Chapter 13 - THE OFFICE WITH GLASS WALLS
Three years after Roman first watched Emily on camera, she left Bellini Grand again.
This time with a farewell party.
She founded Hayes Workplace Trust, a consulting and advocacy firm helping hotels build benefit-access systems, employee ombuds programs and anti-wage-theft protections.
Bellini Grand became first client.
Paid full rate.
Roman hated that she billed him.
Emily loved it.
Her office had glass walls.
She chose them deliberately.
No secret rooms.
No hidden files.
No employee forced to whisper near laundry machines.
On opening day, Samuel cut ribbon.
Not Roman.
Walter mended the ceremonial ribbon afterward as a joke.
Luis brought tamales.
Henry live-streamed badly.
Roman stood in back.
Proud.
Quiet.
Then Emily asked him:
“Do you want to invest?”
He froze.
“Do you want me to?”
“No.”
He smiled.
“Then no.”
Learning.
Their relationship deepened.
Separate homes.
Then shared weekends.
Then shared grocery lists.
Roman learned discount coupons.
He found them suspicious.
Emily found this hilarious.
Then he proposed.
Not dramatically.
In her office after everyone left.
Bad timing?
Maybe.
He waited until she had closed first major independent contract not tied to him.
Important.
He placed a simple ring on her desk.
Did not open box.
“Emily Hayes.”
She leaned against desk.
“This better not be a merger proposal.”
He smiled.
“No.”
“Proceed.”
“I love you because you listen before deciding what people are worth.”
Her eyes softened.
“I love you because you made me understand that ownership is not leadership.”
Good.
“I will never be harmless.”
Honest.
“But I will be accountable.”
Better.
“I don’t want to own your work, your voice or your anger.”
Excellent.
“I want to stand close enough that you can reach me and far enough that you can still leave.”
Emily’s throat tightened.
Then he opened box.
“Will you marry me?”
She stared.
“Prenup.”
“Already drafted separately.”
“Counsel?”
“Yours first.”
“Separate assets.”
“Yes.”
“My firm stays mine.”
“Yes.”
“No Bellini branding on Nora Scholarship.”
“Never.”
She smiled.
“Yes.”
Roman exhaled like a man surviving execution.
Then she kissed him.
No cameras.
May you like
No audience.
Her choice.
