The early morning light crept gently into the bedroom through the linen curtains, casting warm golden strokes across the soft folds of their shared sheets.
Aurora stirred first, her senses slowly registering the heat beside her, the familiar scent of Kai's skin, and something else something firm nudging against her lower back.
She blinked, barely moving, then slowly turned her head.
Kai's arm was already around her waist, holding her close in his sleep. But it wasn't the weight of his arm that had woken her. It was the unmistakable presence of his body responding naturally to hers.
A soft blush crept up her neck, and her breath hitched when she felt him shift slightly, groaning under his breath.
Before she could attempt to slip out of bed, a husky voice rumbled in her ear.
"You're awake."
She swallowed, her back still to him. "Yeah…"
"I wasn't going to say anything," he murmured, his voice low, intimate, brushing against the curve of her ear. "But… I want you."
Aurora turned slowly to meet his eyes. He looked calm, but there was tension in his jaw a restrained hunger that had been bottled up far too long.
"I've been holding back," he admitted, his hand sliding gently up her side, not possessive just present. "Because I didn't want to scare you away. I didn't want you to think I only brought you into my world for this."
Her heart skipped. "Kai…"
He leaned forward, resting his forehead gently against hers. "But it's getting harder to pretend I don't think about you every time I close my eyes."
His fingers curled lightly around her hand. "I respect you too much to rush. But I need you to know i'm not indifferent. I feel everything."
Aurora took a shaky breath, emotions swirling in her chest. There was desire, yes, but also something deeper. Trust. Vulnerability. A delicate truth neither of them had spoken aloud, now softly unfolding in the half-light.
"I'm not afraid," she whispered. "I just didn't know if we were… ready."
He smiled faintly. "I'll wait as long as you need me to."
She shifted to face him fully, their bodies still wrapped in warmth beneath the sheets. Her hand brushed over his cheek, then down his chest feeling the tension beneath, and the gentleness of the man holding himself back for her.
"Maybe," she said softly, "we just take one step closer today."
No more words were needed. He kissed her forehead, then her cheek, and they stayed there entwined in the fragile stillness of morning, choosing closeness, not urgency.
Whatever happened next, it would be on their terms.
The sunlight had risen fully by the time Kai and Aurora finally got out of bed. The earlier tenderness still lingered between them unspoken but deeply felt.
Aurora slipped into one of her silk robes, cinching it gently at the waist as Kai watched her with quiet admiration. He stood near the wardrobe, pulling on a soft cotton shirt over his toned frame, his leg more steady today thanks to the continuous treatments and her special herbal baths.
"I'll go start the kettle," she said with a soft smile as she adjusted her hair into a loose knot.
"I'll be down in a minute," Kai replied, limping slightly as he moved to the vanity to splash his face with cool water.
Downstairs, the warm scent of toasted bread, fresh fruit, and tea filled the air. Aurora arranged the breakfast table just as Kai's grandfather came in, supported gently by his cane but still sharp and commanding as ever. His eyes immediately lit up when he saw her.
"You're up early, my dear," he greeted, taking his seat at the head of the table. "That's a good sign."
"I wanted to prepare breakfast," Aurora replied with a light chuckle. "It's the least I can do."
Just then, Kai's younger sister, Wendie, entered the dining room in her cozy sweater and fuzzy slippers, her curly hair tied in a high puff.
"Well, someone's glowing this morning," she teased, giving her brother a sly glance as Kai finally joined them at the table. "You two slept well?"
Kai raised a brow, but Aurora simply smiled and poured his tea.
"We did," she answered, brushing her fingers lightly across Kai's as she handed him his cup. "It's going to be a good day."
Wendie wiggled her brows playfully, while their grandfather simply chuckled behind his teacup.
As they ate, the atmosphere remained warm and full of quiet affection. They spoke about the garden renovations, upcoming board meetings, and Kai's steady progress in recovery.
