Lana Smith (28 years old) is a single plus-size woman. When a new boss (Edward Johnson, 35 years old) comes into her life, her life changes so much. Will she live happily ever after with him?
View More“Here goes the ten finalists in no particular order!”
My heart beat so fast when I was waiting to hear they called my name in The Best Romance 2025 announcement. One by one, they called the finalists’ names until the last name.
“The last finalist is … Sonia Cartwright! Let’s give all the finalists your biggest applause!”
All clapped to congratulate the finalists in the convention hall. However, I was shocked. They should call my name. Two weeks ago, I received a notification that my name with nine others were the finalists.
Later, they announced the winners. I didn’t care anymore. Sinking myself on the couch, I could only hug myself while staring blankly at the winners and their supporters who enjoyed the awarding night. Their cheerful voices filled the convention hall packed with many contestants who came to know the winners.
So many questions crossed my mind. Why didn’t they announce my name? Did they wrongly send the notification? How could it be? My eyes were hot, and the tears almost flowed to my face, but I didn’t want anyone to see me crying. So, I bit my lower lip and tried so hard not to think about anything.
All finalists would fly to London for a week. The winners’ books would be published by famous publishers. Whoever won tonight would be some new successful authors.
I also noticed some blitzes kept blazing from time to time. It seemed many reporters came tonight. A few crews with their videos shot the events. Apparently, they would show it on the television. The event committee already told contestants about it. I wasn’t sure if it was true.
After a while, it was finished. I rushed to the lobby because ten minutes ago I had already ordered a cab to the train station. My mind was blank. What I wanted was just to go home, to get away from this blasted place.
Before reaching the lobby, Tanya, a contestant who came and didn’t win either, saw me. “Lana, why do you rush home?”
“Oh, I don’t feel well. See you next time.” After waving to her, I hurried to leave. Fortunately, the cab that I ordered came not long afterward.
“Ms. Lana Smith?” the driver asked.
“Yes, I’m Lana Smith. To the train station, please,” I said while sitting on the seat.
Afterward, my mind flashed back to two weeks ago. The blasted email was the reason I suffered. I would be so embarrassed tomorrow. Cecil, my best friend who was also my close co-worker, read the email too through my shoulders. In fact, I promised to treat her something tomorrow. Also, I told my family too.
I covered my eyes with a hand. Despite my core family being a small family, my extended family was a big one, and we were close to each other. So, if one of us got wonderful news, all would know. It wasn’t great news anymore, but an unfortunate one. What should I do? It was too embarrassing.
My tears shed in my face. I wiped them with tissues, and a small package of tissues was gone instantly. The minutes to the train station were like hours. For the first time, I cried near a stranger, the cab driver who didn’t know my reason to cry.
When the cab finally arrived at the train station, I paid the driver while holding my handbag. The train station was like my freedom symbol because I could go away from here.
“Here’s the change,” he said while giving me a few coins.
I shook my head. “No need. Keep the change.”
“Thank you!” The driver smiled at me.
I rushed to go to the train station. It was still packed with the passengers. Later, passing the checking ticket gate, I hurried to find the train. Ah, I saw it! After blowing my breath, I rushed to the train.
After finding my seat, I leaned my head on the chair and pretended to sleep. I was too exhausted emotionally, even to have a small talk with a stranger. Not long afterward, someone filled the seat next to me. I opened my eyes for five seconds. It was a senior. He also slept not long after putting his head on the chair.
The train moved five or ten minutes later. The friction of train wheels and the rail became a lullaby for me. Finally, I was asleep.
Somehow, the train stopped abruptly until it woke me. I checked the watch on my wrist. It was eleven p.m. Since the curtains didn’t cover the window, I tried to see the situation outside, but it’s too dark. Some passengers were busy preparing their belongings. It seemed we were close to the destination, my city. So I prepared my handbag too.
After three hours, at 11.20 p.m., the train arrived at the station of city Y. I rushed to leave the train. Some porters offered to bring my belongings, but I only shook my head because I brought nothing other than my handbag. Many cab drivers were waiting in the parking lot and near the lobby. One of them offered to send me to the destination, so I entered the car.
I arrived at my parents’ house twenty minutes later. It was a huge house with white walls and brown windows. A giant tree shaded the house in the garden. I put a key to the lock in the gray fence. After being inside, I locked the fence again. It was quiet. Maybe my parents were already asleep. It was late at night, near midnight. I took a deep breath, too relieved. At least I could calm myself tonight.
Later, I unlocked the front door. Pushing the door, I suddenly saw the light turning on.
“Surprise! Happy birthday!” some people shouted.
I was wrong! My uncles, aunts, and cousins were here! Oh, my goodness!
“Congratulations! So, how was the result?” Aunt Cleo asked.
Reynold, my cousin, Aunt Cleo’s son, also said, “Wow, what a great timing! It’s your birthday, and you’re surely getting a wonderful present!”
