The sun slipped through the automatic curtains, flooding the bedroom with a soft, golden light.
Lina opened her eyes slowly, blinking a few times as she tried to get her bearings.
For a moment, she forgot where she was.
Then she saw the elegant ceiling.
The view from the window.
The mattress far too soft to be real.
And everything came back at once:
Adrian.
The move.
The contract.
The way he'd looked at her the night before.
She sat up, her heart racing again—like she was living a dream she didn't quite want to wake from.
Then she noticed something curious.
It was quiet.
But not an empty quiet.
A comfortable one.
Lina got up, slipped on the slippers she found beside the bed, and opened the door carefully.
The smell hit her first.
Coffee.
Fresh bread.
Something sweet…
She frowned.
Adrian cooks?
Not likely.
Not even remotely.
She followed the smell to the spacious kitchen—one of those kitchens that looked straight out of a movie, with white marble, silver appliances, and a huge island in the center.
And there he was.
Adrian.
The impeccable CEO.
The cold, serious man.
The untouchable billionaire.
Sitting at the counter, black dress shirt slightly open at the collar, reading glasses on, and… a newspaper.
And in front of him, a breakfast spread arranged with military precision.
Plates, silver cutlery, perfectly cut fruit, fresh bread, eggs, coffee… everything so immaculate it looked like it had been prepared for a culinary magazine.
Lina froze, unable to move.
Adrian lifted his eyes slowly when he sensed her presence.
"Good morning, Lina."
The way he said her name…
Low, firm, but warm…
She felt her face heat up.
"G-good morning…" she said.
Adrian folded the newspaper and stood.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Better than I expected," she admitted.
"Good. I made breakfast."
She choked.
You made it?!
Adrian blinked. "Naturally."
Lina looked at the table. Then at him. Then at the table again.
"You… cook?"
"No," he answered calmly. "But I can prepare the basics."
"And this—" she pointed to the entire feast "—is… basic?"
He tilted his head.
"For me, yes."
Lina almost laughed.
Of course.
For someone like Adrian, a five-star hotel breakfast probably was basic.
"Sit," he said, pulling out a chair for her.
She blushed.
"You don't have to pull the chair out for me…"
"I know," he replied. "But I want to."
Lina sat down carefully, still shocked by the unexpected gentleness.
"And you? Did you already eat?" she asked.
Adrian poured coffee for her with precise movements.
"Not yet. I was waiting for you to wake up."
Lina froze.
He… waited?
"You… you didn't have to," she murmured, too surprised to hide it.
"I wanted to," Adrian said simply.
Her heart jumped.
For a few minutes, they ate in silence.
But it wasn't awkward.
It was… curious.
Like both of them were trying to understand how a moment like that could even exist.
Lina picked up a piece of fruit, but paused before eating it.
"Adrian…"
"Yes?"
"Do you always wake up this early?"
"Yes. Work habits."
"And do you always… prepare breakfast like this?"
He observed her for a moment.
"No."
"Then… why today?"
This time, Adrian took longer to answer.
His gaze softened.
Just a little.
But enough to make her heartbeat quicken.
"Because you're here."
Her breath hitched.
"And I wanted your first morning to be… pleasant," he added.
Lina gripped her napkin.
No one had ever done that for her.
No one had ever taken care of her like that—
Not with hidden intentions, not with strings attached, not expecting something in return.
Just… caring.
She looked away, trying to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
After a few minutes, Adrian cleared his throat.
"We have a few things to take care of later."
"Oh… yeah? Like what?"
"Documents. A short meeting with my lawyer. And…" —he drew in a breath— "we need to buy personal items for you."
Lina flushed.
"P-personal items?"
"Yes." He looked at her with complete seriousness. "Clothes, products, accessories—everything you need. I don't want you to feel any discomfort."
She dropped her fork.
Everything?
"Adrian… I can't let you buy all that for me! It's too much!"
He tilted his head, expression identical to a CEO evaluating a contract.
"It's not too much. It's necessary."
"But you don't need to spend—"
"I spend on what I want," he interrupted calmly. "And taking care of you is not a burden. It's… my responsibility."
Lina was speechless.
Adrian stepped closer, resting one hand on the table beside her plate.
His face was close enough that she could feel his breath.
"Lina…" he said softly, "you're my fiancée. Even if you're not used to it yet, I already am."
She sucked in a breath.
The world exploded into warmth.
And something sweet—dangerous—bloomed inside her.
Noticing her reaction, Adrian stepped back gently—
Without arrogance.
Without pressure.
With respect.
"Finish eating," he said. "Then we can start the day."
Lina nodded, not trusting her own voice.
She had never imagined her life could change so quickly.
And she never—never—imagined a man like Adrian could be like this with her.
Attentive.
Careful.
And, in some subtle way… vulnerable.
And it was only the first morning.