Dreamland is a tricky place if you ask me. One second, you are lost in your own world and the next, everything fades away to show the reality. The reality that whatever you dreamed of was just a figment of your inner desires, things you couldn't have yet things you wished you did.

The only time I had serious nightmares were when mom was ill. She was hospitalized and the whole family knew what was coming. She did too and accepted it with a smile. She was a spirit worth her years. She was my most favorite person in the world and watching her die wasn't easy. It could not be for anyone but we were strong. Strong for her, for dad. For our little Cole who had no idea what was going on. The only thing he knew was that he saw his mom less and less every day. He cried and bawled while Natalie and I did our best to look after the youngest lover of our mother.

It has been years but still, there are times when I see her in my dreams. Reciting to the songs that I slept to. And they weren't nightmares. They were far from that. I remember her face, the same face that sometimes appears in my dreams and then makes me aware of the reality that I can never see her again or see her mock dad or reprimand Nat or fight that she is an awesome cook or announce what she will name her grandkids. She was as farsighted as one could be.

But then the dreams end, pushing me to the reality as I open my eyes to stare at the ceilings, well aware that she is not near me.

Though today was different.

I slightly moved as I felt someone caress my cheeks lightly.

It was a light touch. Just enough to send my emotions in a state of confusion. It was a touch of care and I sighed in my half sleep.

Maybe it was a dream. Maybe she was here. Maybe I should...just continue to sleep.

And I was determined to do that until another stroke to my face woke me up even more. My eyes still closed, I leaned in the calming touch as a hand cupped my cheeks. It took everything in me to open my eyes and let go of the dream.

And the moment I opened them, I was hit by another.

My half opened eyes saw the hazel ones and expanded to their full size till my face blossomed into a smile.

"Rise and shine Stel." She whispered.

She sat beside my bed, her arm on edge of my bed tucked under her chin. She was smiling with her free hand still on my jaw.

The sunrays flew in through the curtains and fell on her open hair, giving it a slight brandy tinge. The hazel eyes, completely void of sleep unlike mine, looked my way with everything that she was made of.

Ophelia Hale is an art.

And she had no idea about it.

"What are you doing here?" Closing my eyes, I relished in her touch.

"Just existing. Why, did I ruin a dream?"

I slightly nodded. It wasn't a dream but I wasn't awake either. Her touch could be classified as a dream.

"Sorry about that."

I opened my eyes to see a roguish smile on her lips.

"Well at least I can say it was a good dream. Still is."

She smiled slightly but then I saw the expressions on her face changing from serene to thrill. She abruptly stood up, patting my cheeks one last time.

"Wake up, princess. I have a long day planned."

I had no idea what she was talking about but her voice was sweet enough to lull me to sleep again.

"Stellan, this is not gonna work if we both are going to be such heavy sleepers."

I hummed in my sleepy state.

"Are you decent under the covers?"

I hummed again and before I know, the covers were taken off my body and the cold air of the morning hit my body.

I opened my eyes and what do you know, Ophelia was still there.

Its not a dream then.

"Good morning." I stifled another yawn.

"Good morning to you too."

She was still looking at me...or rather my undressed self. I slept without a shirt but I did wear a trouser. I wasn't completely naked. That did not stop Lia from blushing.

Where is the damn camera when you need it?

"Admit it, Hale. Your boyfriend has a hot body."

Her eyes snapped to mine and I saw a smirk form on her lips.

"Admit it, Walker. You will be more flustered when you see mine."

Damn.

I was only half awake and I already wanted to kiss her.

Chuckling lowly, I saw her snatch the shirt from the floor and throw at me.

"Cover that chest of yours, boyfriend or I wouldn't be guilty for my actions." Her eyes were challenging. Always up for a challenge.

Putting on the shirt, I stood up when she took me off guard and pecked my lips.

She looked at me shocked.

"Wow. Who am I dating? A Greek god? Stellan, you don't even have morning breath."

"I am no god, Lia."

