The shock was clearly reflected on Emily’s face, making Richard, who was standing in front of her, stare with a look of confusion.
“Ah, I’m sorry. Okay, I understand. Thank you for telling me,” Emily said, trying to hide her anxiety with a trembling voice.
“Then, if you’ll excuse me, sir,” Richard said, making a respectful gesture before slowly retreating from the room.
Emily took a deep breath, feeling a weight lifted. Mia, the figure who had always troubled her mind, would now no longer fill the spaces of this office.
Daniel’s voice broke the silence. “Daydreaming what?” he asked, his voice soft but enough to snap Emily out of her reverie.
Emily looked up, staring into a pair of familiar eyes that were now looking at her with warmth. “Mia is involved in the drug trade,” she said, her voice trembling. “I don’t know whether to feel happy or sad for her. And I don’t understand why she always hates me. Is it wrong for me to feel relieved she won’t be here anymore?”
Daniel leaned closer, his gaze full of understanding. “It’s not wrong,” he replied softly.
Emily swallowed, her eyes searching Daniel’s face for answers. “Have you ever threatened Mia while in my body? Have you also found out about the video on Mia’s phone?” she asked in an almost inaudible voice.
Daniel just nodded, giving a wordless answer.
“So you already know about me being treated as a servant by her?” Emily asked again, her voice a whisper.
Daniel nodded again before saying, “That’s in the past. I hope you can forget about it.”
“Thank you,” Emily whispered, her voice almost inaudible.
“For what?” Daniel asked, his confusion clear.
“For everything,” Emily replied, her eyes teary and her voice full of gratitude.
“Don’t show that weak expression of yours by using my face,” Daniel said.
Emily stepped closer and hugged Daniel, who was now inside her. “I want to hug you,” she said in a spoiled tone.
“You look so short in my body. I have to look down like this,” complained Emily.
“Whose fault is it?” asked Daniel, his smile hidden in his voice.
Emily released his embrace, her eyes shining expectantly as she looked at Daniel. “Can I ask you for something?” she asked gently.
“What?” asked Daniel, curiosity showing on his face.
While Emily just gave Daniel a meaningful smile.
***
As the clock struck seven in the evening, their souls returned to their respective bodies. Emily looked elegant in her simple yet enchanting white dress, a flower crown curled around her head like a fairy. Daniel stood with a strapping posture, his suit worn with perfect precision, adding to his aura of masculinity. They stood in the quiet church, their gazes meeting in meaningful silence.
“Is this what you want?” asked Daniel, his voice flat but clear amongst the silence.
Emily nodded slowly before finally speaking. “Actually, I wanted to wear a wedding dress on our wedding day back then, but I couldn’t because I was trapped in your body. I was forced to wear a suit, and it was very painful. But, wearing this white dress to replace the wedding dress is also not bad.”
Daniel’s faint smile seemed to hide a thousand unspoken words. “You’re beautiful,” he said, his voice remaining calm and controlled.
The compliment made Emily smile, embarrassed, her cheeks flushing. “Do you love me?”
Daniel nodded, then gave her a faint smile. “Yes, I love you.”
“If you love me, why did you choose to stay away from me?” Emily asked in a curious tone.
Daniel didn’t budge. The secret he kept about Emily’s biological father was too much to bear.
“Doubts,” Daniel replied briefly.
“Doubts?” Emily frowned in confusion.
Daniel gave Emily an unreadable look. “Yes, doubts that I should have chosen my happiness,” he replied, making Emily even more confused.
“I don’t understand,” Emily said, her brow furrowed, as she didn’t understand Daniel’s point.
“Forget it. I’m guilty of making you cry that day. I’m sorry,” Daniel said, his tone remaining flat, but there was an implied warmth.
Emily nodded, her eyes glistening with unspeakable happiness.
“Are we going to forget all the past agreements and really become husband and wife?” Emily asked hesitantly.
Daniel nodded slowly. “If I ever hurt you again, remind me of our love,” Daniel said with a serious look.
“I won’t stay silent if you hurt me again,” Emily said firmly.
Daniel flicked his fingers on Emily’s forehead. But before Emily could protest about what Daniel was doing to her, a gentle kiss from Daniel silenced her.
‘God, thank you for bringing me together with someone good like Daniel,’ Emily thought to herself.
‘Can this love last forever? I’m sorry Mom, Dad. Can I be selfish enough to choose my happiness right now,’ Daniel thought to himself.
After the kiss, they both looked at each other and then smiled widely.
“After this, where are we going on a date?” asked Daniel.
“Date?” said Emily in a surprised yet hopeful tone.
Daniel looked at her with an unreadable gaze. “Don’t you want to date me?” he asked, his voice remaining flat and emotionless.
Emily felt her heart skip a beat. “It’s not that,” she replied quickly. “I’m just… a little surprised to hear the word dating since you were my boss before.”
A faint smile appeared on Daniel’s face. “If you don’t want to, we can just go home and enjoy the warmth of bed together,” he whispered, his voice still calm but with a hint of a seductive tone hidden in it.
Hearing Daniel’s unusual words come out of his usually cold mouth made Emily’s cheeks blush even more. “Of course I want to. Let’s go on a date!”
On a cold New York winter night, Emily and Daniel warmed things up with a romantic date in the city’s heart. They walked down the snow-covered streets of Manhattan, their hands locked in a warm grip, while enjoying the sparkling Christmas lights and dazzling seasonal decorations.
At a small cafe in Greenwich Village, they both sipped warm, hot chocolate. Sitting opposite each other by the window, they observe the crowd of thickly dressed people, busy with their evening activities.
Emily then propped up her chin with her hand, her eyes not leaving Daniel. “Are you really my husband now? My husband is… so handsome,” she said in a tone full of admiration.
A smile graced Daniel’s face as he responded to Emily’s loving gaze. “The fact that I’m handsome is nothing new,” he said in a flat tone.
Emily felt a little nervous. “As your wife, I’m worried that people will think I’m not suitable for you because I’m ugly,” she said hesitantly.
“You’re beautiful,” Daniel cut in firmly, “you just need to believe in yourself.”
“Really?” asked Emily, her eyes searching for reassurance in Daniel’s gaze.
“Has love affected my vision so that I see you as beautiful?” said Daniel without emotion, but there was a slight smile tucked into the corner of his lips.
Emily pursed her lips, pretending to be annoyed. “Well, I’m not that pretty,” she said in a disappointed tone.
Daniel looked at her seriously, his hand lifting Emily’s chin so they could meet each other’s gaze. “You are beautiful. Is that enough to convince you?” he asked.
Emily could only nod. Her heart blossomed when she heard Daniel’s praise. The words spoken by Daniel sounded firm and convincing.
After enjoying a warm cup of coffee at a cozy little cafe in Greenwich Village, Emily and Daniel stepped out into the cold night air.
Suddenly, their steps stopped as some familiar figures appeared in the distance. Some coworkers from Daniel’s office were walking on the other side of the street, apparently enjoying the same evening.
Emily felt a sudden panic. “What should we do now?” she whispered in a trembling voice, afraid that it would become office gossip and their secret would be exposed.
“Borrow your coat,” Emily said in a panicked tone. Without hesitation, Daniel took off his coat and handed it to Emily. She immediately used it to cover her face, hoping the coat’s high collar would hide her identity.
One coworker turned to the two of them, his eyes narrowed in the night lighting. “Uh, it’s Mr. Daniel, isn’t it?”