"You've grown stronger," his grandfather observed, noting how Kai used his cane less frequently that morning. "Aurora, you've been a blessing to this family."
Aurora looked down, slightly flushed but grateful. "Thank you, Grandfather. But Kai is doing all the work. I just try to help where I can."
Kai reached under the table to squeeze her hand in silent thanks
After breakfast, Kai leaned over to whisper in Aurora's ear. "Let's go into the study . I have something I want to show you… something about the future of the company."
Her gaze met his, curious and intrigued. "What is it?"
He smiled, the kind that held secrets behind it. "A step forward for both of us."
After breakfast, Kai led Aurora through the corridor to his private study, a warm and masculine space lined with oak bookshelves, soft leather chairs, and a large desk cluttered with papers and digital tablets. The morning light filtered gently through the wide windows, casting a golden hue across the room.
Kai closed the door behind them and turned with a smirk.
"Now that we've fed the royals," he joked, "let's feed the empire."
Aurora chuckled, stepping in and glancing at the digital projection on the wall. "What's the secret you mentioned earlier?"
Kai tapped a few keys on his laptop, and a screen displayed a new proposal: KaiCorp Global Strategic Expansion Initiative. Below it, a highlighted section read:
"Merger Possibilities with Promising Startups in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East."
Aurora's eyes widened. "You're going global?"
"Not just that." He walked toward her, his cane tucked under one arm now as he moved with more confidence. "I'm restructuring the company's long-term vision less traditional, more daring. I want us to acquire or merge with rising companies that are building tech around agriculture, food security, renewable energy industries with real-world impact."
Aurora's expression softened with admiration. "That's bold. Smart."
Kai leaned against the edge of the desk, his gaze holding hers. "And I want you at the center of it. Officially. Not just as my wife... but as my partner, Aurora."
Her breath caught, not because she was surprised by the offer but because of the way he said partner. It wasn't just about business. It was everything.
"I want to give you shares," he added. "Co-decision power. The board respects you already. But I want this to be ours."
Aurora walked slowly toward him, her eyes locked onto his. "You've really thought this through."
"I've had a lot of time to think. Especially every time you walked past me in those silk robes," he teased, his voice deepening.
Aurora smirked and came to stand between his legs, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Flirting in the study? You'll distract me from these charts, Mr. Kai."
He grinned and gently pulled her closer by the waist. "Maybe I want to distract you... just a little."
Their faces were close now. His breath fanned over her lips, and she placed her hands on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. He leaned in, brushing a soft kiss at the corner of her mouth, testing, waiting.
She didn't pull away.
Their lips met slowly at first, gently exploring the space between desire and restraint. The kiss deepened, his fingers tightening slightly at her waist, hers moving to his nape.
But as her hand brushed over the scar from the incident days ago, she gently pulled back, her forehead resting against his. "We should take this slow... remember?"
Kai's voice was husky. "I remember. I just forget when you're this close."
Aurora laughed softly and stepped back, adjusting her blouse. "Let's focus. Show me the rest of the plan."
He exhaled with a smirk and pulled the tablet back in front of them. "Right. Business first... but after that, I'm claiming a reward."
She gave him a playful eye roll. "We'll see if you earn it.
They spent the next hour reviewing detailed company projections, risk assessments, and upcoming board strategies. Aurora offered strategic insight, occasionally surprising Kai with her sharpness and unique view of the market especially in African startups, where her secret experience lay hidden.
Yet as the afternoon wore on and their fingers brushed while passing files or pointing to screens, the tension between them built again unspoken but alive.
Just before they finished, Kai's phone buzzed.
He checked it, then narrowed his eyes. "That's strange."
"What is it?"
"My assistant just texted. He found something about the driver who was attacked the other day. And a trail that might lead back to someone... inside our board."
Aurora froze slightly. "Someone inside?"
Kai nodded, jaw tightening. "We'll deal with it. But for now, let's enjoy what's left of our weekend. Together."