Chapter 18 — The 12th-Floor Kitchen Contract

During the following days, Diem Tram couldn't help but notice unusual signs in Khang's actions - the secret phone calls, the times he quickly turned off the computer screen when she entered the office, and even the mysterious absence on some afternoons that he didn't explain clearly.

"You're hiding something from me," Diem Tram commented one evening, when she saw Khang return to the apartment with a familiar mysterious expression in recent days. "I can feel it."

"You'll know soon enough," Khang replied, a rare mischievous smile appearing on his lips. "Just be patient a little longer."

Meanwhile, without knowing it, Kien and Hoai Thu are secretly helping Khang prepare for a special plan that he has long cherished - a real proposal, coming from his own heart, no longer related to any contract terms.

***

"I want to organize it at the place where it all started," Khang shared his plan with Kien in a secret meeting in his private office. "Right in the kitchen of Cam Luong restaurant, where he first tasted her cake and realized, perhaps this is the woman who will change his life."

"That's a great idea," Kien agreed, unable to hide his emotion at the sincerity of his friend's plan. "I will help you arrange all the necessary details."

Hoai Thu, when Khang contacted her for help, could not hide her joy when she learned of this secret plan. "I'll help you find a way to get Tram to the right place at the right time without revealing the secret," she promised, her eyes filled with excitement at the important moment about to happen for her closest friend.

***

The chosen date was exactly one month after all the intrigue and turmoil had completely subsided — a peaceful weekend evening, when the entire restaurant was closed, leaving only a private space specially prepared for this important moment. Hoai Thu, as planned, invited Diem Tram to the restaurant with the excuse of needing to discuss a special order.

When Diem Tram entered the kitchen of Cam Luong restaurant, she couldn't help but be surprised by the completely different scene before her eyes - the entire space was decorated with hundreds of flickering candles, white rose petals scattered across the aisle, and in the middle of the kitchen, Khang stood there in a formal suit, his eyes filled with both excitement and happiness.

"What's going on?" Diem Tram asked, her voice shaking with surprise, looking around at the incredibly romantic scene.

***

Khang walked closer and held her trembling hands. "Do you remember, this is where we first met?" he asked, his voice filled with deep emotion. "At that time, I just thought, I'm looking for a solution to the inheritance problem. I never expected that decision would lead me to the most important woman in my life."

Diem Tram felt tears begin to well up in her eyes, unable to contain her emotions at those sincere words. "Khang..." she whispered, her voice choked.

"Let me finish," Khang continued, kneeling on one knee, taking out a small box from his pocket, inside was an engagement ring sparkling in the candlelight. "Diem Tram, you have entered my life in a way that absolutely no one could have imagined, but you have become the most meaningful thing I have ever had. Do you agree to be my wife, not because of any contract, but because of the most sincere love I have for you?"

***

Happy tears rolled down Diem Tram's cheeks as she looked into the sincere eyes of the man kneeling in front of her. "I agree," she replied, her voice choked but filled with happiness. "I agree to be your wife, Viet Khang."

Khang stood up, put the ring on her finger and hugged her in an emotional hug. From behind the kitchen door, Kien and Hoai Thu, who silently witnessed that entire sacred moment, could not hide their tears of happiness, clapping together to congratulate the beautiful love that had just been officially confirmed.

"Congratulations to you two," Kien said, stepping out with Hoai Thu to celebrate with the happy couple. "This is truly a beautiful ending to a story that began in an unusual way."

Diem Tram smiled through her tears, looking at the sparkling ring on her hand, feeling the full meaning of the journey that brought her to this happy moment - a journey that started with a cold contract, but ended with the most sincere, profound love she had ever dared to dream of in her life.

***

Right after the emotional proposal moment, Khang led Diem Tram out to the main lobby area, where another surprise was waiting for her — the entire family, including Ms. Cam and Ms. Lam, were silently invited to witness this important moment, hidden behind the large curtain of a small stage temporarily set up in the lobby.

"Mom?" Diem Tram exclaimed in surprise when she saw her mother appear. Khang had secretly arranged a shuttle beforehand. "Do you know about this?"

"Viet Khang came to ask my mother's official permission last week," Mrs. Lam replied, unable to hide her tears of happiness. "It wants to ensure that all rituals are performed properly and as solemnly as possible."

Mrs. Cam also came forward and hugged them both with full happiness. "I never thought I would witness such a beautiful moment like this," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "Finally, my grandchild's dream of finding true happiness has come true."

***

That evening became a small, warm party, with the presence of the most beloved people in both of their lives - from family, close friends, to colleagues who had been with them through many ups and downs throughout their recent journey. Laughter and sincere blessings echoed throughout the restaurant space, creating an atmosphere of complete happiness.

"I can't believe it, everyone already knew," Diem Tram told Khang, as the two stood side by side looking at the warm surroundings. "How well prepared were you?"

"I want this moment to be truly perfect, worthy of everything you've been through," Khang replied, squeezing her hand. "You deserve to know, that this love is not just between the two of us, but is also welcomed and blessed by all the most important people in our lives."

Diem Tram leaned her head on his shoulder, looking at the happy surroundings, feeling a complete happiness that she never dared to dream of when she first signed that fateful contract - a contract that brought her to family, to love, and to a bright future that she will continue to write with this man through each page of her life.

***

In the middle of a cozy little party, Mrs. Cam pulled Diem Tram to a private corner, her eyes full of seriousness mixed with joy. "I have a small gift to give you," she said, handing Diem Tram an old but carefully cared for wooden box. Inside is a silver hair brooch, exquisitely carved in a classic style.

"This is a gift from Viet Khang's grandmother to her on her wedding day," Mrs. Cam explained, her voice filled with emotion. "I want you to keep it, as a symbol of the connection between generations of women in this family. Even though you were not born into the family, from today, you have officially become an indispensable part of it."

Diem Tram held the silver brooch, unable to hide her deep emotion at that meaningful gesture. "I will cherish it all my life, grandma," she said, hugging the woman who had gradually become a real grandmother in her heart.

"I believe that you will bring this family, to Viet Khang, the complete happiness that he deserves," Mrs. Cam said, squeezing Diem Tram's hand with all the sincere love of a grandmother for her future granddaughter-in-law, whom she soon considered a biological descendant in her family.

When the party gradually ended and everyone left, Diem Tram and Khang stood alone in the middle of the kitchen space, which had returned to its familiar silence, with only a few candles still burning. "I still can't believe it, all of this is actually happening," she said, looking at the ring on her finger in the soft candlelight.

"Me too," Khang replied, hugging her from behind, his chin resting lightly on her shoulder. "But I know one thing for sure — this is just the beginning of a long, happy chapter that we will continue to write together."