She shrugged her shoulders.

"Your looks say otherwise."

"Thanks to my genes then." She rolled her eyes

"Whatever helps you sleep at night. Now, I need you to get ready in the next few minutes and wear something that makes you not look rich."

I looked at her confused.

"What are you up to?"

She smirked.

"Oh, you will know. Just wear something black. I mean everything black."

And sure, she was in all black attire.

"It is a clear morning. You can't conduct a heist if that's what you are planning Ophelia..."

"No, we are not going to rob someone. I mean it's not proper robbing."

My eyes widened at her calm and serious expression until she burst out laughing.

"Don't stress, babes. I have a whole day planned for us. Just do as I say."

Shaking my head slightly, I went to freshen up.

Few minutes later, I walked out to find Ophelia observing the pictures sprawled on my bedroom wall. Acknowledging my presence, she turned around.

Registering that I just had a towel wrapped around my thighs, she yelped and covered her eyes with her hand and then turned around, all the while I kept laughing at her reaction.

"Shut up." She whined.

"But it's funny."

"No, it's not." She protested.

"No need to be embarrassed, babe. I am all yours." I said, taking steps towards my wardrobe.

"Yeah, of course! Because when you will see my body clad in only a towel, your first thoughts would be 'Damn. Thank god that ass is mine' rather than turning around." I laughed more at her discomfort and at the fact how she was putting me in her shoes.

But Ophelia in a towel. Now that would be a whole lot different. I am not sure that whether she will laugh or stab my eyes out if that ever happened.

Still smiling at the spitfire currently burning my world down, I dressed just as she wished and moved towards her, her back still facing me, though she was observing the pictures. I took a few silent steps and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her back to my chest.

"It's shocking to see how chubby you were once. And then the fact that you went through a horrible puberty." She said, pointing to a picture Nat dared me to put here. I groaned.

"That's my worst picture ever."

"Shocking how I still love it." I turned her around to see a mischievous smile on her lips.

"So, what have you planned, Lia?"

"Wait and watch Stellan. But first, Emma wants us both for breakfast."
Typical Emma.

We went straight to the dining table, greeted by dad and Lillian. Cole was still asleep. It's a weekend after all and still 9 in the morning.

We had our breakfast while dad continued to give my attire confused glances.

"He will be fine, Mr. Walker." Ophelia assured him. He shook his head.

"When he is with you, the last thing I worry about is him not being fine." I continued to sip his coffee as he sent me a knowing look. He knew how much I cared for her and oddly enough, compared how he was when he first met mom. One way or the other, Ophelia was much like my mother.

Reckless and kind.

The reason why my dad enjoyed her company too. The few times they met in office were just official rendezvous but here at home, they were good friends. He treated her like his family and I was more than happy about that.

"Are you going to rob someone?" He looked at Lia who gave him an incredulous look.

"Why is this everyone's first thought?"

"Honestly speaking, its you. I won't be surprised if you two end up in a cell for a heist."

Lillian started laughing midway, choking on her own food.

"No, sir. It's not a heist."

One thing, my dad can be just as mischievous.

"But if it is, you better make it to the news. Rob the Queen or something like that. I believe in you. And stop calling me sir or Mr. Walker. I am still young for that."

Trust him that trigger people to do wrong things even more.

Lia slightly chuckled and sent a wink my way while Lily continued to give her ideas.

I guess my family accepts her more than they accept me.

Smiling at my own thoughts and finally finishing with our breakfast, we head out as Lia leads us to her car. Her one and only true love. Can't believe I have to compete with a car.

"So, we are not taking your cars because the lesser the attention, the better it is." She strapped herself to the driver's seat as I sat next to her.

"Even though people might recognize me and you."

The world was now aware of what we both were. After our kiss at the park, which as I guessed, media noticed and presented to the world.

So yeah, hello world.

Meet my love and girlfriend Ophelia.

She was my second serious relationship. Scratch that, she was my second only relationship and was a big deal. Even for me.

