The next morning, we returned to the office like nothing had changed.
But everything had changed.
The air felt lighter, the silence felt softer, and the house felt warmer than before. The date had left a mark on us—something gentle, something permanent.
Keifer looked at me once while we were getting ready, and I could tell he was thinking something.
I caught his gaze and smiled.
He smiled back, but it wasn't the usual confident smile. It was softer. Like he was relieved.
We drove to the office in silence. The ride was calm, comfortable. I didn't feel nervous. I didn't feel anxious. I felt like I was right where I belonged.
When we arrived, the security guards greeted us like usual.
Keifer walked ahead with his calm, powerful stride.
I followed, but I stayed close—just a step behind, not too far, not too close.
He didn't say anything.
He didn't need to.
He knew I was there.
He knew I wanted to stay near him.
When we entered the building, people glanced at us. The whispers started. Some looked curious. Some looked amused. But I didn't care. I was too focused on him.
He walked into his office first, and I followed.
As soon as the door closed behind us, I breathed out.
The office was quiet. The air was calm.
Keifer sat behind his desk, and I sat on the chair beside him.
But I couldn't sit still.
My eyes kept wandering to his face, his hands, his posture. Everything about him felt so familiar, and yet, I felt like I was seeing him in a new light.
He looked at me with that look—like he was trying to understand my sudden need to be close to him.
"What's going on?" he asked softly.
I smiled. "Nothing."
He raised an eyebrow. "You're acting different."
I laughed quietly. "Maybe I am."
He stared at me for a moment, and I could see his thoughts in his eyes. He was trying to understand me, and he was enjoying it too. The way he looked at me made my heart race.
I stood up.
"Can I stay here with you?" I asked.
He blinked. "You can stay anywhere."
I smiled. "I want to stay here."
He sighed softly, like he was giving in to something he didn't want to admit.
"Fine," he said. "Stay."
So I stayed.
And I stayed close.
The day passed differently than usual. Usually, I would sit at my desk, work, and only meet him when needed. But today, I couldn't focus on work. My mind kept going back to him.
I watched him work. I watched the way his hands moved, the way his eyes scanned documents, the way he controlled every room he entered.
At one point, he stood up and walked out of the office. I followed without thinking.
He walked into the boardroom for a meeting. I stood outside, waiting.
He looked back at me and smiled softly.
"Don't embarrass me," he whispered.
I giggled. "I won't."
He nodded, then walked into the meeting room.
I stayed outside for a moment, feeling like a kid waiting for their parent. I felt ridiculous, but I didn't care. I just wanted to be near him.
When the meeting ended, he walked out and saw me waiting.
"You're like my shadow today," he said.
I smiled. "I just want to be near you."
He looked at me for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."
And from that moment, I followed him everywhere.
When he went to the boardroom again, I went with him. When he went to speak with investors, I walked beside him. When he went to check on a project, I went too.
He didn't stop me. He didn't push me away. He simply accepted me.
I realized then that he liked it.
Not because he needed control.
But because he liked feeling my presence. He liked knowing I was there.
At lunch, he brought me to the private dining room. We sat together at a small table, away from the crowd.
He served my food, and I watched him with a soft smile. He was calm. Gentle. Like he was trying to show me that he cared.
We ate slowly. We talked about things that didn't matter. We laughed. And I felt like I was living in a dream.
After lunch, he held my hand. He squeezed it gently. He looked at me like he was trying to memorize every detail of me.
"You're acting clingy today," he said softly.
I smiled. "Maybe I'm just happy."
He nodded. "I'm happy too."
He kissed my forehead, and my heart skipped.
The afternoon was busier. He had meetings. He had calls. He had to sign papers. But I stayed close. I stayed beside him.
At one point, he stopped walking and turned to me.
He took my face gently in his hands.
"I want you to know something," he said.
My heart raced.
"What?" I whispered.
He looked into my eyes.
"You don't have to follow me everywhere," he said softly. "You don't have to be so clingy."
I frowned. "Why?"
He smiled softly. "Because I want you to be independent. I want you to be strong."
I looked at him, confused.
"I am strong," I said.
He nodded. "You are."
He squeezed my face gently. "But I want you to be yourself."
My eyes filled. "I just want to be close to you."
He smiled. "I know."
He kissed my forehead. "Just be with me."
And I realized then that I didn't have to cling to him.
I just had to be with him.
That night, we returned home. The house felt warm. The air felt calm.
He walked ahead. I followed. But this time, I didn't feel the need to be glued to him.
I just felt happy to be beside him.
He looked at me and smiled. "Today was different."
I smiled back. "Because you're mine."
He nodded. "Always."
He pulled me into his arms. I hugged him tightly.
And for the first time that day, I felt calm.
Not clingy.
Just… loved.