I am the Entertainment Tycoon Chapter 988: An Unconventional Bouquet

Pedrarruna Manor, Elffire City.

6:00 PM, Tuesday, May 11th.

Theo chose not to work any overtime at Tokyo Animation Studios that day, leaving the workshop promptly as the clock struck five. He had a deeply important, non-negotiable commitment to keep.

Tonight, he and Ayia were celebrating the official five-month anniversary of their relationship. Although their lives had been effortlessly intertwined long before making things official, it was exactly five months ago today that Theo had finally asked her to be his girlfriend. Given their relentlessly hectic schedules—juggling a booming publishing house, an animation studio, a new gaming venture, and a world-class restaurant—carving out a private evening just for the two of them felt necessary for the occasion.

Theo had just stepped out of a hot shower, the bathroom still thick with steam. He wrapped a towel around his waist and began carefully drying his long, damp silver hair. Stepping into his expansive walk-in closet, he stood before the rows of apparel, thoughtfully trying to decide on the perfect outfit.

He wanted an aesthetic that was effortlessly casual, fitting the relaxed nature of their best-friend dynamic, but one that was undeniably handsome and sharp enough to honor the significance of their milestone.

After a few moments of browsing, Theo bypassed his usual oversized anime graphic tees and reached for a well-tailored, slim-fit button-down cotton shirt in a deep charcoal grey. The premium cotton fabric had a subtle, matte texture that complemented the striking tone of his silver hair. He left the top two buttons undone, keeping the look intentionally relaxed and approachable rather than rigidly formal. He rolled the sleeves up to his mid-forearms with practiced neatness, adding a rugged, clean athletic touch to his silhouette.

For trousers, he selected a pair of slim, dark indigo selvedge denim jeans that weren’t like the tight pants he hated, but still weren’t too big. He secured them with a minimalist black leather belt featuring an antique silver buckle. To anchor the entire look, he slipped into a pair of immaculate, low-profile black leather chelsea boots, which added a sleek, modern edge to the outfit.

Stepping in front of the full-length mirror, Theo shook out his silver strands, letting his hair fall naturally around his shoulders in a clean, untamed cascade. He adjusted his collar and checked his reflection. The dark, monochrome tones of the outfit created a magnificent contrast against his pale features and unique hair color. It was a perfect balance—he looked incredibly handsome, clean, and polished, yet completely relaxed, as if he hadn’t spent hours meticulously planning the attire.

Satisfied, Theo grabbed his phone, strapped on a sleek silver wristwatch, and snatched his car keys. As he walked down the grand staircase of the quiet manor, Angel and Maya watched him from the living room sofa, letting out soft, approving meows at their dressed-up owner.

"What do you think?" Theo asked Aurora, who was lying lazily on the couch across from the cats, scrolling through her phone.

The girl lifted her head to look at her brother, her eyes instantly lighting up as she took in his polished appearance.

"Wow!" Aurora exclaimed, sitting up slightly. "It has been ages since I saw you actually dress up!" She giggled, clearly amused by the rare sight.

"Hey! I have to put in a little effort for our anniversary," he defended himself, smoothing down his charcoal shirt.

"Aham," she murmured, rolling her eyes playfully at him. "Alright, do a little spin. Let me see the whole outfit."

He obeyed her with a slightly nervous expression, turning around to display the tailored look. "What do you think? Honestly, will Ayia like it?"

Aurora stayed dead silent for a few agonizing seconds just to tease him, watching his anxiety grow, before finally breaking into a warm smile. "I’m sure she will absolutely love it, Theo! You look genuinely great!"

Theo heaved a massive sigh of relief, completely letting go of the fact that his little sister had just played with his nerves.

He offered her a quick, affectionate farewell before heading down to the underground garage. Moments later, he was driving his sleek sports car out of the estate gates, cutting through the damp evening air of Elffire City to meet his favorite chef.

The sleek sports car glided smoothly to a halt right outside Ayia’s house. Theo switched off the ignition, his heart executing a familiar, eager flutter in his chest as he reached for his secret weapon in the passenger seat—a heavy, beautifully wrapped package he had spent the last hour perfecting.

Stepping out into the crisp, drizzling evening air, Theo walked up to the front door and gave a light, rhythmic knock.

When the door swung open, the ambient warmth of the house spilled outward, and Theo’s breath caught completely in his throat. Standing there was Ayia. Much like him, she had opted for a casual, spring-inspired aesthetic rather than a stiff, formal evening gown. She wore a beautifully tailored, cream-colored oversized knit sweater that draped elegantly over one of her shoulders, paired with high-waisted pastel sage jeans and crisp white sneakers. Her long, wavy purple hair hung loosely around her face in soft, bouncy layers, and her porcelain skin clad in light makeup highlighted her stunning golden eyes.

She looked simple, unadorned, and effortlessly trendy. But to Theo, who was staring at her with wide, starstruck eyes, she looked like the undisputed, most breathtakingly beautiful girl in the entire world.

"Wow," Ayia breathed, her golden eyes sweeping over his dark charcoal shirt and tailored denim, a brilliant, highly impressed smile instantly taking over her face. "Look at you, Mr. Gray! You look absolutely incredibly handsome tonight. Who authorized this?"

"I could say the exact same thing about you," Theo managed to chuckle, his voice dropping into a soft, affectionate tone. "You look stunning, Ayia. Happy five months."

"Happy five months, baby," she smiled warmly, stepping forward to close the distance between them.

But before she could wrap her arms around his neck, Theo dynamically brought his hands out from behind his back, presenting his grand surprise with a theatrical flourish. "For you, my lady. A traditional anniversary bouquet."

Ayia paused, blinking in absolute confusion as she looked down at the arrangement. It wasn’t made of roses, lilies, or any standard florist greens. Wrapped in premium matte black paper and secured with a beautiful crimson silk ribbon was a massive, expertly arranged bouquet made entirely of her favorite artisanal snacks. There were gourmet dark chocolate sea-salt bars, limited-edition imported potato chips, premium spicy beef jerky, and a selection of homemade snacks that she knew Theo made himself.

For a split second, she just stared at it. Then, a massive, pure, and utterly ecstatic laugh erupted from her lips.

"Oh my gosh!" Ayia squealed, snatching the heavy snack bouquet from his hands and hugging it to her chest as if it were a priceless treasure. She buried her face into the wrapping, her eyes sparkling with unbridled joy. "Theo! This is the best gift ever! I love this so much more than any dumb flower bouquet! Flowers just die in a week, but this? This is real, edible love!"

"I know my target audience," Theo grinned triumphantly, his chest swelling with pride as he watched her inspect the arrangement like a kid on Christmas morning. "I figured a world-class chef would appreciate high-quality calories over pollen."

"You are the absolute best friend and boyfriend in the universe," Ayia beamed, stepping onto her tiptoes to plant a lingering, affectionate kiss right on his cheek, leaving her fresh scent on his skin. "Hold on, I need to place this masterpiece safely on the kitchen counter before we leave. Come inside for a second!"

Theo walked into the warmth of her home, watching her bounce happily down the hallway with her bundle of snacks. As he leaned against the doorframe, adjusting his silver wristwatch, a deep sense of relief settled over him. He had been worried that she wouldn’t like this unconventional bouquet, but it seemed like he knew better than his worried mind could fathom.

A couple of minutes later, Ayia came back hopping happily. Theo opened the door for her before entering the car as well.

"Where are we going?" She asked as Theo drove out of her house.

He smiled before saying, "Well, if I say now, won’t I ruin the surprise?"