Kei
As dawn broke, the warm Paris sunlight poured through the windows, casting a soft glow across the room. I stirred, blinking awake to find Gio’s arm wrapped around me, his steady breaths fanning against my neck, keeping me grounded in this perfect, fragile moment. For once, there was no rush to move, no urgency to face the world. Just the comfort of being here, wrapped in his warmth, where all my worries melted away.
I shifted slightly to look at him, watching as the sunlight brushed over his face, highlighting the edges of his jaw, the curve of his lips. He looked peaceful, almost boyish in his sleep, a side of him that he rarely showed in the light of day.
Gently, I traced my fingers along his arm, savoring the feel of his skin against mine. I was surprised at how easily I had slipped into this feeling of closeness with him, how naturally my heart settled in his presence. But as much as I wanted to remain in this moment forever, a lin
KeiThe day moved with a quiet sort of magic, the sun hanging low in the Paris sky, casting golden hues over the city as evening approached. I was lost in a soft, peaceful daze from our morning together, feeling a calm warmth settle over me—a feeling I hadn’t let myself feel in a long time. Gio had given me pieces of himself that felt precious, pieces I’d been waiting for him to share.I was just getting ready when I heard a soft knock on the door. I opened it to find Gio standing there, holding a bouquet of vibrant roses that instantly filled the room with their sweet, heady scent. His expression was warm, yet nervous, a small smile playing on his lips as he offered them to me.“For you,” he said softly, his gaze intense and unwavering.I took the flowers, feeling the delicate petals between my fingers, their fragrance washing over me. “Gio, they’re beautiful,” I w
KeiThe next morning felt lighter, as if the air itself had softened with the promise that last night had left between us. Gio had shown a side of himself that I’d always believed was there but hadn’t quite seen until now. As we entered the sleek, bustling conference hall where today’s business was set to unfold, the warmth from the night before lingered, even as Gio slipped back into his composed, professional demeanor.The presentation was a success. Gio’s control over the room was magnetic; he had this natural authority, a confidence that turned every word he spoke into something important. I watched him, captivated by how easily he shifted from the affectionate man he’d been last night to the focused leader standing in front of a crowd. Occasionally, his eyes would meet mine, and in those brief moments, I saw a flicker of softness beneath his composed exterior—a private reminder of the man who had h
KeiLeaving Paris felt bittersweet. The city had become a place of new memories, of quiet moments and promises whispered under the night sky. Gio and I had found something real here—something neither of us had anticipated. But as the plane cut through the clouds, I couldn’t shake the worry that back home, our delicate balance might shift, that the demands of his world would pull us back into a rhythm that was all too familiar and distant.When we landed, Gio was immediately pulled into work calls, his focused expression a reminder of the responsibilities waiting for him. His world was demanding, relentless, and for all that we had shared, a part of me worried that it might take over again.We exchanged a soft smile as we gathered our things. “I’ll see you tonight?” he asked, his gaze softer than the words.I nodded, squeezing his hand. “I’ll meet you at your place.”With
Gio’s POVThe note had been shredded, but its meaning was as clear as ever. “We will be there soon.” It wasn’t a threat from some faceless shadow or a rival in business—it was something far more personal. I knew exactly who had sent it, and the thought alone made my chest tighten.Vanessa.I leaned back in my office chair, staring out at the city skyline. Paris, with all its beauty and distractions, hadn’t been enough to keep my past at bay. Vanessa’s arrival wasn’t just inconvenient—it was dangerous. She wasn’t the only one who would come. My mother would be there too, armed with her disapproving looks and cutting remarks, ready to insert herself into my life once again.The quiet knock on my office door made my heart skip, but it was only Kei. She stepped inside, her eyes filled with concern.“You’ve been quiet,” she said softly, crossing the room to stand by my desk.I looked up at her, my chest tightening. She was the one thing I wanted to protect in all this chaos, but I could fe
Gio’s POV – FlashbackThe ballroom was filled with the murmur of polite conversations, the clinking of glasses, and the soft strains of a string quartet playing in the corner. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in golden light, casting reflections off the glittering jewelry and polished smiles of the guests. It was the kind of event I had grown up attending—a room full of people pretending to care about each other while calculating who could benefit their ambitions the most.I stood near the edge of the room, my tie feeling like a noose around my neck, the glass of scotch in my hand doing little to dull the growing unease in my chest. Across the room, my mother moved through the crowd with practiced ease, her smile sharp and calculated, her words always perfectly chosen. Next to her, Vanessa stood, a vision of poise and elegance, her every movement designed to project control.She caught my eye and offered a small, knowing smile that made my stomach turn.“Don’t look so miserable, Gi
