"So," he asked, voice calm but curious, "to what do I owe this unexpected visit?"
He took her breath away with his unbuttoned shirt. He looked straight up from the cover of some model's magazine.
For a second, Elena just stood there, fingers tightening around the handles of her shopping bags trying to calm her nerves down.
She could feel his eyes trace them, then lift back to her face with an amused curve of his mouth.
"Wow," he said, leaning lightly against the doorframe. "Either Harrods is out of stock now, or you're secretly starting your own boutique."
Despite herself, she smiled. "Something like that."
"Something dangerous, then," he teased softly. "Come in, before you decide to open a shop in the hallway."
She stepped inside, trying not to notice how close he was when the door clicked shut behind her. The faint warmth of his cologne filled the air — cedar and something darker, smooth and quiet.
Nathan's gaze moved once more to the shopping bags she set near the couch.
"I didn't think you were the 'shop this wild' type," he said teased lightly. "Should I be proud or terrified?"
She shook her head, forcing a small laugh. "Proud actually. I've never shopped this much."
"That's what I thought, but then I saw your dress up for the club and it changed my mind." He reminded her of her maroon silk dress that Isla forced her into buying.
You know I normally don't wear silks and chiffons.
He smiled, "I can see that right now." His gaze shifted to the oversized jumper she was wearing.
"I uh.. I just… wanted to talk to you." She forced the words out of her mouth.
The humor faded a little from his expression. "Talk to me?"
She paused for a second, she didn't want to come right at the heavy stuff.
Elena met his eyes, her voice low but certain. "You weren't around all day."
He blinked, then smiled — the kind of smile that felt both apology and mischief, she noticed.
"I was busy with some work. Important stuff, I promise."
He took a step closer , slow, deliberate and before she could move back, his arms slid gently around her.
The hug wasn't intense but soft, just warm enough to disarm her.
This ease, this calming effect he has, is what I need.
"I missed you too," he murmured near her ear.
The words hit her harder than she expected. His voice, the closeness — it pulled the air right out of her chest. For a second, she froze, then let herself breathe in that warmth, her heart drumming against his hard chest. His calmed breathing, somehow it relaxed her a little.
I missed your presence too, all day!
When he finally pulled back, his hands lingered lightly on her arms — not holding her, but grounding her right where they stand.
For a moment she felt like her world stopped spinning.
"What's on your mind?" he asked, softer now. "Something tells me this isn't just about Harrods. So, a penny for your thoughts?"
Elena looked down. She didn't know where to start. She took a deep breath, her voice quieter now,"First, I wanted to thank you… for helping me with the project. You didn't have to, but you did."
He smiled — not smug this time, but patient. "You're welcome. But something tells me, that's not all you came here to say, is it?"
She hesitated, fingers tightening around themselves, as though 'she's trying to get a grip of herself'.
Then she met his gaze again.
"No, not just this, but I want you to know it means alot." she paused for a second too long before continuing.
"I want to talk about us."
"Us?" he repeated, one brow lifting slightly.
She nodded, her voice steady despite the tremor she felt inside.
"Yes. I want to talk about what's happening between us. I want to know where we stand so I can make a decision."
She said it out loud at last. The thoughts have been making her nuts for so long.
Now is the time to face it.
Nathan's expression shifted — not surprised, but intrigued. He stepped a little closer, his eyes locked on hers, voice low and deliberate.
"The right question should be; Where do you stand, Elena? Because when I see you, the world blurs. Everything else fades, and it's like the focus is only on you."
Her heart skipped a beat listening to his voice.
The words sank into her slowly, dangerous in how sincere they sounded.
"I want to give us a chance," he continued. "To see where it goes. But I don't want to push you into it if you still don't want to. So here I stand."
He paused, his tone softening. "Now, tell me what I've been longing to hear. Am I worthy to be given a chance?"
Elena's throat tightened. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears.
Do we stand a chance?
Does she want him in her life?
Where does she stand?
"I like you!" she blurted out before her thoughts consumed her.
Silence. Then she exhaled, almost laughing, trying not to look at him. She sounded ridiculous but the damage was already done.
"Yes, there — I said it. The thing, I would have never even given a thought to, until last week.
And now it's always on my mind. She paused to breathe.
But we can't be living in a lala land, Nathan. You know our families are interconnected. What if we mess them up along the way? Have you even given it a thought? How would we navigate?" She said mortified, looking down at her sneakers.
Nathan let out a soft chuckle and pulled her face back so she could look in his eyes.
"Elena, this is just the start of a new chapter. How would I know what will happen next?" He looked deep in her eyes before continuing. "But am I willing to put 'a bunch of what ifs' between us?
No!
I'm not going to overthink it.
I just want to dive into it.
I'm sure this—" his voice softened "—is different. And I want to try."
Somehow his words made her nerves calm.
He's not ready to give up on us!
"And I'd also advise you," he added with a teasing tilt, "to stop overthinking. I know ladies love to overthink, but please — don't let the worry of the future come between us. Not just yet. He smiled, melting her guard.
We'll take it slow. See if we even want this… if we can bear each other, if we can make it work.
