By the time Ulyana woke again, soft morning light had begun filtering through the room.
For a moment she stayed still, still half asleep herself.
Then she realised Rowan had fallen asleep too. Somehow, he had ended up beside her.
Ulyana's eyes widened slightly. Carefully, she turned her head toward him and immediately stilled.
Because Rowan looked completely different asleep.
Peaceful.
Still.
The constant sharp awareness he carried while awake had disappeared entirely.
His features had softened in sleep and for the first time she was able to study him properly without him teasing her for staring.
And unfortunately for her He was unfairly beautiful.
She noticed details she hadn't fully paid attention to before. Insanely long lashes resting against clear skin.
Full lips.
The faint crease between his brows even while relaxed.
Such a pretty man, she thought quietly to herself.
Ulyana simply laid there for a while staring at him sleeping peacefully beside her.
Then suddenly, the thought hit her again.
He leaves tonight.
Immediately that familiar heaviness stirred uncomfortably in her stomach.
That old fear.
That abandonment ache she hated feeling.
Ulyana swallowed softly and mentally forced the feeling back down before it could overwhelm her.
She quietly let the heavy feeling pass before focusing back on Rowan sleeping beside her.
Then gently, very gently, she lifted her hand and placed her thumb against the faint crease between his brows, smoothing it out softly.
The contact immediately jolted Rowan awake on instinct. In a flash, his hand caught her wrist firmly.
Ulyana startled slightly.
But almost instantly Rowan's expression changed the moment he properly registered her.
"Oh—sorry, Angel."
His grip loosened immediately and he absentmindedly rubbed over her hand apologetically.
"Sorry," Ulyana whispered softly. "I didn't mean to wake you… let alone startle you."
Rowan exhaled quietly, still waking up properly now.
Then more softly, "You can do whatever you like when you're with me."
Something about the sleepy sincerity in his voice made Ulyana's chest tighten gently, because he sounded like he truly meant it.
Rowan looked like he was about to immediately get up the moment he woke.
But Ulyana noticed the exhaustion still sitting heavily on him.
"You still seem tired," she observed softly.
"Why not rest a little longer?"
Rowan looked at her carefully. "Angel… are you sure?"
"Mmhmm." Her expression softened. "I'll watch over you."
Something about that answer visibly affected him.
Then unexpectedly, Rowan shifted closer.
Before Ulyana fully realised what he was doing, he settled against her comfortably, loosely hugging her while getting comfortable against the pillows.
"Sorry, Angel," he murmured sleepily. "Give me a little longer."
Then with a tired laugh, "My age has stopped me from using my body recklessly all the time. Now I actually get tired."
Ulyana laughed quietly under her breath.
"You're acting ancient."
"I practically am next to you."
She lightly rolled her eyes but carefully adjusted herself so they could both lay comfortably.
And almost immediately afterward, Rowan fell back asleep against her, completely trusting her to stay there beside him.
Ulyana was honestly a little dumbfounded by how naturally comfortable they had become together. Because realistically, it had only been a couple of weeks.
And yet somehow she was currently laying in Chairman Volkov's bed while he peacefully slept against her like this was something they had done for years.
Strangely though, It didn't feel awkward, it felt easy and safe.
Rowan slept peacefully for another hour and a half beside her, and eventually the warmth and steady rhythm of his breathing lulled Ulyana back to sleep too.
This time, Rowan woke first.
For a few moments he simply laid there quietly taking in the sight beside him.
Ulyana looked deeply asleep now, cosy beneath the blankets. His oversized jumper slipping slightly over one shoulder.
Hair spread softly against the pillow.
And once again Rowan felt that dangerous soft feeling settle in his chest. He genuinely couldn't help himself.
Carefully, trying not to wake her, Rowan leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against her cheek.
Ulyana smiled softly against his kiss before groaning awake sleepily.
Her eyes slowly fluttered open and immediately found Rowan already looking at her.
Still half asleep, she gave him a sheepish little grin.
"That," she murmured softly, voice rough with sleep, "is the best sleep I've had in months."
Something in Rowan's expression softened instantly hearing that, somehow knowing she finally rested well beside him felt strangely important to him.
"You leave tonight," Ulyana said softly.
Rowan nodded. "I do."
The room fell quiet afterward.
Neither of them moved away. They simply looked at each other silently for a moment, both soaking in the strange intimacy of waking up together like this.
Then eventually Ulyana spoke again.
"Are you free to come to brunch with Xeno and Amos this morning?"
Rowan's mouth curved slightly.
"I am now," he answered smugly.
Ulyana rolled her eyes immediately.
"Your schedule magically cleared?"
"For you?" he replied smoothly. "Absolutely."
That made her laugh softly despite herself before she finally pushed herself upright from the bed.
"Well," she sighed dramatically, "we need to get ready then."
Ulyana showered and got ready in the guest ensuite and walk in wardrobe while Rowan returned to his own room to shower and get dressed.
Somewhere along the way without either of them fully realising it, they had started playing house.
