A month flew by like a flash. The meeting room buzzed with authority and whispers as I stepped in, clad in my sharp pink tailored suit, hair flawless, face all serious power vibes.
I slid into the head of the table, legs crossed, surprising everyone with my new aura.
Karthiel was there too, eyes on me, fingers idly playing with a pen. I didn't glance at him once, focusing instead on Grandpa, sitting proudly beside me.
He patted my shoulder. "I've never been this impressed. You really changed."
I gave a calm business smile. "I know, Grandpa. How could I ever let you down?"
The room erupted in surprised applause. When the meeting ended, Grandpa was busy praising me to everyone, leaving me alone in the room.
I stood up, trading my serious mask for a grin and dashed toward Karthiel.
"Ah! That was so damn hard! Darling, did you miss me?" I teased, catching him—the only one who hadn't left, like he'd been waiting just for me. I didn't let him get a word in.
I grabbed his face and kissed him nonstop. "I missed you so much, baby... You have no idea how many monsters I had to fight to keep up this cold, mature act so Grandpa would believe I've improved. Otherwise, he'd send me back again. I don't want to be separated from you ever again." I smiled, sliding onto his lap and wrapping my arms tight around his neck.
Karthiel didn't say anything, but the way he held me—firm on my waist, finally letting go of whatever distance he'd kept—said everything. It was like he'd been restless, anxious about why I'd pulled away before, but now with me close, he found his peace.
I rubbed our noses together and teased, "So..have you fallen yet or not?" He didn't answer—just stared. One hand slid to my thigh, gently rubbing, caressing with a possessive longing. The other hand roamed softly over me, like he'd been starving for this touch and was savoring every second.
"Fine," I muttered, pouting. "Now that I'm here, I'll make you love me. Just wait and see."
Karthiel kissed me softly, but I pulled back and threw a tantrum. He gently cupped my chin, locking eyes with me. "Be good." Then he kissed me deep and passionate, and I couldn't help but melt right into him.
Every touch and kiss left me breathless, craving more—nothing ever felt this good.
My breaths came heavy, our faces close, noses just barely touching.
I whispered, "Come home with me. I'll cook for you again.. I've learned two more new dishes." Pride tinged my words.
Karthiel's answer was simple, short: "Alright."
But the gentleness in his voice made my heart soar. His eyes softened as they locked with mine, lips curling into a slight, rare smile. He pulled me closer, and I couldn't help but giggle, hugging him tighter like I never wanted to let go.
The apartment was quiet except for the soft clinking of plates and my endless chatter filling the air. I moved around the kitchen in a loose shirt, hair messy from rushing to cook. Karthiel sat on the couch, jacket off, sleeves rolled up, one arm resting lazily over the backrest as he watched me. His eyes followed every little move I made—silent, unreadable, but softer than usual.
"…and then Grandpa said I finally have potential!" I said proudly, slicing vegetables with an exaggerated flourish. "Oh, and Marcus nearly messed up the report, but I fixed it, so technically, I saved the day. Again."
I turned, spoon in hand, to check if he was listening. Of course he was. His gaze was fixed on me, chin propped on his hand, eyes tracing my movements like he found something amusing about how animated I got.
"You're not even saying anything," I muttered, walking closer. "You're just staring like you're planning my murder."
His lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "You talk too much."
I gasped dramatically. "Excuse me! This is called communication, Mr. Silent Mode."
He raised an eyebrow, gaze dropping briefly to my lips before meeting my eyes again. "Is that what you call it?"
The tone was calm, teasing in his own quiet way. I rolled my eyes and huffed, setting the spoon down as I leaned against the counter. "You're impossible."
When I turned again, he was suddenly right behind me. I froze, feeling his breath near my ear. His hands slid around my waist, fingers resting lightly but firmly, grounding me.
"What are you doing?" I whispered, heart racing.
"Listening," he said simply. His voice was low, smooth, making my knees weak.
I let out a shaky laugh. "You can't just sneak up like that when I'm being productive!"
He hummed softly, chin brushing against my shoulder. "You were saying something about saving the day?"
"Uh-huh," I mumbled, my words breaking when his thumb brushed slow circles against my hip. "And—uh—you should be grateful I'm this talented, you know."
"Mm." His hum was a quiet agreement, yet his lips brushed the side of my neck like he was tasting every word I said.
The air turned heavy, charged with the kind of tension that always made my heart trip over itself. I turned in his arms, my palms resting on his chest. His heartbeat was steady—unbothered, unlike mine that was practically screaming.
"You know, you really have a staring problem," I whispered, voice trembling with a smile.
His eyes softened. "Only when there's something worth staring at."
My cheeks heated. I laughed breathlessly, hiding my face in his chest. "You're so unfair when you say things like that."
He said nothing—just tilted my chin up and kissed me slow, deep, and unhurried. Like he always did. Like I was the only thing that existed in his world.
And for that quiet moment... I was.
The next day, the meeting room buzzed with authority and tense business chatter. I walked in with all the polished confidence I could muster, tailored suit sharp, hair perfect, and a calm, professional smile plastered on my face. Grandpa was already seated at the head of the table, looking around proudly, while Karthiel sat across from me, stoic as ever, eyes calculating, posture immaculate.
As the discussion dragged on, I found my attention constantly drifting to him. Every time our eyes met—even fleetingly—it sent a rush through me.
Holding his gaze, I leaned just slightly forward, resting my chin on my hand and letting my gaze wander across the table toward him. His lips twitched ever so slightly, a movement too subtle for anyone else to notice, but to me, it was a small victory. He didn't move, didn't comment, but I could feel the charge in the air between us.
A mischievous idea hit me, and I subtly nudged my leg under the table toward his. A tiny brush, just enough to see his reaction.
Karthiel's eyes shot me a glance—silent, controlled, and deadly in its intensity. My smirk widened, and I pressed my luck, sliding my foot up toward his knee, all the while pretending to listen to Grandpa. My heart skipped when suddenly, a large, warm hand gripped my ankle under the table.
I froze, gulping as I looked up at Karthiel, who, somehow, managed to keep talking professionally with the others, his face calm, his expression unreadable. But his other hand slid under the table, tracing slowly along my leg, fingers long, warm, deliberate, sending shivers through me. I clenched my fists under the table, trying desperately not to show how much it affected me.
Grandpa's voice boomed, "I'm indeed very impressed with my grandson. I'd like to thank Max for helping you so much."
I smiled politely, keeping my tone measured. "Ah, yes, he was a good mentor. He really helped me a lot."
Instantly, the grip on my leg tightened. I could practically feel Karthiel's displeasure radiating through that touch. Of course—he hated anyone else getting credit or attention from me. My lips twitched in a suppressed smile, part admiration, part frustration. This man… he was impossible, but incredibly adorable in the way he claimed me even without words.
I forced myself to shift slightly, letting him finally release my ankle. Straightening up, I inhaled deeply, trying to calm the storm raging in my chest, and sent him a glare that said I see you, mister. He met it coolly, expression still unreadable, eyes flicking back to the meeting as if nothing had happened.
I took a steadying breath, smiled politely at the others, and refocused on Grandpa's discussion, fanning myself subtly under the table to calm the lingering heat. Every time Karthiel glanced my way, a thrill ran through me, and I silently vowed—oh, this was far from over.