He sound of a slow knock on the door of his room made Darius turn around. He knew it was Elara even before seeing his face. There is a distinctive aroma of perfume that once attached to his clothes. The scent is still the same - gentle, elegant, painful.
"Come in," he said shortly, trying to sound neutral.
The door opened slowly. Elara stepped in, her hair was neatly tied, her body upright full of confidence. But his eyes ... there was a doubtful highlight there.
"Is there anything you want to talk about this morning?" he asked directly, stopping a few meters from the Darius table.
Darius nodded, stood up, then pointed to the sofa on the side of the room. "Sit. This is not a meeting. I just ... want to talk."
"What's talking as?" Elara raised his eyebrows, his voice was a little sharp.
Darius held a smile. "As a person who still has many things that haven't been said."
Elara was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath and sat at the end of the sofa. Darius followed and sat opposite him.
For a moment no one spoke. Only the sound of the clock on the wall that sounded beating.
"I didn't expect you to change so far," Darius finally started. "You're stronger ... more beautiful ... more dangerous."
Elara chuckled, but not warm. "Time to change everything, Darius. Including my heart."
"Are you really not feeling anything anymore to me?" Darius looked at his eyes, deeply.
Elara stared back without fear. "Do you hope I still keep something for you?"
"Yes," he answered honestly. "Because I still keep everything."
The atmosphere in the room was quiet again. Elara looked away, staring at the glass window that showed the city sky that began to turn orange.
"Four years, Darius," he said quietly. "I learned to love myself again. Learn to walk without your shadow."
"I know. And I'm proud of you." Darius approached, sitting closer on the same couch. "But I also want you to know, I never stop loving you.Elara took a quick breath. "Love is not enough."
"I know. That's why I don't just bring love this time," Darius said softly. "I brought regret. I brought determination. I brought the courage to make up for everything."
Elara turned to look at him again. "If I don't want you to redeem?"
"I will still love you, quietly, like before," he whispered.
Elara's eyes filled with tears. "Stop making me confused."
"I won't force it. But let me show who I am now." Darius touched his hand slowly. "Not Alverton CEO. Not the heir to the business empire. Only Darius ... the man who used to fall in love with you when he saw you dancing under the rain."
Elara gasped. "You ... still remember that?"
"Every second," Darius answered, his eyes softened.
They were silent again. But this time, not because it is awkward. But because both of them know, there is something that hasn't been fully extinguished among them.
Darius stood up, then walked towards a small shelf in the corner of the room. He took a small box, opened it, and pulled out a thin necklace in a lavender flower.
"I keep this," he said, handing the necklace to Elara. "You dropped it in my apartment first. I thought you would get back it."
Elara grasped the necklace with trembling fingers. "I look for it. But you have disappeared."
"Now I'm here," Darius said softly. "And I will not disappear anymore."
Carefully, he stood behind Elara and put the necklace on his neck. The touch of his fingers made Elara hold his breath.
"Still just right," he muttered.
Elara closed her eyes. "Darius ..."
"Yes?"
"I'm afraid," he whispered.
"Me too," Darius replied, sitting beside him again. "But maybe ... we can be afraid together."
Elara smiled bitterly. "You know I won't forgive you right away, right?"
"I don't need to be forgiven now. I just want to be by your side. Hearing your story. Seeing your laughter. To accompany you ... even in silence."
Elara looked downK, wiped the corner of his eye.
Darius lifted his chin slowly with the index finger. "Can I do one thing that I have long wanted to do?"
"What?"
Without waiting for an answer, Darius approached and touched Elara's forehead gently, then her lips touched her temples with longing.
"Thank you for being you," he whispered.
Elara did not stay away. He just closed his eyes and let himself dissolve in a moment that he missed so long.
They don't need more words.
In that silence, they knew the old wound was still gaping. But they also know - the love is not dead. He just got lost, waiting for time to go home.
---
A few days later, their joint project began intense. Darius and Elara often meet in design discussions, progress reports, and brainstorming ideas. But somehow, the atmosphere between them slowly softened. No longer tight by anger or prestige.
One night, after the long meeting was over, Darius held Elara who was about to leave.
"Dinner with me tonight," he said lightly, but his eyes were full of hope.
Elara looked at him for a long time. "As a what?"
"As two people who need to eat ... and a little honest."
After a long pause, Elara nodded.
They sat in a rooftop restaurant that was quite hidden, only illuminated by the candle light and the city night sky of the city. Elara wore a simple cream dress, her hair was loose naturally.
"Why this place?" he asked softly when the food came.
"Because you once said, you like a high place. You said, from a height, all the wounds look small," Darius answered.
Elara was silent.
"I still remember everything, Elara. Even what you think is trivial," said Darius.
They eat calmly. Occasionally looked at each other, smiling. There are no questions about the future. Just remembering, and enjoying the togetherness that has been felt like a dream.
When eating is over, Elara stands on the edge of the balcony, staring at the sparkling of the city lights .Darius followed and stood behind him.
"I know this doesn't erase all the wounds. But I want you to know ... I'm serious, Elara."
Elara turned his head, his face was only a few inches from Darius's face.
"Prove it. Not today. But constantly. Because I'm too tired hoping," he whispered.
Darius looked at him. Long. In. Then slowly, he touched Elara's cheek and approached.
"May i?" he whispered.
Elara did not answer. But he didn't stay away.
And when their lips finally met, there was no anger, no injuries shouted. Only two souls found each other again, after years of lost in silence.
The kiss was not an outlet. Not redemption.
It was a confession-that true love never really left.