It had been a week since that storm of pain and confrontation.Alena was still healing, her body no longer trembling at every sudden noise, her eyes no longer permanently shadowed with fear. The memories remained, yes, but she was learning to breathe again. And with every passing day, Kieran's presence seemed to stitch her broken pieces together, quietly, insistently.
Their relationship is fragile yet undeniable, was growing in the soft silences between them. Everyone in the mansion had begun to notice.
Cook Peter and Martha had stopped whispering behind their hands; they smiled knowingly whenever Alena came into the kitchen, sometimes slipping her extra pastries or cups of tea as if they too were silently cheering for her happiness.
Aiden, especially, his sharp eyes missing nothing, was still processing what he was seeing. His boss, the cold and merciless man he had followed for years, was now looking at Alena with something dangerously close to devotion.
however, he had mixed feelings. His perception of Alena has changed. whenever he saw her laugh softly at something, some small part of him couldn't help but be glad, for her and, strangely, for his boss too. yet he had a fear, how Kieran's world would react if they ever got to know Alena's past. Especially Kieran's dad.
That evening, Kieran returned from the office earlier than usual. His tie hung loose, and though fatigue lingered in his eyes, there was an eagerness beneath it. As soon as he stepped inside, he asked one of the servants, voice low and clipped,
"How is Alena?"
The servant bowed respectfully. "She seemed happy today, sir. She came out to the garden… she was painting something beautiful."
Kieran's hard features softened instantly. A smile tugged at his lips, rare, unguarded, the kind only she could draw out of him. Without another word, he walked swiftly toward her room, the weight of the day forgotten.
The door was slightly open. He pushed it open quietly, his gaze falling on her.
Alena stood near the window, canvas before her, a brush held delicately between her fingers. The evening sunlight spilled across her face, highlighting the soft concentration in her eyes. She looked different today; her body language wasn't withdrawn or heavy. Instead, there was a lightness, a spark. Her lips curved upward faintly as she painted, lost in her own little world.
Kieran's heart flutters at the sight.
He stepped inside, his movements silent, and before she could turn around, he slipped his arms around her from behind. His embrace was firm, protective, as though he wanted to anchor her to himself forever.
She startled slightly, then relaxed when she felt him.
He pressed his lips against her cheek, murmuring affectionately, "How was your day, crybaby?"
Alena huffed, scrunching her nose. "For the hundredth time, I am not a crybaby."
A low chuckle rumbled from his chest. He pressed his cheek against hers, teasing, "You are a crybaby. If I say something to you with love right now, you'll start crying again."
Her cheeks burned, though she tried to keep her focus on the canvas. "I'm painting, Kieran… you'll ruin it."
He only chuckled deeper, his voice warm. "My woman is talented. Even if it gets ruined, you'll fix it."
Her brush faltered at his words, my woman. The simple claim made her heart race, heat spreading through her chest.
Kieran felt her heartbeat, racing like crazy. He smiled and kissed her cheek again, softer this time. "I came running straight from the office to you, and this is how my girlfriend welcomes me?"
She couldn't stop the small smile tugging at her lips. "What do you want me to do, then?"
His brows drew together as if genuinely offended. "You should kiss me. Love me. You should ask about my day."
Finally, she turned her head slightly to meet his eyes, her expression playfully sweet. "How was your day, Mr. Mafia?"
Kieran smirked, leaning in to brush his lips over hers in a quick, gentle peck. "Wonderful."
She giggled softly, her laughter still ringing in the air when Kieran leaned closer, brushing his nose against her cheek. His arms tightened slightly around her waist, anchoring her to him as though he never wanted to let go.
"Wonderful?" she teased, raising her brow as her brush hovered over the canvas. "That's all you've got to say?"
"Mhm," he hummed against her skin, his voice low, lazy, and warm. "Because the best part of my day is right now. with you," he whispered the last word in her ear.
Her heart skipped. He could say these things so easily, and each time, it left her undone. She tried to focus on the canvas again, but his lips trailed feather-light kisses along her jawline, distracting her with every press.
Her cheeks warmed as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear with gentle fingers. His gaze never wavered, so heavy with devotion that she had to look away.
"Don't you think you're being a little too romantic these days?" she whispered.
Kieran chuckled, his lips brushing her ear as he leaned in closer. "Yes, I am. And what's wrong with that? You're my girlfriend. Should I romance Aiden instead?"
She burst into laughter, slapping his arm.
He grinned, satisfied that he made her laugh.
Then, with unusual seriousness, maybe curiosity, she asked, "How many girl friends did you have before me?"
