Chapter 21 — The 12th-Floor Kitchen Contract

One month before the wedding, preparations enter a sprint phase, with a series of details needing to be finalized — from the guest list, to the wedding menu, to the final dress fittings. Diem Tram, even though she is used to the busy pace of work, still cannot help but feel overwhelmed by the huge workload of organizing a large-scale wedding.

"Are you sure you can handle everything?" Hoai Thu asked, unable to hide her worry when she saw Diem Tram still busy between business and wedding preparations at the same time.

"I think so," Diem Tram replied, although her voice was somewhat tired. "But I'm really grateful to have Mr. Khang and everyone supporting me. If I had to take care of everything myself, I definitely wouldn't be able to manage it."

That's right, Khang also spent most of her rare free time with Diem Tram to solve every small detail of the wedding, from choosing the party location, to considering each dish on the menu to suit the tastes of both families.

***

One afternoon, while the two were reviewing the guest list together, an unexpected problem arose that made them both worried. "The weather forecast says there will likely be a small storm passing through the area on our wedding day," Khang announced, his voice unable to hide the unease.

"What should we do now?" Diem Tram asked, feeling a bit panicked by this unexpected news, especially since the outdoor ceremony had been elaborately prepared for many weeks.

"I think we need a backup plan," Khang replied, trying to stay calm to find the most reasonable solution. "Perhaps, we should move the venue indoors, or prepare a large enough covered area to prevent the worst case scenario."

***

After many hours of intense discussion, the two and the event organizing team decided to rent a large greenhouse area adjacent to the prepared garden, ensuring the ceremony could still take place despite adverse weather conditions. "This will be a safe solution," the event manager reassured. "The greenhouse space still retains the romantic beauty of an outdoor garden, but ensures safety against all weather situations."

Diem Tram breathed a sigh of relief at that reasonable solution, although she was still a little worried. "I just hope everything will go smoothly on the big day," she said, resting her head on Khang's shoulder.

"No matter what the weather is, I believe, that day will still be the most beautiful day of our lives," Khang replied, squeezing her hand with sincere reassurance. "Because the most important thing is not the weather, but the fact that we are officially sworn to a lifelong commitment to each other."

***

Amidst the busyness of wedding preparations, Diem Tram still took time to perfect the wedding ao dai that she personally designed and tailored for herself. Every evening, after completing her business, she sits down to meticulously complete each delicate embroidery line on the hem of her shirt, seeing it as a way to fully convey her feelings on the upcoming important day.

"Do you want me to help?" Hoai Thu suggested one evening, when she saw Diem Tram still working hard at the embroidery frame even though it was quite late.

"Thank you, but I want to complete most of this step myself," Diem Tram replied, smiling at her close friend's sincere concern. "This is how I want to fully express my love for Khang, through every needle and thread."

Looking at Diem Tram diligently and devotedly to every single detail of the wedding dress, Hoai Thu could not hide her emotions at the long journey that her close friend had gone through - from the difficult days when the bakery was at risk of bankruptcy, to the present moment of perfect happiness, preparing to enter a new meaningful chapter in life.

***

Meanwhile, at Cam Luong restaurant, Kien is also busy as best man, coordinating with the event organizing team to ensure all logistical details for the wedding are carefully prepared. By chance, he often had to work with Hoai Thu to unify the schedule between the bride and groom, and through those collaborations, the two gradually developed a special affection for each other.

"I think, the rehearsal should take place on Friday afternoon, so that everyone has enough time to prepare for the official day," Kien proposed in a planning meeting, his eyes unconsciously stopping for a while on Hoai Thu's face as she was attentively taking notes.

"I agree," Hoai Thu replied, looking up at him with a friendly smile, not realizing the special look that Kien had just given her.

After the meeting, when the two cleaned up the documents together, Kien suddenly spoke up, his voice had a rare hesitation. "Hoai Thu, after Khang and Diem Tram's wedding, do you want to... go have coffee with me?" he asked, unable to hide the nervousness in his voice.

Hoai Thu was stunned for a moment at that unexpected invitation, then smiled, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "I'm very happy to accept that invitation," she replied, her eyes also shining with a lovely shyness.

***

When Diem Tram heard Hoai Thu tell about the unexpected invitation from Kien, she could not hide her joy and excitement. "I've noticed there's something special between you two for a long time," Diem Tram said, smiling meaningfully. "I'm happy for you."

"Don't exaggerate," Hoai Thu replied, although she couldn't hide the happy smile on her lips. "It's just an invitation for coffee."

"But who knows, that could be the beginning of another beautiful story," Diem Tram said, recalling her own journey, from a calculated beginning to a deeply sincere love. "Sometimes, the most beautiful things come from moments we never expected."

They both laughed and continued preparing for the wedding in an even warmer atmosphere, full of hope for the love stories that are gradually blooming around them, as proof that happiness always has a way to find those who persevere and sincerely pursue the good values in life.

***

That weekend, Diem Tram and Khang held an official rehearsal at the newly rented greenhouse, ensuring every detail was thoroughly checked before the big day. Mrs. Cam, despite her old age, was still determined to be present to personally supervise and comment on every smallest detail of the ceremony.

"The location of the ancestral altar needs to be more solemn," Ms. Cam commented, pointing to the area prepared for the traditional ritual. "This is the most important part of the ceremony, it needs to show respect for the ancestors of both families."

"I will adjust immediately, ma'am," Diem Tram replied, carefully taking note of each valuable suggestion from the experienced woman.

The rehearsal went smoothly, with smooth coordination between everyone involved, from the event organizing team, to the families and close friends of both. When the rehearsal ended, Khang pulled Diem Tram to a private corner, his eyes filled with emotion as he looked at the results of many weeks of hard preparation.

"Only one more week," he said softly, embracing her in his warm arms. "Are you nervous?"

"I do," Diem Tram replied honestly, resting her head on his chest. "But it's a happy thrill, not a worry. I can't wait to officially become your wife."

"Me too," Khang replied, lightly kissing her forehead. "I've been waiting for this moment more than anything else in my life."

They stood there, in the middle of the almost completely decorated greenhouse for the upcoming wedding day, enjoying a rare moment of peace before the storm of happiness that was waiting ahead. They both clearly felt that all the efforts and challenges they had gone through were worth it to get to this great moment.

Outside the greenhouse, the sunset dyed the sky yellow, like a promise of bright days waiting ahead, for both of them and for everyone who had accompanied them on this meaningful journey.

Diem Tram looked up at the gradually changing color sky, silently thanking fate for leading her to this right moment, this right person, to continue writing a love story together that she believes will last forever, far beyond what she ever dared to dream of during the most difficult days of her life, when her mother's small bakery was on the brink of collapse.