Gio’s POVThe morning sunlight poured through the windows, casting a golden glow across the penthouse. Everything felt quieter now, as though the city itself had slowed its relentless pace, giving me a rare moment to breathe. Yet beneath the calm exterior of the morning, I could feel the undercurrent of tension—unspoken, simmering, and waiting to resurface.Kei stood at the kitchen counter, cradling a mug of coffee in her hands. Her hair was still mussed from sleep, her cheeks tinged with a soft flush, and she wore one of my oversized shirts, the hem brushing against her thighs. She looked at peace, and for a moment, I let myself savor the sight of her like this—unburdened, even if only for a moment.She glanced up, catching my gaze, and a small smile curved her lips. “Good morning,” she said softly, her voice still laced with the remnants of sleep.“Morning,” I replied, my tone softer than I intended. Crossing the room, I leaned down to press a lingering kiss to her forehead.Her han
Gio’s POVThe morning started like any other—calm, calculated, and immersed in the usual rhythm of work. The sleek interior of my office reflected the precise control I maintained over my business life, even as my personal world teetered on the edge of chaos.The only thing grounding me these days was Kei. Her unwavering belief in me had been both a comfort and a weight, reminding me of how much was at stake. And today, that weight felt heavier than usual, the air carrying an unspoken tension that I couldn’t shake.I was poring over a set of financial reports when the sharp buzz of the intercom broke through my focus. My assistant’s voice followed, tentative.“Mr. Moretti, there’s someone here to see you. She... uh... insisted on not being turned away.”I frowned, already knowing who it was. “Vanessa?”“Yes, sir,” she confirmed, her tone uneasy.I pinched the bridge of my nose, frustration flaring. Vanessa didn’t do polite visits or subtle discussions. Her arrival meant she was ready
KEII stared at myself in the mirror as I applied my makeup. With my smooth, glass-like skin, pointed nose, pinkish lips, and brown eyes, I knew I could attract a lot of people with my looks. I guess this is one of the best things my heritage has given me, because without it, I might struggle to do what I’m about to do.“Are you done, Kei?” Sam asked from the doorway. I glanced at her, a smile on my lips.“What do you think? Does this look okay?” I asked, examining myself in the mirror.She studied me for a moment before smiling. “Wow, your looks really run in the family, huh? But you know what would be even better? If you just went back to your parents and got your life back on track.”My smile faded instantly. “Seriously, Sam? That’s what you’re going to say? You know what they did to me, right? Just because I didn’t fulfill my responsibilities as their child, they disowned me. They cut me off for an entire year—couldn’t use my credit cards, couldn’t access my money in the bank, all
Gio’s POVThe morning started like any other—calm, calculated, and immersed in the usual rhythm of work. The sleek interior of my office reflected the precise control I maintained over my business life, even as my personal world teetered on the edge of chaos.The only thing grounding me these days was Kei. Her unwavering belief in me had been both a comfort and a weight, reminding me of how much was at stake. And today, that weight felt heavier than usual, the air carrying an unspoken tension that I couldn’t shake.I was poring over a set of financial reports when the sharp buzz of the intercom broke through my focus. My assistant’s voice followed, tentative.“Mr. Moretti, there’s someone here to see you. She... uh... insisted on not being turned away.”I frowned, already knowing who it was. “Vanessa?”“Yes, sir,” she confirmed, her tone uneasy.I pinched the bridge of my nose, frustration flaring. Vanessa didn’t do polite visits or subtle discussions. Her arrival meant she was ready
Gio’s POVThe morning sunlight poured through the windows, casting a golden glow across the penthouse. Everything felt quieter now, as though the city itself had slowed its relentless pace, giving me a rare moment to breathe. Yet beneath the calm exterior of the morning, I could feel the undercurrent of tension—unspoken, simmering, and waiting to resurface.Kei stood at the kitchen counter, cradling a mug of coffee in her hands. Her hair was still mussed from sleep, her cheeks tinged with a soft flush, and she wore one of my oversized shirts, the hem brushing against her thighs. She looked at peace, and for a moment, I let myself savor the sight of her like this—unburdened, even if only for a moment.She glanced up, catching my gaze, and a small smile curved her lips. “Good morning,” she said softly, her voice still laced with the remnants of sleep.“Morning,” I replied, my tone softer than I intended. Crossing the room, I leaned down to press a lingering kiss to her forehead.Her han
Gio’s POV – FlashbackThe ballroom was filled with the murmur of polite conversations, the clinking of glasses, and the soft strains of a string quartet playing in the corner. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in golden light, casting reflections off the glittering jewelry and polished smiles of the guests. It was the kind of event I had grown up attending—a room full of people pretending to care about each other while calculating who could benefit their ambitions the most.I stood near the edge of the room, my tie feeling like a noose around my neck, the glass of scotch in my hand doing little to dull the growing unease in my chest. Across the room, my mother moved through the crowd with practiced ease, her smile sharp and calculated, her words always perfectly chosen. Next to her, Vanessa stood, a vision of poise and elegance, her every movement designed to project control.She caught my eye and offered a small, knowing smile that made my stomach turn.“Don’t look so miserable, Gi