So I had calls while Ophelia very well knew how to come around with the questions thrown her way. She wasn't wishing to be the cover of any newspaper or magazine whatsoever and I don't blame her. The kind of attention I had grown in is overwhelming and I loved jut how much of it Lia avoided. The lesser media got involved, the lesser chances they had of sabotaging our relationship. Its like they are waiting for a single chance to blow something up. A catalyst to anyone's destruction. But we were coming around with it. It had been days since that.

The people in my office though were least surprised. I say they had a hint of what was brewing. After our call at the park, I hardly tried to hide my feelings for her and she did not hold back. Pretty much because she was already leaving.

Which brings me to the feeling of just how much I have missed her.

"I missed you." I whispered looking her way, her eyes set straight on the road until she gave me a sideway glance and her lips twitched to a smile.

"I missed you too. I missed us." She whispered back, her eyes meeting mine once before they settled back on the road

"So...how is the job search going?"

The internship was over. Had been for a week now.

The moment Mrs. Kelly showed me the list of all the interns who could and were willing to joining TWG as pure employees, I searched the whole freaking page to see if Lia changed her mind, if she was suddenly ready to work at TWG. But she was a woman of her words and I never saw her name there. It had been a shocking and disappointing move for many at my place. Many knew that Lia deserved the post but they didn't question her, probably because they knew why she did that. Ian had a field day though.

Allison Martin

One of the first few names on our acceptance list. Ian wa happy that he had his girlfriend and their relationship was known to almost everyone. But no one made any move. Alice was too kind and good to be said of anything and Ian would probably crush if someone questioned Alice's working here. It's not like she didn't deserve it. She did. But after the move that Lia pulled, she feared that everyone would expect the same from her. She and Ian did not talk to Lia for hours when they found what she was upto. The only good thing out of this was that Ian was saved from Lia's torture. Not like I did not enjoy it. Only Ian did not. But I still know that he was ready to argue too. She was close to Ian too. Heck, she was close to many in the office and a many lot bide us good bye that day, Lia's being the most emotional I guess. Mrs. Kelly liked her way too much.

So the internship was done with. She did not join us and had sent her forms to various companies other than Richmond's. I would have protested if she did but she declared that the only company she won't work with is his because she can't face him without punching his teeth out.

It had been a week since then. She must have received her replies and positive I guess. Because after the internship, the personal reference that we put in her profile had everything one needed to take her as an employee. Even though she might not work with me, I knew she was well capable of working under someone else.

"About that....I have received the acceptance letters and what you know, they have accepted my application. Almost all of them. I just got to choose." She replied with glee, her excitement feeling the atmosphere. She liked working to fend for herself. She loved it then and I guess she forever will.

"That's my girl. I am not surprised though. You are capable enough." I shrugged my shoulders as she smiled.

"You could be biased."

"I could be. Doesn't change the fact that you deserve them."

She shook her head, the car rolling on the road and taking us to our destination now wherever that maybe.

"Yeah. I am still confused although I might have picked a favourite."

"Oh, so which company have you favored so far?"

She looked my way and smirked a bit.

"What if I say The Hendenby's?"

I might have had a whiplash with the speed at my neck snapped in her direction.

"Really? The Hendenby's?"

Her smirk grew.

The Hendenby's is one of our most sought out rivals. Sure, there were many more rivals out there but The Hendenby's knew what they were doing and we both were usually at each other's neck when it came to our professional lives.

Though when it came to it's CEO, Mason Hendenby, the guy was as good as one could be. He was a friend. We weren't very closely knit but we were friends regardless.

We sure were competitors but we never acted as one. Of course, we had a certain reputation to hold but the guy in person was great.

He was a laid back person but a cut throat businessman. Just what was needed of him.

And although Ophelia choice was a surprise to me, I wouldn't blame her if she chose to work there. And anyone who knew how my love worked, they probably wouldn't let her go.

