Chapter 82: Chapter 82

“Not updated yet? Charlie's nervous voice asked, and even without looking at her, Morgan knew he was biting his lip.

Suppressing a chuckle, he looked up from the official university page that was open on his computer, looking at Charlie sympathetically.

“It will be soon, darling, I promise. “ he consoled her, not being able to stop himself from laughing a little this time.

“Funny…” she snorted, but still hugged him by the shoulders, continuing to lean towards the screen in front of them, full of expectation “I hate how they make us wait! I want you to see once and for all what happened, so we can both celebrate.

“ It is not good to count victories ahead of time. “ Morgan calmly commented on what his father always said, but he couldn't stop taking a look at the clock to check if the time for releasing the list had arrived “I'll only believe that I passed when I see my name as one of the approved ones.

“Oh, come on, Morgan, you're smarter than all the people in that college put together. “ she kissed him on the cheek, her voice so full of pride that he felt himself blush a little “ They should beg you to become a teacher instead of just a student.

" Do not exaggerate. “ he chuckled, knowing she was doing it to relieve some of the tension of waiting “ I have as much to learn there as anyone else. I even think...

But his sentence was cut off when the page refreshed and the approved list file suddenly appeared, right over where the mousse arrow was. Swallowing hard, he and Charlie fell into complete silence as he clicked on the file and opened it. Fortunately, it was not even necessary to scroll down the page, as his name appeared at the top of the list as soon as it opened, as the first place in the entrance exam that had taken place a few weeks ago.

" You passed! “Charlie broke the silence, her voice bursting with joy and pride, as she flung herself into his lap, wheeling her chair all over his office. “And first! I knew! Congratulations love! " she continued cheering and spreading kisses over every inch of skin on his face and neck, but all Morgan's heart seemed to hear was that she had called him "love", even though that could have been just an expression. emptiness spoken on the spur of the moment... “You will become the best chef the world has ever seen! “Charlie nodded, very sure of what she was saying, before pulling him in for a ravenous kiss.

“Oh, wow…” he gasped, when the two finally broke apart, still feeling a little bewildered “I…I'm really going to study gastronomy…“ Morgan said to himself, letting those words hang in his mind. air, until they finally felt real " God... After all these years... I thought that dream was in the past..." he admitted in a whisper, checking his name on the list again, just to be sure that he had not been mistaken.

“ And now your dream will come true too! “Charlie got off his lap so she could bounce around, as if she couldn't contain her own enthusiasm. “Oh, wow! I have to call Vivian to break the good news and tell her I'm not going back to the shelter today! Oh, we need to celebrate! Want to do something else besides going to your favorite restaurant? “ she asked the same question she had been asking since he had left the room in the admission test, with his wife already certain that he was the newest student of the gastronomy course “ You can go to all the best restaurants in town , if you want! But I also want us to have some time alone at home... " Charlie pondered, undecided " Could Hiroshi make a little space in your schedule for you to leave early? Today is a special day after all...

" Take it easy, honey..." he asked, laughing, as he opened his arms for her to come and sit on his lap again, which Charlie readily accepted " I understand you, I'm very happy too. But, if you don't mind, I'd like to spend a few minutes just holding you and…well, trying to convince myself that this is all real. “ he admitted, slightly embarrassed “ That's a big change and… Well, you know how I am with changes.

"Yes... I understand..." Charlie cracked a small smile and, strangely, there seemed to be a certain tension in his expression, but Morgan thought he was just imagining it.

“ You know... About that idea you gave me to sell my part of the company and dedicate all my time to my new life as a gastronome... I have to admit I've been thinking about it a lot. “ he told, making her face become surprised “ I confess that a part of me, a big part, in fact, would love to do this. I would no longer have stressful and busy days. Instead, I could have a more relaxed routine and the sale would give me enough money to do whatever I wanted in the future. Including opening a restaurant or something... " he pondered, with a dreamy smile " And, mainly, I would have more time at home with you...

“That sounds incredible. “ Charlie smiled shyly “ So… Are you really going to do it?

“It is a difficult decision. Years and years of hard work by countless generations of my family are here. The other part of me, the one that's smaller, feels like a traitor, giving up these walls full of history. Morgan looked around, fixing his attention on a portrait of his father that hung on one wall, the stern blond figure looking as cool and respectable as he remembered. are: walls. All those generations are dead now and it doesn't seem fair that I spend the rest of my life locked in this office, for the simple reason that that's what they did too. I mean, I know my dad would never support my decision, but…” Morgan sighed, lost in thought “All I can think is that if I ever have a son or daughter, I don't want him to feel that way. forced to follow this path just because he will grow up seeing me locked in this office, just like I did when I was a kid.

