Chapter 16: "Sweet Surprise": "Double Surprise"

Emily headed straight to Max's office –

"'Surprise mode activated – dropping by Max's office unannounced, ready or not!'"

She hailed a taxi outside Heathrow and gave the driver Max's company address –

"Wellington Enterprises, City of London – fastest route, please!"

During the ride, Emily's heart raced with anticipation – "This is it – moments from reuniting with Max after four long years."

The taxi dropped her off in front of a sleek, modern building. Emily took a deep breath, smoothing her dress – "Showtime. Max Wellington, prepare for the surprise of your life..."

As she walked into the lobby, she saw there was a lot of commotion and in the middle of that commotion her eyes locked onto Max's familiar face across the room –

"He's even more handsome than memory served... focus, Emily, surprise him perfectly!"

She swiftly pulled out her phone and dialed Max's number. The call rang once before she ended it abruptly – "Teasing him already..."

Max's expression changed from engaged-in-conversation to slightly puzzled as he reached for his phone. Emily watched with amusement – "He knows something's off..."

Max's phone screen lit up with her missed call, and he immediately dialed her back. Emily's phone rang loudly in her hand –

"'Perfect Timing' by ODESZA – our song... Max still uses it as my ringtone!"

The same melody echoed through the lobby chaos from another direction – Max's phone! Emily's heart skipped a beat – "He's still connected to me through music..."

People around Max started to stare, noticing the identical ringtones. Max's eyes scanned the room, narrowing slightly as he searched for the source – "Emily..." he muttered to himself, voice barely audible over the lobby noise.

Emily continued observing Max's reaction for a moment before silently moving closer –

"'Sneaking up on him – heart racing with anticipation... will he sense my presence before seeing me?'"

She glided through the crowd with ease, her eyes fixed on Max's profile – "His jawline is still strong, nose slightly upturned... every feature etched in my memory."

As Emily drew nearer, Max's head turned slightly, as if sensing a presence – "Yes, Max – sense it... I'm right behind your heart again."

Their proximity was now mere feet apart. Max's phone still clutched in his hand, the ringtone fading into silence – "The music stopped, but my heart's symphony for you never did..."

Max's eyes narrowed further, scanning the crowd behind him. Emily held her breath –

"One more inch, Max... turn around and collide with your past – me."

Emily called out his name softly – "'Max...' – whispering the name only I say with such love and longing"

Her voice is barely audible over the lobby noise, yet Max's head snapped towards the sound – "As if my whisper held a magnet's pull... drawing him back to me."

Max's eyes locked onto Emily's face, and time froze – "Four years of longing, loving, and living apart – erased in this single moment."

His gaze drank in every feature, every curve, every sparkle in her eyes – "Does he see the same girl who loved him fiercely, or a stronger woman who still loves him?"

Max's face remained expressionless for a heartbeat before emotions flooded back –

Shock. Wonder. Love.

His lips parted, voice low and husky – "Emily..."

Emily took a step closer – "'Four years too long without your touch...' – heart racing towards reunion"

Max mirrored her movement, his eyes burning with intensity – "Together we're closing the gap – between hearts, lives, and forever..."

Their faces inches apart now, Emily felt Max's warm breath dancing across her skin –

"Electricity sparks everywhere our skin almost touches..."

Max's hands rose slowly, hesitating mere millimeters from her cheeks –

"Will he touch me first, or wait for my signal – my heart screams 'now!'"

Without another thought, Max's fingers gently brushed against Emily's skin –

"Skin on skin – our love's pilot light reignites..."

Emily's eyelids fluttered closed as she leaned into his touch –

"Home."

Max's lips whispered against her ear –

"Welcome back to me."

Emily wrapped arms around him – "'Never letting go again...' – embracing reunion, embracing Max"

Max's arms enveloped her tightly, holding on as if forever depended on this moment –

"Together again – our hearts beating synchronously, love resurrected."

Their embrace spoke volumes – forgiveness, longing, and devotion entwined like the arms holding each other – "No words needed; only this embrace bridging four years of silence."

Max buried his face in Emily's hair, inhaling deeply – "Still smells like home... like us."

Emily smiled into his chest, tears of joy streaming down her face – "We still fit perfectly..."

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the lobby around them melted away –

"Only us. Only this moment. Only forever."

Suddenly, Max pulled back slightly, eyes locking onto hers – "Emily... I have something to tell you..."

Max dropped to one knee in the middle of the lobby, pulling out a small box – "Emily... from the moment you walked back into my life, I knew forever wasn't just a possibility – it was a necessity."

Gasps and cheers erupted from the surrounding crowd as Max opened the box, revealing a stunning diamond ring – "Will you marry me, Emily? Spend forever making up for lost time, creating new memories, and loving each other wildly?"

Emily's eyes welled up with tears as she stared at Max, then the ring, and back at Max – "Yes... YES! A million times yes!"

As Emily nodded eagerly, Max slid the ring onto her finger, and they shared a tender kiss amidst thunderous applause – "The lobby erupted into cheers, whistles, and camera snaps – our private moment turned public spectacle!"

Strangers congratulated them, shaking hands and offering hugs. Max and Emily basked in the joy, still kissing intermittently –

"Our love story – once paused – now plays on repeat forever."

Suddenly, Max pulled back, grinned mischievously, and whispered –

"One more thing... let's get married tomorrow?"

Emily gasped dramatically –

"'Max Wellington – always full of surprises! Give me 24 hours to prepare...' "

Max chuckled, relieved she didn't say no –

"Deal! My team will handle everything – venue, dress, guests... just show up tomorrow, ready to marry me."

Emily's eyes sparkled – "Your 'team' better deliver fairy tale perfection – I'm only marrying you once!"

As they shared a laugh, all people were seeing them, Max raised his voice to address the crowded lobby – "Ladies and gentlemen, candidates for today's interview, and my wonderful staff – I have an unexpected announcement!"

The room fell silent, curiosity palpable. Max took Emily's hand, beaming with joy –

"This stunning woman, Emily my long awaited girlfriend whom I met after four years of separation, has just agreed to marry me... TOMORROW!" as all had already seen.

Max continued, voice filled with excitement –

"And we invite ALL of you to join us for the wedding ceremony tomorrow! Windsor Castle gardens, 3 pm sharp. Food, drinks, music – everything will be taken care of. Just come celebrate our love!"

The lobby transformed into a celebration zone – strangers cheering, and whistling. Emily blushed bright red, overwhelmed by the spontaneous party.

One of Max's staff members, Sophia, approached them –

"Boss, but there are more interviews tomorrow?"

Max grinned – "Cancel everything except the wedding planning, Sophia! Make tomorrow unforgettable!"

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