The rich, savory aroma of garlic rice and perfectly fried eggs hung heavy in the warm morning air, a scent so deeply comforting it could momentarily trick the senses into believing they were home, regardless of where they were. This familiar breakfast fragrance was the first thing to greet Mina as she slowly blinked awake.
She knew Wes hadn't returned until well past two in the morning. She knew because the suprising revelation from her video call with Lily had left her too wired to sleep. Mina had spent the entire night curled on her bed, scrolling restlessly on her new phone, and only allowed herself to settle down when she finally heard the faint, distinct crunch of his SUV's tires on the gravel of the driveway.
She had instantly feigned sleep when her bedroom door had softly clicked open a moment later. Her heart had hammered a frantic, terrified rhythm against her ribs as she registered the subtle shift in the air, the faint, clean scent of his cologne enveloping the space. He hadn't spoken, but she remembered the gentle pressure of the blanket being pulled up, tucked carefully around her shoulders before the soft click of the door signaled his silent departure.
Mina stretched now, the warm morning light spilling across her face, chasing away the remnants of the night's restless thoughts. She followed the compelling aroma directly to the kitchen. There, just as reliably as the sunrise, was Wes, calm, focused, and effortlessly composed, moving with practiced efficiency between the stove and the sleek stainless-steel countertops.
He wore a fitted white t-shirt and loose black lounge pants. His movements were smooth and economical, but now, after the previous night's magazine revelation, Mina couldn't help but notice every detail.
This was the same man she had seen, shirtless and imposing, on the center spread of that Men's Fitness magazine issue. The same face, the same quiet intensity in his eyes, the same controlled posture.
"Morning," he greeted, flashing her a disarming, easy smile. "You're up early."
"Not really," Mina replied, sliding onto a stool at the counter. "I just smelled breakfast. Couldn't resist."
Wes chuckled, plating a generous serving with neat precision. "Garlic rice, eggs, and tapa. I figured you could use something savory. Did you eat dinner at all last night? I told you to use my food delivery app account to order whatever you want."
"I didn't want to eat alone," Mina admitted, her smile fading slightly. "Besides, I've been eating more than usual lately, so missing one meal isn't a big deal."
The words seemed to land with a faint sting on Wes. "Sorry about that," he said, his tone instantly shifting to a focused seriousness. "There was a bit of a crisis at work, so I ran late at the office." He suddenly reached out, placing a warm, strong hand briefly over hers. "But that's no excuse for skipping a meal. There's always yogurt or fruit in the fridge if you don't want anything heavy. Deal?"
Mina felt her cheeks flush at the unexpected contact, the heat from his hand radiating through her skin. "Okay, I'll do that next time," she murmured, nodding quickly.
They began to eat, the light hum of the air conditioner settling into the silence between them. Mina wanted to bring up her conversation with Lily, but a hesitant knot formed in her stomach. It felt strange, carrying information about him that he hadn't willingly volunteered.
But curiosity, stronger than decorum, quickly won out.
"So," she began lightly, stirring her rice and keeping her gaze down, "I found out something interesting last night."
"Oh?" Wes looked up, his tone perfectly even, almost playful. "Should I be worried?"
Mina grinned, finally meeting his eyes. "Maybe. My friend Lily said she recognized your face. From Men's Fitness."
Wes paused only for a beat, raising an eyebrow before he offered a slow, almost resigned smile. "Ah. That would be Lisa's fault."
Mina blinked, confused. "Lisa?"
"Lisa Moreno," Wes explained, taking a slow sip of coffee. "She owns a modeling and talent agency here. An old friend of mine. We've known each other for years."
"So you're still doing modeling work?" Mina asked, intrigued by the casual acceptance of the word modeling.
"Part-time," Wes admitted. "Lisa calls me whenever she needs a certain look for a campaign. Usually fitness or professional lifestyle spreads. She doesn't have many male models who fit the mature, 'established professional' type."
Mina leaned forward, surprised. "You mean you still do those photoshoots now?"
Wes met her gaze, a small, faint smile touching the corners of his mouth. "Every now and then, yes." He turned, cutting his fried egg with smooth precision, letting the golden yolk spill over his rice like a rich sauce. "It's not really a career, Mina. It's more like a hobby, and perhaps a long-standing favor for a friend."
He assembled a savory bite of tapa, rice, and egg, then added his final thought, his shoulders rising in a casual shrug. "Besides, knowing that I may suddenly be called in to pose shirtless in front of a camera keeps me motivated to stay in shape, wouldn't you agree?"
Mina laughed softly, the sound bubbling up from her chest. "You make it sound so incredibly casual, like it's no big deal at all."
"It isn't," Wes said simply, finishing his bite. "I genuinely enjoy staying active, and it's nice to do something different from business once in a while."
Mina watched him for a moment, still struggling to process the casual way he handled what seemed like two completely different lives. "You really are full of surprises, you know that?"
"I get that a lot," Wes said with a genuine, quick grin.
She smiled back, but her heart was beating faster than it should. There was something intensely magnetic about him, not just the way he looked, but the way he carried his secrets. Calm. Grounded. Completely unbothered by things that would make most men self-conscious.
When they finished eating, Wes leaned back slightly and regarded her with that same quiet, analytical gaze he sometimes had, the kind that made Mina feel thoroughly seen and slightly nervous at the same time.
"You know, Mina," he began, his voice thoughtful. "You really have excellent posture and natural balance. Ever done any photoshoots before?"
Mina blinked, caught entirely off guard. "Me? No. Never."
"You've got a natural presence," he continued, studying her as if she were a complicated piece of art, evaluating light and angles. "Good facial symmetry, soft feminine features, confident eyes. Lisa would absolutely love you."
Mina's cheeks flushed instantly, the blood rushing to her face. "W-what are you saying?"
Wes smiled faintly, catching her reaction. "I'm saying, if you're interested, I can introduce you to Lisa. She's always looking for new faces, especially ones that look authentic, not overly polished or manufactured."
"Oh…" Mina said softly, her heart fluttering with a mix of surprise and confusion. For a brief, dizzy moment, she thought he was about to confess something deeper, that his compliment meant something more personal.
But now it was clear. He wasn't flirting. He was scouting talent.
Still, the warmth lingered in her chest.
"Me, a model?" she said with a small, incredulous laugh. "That's ridiculous."
Wes chuckled, standing to clear his plate. "That's what most people say before they see themselves through the right lens. You never know."
Mina shook her head, trying to hide the embarrassed smile tugging at her lips. "You're serious?"
"Completely," Wes said, stacking her plate with his own. "Think about it. No pressure."
She nodded, still flustered, still unsure what to feel.
As Wes walked toward the sink, Mina's eyes followed him again, tracking that same quiet confidence, that sense of complete control over every facet of his life.
And yet, for the first time, Mina realized something else.
Maybe she wasn't the only one quietly observing the other. Perhaps Wes was quietly studying her, too, seeing possibilities she didn't know existed.
And that possibility, the idea of truly being seen by him, made her heart flutter all over again.