"Yes. They are actually offering a pretty good pay and a good position. It's not like an ultimatum or something...but you might just hear from me choosing The Hendenby's." She sent me a smile as I let out a sigh.

"I am not against anything till you know you don't over work yourself and you are treated with dignity. Not like you will handle anyone's crap."

She laughed at that.

"You know me. And you will know when I overwork myself. We will talk everyday and probably meet on weeken-"

"Not a probability. It's a sure thing." I sent a glare her way, daring her to defy me. She smiled and nodded.

"So yeah! The only I am confused is whether the atmosphere there is just like TWG or not." She bit her lower lip. The things she does when she is contemplating. And the things those things to do to me.

I somehow bumped her shoulders with mine, easing off her tension.

"The atmosphere must be good. I mean, it won't be as awesome as TWG."

She sent me a flat look.

"If it's a try to get me back at TWG, it wont work. And if it is a try to get me jealous, you might actually succeed. I mean I get to annoy Ian and Alice."

"Yeah...and your boyfriend is just another minor detail. Right?" Now I sent her a flat glare to which she made a sad face.

"Of course. Just a minor detail." She said and exploded with laughter at my narrowed eyes.

She patted my cheeks.

"Jeez. Calm down, babes. You know just how much I want you. Don't sulk."

"I like the sound of that."

"You better. But on a serious note?" She looked my way and I knew she was waiting for an honest answer.

"The Hendenby's....they have a calm atmosphere. A calm demeanor just like their CEO. I won't go ahead and say it is boring or fun loving because I have not worked there but from whatever I know, the company as a whole is a great opportunity. They treat people well and they know what they need to do. And you would like it however it might be because lets accept it; you bring liveliness wherever you go. The place may be boring as hell but you would still cheer everything up.

And as far as Mason Hendenby I concerned....that guy has been my friend and as a whole, he is great. Is kinda laid back but hard working. He is running a multibillion company. There might be many rumors revolving him but he is a good guy which brings me to the conclusion that he would do the things which are only good, for his company and his working people. He might be my greatest competition but I can't lie to you. You have picked good."

I finally looked at her to see her smiling.

"From whatever you said, he is just like you. So is the company. Then I will just be fine."

"Yeah. We are not the greatest competition just like that."

"So in the competition, who wins?"

"It's no one in particular. Sometimes it's them. Sometimes it's us."

She looked at me confused.

"I don't know. I mean I might have an idea but just how much do you earn, Stellan?"

"Roughly around $ 3.5 Billion annually."

The car came to a screeching halt. It was good that we were at a red light anyway. I expected that reaction though.

"W-what.....gosh! Walker, you are loaded." She looked my way, her eyes wide.

"It's not all me. I have a lot of people who help me."

"Still. But Natalie told me you donate a great part of your income."

Damn Natalie.

Here I was trying not to freak Lia out and she made it even harder. She eyes me suspiciously as I looked at her way and contemplating how I would break it to her.

"Yeah. There are many zeroes in it. I like to help others." I gave her a bright smile.

She was still unconvinced. I sighed.

"Well...I can say....maybe $ 5 Billion annually."

She looked at me, not moving.

"You donate almost $ 1.5 Billion."

I nodded at her still calm demeanor. She let out a sigh of relief.

"Now that's good. I don't care how much you earn but since you still care about others....you just earned yourself a few points."

"Mom always taught us to share."

"And that's good Stel. That's good. And one of the things I like so much about you is that you might be one of the richest people in the world, which I think you are even if I am a bit rusty in statistics, you are not greedy and put it to good use. There are some who need it more than us."

I looked outside as the lights turned green.

"My grandfather established Walker Foundation and over the years, the name changed to Once Again Foundation and so did the number of people we reached. All the charity goes to the foundation. Even Natalie does some charity events. Although it helps everyone, we have a special place for children. We sometimes do go and visit the children at the foundation. I might take you to one of those."

"I would love to." She looked me way and smiled and then nodded seriously.

"Now I know why the media and all the people are after your life. You are way more than what I guessed."