His eyes softened, but his answer was firm. "None."
She looked at him, surprised, "None?"
He hummed.
"Why?" she pressed quietly.
He sighed, his thumb tracing slow circles on her waist. "Because I never had the time. I thought there was no space in my life for love… or any relationship."
Her throat tightened. She turned in his embrace, facing him fully now. "And now, why me? Why did you choose me?"
His lips curved into a small smile. "I didn't choose you at first, Alena. You happened to me. And I fell."
She blinked, eyes filling instantly. "Why?" she whispered, as if searching for an explanation that could anchor her spinning heart.
He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her lips, tasting her question before answering. "There is no why. It just happened, without reason, without explanation."
Her tears betrayed her again. He groaned, tilting his head back in mock frustration. "Baby… please, not another crying episode. I didn't come here to watch you sob all over me. I came to love you."
His voice lowered, rough with tenderness. "I want to spend time with you. Just you and me, like normal couples do."
She sniffled, laughing at herself. "This is new to me, idiot. I can't handle this much love without breaking down."
He shook his head, smiling at her little, effortless pouty face. "Silly girl. That's why I call you crybaby."
"I'm not crying," she argued weakly.
He touched her cheek and lifted his finger, showing her a single teardrop. "Then what's this?"
She giggled despite herself.
He cupped her cheeks, looking into her eyes, and he pecked her lips gently. "I love you, baby girl," he whispered.
Her lips parted, a shy smile tugging at the corners. He chuckled softly at her expression. Before he could pull away, she leaned in again, pulling him by his necktie, and captured his lips in a desperate kiss. That one act made his heart stumble.
He chuckled at her desperation and deepened the kiss, lifting her effortlessly into his arms, taking her towards the bed, and laying her onto the bed. He hovered over her. His kiss trailed down to her cheeks, her jaw, her neck, down to her collarbone, and then her chest. She was gasping to feel him, her hands curling in his soft hair, messing it up. And before he could undo her top,
"trrr," his phone buzzed.
He groaned, dropping his head onto her chest in frustration, which only made her burst into laughter.
"Pick up the call," she teased between giggles.
Kieran shot her a look, clearly annoyed, before finally glancing at the screen. It was Aiden. With a sharp exhale, he answered coldly, "Yes."
"Boss, I just wanted to inform you that I'll be out of the city tonight. If anything urgent comes up, let me know."
Kieran closed his eyes, jaw tightening. "Aiden, just admit you're taking some new girl out to fuck around."
"Boss, it's just a date. I swear, nothing else."
"Fuck you. Go to hell," Kieran snapped, ending the call before tossing his phone aside and collapsing beside her.
She chuckled at his theatrics, which earned her a long-suffering look from him. "Why are you laughing?"
Her laughter bubbled up again. "Poor Aiden, he just wanted to inform you that he won't be available. why did you have to react like that?"
Kieran grumbled, "Because he ruined my heated moment with you."
Alena laughed, "Aww, my poor man. Come here," she pulled him into her embrace. And without hesitation, he snuggles in her embrace.
She smiled faintly, her fingers threading through his hair.
After a quiet moment, he lifted his head, brushing kisses along her collarbone. "Why don't you just shift into my room?"
She blinked at him, startled. "I'm fine here."
He chuckled. "But I have to walk all the way here every time just to hold you."
She argued softly, "Everyone already gives me strange looks. If I shift into your room… I won't be able to bear their stares."
His gaze turned protective, eyes narrowing. He brushed his nose against hers, his tone low and possessive. "So what, baby? I don't care who says what. All I care about is you. You're mine. And nobody would dare to think badly of you. If they do… they'll be gone."
She huffed, pushing at his chest. He fell back dramatically, laughing, clutching his heart. "This is rude. You shouldn't push your boyfriend away, after a long, tiring day, he came to you running just to pour his heart out."
She rolled her eyes and turned her back to him, pretending to sulk. But Kieran only smirked, rolling forward to pull her against his chest.
Her back pressed to him, she squealed in protest. "Let go!"
"Never," he whispered into her shoulder, holding her tighter. His lips trailed kisses down her neck. "Stop pushing me away, baby. Or I'll have to change my mind…" His voice dipped darkly, "…and start everything again."
Her breath hitched, her body going still as his hand slid daringly inside her top over her chest, giving a sudden squeeze. She gasped, slapping his hand away, her cheeks burning.
Kieran only laughed, unbothered, pulling her even closer as they tumbled into another round of playful banter, tangled together in the sheets, warm, breathless, and utterly inseparable.