A Moment Of Happiness

A Moment Of Happiness

Vivian’s POV

​The sharp ringing of my phone cut through the quiet of my office.

​I glanced at the caller ID, and a wide grin spread across my face before I even hit answer.

​"Hi, my beautiful friend Guess what?"

​"Vanessa? Why do you sound like that?" her voice came through, heavy with curiosity. "Like you're about to scream!"

​I let out a breathless laugh, completely unable to contain the nervous energy buzzing in my chest. "Because I have good news.

​"Tell me don't keep me hanging"

​"They finally approved it, Vanessa. They accepted my contract.

​A loud scream echoed through the speaker, making me pull the phone away for a second. "What? Oh my God, Vivian, congratulations!"

​Hearing her genuine excitement brought a warm flush to my cheeks. I stood up and began pacing, my heels clicking softly against the floor.

​"I told you I would get it"

​"No, you didn't" Vanessa countered, laughing. "You kept telling me to prepare myself just in case they rejected you"

​"That was only because I didn't want to get my hopes up and end up heartbroken," I admitted softly.

​"Well, guess what? You didn't get heartbroken. They took you"

​For months, I had poured every piece of my soul into this project. I remembered the endless sleepless nights, the biting self doubt, and the quiet moments crying on my office floor, wondering if I was actually good enough or just delusional. I had prayed for this. I had sacrificed my time, my energy, and my peace of mind.

​It wasn't just a business agreement. To me, it felt like survival. It was proof that I could build something real with my own hands. Proof that I was a capable, intelligent woman and not simply Adrian Carter’s wife.

​"I am so proud of you, my dear friend," Vanessa said, her voice softening.

​"Thank you, Vee. Seriously."

​"You deserve this more than anyone I know. I wish I was right there to hug you."

​"Then come over" I said instantly. "Please, I need a celebration partner.

​"Give me thirty minutes," she promised.

​I giggled. "Thirty minutes? That's too long"

​"Fine, twenty minutes! I'm leaving right now."

​We ended the call, and I stared down at the screen with a wide smile. My eyes drifted to the official document sitting on my desk. I walked over and slowly ran my fingers across the heavy paper, right over my name printed boldly on the first page.

​I did it.

​My chest felt so full of joy it almost hurt. I needed to share this with the one person who held my whole world together. My husband.

​I clicked his contact photo and brought the phone to my ear. It didn't even ring three times before his deep, smooth voice filled the line.

​"Hey, beautiful”

​Just hearing him melted away the last bit of tension in my shoulders. "Baby How are you?

​"I'm fine, my pretty wife. But tell me why do you sound like you just won the lottery?

​"Because I have good  news Guess what?

​"Did you get the contract?

​I froze, my jaw dropping. "How did you know?"

​"Vivian, you’ve been talking about this deal every single day for four months, " he chuckled softly.

​I broke into a bright laugh. Adrian, I got it I really got it

​There was a brief pause, followed by the deep rumble of his laugh. I knew you would.

​"You aren't even surprised?

​"No. Because my wife is brilliant.

​I smiled so hard my cheeks began to ache. "You really think so?

​"I know so

​"You know what?" I murmured, wrapping an arm around my waist. "Sometimes I wonder what I ever did to deserve a man like you.

​His tone softened with warmth. "You love me, Vivian. That’s more than enough. I am so proud of you. This is your achievement. You earned every bit of it, so don't let anyone make you feel like you just got lucky.

​I closed my eyes, squeezing them shut as affection washed over me. I couldn't imagine existing in a world without Adrian.

​"You're my biggest supporter, “I whispered. "I love you."

​I love you too, baby

​"Are you coming home early tonight? I asked hopefully. "So we can celebrate?

​"I'll try.

​"You always say that, I pouted. And then you get caught up in emergency meetings.

​"And you always complain," he teased softly.

​"Because I miss you

​"I'll make it up to you tonight. Trust me.

​"I'll call you later, then. Love you."

​"Love you more."

​When the call disconnected, I pressed the phone against my chest. God, I was so blessed. My husband loved me fiercely. He remembered the tiny details I forgot about myself and celebrated my wins as if they were his own.

​Exactly twenty minutes later, a sharp knock sounded at my door. I rushed over and pulled it open to find Vanessa holding a sleek luxury gift bag.

​"You actually made it," I gasped.

​"Of course I did" She stepped inside and wrapped her arms around my neck. "I would never miss this.

​She shoved the bag into my hands. Inside was a high end perfume set I had been eyeing for months.

​"Vanessa This is way too expensive"

​"You deserve nice things," she said simply, sitting down in one of the armchairs. "Now sit down and tell me everything."

​I set the gift aside, bursting to share the details. I told her about the payment, the scope of the project, and my big plans. Vanessa listened, nodding along.

​"You're really happy, aren't you?" she asked softly.

​"I am," I said, leaning back. "I really am.

​"You deserve to be

​"You know what makes all of this even better?" I added a dreamy smile covering my face. "Adrian. He was just as excited as I was. He always believes in me."

​I was so caught up in my joy that I didn't notice the sudden stiffening of her shoulders, or how her smile faltered.

​"He takes such good care of me, Vanessa," I continued, oblivious. "He remembers every little thing. If I'm tired, he cancels his late meetings just to come home with me."

​Vanessa stared at me. The smile remained on her lips, but something cold crossed her eyes before she took a slow sip of her drink.

​"He sounds perfect," she murmured.

​"Oh, he isn't perfect!" I laughed. "He can be stubborn, but he is so good to me. Sometimes I feel like the luckiest woman alive."

​Vanessa didn't answer

​I blinked, catching on to her quiet demeanor. "Hey... are you okay?"

​She forced a small laugh. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired from work today."

​I reached across the table and took her hand. "You know I want this exact kind of happiness for you too, right? You deserve a love like this."

​The moment my fingers touched hers, Vanessa's hand went completely still. Her eyes locked onto mine, strangely tense. "What do you mean by that?"

​Before I could process the sharp edge in her tone, a harsh vibration buzzed across the room. It was coming from Vanessa’s purse.

​She pulled her hand back sharply, pulling out her phone. I caught a glimpse of an unknown number on the screen.

​Vanessa frowned, answering. "Hello?"

​Within two seconds, every ounce of color drained from her face. Her lips parted, but no sound came out

​"What?" she whispered, her voice trembling violently

​The caller spoke rapidly. Vanessa stood up so fast her chair screeched against the floorboards. Absolute panic flooded her eyes.

​"I'm coming right now," she stammered desperately. "Hold on, please! I'm coming"

​She shoved the phone into her bag, not even ending the call, and grabbed her coat.

​"Vanessa" I gasped, standing up. "What's wrong? What happened?"

​She didn't look at me. Her hands were shaking so hard she could barely turn the door handle.

​"I have to go, Vivian. I'm sorry, I have to go now, her voice cracking.

​"Vee, wait Who was that?"

​Without answering, she tore the door open and bolted down the hallway, her frantic footsteps fading into the distance. I stood frozen in the middle of my office, heart hammering against my ribs, staring at the empty doorway as a sickening feeling settled in my stomach.