It was nearly midnight when Liana found herself in the library of the penthouse—her favorite hidden place.
The shelves were tall and dark, filled with classic novels and untouched volumes. Most had probably never been opened until she moved in. Now, every other book had a ribbon bookmark or a sticky note. Some were her favorites. Others, she was saving for nights like this.
She sat on the floor with her knees tucked under her, reading The Little Prince again.
The sound of quiet footsteps made her look up.
Nathaniel stood at the doorway in a gray shirt and pajama pants, hair slightly tousled. He looked nothing like the CEO the world saw. He looked... human. Tired, soft. Real.
"I thought you went to bed," she said.
"I couldn't sleep," he replied, stepping in. "And I saw the light."
She held up the book. "This one always calms me down."
He walked over and sat beside her—not on the couch, not at a distance, but right beside her on the carpet.
"What's it about?" he asked.
She smiled. "A boy who learns that the most important things are invisible to the eye."
"Like peace?" he asked quietly.
"Like love," she replied.
He didn't answer. Instead, he looked at her in a way that made the air between them shift.
Liana closed the book slowly and set it down. "Nathaniel…"
His hand brushed hers, hesitating only slightly before resting there. Warm. Steady.
"I've spent my whole life running companies, fixing problems, staying in control," he said. "But when I look at you... I want to let go of all that."
She turned to him. Her lips parted to speak—but the words got lost in the way he looked at her. Not like she was fragile. Not like she was convenient.
Like she mattered.
She tilted her head, just slightly.
And then, carefully, almost like asking for permission with his silence—he leaned in.
Their lips met in the softest kiss imaginable.
No fireworks. No rushing.
Just a quiet, perfect kiss that said, I'm still learning, but I'm here.
When they pulled apart, Liana looked at him and whispered:
"You don't have to rush. I'm not going anywhere."
He rested his forehead against hers, eyes closed.
"I know," he whispered back. "That's the first time I've ever felt safe."