The days after the engagement flew by, filled with a whirlwind of excitement, laughter, and just a tiny bit of chaos. Anna and Oliver had decided to keep most of the wedding private, but there were still meetings, fittings, and family discussions that needed attention.
Anna sat at her dressing table, examining her wedding gown. The soft ivory fabric shimmered under the light. Emily hovered beside her, eyes wide.
"I still can't believe it," Emily said, laughing. "Roll number 11 is getting married to Oliver Walker! And you're glowing."
Anna smiled softly. "I still feel like a schoolgirl sometimes."
Emily nudged her playfully. "You're not a schoolgirl anymore. You're a CEO, a bride-to-be, and the luckiest girl alive."
Meanwhile, Oliver was in his office, reviewing the guest list and schedules. His assistant had been taking notes nonstop, but he found himself distracted. His mind kept wandering back to Anna — the way she had smiled at him the night of the engagement, the soft laugh she reserved only for him.
He shook his head. "Focus," he muttered. But even as he typed emails, he imagined stealing quiet moments with her — walks through the city, secret coffee dates, whispered jokes.
The pre-wedding meetings weren't just with planners. Family played a role too.
Anna's mother fussed over every detail, from table decorations to flowers. Her father smiled quietly, proud but protective.
"You're sure he can take care of you?" her father asked, half teasing, half serious.
Anna laughed. "I've known Oliver for ten years. He's strong, kind, and… patient enough to put up with me."
Her mother shook her head, laughing. "Patience is one thing, love is another. Make sure he's ready for both!"
Oliver's mother, observing from the side, gave Anna a warm smile. "He is. He's always been devoted to you."
That evening, Anna and Oliver met secretly for a late dinner at a quiet rooftop café. The city lights stretched out below them, stars hidden in the glow of skyscrapers.
"You look tired," Oliver said gently, taking her hand.
"I am," she admitted. "But happy."
He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I love seeing you happy. And I love seeing you in that dress."
Anna's cheeks warmed. "You're terrible with compliments."
"I'm honest," he replied, leaning closer. "And I plan to be honest for the rest of my life."
Her heart fluttered. That soft certainty, the warmth of his gaze — it reminded her of every time they had shared a private moment during school, during exams, during stolen glances across desks. Only now, the stakes were different, but the feeling was the same.
Back at the house, Emily and Sophia had planned a small bachelorette gathering for Anna. But even amidst laughter, Emily noticed a tiny flicker of tension in Anna's eyes.
"What's wrong?" Emily asked.
Anna shook her head. "Nothing. Just… worried about everything going perfectly. And about the guests, the family… the business. Sometimes it feels like too much."
Emily held her hand. "Anna, it doesn't have to be perfect. You and Oliver — that's all that matters."
That night, as Anna prepared for bed, she received a text from Oliver:
"Ten years of waiting… and soon, we'll finally have forever. Sleep well, my bride."
She smiled, her heart beating faster than ever.
"Forever," she whispered to herself.
And for the first time, pre-wedding stress didn't feel like stress. It felt like a countdown to a lifetime with the person she had loved secretly for so long.