Gio’s POVThe note had been shredded, but its meaning was as clear as ever. “We will be there soon.” It wasn’t a threat from some faceless shadow or a rival in business—it was something far more personal. I knew exactly who had sent it, and the thought alone made my chest tighten.Vanessa.I leaned back in my office chair, staring out at the city skyline. Paris, with all its beauty and distractions, hadn’t been enough to keep my past at bay. Vanessa’s arrival wasn’t just inconvenient—it was dangerous. She wasn’t the only one who would come. My mother would be there too, armed with her disapproving looks and cutting remarks, ready to insert herself into my life once again.The quiet knock on my office door made my heart skip, but it was only Kei. She stepped inside, her eyes filled with concern.“You’ve been quiet,” she said softly, crossing the room to stand by my desk.I looked up at her, my chest tightening. She was the one thing I wanted to protect in all this chaos, but I could fe
KeiLeaving Paris felt bittersweet. The city had become a place of new memories, of quiet moments and promises whispered under the night sky. Gio and I had found something real here—something neither of us had anticipated. But as the plane cut through the clouds, I couldn’t shake the worry that back home, our delicate balance might shift, that the demands of his world would pull us back into a rhythm that was all too familiar and distant.When we landed, Gio was immediately pulled into work calls, his focused expression a reminder of the responsibilities waiting for him. His world was demanding, relentless, and for all that we had shared, a part of me worried that it might take over again.We exchanged a soft smile as we gathered our things. “I’ll see you tonight?” he asked, his gaze softer than the words.I nodded, squeezing his hand. “I’ll meet you at your place.”With
KeiThe next morning felt lighter, as if the air itself had softened with the promise that last night had left between us. Gio had shown a side of himself that I’d always believed was there but hadn’t quite seen until now. As we entered the sleek, bustling conference hall where today’s business was set to unfold, the warmth from the night before lingered, even as Gio slipped back into his composed, professional demeanor.The presentation was a success. Gio’s control over the room was magnetic; he had this natural authority, a confidence that turned every word he spoke into something important. I watched him, captivated by how easily he shifted from the affectionate man he’d been last night to the focused leader standing in front of a crowd. Occasionally, his eyes would meet mine, and in those brief moments, I saw a flicker of softness beneath his composed exterior—a private reminder of the man who had h
KeiThe day moved with a quiet sort of magic, the sun hanging low in the Paris sky, casting golden hues over the city as evening approached. I was lost in a soft, peaceful daze from our morning together, feeling a calm warmth settle over me—a feeling I hadn’t let myself feel in a long time. Gio had given me pieces of himself that felt precious, pieces I’d been waiting for him to share.I was just getting ready when I heard a soft knock on the door. I opened it to find Gio standing there, holding a bouquet of vibrant roses that instantly filled the room with their sweet, heady scent. His expression was warm, yet nervous, a small smile playing on his lips as he offered them to me.“For you,” he said softly, his gaze intense and unwavering.I took the flowers, feeling the delicate petals between my fingers, their fragrance washing over me. “Gio, they’re beautiful,” I w
KeiAs dawn broke, the warm Paris sunlight poured through the windows, casting a soft glow across the room. I stirred, blinking awake to find Gio’s arm wrapped around me, his steady breaths fanning against my neck, keeping me grounded in this perfect, fragile moment. For once, there was no rush to move, no urgency to face the world. Just the comfort of being here, wrapped in his warmth, where all my worries melted away.I shifted slightly to look at him, watching as the sunlight brushed over his face, highlighting the edges of his jaw, the curve of his lips. He looked peaceful, almost boyish in his sleep, a side of him that he rarely showed in the light of day.Gently, I traced my fingers along his arm, savoring the feel of his skin against mine. I was surprised at how easily I had slipped into this feeling of closeness with him, how naturally my heart settled in his presence. But as much as I wanted to remain in this moment forever, a lin
KeiThe faint light of morning crept through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. I stirred, feeling the warmth of the blankets wrapped around me, my body still heavy with the exhaustion of last night. For a moment, I lay there, half-asleep, memories from the night before flickering through my mind like scenes from a dream—Gio’s touch, his words, the quiet confessions shared in the dark.But when I rolled over, reaching for him, my hand met only cool sheets. I opened my eyes, blinking against the morning light, and saw the space beside me empty. The familiar pang of disappointment crept in, but as I sat up, I caught a faint, enticing scent wafting from the other side of the suite.Curious, I slipped out of bed, grabbing the robe that lay across the armchair and wrapping it around me as I padded out toward the kitchen. When I stepped into the small dining area, a soft smile spread across my face.On the countertop s