Chapter 9 - The Harbor Tower
Six months later.
The summer sun hung bright and brilliant over Boston Harbor, casting golden rays across the blue Atlantic water and the bustling shipping docks below.
On the top floor of the Vale Maritime Building, the double mahogany doors of the Donnelly Charitable Foundation were wide open.
Inside, the grand corner office featured floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the harbor. Elegant white oak desks, fresh yellow roses in glass vases, and framed architectural blueprints for a new community center in South Boston decorated the bright, airy room.
Maeve Donnelly sat behind her executive desk, wearing a tailored navy linen suit, her dark hair pinned back in an elegant twist. Her left wrist was fully healed, leaving only a tiny, faint silver scar where the brace had rested—a small reminder of the night that had changed her destiny forever.
She was reviewing a grant proposal for a new children's clinic near the docks when a soft knock sounded at her door.
Callum walked inside.
He looked extraordinarily handsome, wearing a sharp charcoal three-piece suit without a tie, his dark hair neatly combed, carrying a silver tray with a single porcelain cup of Earl Grey tea and a fresh lemon slice.
Maeve looked up from her paperwork, a radiant smile illuminating her face.
"Mr. Vale," Maeve teased softly, leaning back in her leather executive chair. "Are you bringing tea to the foundation director now?"
"I am," Callum smiled, walking around her desk and setting the silver tray down beside her laptop. "I heard the director is extremely demanding and fires anyone who leaves the tea on the wrong side of the desk."
He leaned down, wrapping his arms around her shoulders from behind, resting his chin against the side of her head, inhaling the soft scent of lavender and ocean breeze that always followed her.
"How is the South Boston project coming along?" Callum murmured, his warm breath tickling her ear.
"We just approved the final construction budget," Maeve said proudly, turning her head to kiss his cheekbone. "Thirty new affordable housing units for dockworkers' families. Construction starts next month."
"The city council approved it without a single objection," Callum noted with a knowing grin. "I think the Mayor is afraid of you."
"The Mayor should be afraid of me," Maeve laughed, resting her hand over his on her shoulder. "I know how much he spends on cigars."
Callum let out a deep, satisfied chuckle. He turned her chair around to face him, stepping between her knees, taking both of her hands in his.
"Marcus has the car waiting downstairs," Callum said, his hazel eyes shining with a mysterious, joyful light. "We have an appointment at four o'clock."
Maeve raised an eyebrow. "An appointment? It’s Saturday, Callum. My schedule says we're having dinner at the estate."
May you like
"Your schedule was modified by the boss," Callum countered smoothly, pulling a small black velvet box from his jacket pocket.
Maeve’s heart gave a sudden, joyous leap against her ribs.
