Chapter 10 - THE VIEW FROM THE TOP
An hour later, the sun was setting behind the western horizon, turning the sky above Columbus into a magnificent canvas of brilliant magenta, burnt orange, and deep velvet indigo.
I stood on the rooftop terrace of the Lumina Innovation Building, twenty stories above the city.
The wind was cool, carrying the fresh scent of summer night air. Below me, the lights of the city were clicking on one by one—a vast, twinkling sea of energy, ambition, and endless possibilities.
The heavy glass door behind me slid open, and Julian stepped out onto the terrace.
He had removed his tie, his collar open, carrying two crystal glasses filled with sparkling mineral water and lemon. He walked over to the stone rail and stood beside me, looking out at the city view.
"Your father called Marcus five minutes ago," Julian said softly, handing me a glass.
"What did he want?" I asked, taking a sip of the cool liquid.
"He asked if he could volunteer to handle the landscaping maintenance for the lot on 42," Julian smiled, leaning his elbow against the stone. "He said he noticed the grass near the sidewalk was getting a little long, and he wanted to make sure your property looked respectable for your Monday site audits."
I let out a soft, genuine laugh that echoed into the clear evening air.
"Did Marcus say yes?"
"Marcus told him he'd have to submit a formal vendor proposal to our facilities team," Julian shouted. "Your father said he'd have it typed up by tomorrow morning."
I looked out at the city lights, feeling a deep, profound wave of peace settled into my chest—a weightlessness that I had never known in my entire life.
The kitchen was gone. The apron was folded forever. The debt was settled, the house was secured, and the truth had set every single one of us free.
Julian reached out, his hand wrapping gently around mine, his warm fingers interlacing with mine as we stood together on the edge of the roof.
"What are you thinking about, Lily?" Julian asked softly, looking down at my face illuminated by the golden evening light.
I looked down at my left hand, holding his, then up at the vast, bright sky above us.
"I was just thinking," I said, my voice steady, confident, and full of quiet joy, "that it's a really great day to go to work."
May you like
Julian smiled, pulling me closer against his side as the stars began to appear above the city, bright and clear and endless.
"Yes, it is, CEO," Julian whispered. "Yes, it is."