I knew it was Ophelia. But I always had a slight fear that people might love me for what I have and not what I am am. Especially what happened after Beverly, it became even more refined.

"But I am still Stellan." I barely whispered and she wasn't meant to haer it. But she did.

Even though she was driving and she usually concentrated in that, she took my hand in her free hand and gave it a light squeeze. My eyes to snapped to her.

"You are. You are still my Stellan. The number of zeroes on your head don't matter to me. After all, zeroes don't really have a value, do they?" A math geek forever.

I nodded and kissed our entangled hand.

The rest of the short ride was filled with silence. But it was a comforting silence. Although with Lia, you don't usually have silence but when you do, it's just as serene and comforting as Lia herself.

I tried looking around, guessing where we were going but I seriously had no idea. It's not like I don't know Brooke Falls. I know it like the back of my hand but I was still confused as to what she wanted to do in such a crowded region of the city. She swirled the car with just as much elegance as one could. She isn't a racer just like that. We finally ended up at The Walker Tower. But the car did not stop there. She swirled it around the corner and drove through narrow roads. We ended up at the back of the building when she stopped her car.

I turned my head to see an old....bakery.

"Get ready, Stellan. Got some baking to do."

She quickly got out of the car as I still looked at her confused and got out.

The bakery looked quite old. It had some cookies on display outside and many on the inside. The road was deserted and it didn't really look like a lot of people came this way. The shop was out of sight. My office pretty much covered it.

We walked in as a bell rang above my head and although the place looked old, it had a certain homey touch to it. It had the fragrance of vanilla essence in the air as my eyes locked onto the array of pastries and cakes and cookies and all sorts of delicacies on show.

An old, wrinkled woman in white welcomed us and Lia seemed to know her.

"Welcome darling. Welcome to my humble abode."

Although she was old, her voice was anything but old. It had excitement laced to it.

"Stellan, meet Veena. Veena, meet my boyfriend, Stellan."

She sent me a warm as we shook hands.

"So now, Opehlia...the bakery is yours for as long as you need. Just.....dont burn it down." She looked Lia's way.

I was still confused.

"Don't worry. I have Stellan. And trust me, he is a great cook." Lia sent me a wink.

"Well, best of luck. Everything you require is in the kitchen. Enjoy you two."

And Veena was out.

I looked at Lia, waiting patiently for her to explain what exactly was happening. She gave me a bright smile.

"Well, we are going to make a delicacy. I have everything ready in the kitchen and the bakery for as long as we need."

I gave her a disbelieving look.

"You booked the whole bakery to just make a dish."

She gave me a smirk.

"Well, I can still call Veena. Not sure if you would like it when she watches us making out."

Lia:1 Stel:0

"The thing is that Veena happily gave me the bakery for a few hours. People hardly come here and one day, roaming around, I found. I always have had the urge to see you bake since the day Cole told me that you loved baking. So, since I couldn't plan a surprise baking date at your house and my house is not qualified to be the best baking centre, I thought of pleading Veena to rent me the bakery and she happily did. So....Voila!"

I looked at her and smiled, shaking my head.

"You could have just said at my home and I would have had happily made you something."

She scoffed.

"That's not a date then. Plus, I wanted to cook with you. Since I suck at it, I thought of taking professional help. And who better than you!" She clapped her hands together. She was excited for this.

And seeing how she managed all this and planned this out, excitement filled me.

I brought her closer and placed a simple kiss on her lips. Looking around the very tidy and aromatic kitchen, I looked back at her.

"So, where shall we begin?"

'Stellan, is it supposed to look this white?"

I was busy preparing the cream for the cake that we had finally decided to make. We had our own disputes but we finally settled with a Russian delicacy. Mom never cooked but I caught enough of Russian dishes from her side, the reason why we settled with Ptichye Moloko or also called Birds' Milk Cake. The name of this cake is at best misleading and the thick slice of marshmallow covered in chocolate is nothing special to look at it. But this is actually one of the best Russian sweets. Although the original recipe is patented but the dish is still quite famous. No one can compare the original recipe to the ones that people use but hey, one can try!

