Sleeping With The CEO
Chapter 263: The Puzzle

Chapter 263: The Puzzle

When you were doing things right. Really doing things right, not just pretending to be doing something well.

Derek was of the belief that the universe itself seemed to feel it, and that same energy that you were giving out was fed back to you.

No one could convince him otherwise. Especially when it came to what he and Emily had. Before the two of them had become an official couple.

Emily had been just his PA and Derek had appreciated that about her. Often showing his appreciation through compliments, and salary bonuses. But Emily was his girlfriend now and the way in which Derek showed appreciation had changed to mirror that.

Sure the compliments were still there.

But there had been other things added on as well. There were hugs, there were kisses, there was love making. Anything and everything that he could give her, Derek did, making sure never to overstep. To make her feel uncomfortable or like he was pushing her in any way, shape, or form.

Emily might not have been ready for the world to know about them. But Derek was ready for her to know how he felt about her. Derek loved her. That was the simple truth. And before he let those words out of his mouth. He had dedicated everything he had into making sure that even if he had not said the words yet, Emily felt it.

When it came to her, he moved with caution.

Doing so because while Emily was one of the toughest women he knew. She also had a gentle soul, and deserved to be treated right. So Derek had been taking her on dates, and making sure that she knew just how special she was.

Even letting her take the lead from time to time, picking the venues where they would go.

He still had very fond memories of when she had taken him blueberry picking. The amount of scrubbing that they’d had to do in the shower had been totally worth all of the blueberry experiments that they had done in the bedroom.

But now, just as Derek believed that the universe was able to sense intent, and send it back. He was getting a helping hand. In fact, he had gotten a helping hand on the very first date. He just had not realized that it was there in the beginning.

But now that Derek had realized what he had. He was not going to waste the opportunity. On their very first date, Emily had given up the cat ears that she had worked hard to win. Giving them to an old lady who had been borderline awful to them throughout their entire date. Such a kind act, had led to the old woman actually taking their very first picture. A picture that Derek cherished a whole lot.

He had stared at it so many times ever since it had been taken. That he was surprised that the thought of using it during his love confession to Emily had only just occurred to him. But now that it had, Derek was not letting it go.

His idea for the photo was not anything out of this world. Or something that had never been thought of before. But the thought of Emily having a physical reminder of their love in her possession. Something that she could hold, even when Derek was not there. Was far too appealing for him to not go through with it.

A puzzle.

That was Derek’s big idea.

He was going to have the photo made into a puzzle. But that was not the only thing that he would be doing with it. He would not give Emily the puzzle all at once. Instead he would divide it, and hide it amongst different things in the penthouse. Letting her go out and search for each piece, putting them together as she found them.

Of course, that would not be everything. The last piece he would hold on to himself. And once she had everything together, he would click it into place and reveal the surprise. Derek did not ever want Emily to doubt his feelings for her. And so at the back of the photo, would be a simple inscription, ’I love you, Emily Molson.’

The words would not be visible when there was light. Their glowing ink only showing up in the dark because that was what Derek wanted to be for Emily. The light in the darkness.

Just as she was the sun in his world, making everything brighter...better.

He wanted her to know that she could also trust in him. And so instead of just sending the picture online with detailed instructions of what he wanted, Derek actually went to see the artist that he had managed to get in contact with in person. He sacrificed his lunch hour there. Even eating into regular working hours, waiting for the final product to be done.

It was well worth it when the blue-haired young lady finally handed him the finished piece. Unlike regular puzzles, that puzzle was made of wood, strong, sturdy, and long-lasting.

It also came in a framed case. A clear one that could be opened and closed. Allowing her to finish the puzzle and still be able to flip it over and see his message for her.

With the added benefit that as a last minute thing, Derek had decided to also include a frame. To anyone else who was not Emily. They would just think that it was a regular photo of the two of them. Only he and Emily would know that it was actually a love confession.

Derek was so happy with his purchase. That he was able to endure Emily’s disappointed looks in his direction when he returned to work. Given that he had been running an errand that was a surprise for her. He had not been able to be honest with her when she had asked him where he was going. But later that evening, when she finally arrived at the penthouse, that was the first thing out of her mouth.

"Where were you at lunch?" And Derek merely held out a single puzzle piece.

"I was getting a surprise ready for you," He told her, smiling even wider when Emily’s brows rose, as she stared at the piece with a curious glint in her eyes.

"A puzzle piece?" She asked, and Derek nodded.

"There are 10 pieces hidden all over the penthouse. Find them, put them together, and at the end of it, I will give you the final piece.

Revealing the surprise that I have for you," He told her, knowing that he had made the right choice when he saw her eyes light up...challenge accepted.

That night, Emily looked and looked until it was time for bed. Falling asleep with two puzzle pieces found and safely put away.

"Can you give me a guess on what it is?" She asked sleepily, and Derek hummed.

"That would ruin the surprise," He told her, kissing her temple and pulling her closer.

Two pieces down eight to go. Then he would place the final one, and tell her how he felt.