And then we can think about the elders. Why involve them right now? It's only between us. If we don't have a problem with it, who gives them the right to barge in?"
He's probably right.
Why am I thinking about everything?
Why do I give my family the right to make a choice for myself?
I am old enough to make my own decisions and be my own person!
He stopped just close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath.
"I'm not asking for promises. Just a chance."
"A chance?" she echoed, voice trembling. "Why does it seem like such a hard choice? And what does taking it slow mean? I'm sorry, 'I'm newbie at this.'"
"To be honest," he said, "I'm normally quite bold in relationships. But you're not the usual type I date. You're different, Elena — and that's exactly why I've been patient with you. Because I'm willing to make it work for us — for the future I want for you."
She didn't care what he said she was engrossed discovering the lines of his face.
Exquisite!
Flawless!
His fingertips brushed her cheek.
He knows I was staring at him just now!
Shit!
Maybe he was telling about himself and something about the…the future I should have?
"I'm just an answer away, darling. What do you want for us? Do you want to explore it more?"
Oh!!!
Elena's thoughts tangled. She wanted this moment to be hers — her choice, her decision.
As Adrian would say: one step at a time.
She nodded faintly. "Yes. Let's see where this goes."
Nathan's smile deepened.
"Then it stays between us," he said. "No Nick. No Adrian. Not yet."
Elenahesitated; he noticed.
"Elena," he said softly, "say it."
Okay, here goes!
"Nathan, I… I don't want my parents to know about this. Not until we figure out us — what's happening between us."
"And here I thought you were about to say, 'Nathan, you're too old for me.'"
She laughed, cheeks flushing.
"Okay," he said, grin softening. "Your wish is my command. And just to be safe, I'll go ahead and add Nick and Adrian to that list too."
Phew! He understands! But why didn't he want her to tell it to Nicky and Dree?
Something in Nathan's expression flickered — a shadow crossing his eyes for half a second before it vanished.
Businessman effect, she thought — smooth recovery, unreadable face.
What did he mean by it?
Before she could decipher what that moment meant, he spoke again, voice softer but unmistakably deliberate.
"Now," he said, a faint curve at the corner of his lips, "can I have my first kiss?"
***
She shivered as soon as he spoke.
The air shifted — quieter, heavier, like the space itself was holding its breath.
Nathan's thumbs brushed her cheekbones, slow and deliberate, grounding her in the moment. His fingers traced the line of her jaw, pausing at the hollow of her throat — just enough to make her breath hitch.
He's waiting for your answer Elena!
She didn't answer. Couldn't. Her lips parted slightly, her gaze locked on his.
A silent agreement in her eyes.
He leaned in but didn't kiss her yet, tilting her chin higher, his breath grazing her skin. One hand slipped from her face to her waist, fingers splaying across her side, pulling her gently closer.
His nose brushed hers, teasing. Then his lips ghosted over hers — not quite a kiss, just a touch – a contact that made her knees weaken.
She trembled, her hands rising instinctively to his chest, fingertips curling into the fabric of his shirt, to get support.
Nathan's lips released a small amused chuckle.
He knows I'm about to fall.
Nathan's lips finally met hers, slow and searching. His hand at her waist stayed firm, anchoring her. The kiss deepened, but never rushed — steady, exploring, certain.
And she is totally aroused by the intensity of the moment.
When he pulled back, he didn't let go. His forehead rested against hers, breath warm and uneven.
***
"You're dangerous," he murmured. "And I'm already addicted."
"I am excited for this!" He smirked.
Elena didn't reply. She just stood there, breathless, heartbeat wild but steady — caught between what she understood and what she wasn't ready to admit she wanted.
Slow it down Elena!
"Did I make my girl breathless?" In a teasing voice.
"It's the most heavenly sounds I ever heard so far." He thought out loud, amusedly.
He looked at her for a long moment, watching her blush deepening, he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her gently into his chest.
"Get used to it, sweetheart," he said softly, his voice brushing her ear.
They stand there hearing the hearts beating quietly. Somehow she liked the racing of her heart, the butterflies in her stomach.
As if he heard her thoughts, he said,"I like listening to your heartbeat."
She melted into the embrace, her cheek resting against him, the rhythm of his heart steady and warm.
The tension in her chest loosened — like a weight she hadn't realized she was carrying had finally lifted.
She closed her eyes, letting herself breathe.
For the first time in a long while, she felt… safe?
They stood like that for a while , quiet, steady, the world outside forgotten.
After a moment, Elena pulled back slightly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Nathan… I'm coming to your gala."
He smiled, the kind that carried both pride and a hint of mischief.
"Oh, so this shopping spree was for the gala?"
She bit her lip, fighting a smile. "Maybe."
"Show me what you got," he said, eyes glinting.
"No."
"Please?"
She rolled her eyes, laughing softly. "I'll just show you how it looks, okay?"
Nathan leaned closer, his grin lazy and confident.
"Okay," he said. "I can do the rest with my power of imagination."
She wasn't sure if he meant the dress or her — and that was what made her heart race.
Elena shook her head, still smiling — unaware that somewhere deep inside, the game between them had just begun.