I didn't wait this time.
I leaned in first and kissed him, softer than before, but certain, like sealing something that had already been decided between us without needing more words.
"Let's go," I murmured quietly against his lips.
He nodded slightly, and we pulled apart just enough to move, the moment shifting back into something more grounded as we stepped out of the bedroom together, the apartment still carrying that quiet warmth around us.
Before leaving, Chak reached for the keys, but I w the one who locked the door, my fingers lingering on them for just a second longer before turning the lock with a soft click.
Ours.
That thought stayed with me as we walked out.
The night air felt cooler when we stepped outside, sharper against my skin, but I stayed close to him as we made our way to his car, the earlier calm still there—just thinner now, quieter, like something waiting underneath.
We got in.
I closed the door and sat there for a second, not reaching for my seatbelt yet, my mind drifting back to something I had tried to ignore.
Before Chak could start the engine, I pulled my phone out.
"There's something…" I said, my voice quieter now, more serious.
I unlocked the screen and showed him the message.
**Unknown Number**
*Be careful.*
He looked at it briefly, his expression unreadable for a moment before he leaned back slightly.
"Maybe it's just a mistake," he said calmly. "I don't know that number."
I wanted to believe that.
I really did.
But the feeling from the garage came back immediately, sharper now that I had something to attach it to.
"It doesn't feel like a mistake," I said, my fingers tightening slightly around my phone. "What if it's connected to earlier?"
I hesitated.
Then I admitted it.
"Chak… I'm a little scared."
The words felt small.
But real.
He didn't hesitate.
His hand moved instantly, finding mine and holding it firmly, warm and steady, grounding me again the same way he always did.
"You don't need to be," he said quietly, his voice calm but unwavering. "You have me."
I looked at him.
"You're safe with me," he continued, his gaze steady, serious now in a way that didn't leave room for doubt. "No one is going to touch you. No one is going to hurt you."
Something in my chest eased just hearing it, even if the unease didn't disappear completely.
Then he leaned closer and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
Warm.
Reassuring.
Steady.
And for a moment—
that was enough.
He didn't start the car right away.
For a few seconds, we just sat there, his hand still wrapped around mine, his thumb moving slightly against my skin in a slow, grounding rhythm, like he was making sure I stayed present, here, with him, instead of drifting back into that uneasy feeling.
"Look at me," he said quietly.
I did.
Immediately.
His gaze held mine, steady and focused, not cold, not distant—just certain in a way that didn't leave space for doubt.
"I meant what I said," he continued, his voice low but firm. "Nothing happens to you without me knowing. And nothing happens to you while I'm here."
I swallowed softly, my fingers tightening around his hand without even realizing it.
"I know," I said, quieter now. "I just… don't like not understanding it."
"You don't have to understand everything right now," he replied. "You just have to stay close to me."
That made something in my chest settle again.
Not completely.
But enough.
I nodded slightly.
"Okay."
Only then did he finally start the engine, the soft hum filling the silence as we pulled away from the building, the streetlights sliding across the windshield in slow, steady patterns.
I leaned back into my seat, my head turning slightly toward him, watching him again, the way I always did when I needed something to focus on.
"You really planned all of this," I said after a moment, my voice softer now, calmer. "The apartment… dinner… even the shirts."
A faint hint of a smile touched his lips.
"Yes."
"Why?" I asked, even though I already knew part of the answer.
He didn't reply immediately.
His eyes stayed on the road.
"Because I don't like leaving important things unprepared," he said at first.
I tilted my head slightly.
"That's not the real reason."
A brief pause.
Then—
"Because you are important," he said simply.
That was it.
No elaboration.
No extra words.
And somehow—
that meant more.
I looked away for a second, a small breath leaving me as I tried to hide the way that settled somewhere deeper than I expected.
"You don't make it easy to stay calm, you know," I murmured, a faint smile returning.
"That's not my goal," he replied calmly.
I laughed quietly under my breath, shaking my head just a little before shifting closer to him again, my shoulder brushing lightly against his arm.
The car slowed as we approached a red light, and for a brief moment, everything stilled again.
I glanced at him.
"After this… after the event," I said softly, "can we come back there?"
He didn't even hesitate.
"Yes."
Simple.
Certain.
I nodded, my gaze lowering slightly.
"I want to stay there a little longer."
"You will," he said.
The light turned green.
And as the car moved forward again—
the unease didn't disappear completely.
But it didn't control me anymore either.
Because now—
I knew where I would end up.
With him.
In a place that was already starting to feel like ours.
By the time we arrived, the building was already lit up, the entrance alive with movement, voices blending into a constant low hum as people in formal wear moved in and out, laughter mixing with polite greetings, everything carrying that familiar energy of an event where appearances mattered just as much as presence.
Chak parked smoothly, like always, and the moment we stepped out, the shift was immediate.
Work mode.
Distance.
Control.
I felt it in him before I even looked.
And I adjusted just as quickly.
We walked side by side toward the entrance, not too close, not distant either—just enough to fit the roles we were supposed to play, my posture straightening slightly, my expression settling into something professional, composed.
From a distance, I already saw them.
Waiting.
Vikran.
Anamarija.
Chai.
Torn.
They noticed us almost immediately, their attention shifting toward Chak first, like it always did, and as we reached them, the greetings were exactly what I expected—warm, familiar, but directed at him.
Anamarija stepped forward first, exchanging a warm hug, followed by Chai, who greeted Chak just as naturally, while Torn stayed slightly back, giving a respectful nod before stepping in as well. Vikran gave him a handshake.
I stayed where I was.
Just behind.
Just enough.
I gave a small nod in greeting, polite, quiet, nothing more, slipping fully into the role I was supposed to hold here.
Secretary.
Professional.
Distant.
It didn't feel wrong.
But it didn't feel real either.
Not after everything.
Anamarija noticed.
Her gaze shifted to me, softer, more knowing, and before I could react or step back, she closed the distance and wrapped her arms around me in a brief but warm hug.
It caught me off guard.
Just for a second.
But I didn't pull away.
I returned it lightly, quickly, before stepping back again, my expression returning to something more neutral, more controlled.
"You look good," she said quietly, just for me.
I gave a small nod.
"So do you."
Nothing more.
Nothing that would draw attention.
The moment passed quickly, the group naturally shifting back into movement as Chak spoke a few quiet words to Vikran, and then we all turned toward the entrance together.
Walking in as one group.
But not the same.
Never the same.
Because as we stepped inside, surrounded by people, lights, and expectations—
I wasn't walking next to him.
I was walking slightly behind.
And only we knew why.