Soft light filtered through the curtains when Layla woke.For a second, she forgot where she was.
Then she saw the unfamiliar ceiling.
Yesterday.
He had prepared this yesterday.
Her pulse steadied slowly.She sat up, brushing her fingers through her hair, listening. There was no shouting or slamming doors as it usually is,,in her home.
Layla slipped out of bed and changed into something simple—leggings and an oversized sweater.
When she opened the bedroom door and stepped into the hallway, the house felt different in daylight.
She followed the scent of coffee downstairs.
Then at the halfway down the staircase—
A low, guttural growl stopped her cold.
Layla froze.
At the bottom of the stairs, standing in the middle of the living room, was the largest dog she had ever seen.
It was gigantic with broad shoulders,thick black-and-tan fur and muscular frame.
Its ears were alert with sharp eyes and it was staring directly at her.
Another growl vibrated through the air.
Layla's breath caught in her throat.
"Oh my God," she whispered.
The dog took one slow step forward.
Layla gripped the railing instinctively.
"Okay," she said softly, trying not to sound terrified. "You're… big. That's fine. I respect that."
The dog's head tilted slightly,still watching and assessing her.
"Good dog," she tried again, voice trembling despite her effort. "I'm not here to steal anything. I promise."
The growl stopped as silence stretched.
Then,unexpectedly,the dog bounded forward.
Layla gasped.qBut instead of knocking her over or snapping—
It stopped right in front of her and began circling her excitedly, tail wagging so hard it thumped against furniture.
Her heart was still racing as she stared down at it.
"You were growling two seconds ago," she breathed.
The dog nudged her hand insistently.
Layla hesitated before slowly lowering her fingers to its head.
The fur was warm and thick.The dog immediately leaned into her touch.
"Oh," she exhaled, startled into a laugh. "You're just dramatic."
The dog huffed and hopped around her again, energetic and almost playful.
"You're enormous," she murmured, scratching behind her ear. "Do you realize that? You could've given me a heart attack."
The dog licked her hand as Layla laughed softly.
"You're way too energetic for this early, just like Milo."
"His name is Titan."
Layla turned as the voice came from behind her.
Elias stood at the edge of the hallway,already dressed in a dark tailored suit,crisp white shirt,tie perfectly aligned and shoes polished.
Titan immediately left her side and trotted toward him.The shift was instant.The dog's posture straightened—disciplined now.
Elias reached down and rubbed the dog's neck firmly, fingers sliding through thick fur with familiarity.
Titan leaned into him but stayed controlled.
Layla watched the interaction carefully.
"You trained him," she said.
"Yes."
"He almost scared me to death."
"He evaluates new presence."
"By growling?"
"Yes."
She raised an eyebrow.
"And if he doesn't like someone?"
"He approach them and tear them"
Layla's fingers stilled slightly.Titan pulled away from Elias and, almost instinctively, walked back to Layla—sitting near her feet.
Claiming her.
Elias's gaze flicked to the dog. Then to her.
"He approves," Elias said calmly.
Layla tried not to feel oddly validated by that.
"Well," she muttered, scratching Titan's head again, "I'm glad I passed the interview."
Elias's mouth twitched faintly as he moved toward the kitchen and Layla followed more cautiously this time.
"Do you have class?" he asked without turning around.
"No."
He poured coffee with steady hands.
"Are you staying here today?"
She leaned lightly against the counter.
"Are you kicking me out?"
"No."
"Then I'll stay."
"I'll be at the office." Elias said as he nodded once.
Layla blinked.
"The office?"
"Yes."
She tilted her head slightly, studying him.
"You go to the office."
He paused, glancing at her.
"Yes."
She couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips.
"That's… weirdly normal."
"What did you expect?"
"I don't know," she admitted honestly.
"Secret underground lairs,dim lighting,men in suits whispering about illegal things."
"Well,I prefer glass buildings and board meetings."
She laughed softly.
"A dangerous man who goes to the office every morning."
"I run companies," he said evenly. "Danger is relative."
Layla crossed the space between them before she could overthink it.
He stilled slightly as she stepped closer.
Without fear or hesitation,her fingers reached for his tie.
It was slightly off-center,barely noticeable but she noticed.
"Hold still," she murmured.
Elias's gaze dropped to her hands as she adjusted the knot carefully, smoothing it down, fingers brushing lightly against his collar.
"You missed a spot," she added quietly.
"I did not."
"You did."
She straightened the fabric with deliberate precision.There was something almost domestic about it.
Her fingers lingered for half a second too long.
When she looked up—He was watching her.
"You're staring," Layla said lightly.
"I'm observing."
"That's the same thing."
"No."
Layla smiled faintly.
Titan circled around them, tail swishing lazily.
Layla stepped back once she finished.
"There," she said. "Now you look like a terrifying CEO again."
"I always do."
"Hmm," she hummed. "I think you look less terrifying when you let your dog act like a golden retriever."
"He is not a golden retriever."
"He practically bounced."
"He just tolerated you."
She laughed again.The sound filled the kitchen in a way that softened the edges of everything.
He reached for his jacket.
Before putting it on, he said, "If you're hungry, ask Maria."
"The maid?"
"Yes."
"She knows I'm here?"
"Yes."
"Will you be late?" she asked before she could stop herself.
A subtle shift crossed his face at the question.
"Does it matter?"
She shrugged lightly.
"I was just asking."
"I'll return before evening."
"Okay."
Elias slipped on his jacket smoothly.
Titan stood, immediately attentive.
Elias walked toward the door and Layla followed a few steps behind without thinking.
At the entrance, he paused and turned slightly toward her.
"Keep her safe," he said to Titian quietly.
Titan growled and as if understanding the task meant
for him.
Elias stepped out, then looked back at her once more and then the door closed behind him.
Layla stood in the foyer for a long moment as Titan nudged her leg.
She looked down.
"You're loyal to him," she murmured.
The dog's tail thumped once.
She crouched slightly, scratching his neck.
"And I think I might be too."