Chapter 12 - The Grand Plaza Reception and the Signing of the Treaty
The grand ballroom of the Grand Plaza Hotel—the very room where I had grabbed
Enzo’s jaw four days earlier—had been transformed into a winter wonderland of
white roses, cascading crystal chandeliers, and glowing candlelight.
At 7:00 PM, the newly minted Mr. and Mrs. Enzo Romano made their grand entrance
through the double doors, met by thunderous applause and a standing toast from
the world's most powerful maritime leaders.
At the center of the VIP dais, Lady Eleanor Saint-Claire sat with the massive
five-billion-dollar maritime treaty spread across a polished mahogany desk.
Enzo and I walked up to the dais together, our hands intertwined.
Lady Eleanor looked up at us over her gold-rimmed reading glasses, a magnificent
smile illuminating her aristocratic face.
"Madame Romano," Lady Eleanor addressed me with profound respect. "Your husband
is a formidable negotiator. But you... you are the steel backbone that will keep
this empire standing for the next fifty years."
Lady Eleanor handed Enzo a solid gold fountain pen.
Enzo signed his name with a bold, sweeping stroke: Enzo Romano.
Then, he turned and placed the gold pen into my hand.
"Our empire, Natalie," Enzo whispered softly. "Sign it."
I took the pen, and beneath his signature, I signed for the first time with my
new legal name: Natalie Parker Romano.
Lady Eleanor pressed her official family seal into the red wax on the parchment,
stood up, and raised her crystal champagne flute high into the air.
"To the Saint-Claire and Romano Maritime Alliance!" Lady Eleanor announced to
the roaring crowd. "And to the unbreakable reign of Enzo and Natalie Romano!"
The ballroom erupted into cheers.
Across the room, standing near the catering entrance in handcuffs, flanked by
two federal marshals, was Lorenzo Romano. He was being escorted out of the
building to face twenty-five years in federal prison for treason and corporate
sabotage. He glared at us with bitter defeat as the double doors shut behind him
forever.
Enzo didn't even look his way.
He led me onto the polished marble dance floor as the twenty-piece orchestra
began playing a slow, romantic waltz.
He pulled me close, his right hand resting securely on my waist, his left hand
holding mine against his chest, our wedding rings clicking softly together in
the warm candlelight.
"Do you remember what you said to me on that first night, little bird?" Enzo
asked, spinning me gracefully across the floor.
"I told you to look obsessed with me," I smiled, resting my cheek against his
lapel.
May you like
Enzo tightened his grip, pulling me flush against his heart.
"I will never stop looking at you that way, Natalie," he murmured into my hair.
"Not for as long as I live."
