After the warm morning meeting with his mother and grandmother, Jr felt lighter than he had in months. The decision to marry Bella wasn't just the right one—it was the one his soul had been waiting for. The weight of his past, his responsibilities, and the complex legacy of the Hampton family all seemed to fade in the face of the joy Bella had brought into his life. And now, there was another task at hand—something that meant a lot to him and even more to Bella.
He left the Hampton Estate and directed his driver to take him to the office of the Ugandan Ambassador. It was a meeting he had personally arranged. He wanted to help Bella reconnect with her roots and reunite with the family she had spoken about so fondly—the family she'd been separated from due to distance, after being trafficked to Greenwood. It wasn't just a romantic gesture; it was a heartfelt mission. He wanted them present at her upcoming wedding, which he was secretly planning to also double as her birthday celebration.
The ambassador's office was nestled in a diplomatic district, calm and secure. Upon arrival, Jr was warmly welcomed. He carried a well-prepared dossier that contained every detail Bella had given him about her family—names, villages, distant relatives, even photos. The Ambassador, a gracious man in his fifties, was touched by Jr's determination.
"Young man," he said, after carefully reviewing the documents, "you're doing something extraordinary. Many wouldn't go this far."
"I don't want Bella to feel like she's lost anyone on her big day," Jr replied sincerely. "Family means the world to her. And now, they mean the world to me too."
"We'll do everything in our power," the Ambassador assured him. "You have my word."
With the wheels now in motion to locate Bella's family and bring them to Greenwood in time for the celebration, Jr shook hands with the ambassador and left, satisfaction glowing in his chest. It wasn't just about love anymore; it was about building bridges across lives, cultures, and history.
By the time he arrived at the Hampton Group headquarters, the city was wide awake and buzzing. The sleek glass building shimmered under the mid-morning sun. Jr stepped out of the car and walked confidently through the main entrance, giving a warm nod to the receptionist and security officers who stood as always with quiet respect.
But today was different. There was a noticeable shift in Jr's demeanor. The usual solemn expression that marked his face was gone, replaced by a light-hearted warmth. As he walked through the lobby, he greeted everyone he saw—managers, assistants, janitors—with a relaxed smile.
"Good morning," he said to a young intern nervously carrying files.
"Good morning, sir!" the intern stammered, taken aback by the personal greeting.
Jr chuckled softly and continued toward his private elevator. Everyone he passed could sense it—something had changed in him.
When he arrived at the top floor, the hallway was quiet, and the marble floors echoed gently under his polished shoes. Staff members stationed near executive offices greeted him respectfully, and he returned each greeting with a nod or a casual "Hey, how are you?"
It wasn't lost on them. This wasn't just professionalism—this was warmth.
The doors to his expansive office opened automatically. Sunlight poured through the tall glass windows that overlooked the skyline. He stepped in, feeling an overwhelming sense of ownership—not just over the company, but over his choices, his future.
He had just settled into his chair when Alex and Joshua, two of his closest assistants—and friends—walked in. They'd been with him for years, through thick and thin.
"Good morning, Boss," they said in unison.
Jr looked up, amused, and shook his head. "Come on, don't be so formal today. Speak to me the way you do when we're out of the office. I'm still your friend, you know."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Whoa… what's come over you today?"
Joshua laughed. "You look like a man who's been on vacation with Cupid himself."
Jr leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands behind his head. "Maybe I have. Maybe I've just decided to stop carrying the world like it's mine alone."
Both men shared a surprised look, then grinned.
Alex took a seat. "So, tell us. What happened? You're glowing like a man who's either fallen in love or just won the lottery."
Jr smiled. "Both, actually. I'm marrying Bella."
Joshua nearly dropped his coffee. "Wait, what?!"
Jr nodded slowly. "And it's going to be a grand wedding. Not just that—I've made plans to fly in her family from Uganda. With help from the ambassador."
Alex whistled, impressed. "That's some serious commitment, boss. I mean… Jr."
Jr looked out the window, his voice softening. "Bella's not just a woman I love. She's made me see life in a way I'd forgotten. Through her, I've found joy again. The girls—her daughters—already feel like mine. It's not just marriage. It's home."
Joshua leaned against the desk. "You know what? We've always respected you. But right now… we admire you. It takes a real man to open his heart like this."
Jr's gaze turned back to them, a playful glint in his eyes. "So, are you two ready to work overtime? Because this wedding won't plan itself."
They all laughed, the mood in the office now charged with something more than just business—it was life, unfiltered and real.
Later that afternoon, as Jr reviewed some financial documents, his phone buzzed with a message from the Ambassador's assistant.
"Initial contact made with Bella's aunt in Kampala. Efforts underway to trace more relatives. Updates to follow."
He leaned back in his chair, satisfied. Step by step, it was all coming together.
Meanwhile, across the office, whispers were already spreading among employees about the boss's change in mood. Some joked about love, others were simply relieved to see a lighter side of the man who had long carried the Hampton legacy with unshakable discipline.
In truth, Jr wasn't just planning a wedding—he was rewriting the next chapter of his life. And in that chapter, love would take the lead, not legacy. Family would come first, not power.
As the sun began to dip into the horizon, casting amber light into his office, Jr stood by the window and dialed Bella's number.
"Hey," she answered, her voice soft.
"How are the girls?" he asked.
"Still giggling about last night's sleepover," she said with a smile he could hear.
"Good," he replied. "Because I'm planning something big. Just promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
"When the day comes, and you walk down that aisle, wear that smile you have right now."
Bella laughed. "If you're waiting at the end of it, I promise, I will."
And just like that, the day felt complete.