And cooking with Lia was nothing but fun. She acted like a preschooler whenever it came to anything cooking. Even the simplest things and she looked at me confused. Sure, I did much of the work but just her presence was enough. And so was her cuteness. She wont ever accept it, but she looks damn cute when confused. Just like right now.

"Yes, Lia. It looks perfect. Don't worry. I just need to make the cream and then we can decorate."

She yelped in glee.

"Finally, something I can actually do. I have a good hand at art. I can make the funny designs on the cake."

Well, when she puts it that way, I am scared as to what she will make on it. But it was just us. And I could probably eat anything she made.

I chuckled lowly at her enthusiasm.

"Sure. Just a seco-"

And I heard a yelp. I turned around to find her holding her finger while her body stood near the hot cake pan. The pan was still hot.

Leaving the whipped cream as it is, I rushed to her side.

She burnt herself which was very clear from the angry, red mark on her left hand.

She winced once again as we quickly put her hand under the flowing water.

"YA skazal tebe derzhat'sya podal'she ot kastryuli." I simply glared at her while we were busy soothing her burning skin. (I told you to stay away from the pan.)

I have this horrible habit of muttering things in Russian when I get mad or way too worried in person. Although my dad was American and mom had a Russian heritage and my native language is English, I speak fluent Russian and it is like a second nature for me to blabber in Russian. Right now, I really did not care that Lia couldn't make out even a single thing (other than the fact that I was mad), but I continued to scold her in Russian.

"Upryamyy i lyubopytnyy, kak vsegda." I muttered even though I knew she couldn't make it. (Stubborn and curious as always.)

The moment she pulled her hand out of the stream, I inspected it for a little while. The redness was there but there were, thank fully, no blisters.

"I am fine Stellan. Its just a burn. I have seen worse."

Of course she has! It did not give her the license to hurt herself just anywhere. Giving her a glare, I walked up to the unfinished cream.

"Da! Kak budto eto dayet yey pravo szhigat' sebya." I was mad, alright. And I continued muttering. (Yeah! Like that gives her the license to burn herself down.)

"Ona budet v bezopasnosti, skazala ona. YA budu ostorozhna, skazala ona." I sent one more glare her way and found her biting her lips, trying to control her laughter. (It will be safe, she said. I will be careful, she said.)

"Lady....what is so funny?" I grumbled and she finally burst out laughing. Laughing for a few minutes straight until her laugh brought a smile to my face, she finally quieted down.

"Stella-an....you are...just so funny when....sulking and god! Your Russian sulking is my new favourite thing." She slapped her knees once again, still very much amused by me.

"Its not funny, Ophelia. You could have burnt yourself more. I know you don't like to be ordered but I beg you. Please...when I say something for your safety, listen to me." I looked at her, my eyes breaking through her amused façade.

She finally released a sigh and came towards me and placed a small kiss on my cheeks.

"Oh mia cara! Okay. I will listen to you when it's for my safety. Now, can we do the icing. No harm in that, right?" Her brightest smile and my anger was a goner.

I quickly finished the cream, pretty much encouraged by Ophelia's excitement to make the icing.

"Ready, sweetheart?"

She flipped her hair.

"I was born ready!"

We started working on the delicate work. It took us almost 2 hours till now. Doing the icing and letting it set would take another few minutes. But when I say it, these almost three hours will be worth the end game.

I could watch Lia concentrate solely on her icing, her eyes trained only on the cake. All I could do was watch her. I had to do the icing too but I am sure Lia was loving it. So, I let her have her piece of cake and she let me have mine, as she continued to cover the whole cake with her weird designs which were beautiful in their own way and I continued to stare at her. It wasn't staring. It was just...pouring my love through her eyes. And I was allowed to stare, she won't mind.

Almost at the end, she looked my way and smiled, knowing pretty well what I was busy with.

