CHAPTER NINE
Thursday morning. Coffee on the counter. Kael waiting.
But this time, he was holding something. A small box.
"What's that?" she asked.
"Open it."
She opened it. A key. Simple. Silver. Attached to a small card.
To my wife. For when you're ready. - K
She looked at him. Confused.
"It's a key," he said. "To my room. I thought... I mean, if you want... you don't have to use it. But I wanted you to know the door is open."
She stared at the key. Then at him.
"Kael..."
"I know it's fast. I know we're still learning. But I don't want walls between us anymore. I want you to feel like this is your home. Not just the penthouse. My room. My life. All of it."
She put the key in her pocket. Close to her heart.
"Thank you," she whispered.
He kissed her forehead. Gentle. Sweet.
"I have meetings," he said. "But I'll be home early."
He left. She stood in the kitchen with her hand in her pocket. Touching the key.
---
She spent the morning in her studio. Drawing. Thinking.
The key was in her pocket. She touched it every few minutes.
At lunch, Elena noticed.
"What's that?" Elena asked.
Lira showed her. Elena's eyes went wide.
"He gave you a key to his room?"
"Yes."
Elena was quiet for a moment. Then she smiled.
"I told you," Elena said. "He's different with you."
---
That afternoon, she visited her father.
Antonio was home. His apartment. His own bed. He looked better than he had in months.
She showed him the key. Told him what Kael said.
Her father listened. He nodded.
"He's ready," Antonio said. "Are you?"
She thought about it. About the key in her pocket. About the door that was open.
"Yes," she said. "I think I am."
Her father hugged her. Tight.
"Your mother would be so proud," he whispered. "Of the woman you've become."
She cried a little. He held her.
---
That night, Kael came home at 6pm.
She was cooking. He came up behind her. Arms around her waist. Chin on her shoulder.
"Good day?" he asked.
"Good day. You?"
"Better now."
They cooked together. Him helping. Her directing. It was messy. It was perfect.
After dinner, they sat on the balcony. His arm around her. Her head on his shoulder.
"I showed my father the key," she said.
He tensed slightly. "What did he say?"
"He asked if I was ready."
"What did you say?"
She lifted her head. Looked at him.
"I said yes."
He stared at her. His eyes were soft. Vulnerable. Hopeful.
"Lira..."
She kissed him. Slow. Deep. Long.
When they pulled apart, he rested his forehead against hers.
"I love you," he said.
Her heart stopped. Then raced.
"I love you too," she said.
---
They sat on the balcony for a long time. Holding each other. Saying nothing.
When they finally went inside, he walked her to her door.
He kissed her goodnight. Sweet. Gentle.
She watched him walk to his room. Watched him pause at the door.
He turned. Looked at her.
"The key," he said. "It's not just for coming in. It's for staying. If you want."
She nodded.
He went inside. She stood in the hallway with her hand in her pocket. Touching the key.
She walked to her room. She sat on her bed. She thought about the key. About his words. About staying.
She got up. She walked to his door.
She knocked.
He opened it. He looked surprised. Hopeful.
"I want to stay," she said.
He opened the door wider. She walked in.
CHAPTER TEN
Morning light came through the windows.
Lira woke slowly. Warm. Safe. She was in Kael's bed. His arm was around her. His breathing was soft and steady.
She turned to look at him. Asleep. His face was relaxed. No mask. No armor. Just him.
He looked younger. Softer. She wanted to remember this moment forever.
His eyes opened. He saw her watching him.
"Good morning," he whispered.
"Good morning."
He pulled her closer. Kissed her forehead.
"You stayed," he said.
"I stayed."
They lay there for a long time. Not talking. Just holding each other.
---
Finally, he spoke.
"I've never had this," he said. "Waking up with someone. Feeling like I belong here."
"Me neither."
He looked at her. "I don't want to lose this."
"You won't."
"How do you know?"
She touched his face. "Because I'm not going anywhere. Remember? No expiration date."
He smiled. A real smile. Full and warm.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too."
---
They made breakfast together. Burned eggs again. Perfect.
They ate at the counter. Talking about nothing. Planning the day. She had studio time. He had meetings. But tonight, they would come home to each other.
Before he left, he kissed her long and slow.
"I'll be back by seven," he said.
"I'll be here."
He left. She stood in the kitchen and smiled.
---
That afternoon, she visited her father.
Antonio was doing well. Walking without help. Talking about returning to work part-time.
She told him about last night. About staying. About waking up together.
Her father listened. He smiled.
"So," he said. "It's real now."
"Yes. It's real."
He took her hand. "I'm happy for you, mija. Truly happy."
She hugged him tight.
"Does he know?" Antonio asked. "About the contract? About how it started?"
"He knows. We talked about it. We're past that now."
Her father nodded. "Good. The past is the past. The future is what matters."
---
That evening, Kael came home at 6:30.
Earlier than promised. She was cooking. He came up behind her. Arms around her waist.
"I couldn't focus," he said. "I kept thinking about this morning."
"Me too."
They cooked together. Ate together. Cleaned together.
After dinner, they sat on the balcony. His arm around her. Her head on his shoulder.
"I talked to Marcus today," he said.
"About what?"
"About the contract. About us."
She looked at him. "What did you say?"
"I told him the contract doesn't matter anymore. That I'm keeping you.
Forever."
Her heart swelled.
"What did he say?"
"He said he knew. He said he's been watching me fall in love for weeks."
She laughed. "Everyone sees it but us."
"Maybe we were too scared to see it."
"Not anymore."
He kissed her. Soft. Sweet. Long.
---