CHAPTER TWELVE
Saturday morning. No meetings. No alarms. Just them.
Lira woke first. Kael was still asleep. His arm was heavy around her waist. His face was peaceful.
She watched him for a while. Counted his eyelashes. Traced the shape of his jaw with her eyes.
He opened his eyes. Caught her watching.
"Creepy," he said, voice rough with sleep.
She laughed. "Worth it."
He pulled her close. Kissed her forehead.
"What do you want to do today?" he asked.
"Nothing. Everything. I don't care. As long as it's with you."
He smiled. That real smile she loved.
"Then nothing it is."
---
They stayed in bed until noon.
Talking. Laughing. Kissing. Learning each other's bodies. Learning each other's hearts.
At noon, they made breakfast together. Burned eggs. Perfect toast. Coffee that was slightly too strong.
They ate at the counter. Bare feet. Pajamas. Happy.
"I've never had a Saturday like this," Kael said.
"Me neither."
"I've never had any day like this."
She reached across the counter. Took his hand.
"Now you do. Now we do."
---
That afternoon, they went to her studio.
He wanted to see her work. Really see it.
She showed him everything. Sketches. Drawings. Plans she had made years ago and never showed anyone.
He looked at each one. Carefully. Slowly.
"These are incredible," he said.
"You have to say that. You're in love with me."
"I'm in love with you. But I'm also telling the truth."
She laughed. He kissed her.
"I want to show you something," she said.
She pulled out a folder. Old drawings. Her mother's. The ones Antonio had given her.
Kael looked through them. Quiet. Respectful.
"She was talented," he said.
"Yes. She gave it up when I was born."
"Would she be proud of you?"
Lira thought about it. "I think so."
"I know so."
---
That evening, they went to see Antonio.
Kael came with her. First time visiting together since the hospital.
Antonio was happy to see them. Made coffee. Brought out cookies. Treated Kael like family.
They talked for hours. About engineering. About art. About life. About love.
Before they left, Antonio took Kael's hand.
"Take care of her," Antonio said.
"Always," Kael said. "Forever."
Antonio nodded. "Good. Then you're family now."
On the way home, Kael was quiet.
"You okay?" she asked.
"He called me family."
"Yes."
"No one has called me family since my grandfather died."
She took his hand. "Get used to it. You have us now."
---
That night, they sat on the balcony.
City lights. Stars hidden. Hand in hand.
"I've been thinking," Kael said.
"About what?"
"About Harrison. About the board. About what happens next."
She waited.
"I don't want to lose the company. My grandfather built it. I rebuilt it. It's part of me."
"I know."
"But I don't want to lose you either."
She turned to him. "You won't."
"How do you know?"
"Because I'm not going anywhere. Remember? No expiration date."
He kissed her. Long. Deep. Grateful.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too."
---
Later, in bed, he held her close.
"Lira?"
"Yes?"
"Whatever happens with the board, with Harrison, with the company... I need you to know something."
She waited.
"You're the best thing that ever happened to me. The only thing that matters."
She kissed his chest. Right over his heart.
"You're the best thing that ever happened to me too."
They fell asleep. Holding each other. Ready for whatever came next.
Together.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sunday morning. Rain against the windows.
Lira woke to the sound. Kael was still asleep. His arm was heavy around her. His breathing was slow and steady.
She lay there listening to the rain. To his heartbeat. To the quiet peace of the moment.
His eyes opened. He smiled when he saw her.
"Rain," he said.
"I know."
"I love rain."
"Why?"
"Because it means staying inside. No meetings. No pressure. Just being."
She kissed him. "Then let's just be."
---
They stayed in bed all morning.
Talking. Laughing. Making love. Ordering food because neither wanted to cook.
At some point, Kael's phone rang. He ignored it.
It rang again. He ignored it.
The third time, he checked. His face changed.
"What?" she asked.
"Marcus. Six times. Something's wrong."
He called back. She watched his face as he listened. His jaw tightened. His eyes went cold.
"What happened?" she asked when he hung up.
"Harrison called a special board meeting. Tomorrow. He's making his move."
Her heart dropped. "What does that mean?"
"It means he's forcing a vote. He wants me out."
She sat up. "Can he do that?"
"He can try."
---
The rest of the day was different.
Kael was on the phone constantly. Calling lawyers. Calling board members. Calling anyone who might support him.
Lira watched. She made coffee. She brought food he didn't eat. She sat nearby, ready if he needed her.
By evening, he looked exhausted.
"Talk to me," she said.
He sat down. Rubbed his face.
"I don't know if I have enough votes. Harrison has been working on this for months. He might win."
"And if he wins?"
"Then I'm out. I lose everything. The company. My grandfather's legacy. Everything I've worke
d for."
She sat beside him. Took his hand.
"You don't lose me."
He looked at her. His eyes were wet.
"That's all I care about," he said. "You. Us. The rest is just stuff."
She kissed him. Soft. Long.
"Then we face it together."
---