"With all that staring, you make me feel gorgeous. It's like you saying I am some exotic beauty." She smiled at her own words, her eyes still on her cake.

"Anyone can come and fight with me if they disagree with that statement."

I kept my chin on my hands as I placed my elbows on the island and kept staring at her.

"Walker....it's distracting me." She pinched my nose lightly.

"That's not my problem." I replied back, a very evident smirk on my face.

She put the icing back on the island. Placing both her hands on the island as well, she stared back at me.

"The cake can wait. You wanna stare. Let's see who wins in a staring competition."

I snorted.

"I am so winning, Lia."

She smirked.

"You never know. I can look into your eyes forever and I would never get tired of them. So, game on honey."

We both could be competitive if we wanted to be. The only thing separating us was the kitchen island.

We stared at each other for a few second as my eyes continued to take in her every facial feature.

From her long cascading hair in a bun to the few flicks on her head. From the slight mark on her left eyebrow to her hazel eyes. From her small, button nose to her perfect, pouty lips....she breathed beautiful.

How come I did not realize how exceptionally beautiful she was?

And as we continued to stare at each other, I long forgot the game and all I saw was her, staring at me defiantly, the same fire burning in those eyes yet the same kind smile on lips.

In a click I knew, the game could be damned. I needed to have her close. Just so very close that she wasn't even a breath away.

And maybe she felt the need too.

Because the moment I rounded the center island, her hands automatically found their way around my neck and her lips were on mine.

And a kiss it was. It wasn't like the sweet, long cherishing ones we shared. It was so much more than that. I was breathing my world through her as she was my air. My freaking everything.

She yelped as I swiftly picked her up and put her on the other island. Wouldn't want her precious cake to be destroyed.

She quickly wrapped her legs around my waist pulling me closer. Just what I needed. My hand stayed on her thighs until they began forming path to her waist and then to her back. The moment I fisted her hair, she gasped and my tongue smoothly rolled into her mouth.

This was not happiness.

Oh god, no!

This was pure bliss.

And even though I lungs required their necessary amount of oxygen, we put that fact aside for a while. We were too lost in each other.

She tugged my hair further and the kiss deepened. And when I bite her lower lip, she moaned. And that sound did nothing to cool down the passion within me. It was rather adding fuel to fire.

But surprised by her own hoarse moan, Lia pulled apart. With her eyes still unfocused and her lips swollen from our long due exercise, she looked at me and heat rushed to her face. She hardly blushed but when she did, it was a sight worth watching. A sight I hope only I had a view of because feverishly kissing her was something exclusive to me. I hoped it was. It had to be.

I smirked slightly at her flustered response before I placed a kiss on her jaw.

"That was....breathtaking!"

I laughed at her comment.

"Sure it was."

She looked at me once again, a sweet smile on her lips before her eyes widened.

"You distracted me."

I gave an innocent look.

"I did not."

"You so did." She gave a cute pout and I couldn't resist myself. I placed a small peck on her pout as I placed her legs back on the floor.

"Well, at least someone was smart enough to save the cake from getting ruined." She gave my cheek a little pat and took up the icing to continue her work. While me....I continued to stare at her.

And this time, she did not have any problem.

"By the way....."

I watched her eyes, hooded by her long lashes, looking at me expectantly.

Lia:1 Stel:1

"Guess who won the competition." I smirked as she shook her head, shot me a smirk and resumed with her work.

"Guess I am worth staring then!" She did not take her eyes off the desert piece and she need not.

Because even if she did, she would still hear me say the same damn words I thought this morning.

"You are an art, moya lyubov'. Even in a room full of art, I would still stare at you."

I know.

I knew it then and I know it now.

The way she looked at me was more than gratitude.

And nothing could make a man happier than the slight smile that she bestowed me with.

She need not say anything.

Because in that moment, she was enough.

And she made me complete.

6330 words. Well, there's that!

My boy is so in love.

So, 😎
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