Later that evening, Jade found herself seated at the dining table with Thiago, Milan, and Enzo. The aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the room, and her stomach growled in anticipation. Thiago had insisted on cooking a celebratory dinner, and the sight of the spread he’d prepared was enough to make anyone’s mouth water.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Thiago said, placing the last dish on the table. It was a colorful array of grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, fresh pasta, and a basket of warm bread rolls.
“This smells incredible,” Jade said, her eyes lighting up. “You’ve outdone yourself, Thiago.”
Thiago grinned, taking his seat beside her. “What can I say? A special dinner for our fiancée calls for a little extra effort.”
Milan raised his glass of wine, his icy-blue eyes softening as he looked at Jade. “To Jade,” he said. “For saying yes and making us the luckiest men alive.”
“To Jade,” Enzo echoed, his dark eyes filled with warmth as he lifted his glass. Thiago followed suit, and they all clinked glasses.
Jade felt her cheeks heat as she took a sip of her wine. “You guys are too much. But thank you. For everything.”
As they dug into the meal, the atmosphere was light and filled with laughter. Thiago told stories about his childhood, causing Jade to burst into giggles more than once. Enzo teased Milan about his overly meticulous nature, earning a rare but genuine chuckle from him.
“This is perfect,” Jade said, leaning back in her chair with a contented sigh. “Thank you for making this night so special.”
“You deserve it,” Milan said simply, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
Enzo smirked. “You’d better get used to it, Jade. This is only the beginning.”
Thiago nudged her playfully. “And don’t think for a second that I’m letting you off the hook for dessert. I made tiramisu.”
Jade laughed, her heart swelling with affection for the three men sitting around her. She had never felt so loved, so cherished. For the first time in a long time, her future felt bright and full of possibilities.
After dinner, as the plates were cleared and the wine glasses refilled, Jade leaned back in her chair, a soft smile playing on her lips. “You know,” she said, glancing at each of them, “this is the happiest I’ve been in… well, forever.”
Milan reached for her hand, his fingers brushing against the ring on her finger. “Then our job is to make sure it stays that way.”
Enzo leaned closer, his dark eyes locking onto hers. “You’ve changed our lives, Jade. For the better.”
Thiago grinned, raising his glass once more. “Here’s to the start of forever.”
Jade smiled, tears of happiness welling in her eyes. She leaned forward, kissing each of them in turn, her heart bursting with love and gratitude.
“This is forever,” she whispered, her voice steady and full of conviction. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
***
The sun shone brightly through the car windows as Jade pressed her face to the glass, trying to get a better look at the sprawling property they were approaching. The long driveway was lined with towering oak trees, their leaves forming a canopy that cast dappled shadows over the sleek black car. In the distance, she could see the outline of a large, modern mansion, its clean lines and tall windows glistening in the sunlight.
“This is it?” Jade asked, her voice filled with awe as she turned to Milan, who was sitting beside her.
Milan nodded, his signature calm expression softening slightly. “This is it. Our new home.”
Jade’s jaw dropped as they drove closer, the full scale of the house coming into view. It was enormous, with an elegant combination of stone and glass. The front lawn was perfectly manicured, and a fountain stood in the circular driveway, water cascading down in a soothing rhythm.
“You bought a house,” she said, her voice almost disbelieving.
“I told you we’d need something bigger,” Milan replied, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “The safe house was never meant to be permanent.”
Thiago, sitting in the backseat, leaned forward with a grin. “Wait until you see the backyard. It’s got a pool, a hot tub, and enough space for us to throw some serious parties.”
“And the garage,” Enzo added, his dark eyes glinting with excitement. “You’re going to love the garage.”
Jade laughed, shaking her head. “You’re all acting like this is some casual thing. This place looks like it belongs in a movie.”
“It does,” Thiago quipped, winking at her. “And now you’re the star.”