Ulyana stood in Rowan's room helping him choose a shirt that matched the tones in her dress. Then later Rowan sat watching her while she sorted through jewellery, occasionally pointing at accessories he liked better.
"No, the gold ones."
"You have opinions on earrings?"
"I have opinions on everything."
Ulyana laughed softly while changing them.
Then Rowan quietly watched her do her makeup from the bathroom counter, completely fascinated by how naturally comfortable she looked moving around his apartment. It all felt strangely domestic.
Dangerously natural.
Eventually the two headed downstairs together toward the lobby.
They ran straight into Rafferty again. The older British doorman immediately lit up seeing them side by side.
"Well now," he grinned warmly. "Don't you two make a fine pairing."
Ulyana immediately blushed while Rowan looked entirely too pleased with himself.
Then Rafferty clasped his hands dramatically.
"You look like newlyweds!"
Both of them burst into laughter at the older man's shameless teasing.
"Rafferty," Ulyana groaned while laughing.
"What?" he defended himself proudly. "Young love is a beautiful thing."
Rowan was grinning so widely now that Ulyana lightly elbowed him. "You're enjoying this too much."
"Immensely."
Eventually Rowan drove them himself back toward Gilead Grove. The drive was peaceful and comfortable as they talked lightly the entire way there.
At one point Rowan glanced toward her while resting one hand against the steering wheel.
"You know," he admitted casually, "that was probably the best rest I've had in years."
Ulyana looked at him suspiciously. "You lie."
Rowan shook his head once. "I may be sarcastic, Angel…"
He paused.
"...But I do not lie."
That answer lingered with her longer than she expected.
Once back at Ulyana's villa, the two immediately began preparing brunch together.
Italian style.
Fresh pastries.
Egg dishes.
Fruit.
Coffee.
Pasta salad.
Light meats and cheeses.
The kitchen filled with warmth and conversation while Rowan surprisingly helped with preparation rather naturally.
Eventually, the front door opened.
Amos and Xenovia arrived.
And both immediately froze seeing Rowan already there looking entirely at home inside Ulyana's kitchen.
"Hi guys!" Ulyana called out brightly from the kitchen. "Food's almost ready!"
Xenovia and Amos exchanged a look before wandering out toward the patio area.
The brunch spread had already been beautifully plated and arranged aesthetically across the long outdoor table.
Fresh pastries.
Fruit.
Italian style brunch dishes.
Coffee.
Flowers.
Everything looked effortlessly elegant in a way that screamed Ulyana.
From the patio, Amos and Xenovia quietly watched Rowan and Ulyana continue preparing the final dishes together inside.
And honestly, they looked suspiciously domestic.
The pair moved naturally around each other while quietly talking, sharing little inside jokes and laughing softly together every few moments.
At one point Rowan reached around Ulyana for a plate while she absentmindedly leaned against him slightly without even thinking about it. Like it was normal and they'd been doing this forever.
Xeno slowly blinked. "…They seem married already."
Amos snorted softly. "No literally."
The two eventually joined them in the kitchen and fell into easy conversation together.
They talked about the baseball game and their dinner afterward and then how the internet is still losing its collective mind over Rowan and Ulyana.
At one point Rowan laughed quietly about the sudden surge in popularity surrounding his fitness page.
"I didn't even realise people were making edits of me."
"Oh they are," Ulyana laughed immediately. "The edits are outrageous."
Then while taste testing one of the dishes together, Rowan absentmindedly used the same spoon after her without hesitation.
Xeno immediately elbowed Amos aggressively.
"Look," she whispered dramatically.
"I saw."
"They're insane."
Finally everything was ready and the four gathered around the patio table together.
Before eating, they all bowed their heads briefly to say grace.
Then brunch officially began and the atmosphere stayed warm and lighthearted the entire time.
Amos and Xenovia nearly cried laughing while recounting the energy drink incident from the stadium.
"The look on Kelvin's face!" Xeno wheezed. "He genuinely thought Chairman Volkov was going to kill him."
Amos laughed harder. "And honestly? Fair reaction."
Even Rowan laughed quietly at that while Ulyana hid her face in embarrassment.
Eventually, once everyone had settled into brunch comfortably, Ulyana cleared her throat slightly.
"Okay," she began while looking between Amos and Xenovia, "I know I was supposed to properly fill you guys in about… us."
Xeno immediately sat up dramatically.
"Finally."
Ulyana laughed softly before continuing.
"So… basically…"
She glanced briefly toward Rowan before explaining honestly that their relationship had originally begun as something of an arranged marriage situation.
However, she quickly clarified that they were genuinely taking the time to get to know one another properly and build something real together.
Her friends listened carefully.
But neither Amos nor Xenovia seemed overly shocked by the arranged aspect of things.
Mostly because they knew Ulyana.
And more importantly, they knew she would never stay in a situation she genuinely didn't want for herself.
Xeno rested her chin against her hand thoughtfully afterward.
"You know what?" she admitted honestly. "I actually really like your dynamic together."
That surprised Rowan slightly.
Xeno pointed at him casually. "You bring a calm energy none of us have."
