see the best.”
As the tour continued, we explored the runway room where models practiced their walks, the accessories room filled with stunning handbags and shoes, and the innovation lab where new materials and technologies were tested. I was in awe of the creativity and dedication that went into every aspect of Prada’s work.
Throughout the tour, Ronan stayed by my side, holding my hand and sharing in my excitement. His presence was acomforting anchor, grounding me as I floated on a cloud of inspiration and wonder.
Ronan turned to Matteo and asked for privacy. Matteo nodded and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
“I don’t think he took that request too well,” I said, my voice tinged with disbelief.
Ronan smiled. “I’m paying more than enough for privacy,” he replied, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
I looked around, still unable to fully grasp the reality of the situation. “I can’t believe this. I’m so happy, Ronan. You make me so happy. This… all of this… it means the world to me.”
He took my hands in his, his gaze intense. “I want us to try again. To step into the unknown together. Give me another shot. Love me through it all, as I’ll love you.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but he gently placed a finger on my lips, silencing me.
“Whatever concerns you have, we can fix them. If you want me in Italy, I’ll be here. If you want me wherever, I’ll be there. Because it’s not only about choosing you,” he said, his voice trembling with sincerity.
“What do you mean?” I whispered.
“I choose us,” he continued, his eyes locking onto mine with a fierce determination. “I choose us with every breath I take, every beat of my heart. At first, I left because I thought I was doing what was best for you, but now I realize I need to do what’s best for us. I’ve had patients die in my hands, and I’ve pulled countless souls back from the brink. I’ve been through everything, every form of grief possible, but nothing compares to the calm and serenity I feel with you. Nothing compares to what we have. Five years or no amount of years will ever be enough to make me stop loving you. You are the axis upon which my world spins. I’ve never even looked at another woman romantically because no one is you. No one gets my blood pumping or myheart racing like you do. No one makes me as happy as you do, Nina. With you, I am home. With you, I am whole.”
He paused, taking a deep breath. “Come with me. Do it with me.Ti amo, Nina.I’ve always loved you. I can’t promise I won’t make mistakes or that we’ll be perfect, but I’ll never leave you again.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, overwhelmed by the depth of his words and the intensity of his feelings. I didn’t need to answer him with words; my emotions spoke volumes. I stepped closer, my heart pounding in my chest, and kissed him with all the passion and love I had been holding back.
The kiss was fervent, a mix of relief, longing, and a promise for the future.
Ronan’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer, as if he could fuse our souls together. I clung to him, pouring everything I felt into the moment, letting him know without words I was ready to step into the unknown with him.
When we finally broke apart, our foreheads rested against each other, both of us breathing heavily. I looked into his eyes, seeing the same love and determination that mirrored my own feelings.
“I love you, Ronan,” I whispered, my voice shaky but resolute.
“And I love you, Nina,” he replied softly, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “Always.”
