One: The Cody Wade Effect

Carmen sat at her glass-topped desk, fingers flying over her keyboard as she finalized the figures in her quarterly report. Sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind her, casting a golden glow on her sleek, modern office. Manhattan’s skyline stretched before her, a proof of her success as a finance director at one of the city’s top investment firms. She was composed, impeccably dressed in a fitted ivory blouse and tailored skirt, her dark locs pulled into a low, neat bun. 

Just as she was about to move to the next task, a sharp sound broke her focus. “Delivery!” A file landed on her desk, sliding a few inches across from her ‘Espresso yourself’ mug which she never failed to bring to work and take back home everyday. It’s been three years and the mug was still too precious to her. Carmen glanced up, startled, to see one of her colleagues, Jenna, smirking down at her, holding a bunch of files. 

“Jesus Christ, Jenna!” Carmen jolted a bit, chuckling, before letting out a playful sigh.”You scared me!”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to! But seriously, Carmen, three years married to The Cody Wade?! What’s it like being with such a dreamboat?” Jenna smirked, nudging her with a wink. 

“Don’t be dramatic now, Jenna. There’s still plenty of work left.” Carmen replied with a smile.

Jenna’s face fell slightly , only to be replaced by a mischievous grin. “Oh, come on, Carmen! You can’t keep all the details to yourself now. Tell meeee, pretty please! What’s it really like living with Cody?”

Carmen’s face softened, her heart warming at the thought of Cody. “Well, Cody’s been just…Cody” she shrugged, only for Jenna to shoot her a disappointed look.”

“Carmen, you know what I’m asking…” Jenna whined.

Carmen chuckled. She wasn’t too keen on sharing too much about her personal life, especially not to Jenna Mcclarke—Roldwells’ secretary and unofficial gossip queen. But when it came to talking about her husband, Carmen couldn’t help it.

“Alright, fine,” Carmen sighed, a dreamy look crossing her face. “I can’t say it’s been anything less than incredible, Jenna. Cody’s…everything,” she glanced at the wedding ring on her finger, smiling softly. “Tomorrow’s gonna make it three years. Cody has something special planned, apparently.”

“Of course he does,” Jenna teased, causing Carmen to blush “You’re married to Manhattan’s golden boy. The guy’s a millionaire and still looks like he just stepped out of a Calvin Klein ad. Ugh, you’re so lucky! Talk about living the dream.

Carmen laughed, shaking her head. “Don’t worry too much Jenna. One of these days, you’ll find someone who knocks you off your feet.” 

“Well I doubt that,” Jenna rolled her eyes. “All the guys around here are either taken, broke, or totally clueless. I need a ‘Cody’ in my life.” 

“Well, it’s not all designer suits and gala events,” Carmen replied with a laugh. But as she spoke, her mind took her back to the life they’d built together. How they went from being best friends to a happily married couple. 

Jenna shot her a knowing grin, tapping at the files she threw on Carmen’s desk. “Hey, lover girl, this  is for you. The boss needs it reviewed by the end of the day. Email the edited copy to him.” 

“Got it, thanks,” Carmen nodded, pulling the files closer. Jenna lingered for a moment, giving her a final wink before sauntering off, leaving Carmen alone with her thoughts. 

What was it they said about marrying your best friend? 

Three years ago, at exactly 8:59 p.m., Cody proposed to Carmen in a way that still played through her mind like a scene from her favorite movie. They’d been best friends since childhood, with Carmen always standing by his side, supporting him through countless late nights as he pursued his dream of making video games. 

She’d been there when he was broke, listening to his frustrations and cheering him on, even celebrating with him in her small apartment when he sold his first game to an indie company. Over time, Cody’s talent gained recognition, and he eventually made his first million. 

She thought back to the sheer joy she’d felt when she saw him going down on one knee under the city lights, and every precious moment since. Tomorrow marked three years of marriage, and Cody had hinted at a surprise. She was curious, but had managed to hold back from prodding him for the finer details of his plan. 

Cody was thoughtful, yes. But he had a flair for the extravagant stuff. She remembered one particular occasion where he’d filled her workplace with two thousand peonies, along with a romantic note and an array of different dishes she eventually shared with her colleagues and those in need on the streets. Oh, and there was also the brand new car he gifted her that day. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of surprise Cody had in store for their anniversary this time. 

Before she could get too caught up in her memories, her phone buzzed, and she saw Millie’s name flash on the screen. Millie was her best friend, a no nonsense model with a big heart and an endless supply of sass and fun. 

Carmen answered with a smile. “Millieee,”

“Hey bestie, are you done with work yet?” Millie asked, her voice bright and unusually chirpy. 

Carmen glanced at her laptop and the files on her desk. “Not really. Why?” 

“Because we’re going shopping!”

Carmen sighed “Millie….” 

“You’re not going to spend your whole day in that office, are you?” Millie’s voice teased through the phone. 

“I still have a few things left to wrap up for the boss, Mills.” Carmen replied, groaning. She knew her best friend. And there was no way she was getting out of this. But she could try. “Besides, I don’t really need anything.”

“You’re not getting out of it, Carmen.”

“Well, I could try.” Carmen chuckled 

“Oh, come on. It’s your three year’s anniversary tomorrow. Don’t you want to pick out something extra special for Cody? If he’s surprising you, you should surprise him back, don’t you think?” Millie prodded, “And I need…something for me. For work.” 

“Millie,” Carmen laughed, “I’ve already got him a gift!” 

“Yes, but you can never have too many surprises for the man you love, Cam.” Millie argued, refusing to take no for an answer. “Gurrrlll, please? I’m dying for an afternoon with you outside the office.” 

Carmen paused, looking around at the incomplete work on her desk, and then sighed, smiling. “Fine, you win. I could really use a break right now. An hour or two would do.”

“Yayyy”

“I’ll meet you in ten.” 

“I’m downstairs already, I’ll—“

Carmen raised an invisible brow, “Wait. So you’re downstairs? And you’re calling?”

Millie chuckled “Okay, see you in ten, Cam, bye.”