Then teasingly, "Like… wise old man energy."
Rowan looked offended immediately.
"I'm thirty four."
"That's basically ancient to us."
Ulyana burst into laughter while Amos snorted into his drink.
Amos eventually shrugged more seriously afterward.
"Honestly," he admitted, "I only really care that Ulyana's happy."
Then he looked toward Rowan calmly. "And I know her family would never intentionally place her somewhere harmful."
Rowan nodded at that, then sincerely, "Thank you for welcoming me so openly."
His gaze briefly shifted toward Ulyana beside him before continuing.
"But I'll still prove myself properly."
The sincerity in his tone quieted the table slightly.
"I intend to be genuine with her," Rowan continued calmly. "And I intend to treat her like an angel."
Ulyana visibly softened hearing that again.
Then after a brief moment, she looked toward her friends warmly.
"Thank you," she said sincerely. "Not just for trusting this situation… but for always trusting me."
Amos and Xeno immediately softened.
Then Ulyana glanced toward Rowan beside her.
"And thank you," she added more quietly.
Rowan looked at her attentively. "For reminding me that my heart is actually an asset…"
A small smile crossed her face afterward.
"…Instead of a hindrance."
And for a moment, the brunch table fell into a comfortable quiet filled with genuine affection.
Then suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted. "God, you people are sappy."
Everyone turned.
Hak stood near the patio entrance looking thoroughly unimpressed despite the amused grin on his face.
Then casually, "Amos. Xeno. Uncle. Yan."
He stepped toward the table naturally before taking Ulyana's hand and pressing a light kiss against her knuckles in greeting.
Almost instantly, Rowan noticeably tensed beside her.
Ulyana blinked in surprise. "Hak? When did you get here?"
"Not long ago," he answered casually.
Rowan's eyes narrowed slightly at the display.
And Hak noticed.
Instead of backing down though, Hak simply met Rowan's gaze calmly.
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
A subtle cold tension settling into the warm brunch air despite the nearly midday sun overhead.
Amos and Xenovia looked between the pair almost nervously.
Still, they greeted Hak normally.
"Come sit," Xeno said quickly before things became awkward.
"Yeah," Amos added casually. "There's plenty of food."
Hak smiled faintly before pulling out a chair and joining them at the table while Rowan silently took a sip of his coffee without breaking eye contact with him for another second longer.
Ulyana didn't fully understand why, but she could immediately tell Hak was quietly seething beneath his calm exterior.
Not outwardly.
But she knew him well enough to recognise the tension sitting beneath his casual demeanor.
Meanwhile Rowan appeared calmer on the surface— noticeably tense, but still controlled.
The atmosphere remained delicate for a little while afterward, but thankfully Amos and Xenovia naturally pulled Hak into conversation since they had known him for years.
Soon enough, they were chatting comfortably about random topics again.
Travel.
The baseball game.
Internet memes.
Xeno teasing Hak for disappearing constantly.
Still, Ulyana noticed Rowan gradually becoming quieter beside her.
His responses shorter.
His focus drifting.
Without really thinking about it, she gently placed her hand against his thigh beneath the table.
The contact immediately snapped Rowan back into the present.
He looked down briefly before turning toward her.
Ulyana quietly searched his expression.
Rowan softened almost instantly.
Then gently he covered her hand with his own and gave it a small reassuring squeeze.
A silent way of telling her, I'm fine.
Ulyana relaxed slightly afterward.
And little by little the brunch settled back into its earlier lighthearted atmosphere once again.
Eventually the conversation shifted toward Amos and Xenovia's engagement.
Amos ended up retelling the story of how he proposed to Xeno and surprisingly Rowan looked genuinely impressed by it.
"You organised all of that yourself?" Rowan asked.
Amos nodded proudly. "Took me six months."
"That's commitment," Rowan admitted with a small laugh.
Xeno immediately melted against Amos dramatically.
"He's romantic when he wants to be."
"Rarely," Amos replied flatly.
That earned laughter around the table.
Eventually the pair also shared their upcoming travel plans.
"We leave this week actually," Xeno explained excitedly. "First Milan for a fashion event."
"Then Paris," Amos added. "Then we'll be in the States for a few weeks."
Xeno brightened immediately talking about it.
"I've got modelling work there."
"And I'll mostly be working remotely," Amos explained casually. "Content creation stuff, editing, creative direction… same usual."
Ulyana smiled knowingly.
Amos was genuinely a genius in digital creation and artistic production. Even major K-pop labels and international artists regularly approached him for projects.
The group excitedly chatted about their plans for a while longer before eventually brunch began winding down naturally.
Ulyana packed leftovers for them despite Xeno insisting she didn't need to.
"Yes I do," Ulyana argued while handing over containers. "Take them."
Soon enough, everyone slowly gathered near the entrance.
"Stay in touch!" Xeno called while hugging Ulyana tightly.
"Obviously," Ulyana laughed.
Amos hugged her too before nodding respectfully toward Rowan and Hak.
Then finally the engaged couple headed off together, still laughing amongst themselves as they left the villa.