“Finally! Congratulations, Lana! Your effort is not in vain!” Annie, my other cousin, congratulated me too.
“Don’t forget to send me your book too after it’s published. I want to show it off to my friends,” Viona, Reynold’s sister, also shook my hand and smiled at me.
My uncles and aunts patted my back and shoulders and shook hands with me. They were all so happy for me.
I cleared my throat. No words I could say despite having so many things stuck in my mind. In the end, a teardrop fell to my cheek, then another. Finally, my cheeks were wet.
All were quiet suddenly, but it wasn’t for a long time. After a while, they asked me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Lana, why are you crying?”
Nine months later, my water broke. It exceeded the estimated due date by three days. Since my husband wanted to accompany me when I delivered our first baby, he already had day-offs for a week.I didn’t realize it at first, but when I saw water on the floor of the living room, I frowned. Our housekeeper already cleaned our house, so why did I see water on the floor? Then I felt an ache on my stomach. When I saw my wet dress, I just realized my water broke. Then the contraction happened, and I panicked.So, I rushed to call my husband. “Darling, let’s go to the hospital! My water broke!”“What?! Oh, okay!”He took my luggage and rushed to put it in the car baggage. Then he held my hand and helped me enter the car. After I wa
Finally, it was our wedding. After the wedding ceremony, we had lunch and mingled with our guests.My friends attended the party, and so was Denzel. He came with a beautiful woman. When we shook hands, he said, “Congratulations, Lana. Oh, I’m with my girlfriend, Regina. If all goes well, maybe we will follow your steps next year.”I beamed because it was good news. I was happy for him. “Oh, wonderful! I’m so happy for you.” Then I smiled at Denzel’s girlfriend. “Nice to meet you, Regina. I hope I’ll attend your wedding next year.”Regina blushed and nodded. “Thank you and congratulations on your wedding.”They shook hands with Edward too. We had many guests today. Cecil, Jenny, and Anna hugged
When he saw me, he put his arms around me and kissed my forehead. “So, got your dress yet?”I nodded. “It’s beautiful. Wait until you see it. Your mom said you’d like it too.”“Yes, her taste in fashion is great. So, we are in good hands when my mom involves herself to help in this area.”We left the boutique. “Where will we go?” I asked.“To our house. I want to make sure you choose any furniture and details that you like.” Despite buying a house with the furniture, it still lacked a personal touch. So, I was glad to add things I liked.We sat in the living room and started listing things we wanted to change or add there. Then we visited all
Six months later, the wedding preparation was almost finished. Today my mom, Edward’s mom, and I went to a few boutiques to find my wedding dress. We came to the boutiques because Edward’s mom fetched us with her driver.When the shop assistant noticed Edward’s mom, she immediately greeted her, “Mrs. Johnson, great to see you again.”“Thank you. I’m with my in-law, Mrs. Smith, and my future daughter-in-law, Lana Smith. We want to buy a wedding dress for my future daughter-in-law.”The shop assistant bowed her head. “Yes, Mrs. Johnson. Great to meet you, Mrs. and Miss Smith.” Then she led us to a couch. “Please have a seat first while I’ll ask to prepare our newest collection. Do you want tea or coffee?”
Edward held my hand and helped me exit the car. He escorted me, and we walked for a while. “Where are we going?” I asked. “What surprise did you have for me? I’m curious.”He chuckled and squeezed my hand. “You’ll see. Just wait. It won’t take too long from now.”So, we kept walking. Then he stopped and whispered in my ear, “Are you ready, baby?”“Yes.” I smiled though I couldn’t see anything. “Can I open the blindfold?”“Not yet. Wait until someone helps you to remove the blindfold, okay?”I nodded, but I wondered what surprise he had prepared for me. I was more curious because the blindfold was thick until I saw nothing. So, I tried to listen, but still it was nothing. I couldn’t hear anything. But then, my blindfold was opened. Before I could react to see who did it, I saw Edward on his knee. “My love, Lana Smith, I know our parents have met today and discussed our upcoming wedding, but I want to ask you. We have been through ups and downs together. After everything we’ve been t
In our culture, marriage wasn’t only about the two of us, but also the two families. So, despite Edward already telling me about his desire to marry me, we still needed to involve our parents in the wedding preparation. Edward’s parents visited my parents’ house. My dad and mom welcomed them because they were excited to get to know them. “Mr. and Mrs. Smith, our children are so good together,” Mr. Robert said. “I think it’s best if we discuss their wedding soon. Edward is 35, almost 36 this year. Also, Lana is 28. Since they love each other, how about if we plan their wedding soon?”My dad nodded while glancing at both Edward and I. He smiled at Mr. Robert. “What you said is true. I like Edward like my son. Lana is our only child, and if she married your son, it feels like we have a new son. I agree with the wedding plan. So, when is the best time?”“How about six months from now?” Edward’s father said. “I don’t think we need to wait for longer. They fit each other. The sooner they
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