Two weeks had slipped by like a soft breeze in Velandia City, yet every day felt brand new for Kirah Evans.
She wasn't sure when it happened—when stolen glances and breathless kisses in secret turned into soft smiles and public hand-holding—but it did. The man she once labeled "a spoiled billionaire who played dirty games" was now the one making her morning coffee and brushing his fingers over her waist when she was thinking too hard.
Dominic Vierra was obsessed. Unapologetically, unreasonably obsessed. And he didn't try to hide it anymore.
Kirah only came to the penthouse once a week—she made that clear from the start. "I need my space," she'd say with a teasing smile. "I've got a life outside your glass walls, you know."
Dominic hated that. But he also respected it. Still, every time she left, his home grew quiet. Too quiet.
---
It was Thursday evening, the third time she was coming over in the last three weeks. She'd texted him earlier: "I'm on my way."
And he'd replied almost instantly: "The bed's waiting. But not for sleep."
Now, walking into the penthouse with her overnight bag in hand, she was greeted by scented candles already lit, a playlist humming softly in the background, and Dominic himself leaning on the kitchen island in nothing but grey joggers that hung low on his hips.
"You're two minutes late," he smirked.
Kirah rolled her eyes, kicking off her heels. "Two minutes you'll survive."
"Not when I haven't touched you in four days," he said, grabbing her wrist and pulling her in for a deep, lingering kiss. "That's four nights of torture."
"Don't be dramatic," she mumbled against his lips.
"I'm in love. I get to be dramatic."
She tried to hide her smile—but failed.
---
Earlier that week, Kirah had confided everything to Naya. The real truth. The penthouse, the sex, the texts, the gifts. And Naya had nearly lost her mind.
"This is what I've been praying for!" she squealed over the phone. "Babe, if you don't marry that man and carry his billionaire babies, I will personally drag you down the aisle myself!"
Kirah had laughed, cheeks hot with joy. Naya was her loudest cheerleader.
Her mother had also sensed something. At dinner that Sunday, over rice and spicy goat meat, her mom gave her a long look and then smiled warmly.
"You're glowing, my dear."
Kirah blushed. "It's just work, Mom."
"Work doesn't make a woman blush like that. Who's the man?"
"I… I'm seeing someone," she finally admitted.
Her mother's eyes lit up like firecrackers. "Ehn?! At last!"
Kirah chuckled. "Don't get ideas. It's new. We're taking it slow."
"Take it slow, yes. But remember, you're not getting younger o. You're already 24. By my age, you were five months old inside me!"
Kirah shook her head and laughed, but her heart fluttered. Her mother was happy. That mattered more than anything.
---
Back in the penthouse, dinner was simple—Dominic had ordered in, but lit candles made it feel like five-star dining. They sat across each other, trading flirty looks and stories about their day.
"Guess what?" Dominic said between bites of grilled salmon. "Mom knows."
Kirah's fork froze mid-air. "About… us?"
"Yep."
"And?"
"She pretended not to care. Told me it was my life, and she supports my choices."
Kirah blinked. "That's it? No backhanded insult? No 'she's not your class' speech?"
Dominic grinned. "None of that. I think you've charmed her."
Kirah raised a brow. "That's suspicious."
"Oh, trust me, she's got something cooking. But for now, she's calm. Don't trust it too much."
Kirah snorted. "Duly noted."
---
Later that night, they cuddled on the massive couch, her head on his chest, the city lights twinkling beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.
"Why won't you just move in?" Dominic murmured, stroking her hair.
"Because I'm still trying to figure out if you snore."
He laughed. "I don't."
"And because I still want to miss you sometimes."
Dominic pulled her closer. "I don't want to miss you at all."
They sat in silence for a while, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his chest.
"I'm scared," she admitted softly.
"Of what?"
"Of this feeling. It's too good."
Dominic tilted her chin until their eyes met. "Then let's stop running from it...."