#238 "Why All The Secrets?"

A week zipped by in a whirlwind of activity, and now only days remained until Alexander's planned proposal to Sophia. He was at the villa, overseeing the last of the preparations, his mother by his side. The morning was bright, the sun casting playful reflections over the elaborate arrangements that transformed their family home into a fairy-tale setting.

Alexander and his mother walked through the gardens, admiring the way the florists had draped strings of white and pink flowers across the walkways. Every detail was being tuned to perfection, from the soft glow of fairy lights woven through the branches of the old oak trees to the elegant white drapery that flanked the garden paths.

"It’s all coming together beautifully, Alex," his mother remarked, her voice filled with a mix of pride and joy. She looked around, visibly pleased with how the preparations had turned out. "I can hardly believe it. My son, ready to propose."

Alexander chuckled, running a hand through his hair—a nervous