Chapter 5: Something Like Home

─────────ೋღ 🌺 ღೋ─────────

Aiden wasn’t sure what time it was.

He only knew that the soft rise and fall of Lira’s breathing next to him had never felt more comforting. The early morning light had long crept through the curtains, but neither of them moved—afraid that doing so would break whatever strange, warm magic had settled between them.

She was still curled up in his arms, her head resting on his bare chest. Her hair smelled like lavender and hotel shampoo, and her fingers were lightly tucked against his side, as if she’d anchored herself to him in her sleep.

He stared at the ceiling, heart thudding in a rhythm he didn’t recognize—slow, steady, and full.

Aiden Valen didn’t fall for people.

He didn’t have time. He didn’t have space in his life.

Yet here she was. Soft and real and beautiful. And most of all—still here.

She stirred.

“Good morning,” she whispered groggily, her voice still husky from sleep.

Aiden smiled faintly. “Morning.”

A beat passed before she added, “So... last night wasn’t a dream?”

His chest rumbled as he chuckled. “If it was, we had the same one.”

Lira shifted, turning to look up at him. Her expression was a mixture of shyness and lingering disbelief. “Are you still sure about… what you said?”

His eyes met hers, unwavering. “More than ever.”

Her breath caught. “I don’t want to be your pretend girlfriend anymore.”

“You’re not.”

She bit her lip. “Then what am I?”

Aiden didn’t hesitate. “Mine.”

His hand moved to cup her cheek. “If you’ll have me.”

Emotion fluttered in her chest like a thousand wings. Her answer was simple.

“I already do.”

---

Later that morning, after they’d finally pried themselves from the warmth of the bed, Lira walked barefoot into the suite’s open kitchen. One of Aiden’s dress shirts was draped over her petite frame, reaching halfway down her thighs.

She poured two cups of coffee and turned to find Aiden watching her from the kitchen entrance, leaning lazily against the doorframe. Shirtless, tousled hair, and far too handsome for someone who claimed not to know how to date.

“You’re staring,” she said playfully, handing him a cup.

“You’re wearing my shirt,” he replied, taking a sip.

“You don’t mind?”

He set the cup down and pulled her gently by the waist. “I might make it your uniform.”

She laughed. “So I get free coffee and a new wardrobe?”

“I’ll throw in health insurance if you stay forever.”

Her brows lifted. “Is that your version of a proposal?”

He grinned. “It’s a trial offer.”

---

By the time they left the hotel, they had a silent agreement—this wasn’t going to be temporary anymore. Lira would move in with him. Not just as a girlfriend, but as someone who now occupied a permanent space in his world.

The transition was... chaotic, to say the least.

Aiden’s penthouse was sleek and spotless, but clearly lacking a woman’s touch. Everything was black, silver, or glass—functional but cold.

Lira stood in the doorway with her single rolling suitcase and blinked. “Did an interior designer choose this place or was it inspired by a James Bond villain?”

Aiden raised an eyebrow. “It’s minimalist.”

“It’s a fridge,” she muttered under her breath, stepping inside.

He watched her scan the space with an amused smile. “Change whatever you want.”

She spun around. “You mean that?”

He shrugged. “You’re staying here. It should feel like yours, too.”

Lira smiled, a little stunned. She hadn’t expected him to be so... giving.

---

That evening, while Aiden was reviewing files in his study, Lira wandered through the penthouse with a mug of hot cocoa in one hand and a fuzzy blanket draped around her shoulders.

She peeked into the room. “Still working?”

He looked up and immediately softened. “Trying to.”

She stepped inside and perched herself on the armrest of his chair. “Need a break?”

His hand snaked around her waist. “I always need you.”

Her face warmed. “That was... unexpectedly sweet.”

“I’m learning,” he said with a smirk.

She leaned down and kissed his cheek. “Well, your sweetness level is improving dramatically.”

“You have no idea how hard I’m trying not to be a disaster.”

“You’re doing fine, Mr. Valen.”

“Say that again,” he murmured, tugging her into his lap.

“What?”

“Mr. Valen.”

She laughed. “You’re hopeless.”

“And you’re stuck with me now.”

---

Living with Aiden turned out to be both a dream and a challenge.

He had a strict routine: woke up at 6 a.m., drank black coffee, hit the gym, and started work before most people’s alarms even rang. He wasn’t used to idle chatter or morning cuddles. But Lira’s presence changed that.

She started cooking breakfast—even if it was just toast and eggs—and forced him to sit at the dining table with her.

One morning, as he scrolled through stock reports, she snatched the phone from his hand and plopped a pancake onto his plate.

“No work until after breakfast,” she declared.

He blinked. “But—”

“Nope.”

He sighed and put his fork down. “You’re bossy in the morning.”

She kissed his temple. “You love it.”

And weirdly... he did.

---

At night, they’d curl up on the couch together. Lira would pick a random romcom or reality show, and Aiden would pretend to hate it while secretly loving every minute—especially because she’d cuddle into his chest like he was the only warmth she needed.

Sometimes, she caught him watching her instead of the screen.

“What?” she’d ask.

He’d shake his head. “Nothing. Just... don’t ever leave.”

She’d smile and whisper, “I won’t.”

---

But not every day was perfect.

There were times when Aiden shut down. When he retreated into silence and buried himself in work, ignoring messages and keeping the world out.

Lira learned to recognize the signs.

One evening, after he'd been locked in his office for hours, she brought him tea and quietly sat beside him, not saying a word.

Eventually, he spoke. “My father used to tell me love made men weak.”

She looked at him. “Do you believe that?”

“I did.”

“And now?”

He looked at her, his eyes tired but tender. “Now I think love makes men brave.”

She reached for his hand. “Then be brave with me.”

And he did.

---

Weeks passed, and Aiden found himself craving her presence more than anything. He began leaving work earlier. Planning surprise dinners. Learning to make her favorite coffee blend. Watching the way she decorated their home with little potted plants, colorful mugs, and fairy lights.

The penthouse no longer looked like a fortress.

It looked like a place where love lived.

---

One rainy night, as they curled up on the couch, Lira rested her head on his chest.

“I know we didn’t plan any of this,” she said softly, tracing circles on his arm. “But... I’m happy.”

Aiden kissed the top of her head. “I don’t think I knew what happiness felt like until you walked in.”

She looked up at him. “Do you still think love is complicated?”

He shook his head. “Not when it’s with you.”

Their lips met gently—no urgency, just warmth.

And as the rain tapped against the windows, Aiden Valen, the cold, emotionless CEO, held the one woman who’d melted his heart.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***