“ Well, I've never been responsible for an entire investment company or my family's centuries-old legacy, but…” Charlie seemed to hesitate for a moment, before continuing, “It doesn't seem fair that you stop doing what makes you happy. happy, just because your family has a past. I mean, what family doesn't? The Mansons were a scheming bunch of con artists and the Fosters had been in the oil business for centuries, until my grandfather decided to sell everything when he learned that his pancreatic cancer was terminal...” she recalled and Morgan immediately stroked her cheek, wanting to get rid of that sad expression " I have the blood of both, but I didn't follow any of the paths they trod. Why should you then?

“Yes, you're right…” he nodded thoughtfully “Actually, I think the only thing that's still stopping me from making a decision is… Wow, that doesn't even describe it…“ Morgan let out a laugh breathless “ Force of habit, perhaps? My comfort zone? All I know is that I had convinced myself a long time ago that I would spend the rest of my days locked in this office, following what seemed to be the fate of the Sullivan men... And I was so sure of it that, now, when a future very different from what I planned is drawing in front of me... I don't know how to act. “ he admitted, seeking comfort by resting his face against her breasts.

“Well, you don't need to be in a hurry. “ Charlie smiled, kissing his forehead affectionately “ We still have a lot of time ahead for you to get used to this new future enough to stop being afraid of it.

“I'm a coward, aren't I? “ he chuckled to himself, humorlessly.

" What? “ she gasped, dumbfounded “No, that's not true!

“Are you saying I don't get on your nerves sometimes because I'm always thinking about what could go wrong in the future instead of living in the present? “Morgan teased her, even though something inside her chest twisted, knowing that was the absolute truth.

“Only I have the right to complain about that part of your personality. “ Charlie snorted, adorably angry “ Besides, there's nothing wrong with being cautious sometimes… That's what you're responsible for, between the two of us. If you had my personality, chances are we both would have already died after jumping off a balcony…" she teased, gently poking his cheek.

“Well, I disagree. “ he laughed, although he felt a little wistful “ I wish I was more courageous and not let my fear of uncertainty paralyze me, like you do.

And it was true, but not just when it came to selling the company. If he was braver then he could finally confess to Charlie. He could tell her that he loved her and that, if there was even the slightest possibility that she also felt something for him, he wanted to share the rest of his life with her, to protect her and make her happy, not just as her best friend, but but also as her lover and also her husband. A real husband, with whom she could plan a wedding reception, have a honeymoon and wear a ring on her finger knowing that he really was a symbol that she was truly loved.

If he just didn't let himself be so intimidated by what could go wrong, then maybe he could confess that he loved her right then and there...

“Mr. Sullivan…” Hiroshi's voice, followed by the sound of the office door opening, interrupted her thoughts “I'm sorry for interrupting. I know that Mrs. Sullivan asked me to give the two of you a moment alone, but I just wanted to let you know that..."

“He passed college, Hiroshi! “ Charlie jumped away from his lap, going to his assistant as if she had become a totally uncontrollable hurricane of joy “ And in first place!

“Oh, congratulations, Mr. Sullivan! “ he smiled, looking genuinely happy.

“What do you think about giving him the rest of the day off as a present? “Charlie wiggled her eyebrows, as if she was trying to be discreet but failing miserably.

“Let the poor man give his notice, dear. “ Morgan asked, getting up to go to her and hug her around the waist “ Don't let her intimidate you, Hiroshi. I know we still have work to do today...

“Actually, Mr. Sullivan, I think it's a great idea. After all, we have two reasons to celebrate. “ Hiroshi smiled “ I just got the news that our deals with that Chinese automaker turned out to be more profitable than expected. Members will certainly start calling you to congratulate you soon.

" That is great. “ Morgan nodded, noting that news like that never brought him the joy it should have given a businessman with years of experience, but at least he was able to take pride in his team's performance. me, yes? Also prepare a bonus for the employees and, why not, a little celebration in a few days too? “ he reflected “ We can hire a caterer and give the good news of the bonus to everyone there.

“Sounds great. “ Hiroshi nodded, excited “ So, since our most important business has already paid off, I think it's perfectly possible to transfer the rest of your appointments today to the rest of the week. “He raised the tablet he had in one hand, frantically starting to scroll the screen“ Just a few calls and you can go out with your wife right now, if you want.

" He is sure...? Morgan started to ask, as if wanting to overwork his assistant, but Charlie was quicker, linking her arm through his and starting to pull him towards the door.

“ Thank you, Hiroshi! “She smiled at her assistant as the two walked past him “I'll make sure he celebrates big today! But, listen, talk to the company interns or something, okay? It's not fair that you reschedule all of this on your own. Oh, and if you need an excuse to use with the partners..." Charlie advised him, as she dragged him out the door, "Just say that Mrs. Sullivan has kidnapped her husband and won't be giving him back anytime soon!