One Wild Night

The soft morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow across the bedroom where Bryan and Sonia lay on the bed.

The air was filled with a sense of anticipation, a palpable excitement that seemed to dance between them as they savored the quiet moments before the whirlwind of their wedding day.

"What?" Sonia asked Bryan who lay beside her on the bed, grinning as he watched her face while she tried unsuccessfully to sleep.

Bryan pressed a tender kiss to Sonia's forehead, his fingers tracing gentle circles on her belly. "Can you believe it, babe?" he murmured, his voice filled with wonder.

"In just a few hours, we'll be husband and wife, and you are going to be mine forever," he said, and Sonia giggled.

"I thought I was yours already," she said and he grinned.

"Officially mine," Bryan said as he held her hand in his.

"How do you feel about walking down the aisle with me today?" He asked and Sonia smiled widely.

"Excited. I feel very excited. I'm looking forward to the future with you," Sonia said as she smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

"Me too. I can't wait to come home to you and our little Ryso," he said and she rested her hand over his on her belly.

"All of this is still a little hard to believe, but I couldn't be more excited to start this new chapter with you, Bryan. To build a life together, to raise our little one... it's everything I've ever dreamed of," she said, her eyes filling up with tears.

Bryan's heart swelled with love as he looked at Sonia, marveling at the strength and resilience she had shown throughout their journey together.

"Last night as we answered those questions, it occurred to me that I've always been in awe of you from the moment we met. And even now as the time draws nearer to the moment when we will exchange our vows, I'm more convinced of my love for you now more than ever," Bryan said and Sonia smiled softly.

From the moment they had met, she had known that he was the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, and now, as they stood on the precipice of matrimony, that conviction burned brighter than ever as she held his gaze.

Bryan brushed a strand of hair away from Sonia's face, his touch gentle and tender. "You're going to be the most beautiful bride in the world," he whispered, his voice filled with awe. "I can't wait to see you walking down the aisle, to say 'I do' and make you my wife," he said as he lowered his head to kiss her belly.

Sonia's cheeks flushed with color at his words, her heart fluttering with excitement. "And I can't wait to become your wife, Bryan," she replied, her voice filled with emotion. "To stand by your side, to love and support you in all that we do... it's a dream come true."

"I know I've told you this a couple of times already, but I want to keep pledging my undying love to you. I promise to love and cherish you every single day, Sony. I promise to be with you through every step of our life together. I promise not to put anyone above you. No matter how cute our daughter might be, you will always be my number one baby," Bryan promised and Sonia giggled.

"We don't know the gender yet," she said and he shrugged.

"I'm sure it's a girl. A girl who looks as beautiful as you. But she would take after me in being calm. I don't think I can handle two crazy ladies at a time," he said and she giggled.

"You fell in love with me because I'm crazy," she reminded him.

"Would you want a daughter like you? Would you be able to handle her?" He asked, and she thought about it for a moment before giggling and shaking her head.

"I don't think so," she said, and Bryan chuckled.

"Exactly what I thought," he said, and Sonia sighed deeply.

"You know, last night I was just thinking. This is where our story ends, you know?" She asked, and he cocked a brow.

"What do you mean?"

"Like what?" Sonia asked, not wanting to sound serious since she didn't want Bryan to ask her why she was asking.

Like Jade she had also noticed Mia's reaction to Tyler's question, and she suspected that Tyler was the reason Mia hadn't shown up at the party last night, despite what Jeff had said about being ill.

After hearing Jade say that Harry had said Mia looked familiar too, and everything else that Jade had said, Sonia was convinced that Mia was probably hiding something just like Jade had said.

But because she loved Mia like a sister, she had not wanted Jade to dig deeper into Mia's business because she knew very well that Jade would be doing that only to satisfy her curiosity and not because she cared about Mia. She didn't want whatever Mia was hiding to become public business.

"Her dress sense. the way she speaks and acts. Just about everything. Before she started working for me I used to change assistants every couple of months, but look at her. She has been working for me almost two years now. That in itself is weird," Bryan said and Sonia nodded.

"Why do you ask?" Bryan asked and she shook her head.

"I'm just curious about her. That's all. I'm going down now. Don't want to keep her waiting," Sonia said as she headed for the door.

The moment she walked into the living room, Mia rose with an apologetic smile on her face, "I'm so sorry I couldn't make it last night," Mia said apologetically, and Sonia smiled.

"Although I missed you, I'm sure you had your reason for being absent. Let's take a walk around the garden, Mia. I'm feeling too restless to sit still and I need the fresh air," Sonia said, and Mia walked outside with her.

"Do you feel better now? Jeff said you were feeling ill last night," Sonia said after she was sure they were alone and Mia nodded.

"I feel much better now," Mia assured her.

"Does that mean you will be at the wedding and won't fall ill before then? Tyler will be at the wedding, you know? Aren't you avoiding him?" Sonia asked, and Mia stopped walking abruptly.

Sonia turned to look at her and her heart broke when she saw how pale Mia looked, "No, Mia. He didn't say anything to me," Sonia rushed to assure her when she saw the fear in Mia's eyes.

"Then how did you know?"

"How did I know you were avoiding him?" Sonia asked and Mia nodded.

"I'm a writer, Mia. It's my job to read between the lines and notice things. You were weird yesterday when Tyler said you looked familiar, and it got me thinking. And when you didn't show up at the party, I figured it was because you knew he would be there," Sonia said and Mia sighed.

"I'm sorry, Sonia…."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Mia. Absolutely nothing. Let's keep walking," Sonia said, and without thinking she took Mia's hand and intertwined both their hands as they walked.

"You know, I loved you from the moment we met. Remember when we first met?" Sonia asked, and Mia's stiff lips curved with a smile.

"I saw you on the night Bryan proposed to you, but we met at the airport when we picked you up during your surprise visit (chapter 56)," Mia said and Sonia giggled.

"Yeah. At first I thought you would be one of those stiff assistants who are silently in love with their bosses and wouldn't want any other ladies coming around him," Sonia said and Mia laughed out loud.

"In love with Bryan? Why would I ever be in love with someone as annoying as him? I was rooting for you from the very day," Mia assured her and Sonia nodded.

"Yeah. I quickly realized that when we met. Mia, I want you to know that I don't just see you as Bryan's assistant. I see you as a friend and a sister. And if you ever need to talk, I'm here. Whatever it is that you are hiding will stay hidden, I promise. I will talk to Tyler to make sure he keeps whatever he knows to himself," Sonia promised, and tears gathered in Mia's eyes as her lips wobbled, surprised by the warmth and love in Sonia's tone.

"I just want you to promise me one thing," Sonia said, and Mia stopped to look at her, wondering what it was.

"I want you to promise me that you will still be here when I get back from my honeymoon. Don't run away, Mia. You are safe here," Sonia said knowingly, and this time, Mia broke into a sob and Sonia embraced her.

"Whatever it is, Mia. Whatever it is I will help you. I've got your back, I promise," Sonia murmured softly as she patted her back.