Chapter 111: A Bright Way to Start a Day
"That was—"
"I know."
"I don’t have words for what that was."
"You don’t need them."
She tucked her head under his chin. Her breath was warm against his chest. Her hand rested over his heart, and he wondered if she could feel it still hammering, still racing, still trying to process the fact that the most beautiful woman he’d ever met was curled against him like he was her home.
"I’m really glad you walked into my life."
Sean tightened his arm around her. Pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Me Too"
She nestled closer. Her leg hooked over his. Her arm draped across his waist. She was wrapped around him like ivy, and he let himself be claimed, let himself be anchored by the weight of her body and the warmth of her skin and the soft, regular rhythm of her breath.
The city lights glittered beyond the window. The penthouse was silent except for the hum of the air conditioning and the distant, muffled sounds of a city that never truly slept.
Sean looked down at Olivia in his arms.
Her eyelashes fanned against her cheeks. Her lips were slightly parted. The tension that usually lived in her shoulders—the performer’s tension, the idol’s constant awareness—was completely gone. She looked younger like this. Softer. Like the eighteen-year-old she actually was beneath the makeup and the choreography and the expectations.
Her breathing deepened. Evened out. The hand on his chest went completely slack. She suddenly fell asleep.
Sean watched her for a long time and then he slept off.
—------
The Next Morning
Sean woke first.
Olivia was still asleep in his arms, her red hair spread across the pillow, her breathing slow and perfectly even. The necklace still rested against her collarbone. She hadn’t taken it off before falling asleep, something Sean noticed with the same quiet attention he reserved for the little details about people who mattered to him.
He lay still for a while, unwilling to disturb the peaceful silence.
Eventually, he reached for his phone on the bedside table.
A system notification had arrived overnight.
[Olivia — Favorability: 78]
[Significant Increase Registered]
[5x Rebate: Active and Stable]
Sean studied the number for a moment.
Seventy-eight.
From fifty-three after the showcase to seventy-eight overnight.
The system apparently had very strong opinions about what counted as meaningful progress.
He filed the information away and opened his messages.
His first text went to the butler.
Breakfast for two. Your chef’s best. Also, please prepare a warm bath in the master bathroom—with plenty of bubbles.
Less than a minute later, the reply arrived.
Certainly, Mr. Miller. Everything will be ready in approximately thirty minutes.
Sean placed his phone back on the nightstand and glanced at Olivia once more.
She was still sleeping peacefully.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Thirty-Two Minutes Later
The knock came exactly thirty-two minutes later.
Sean found himself oddly impressed. The extra two minutes suggested the kitchen had decided perfection was worth being slightly late.
The breakfast cart carried the hotel’s finest offerings.
Fresh pastries, still warm from the oven.
Eggs prepared three different ways.
Seasonal fruit arranged almost like artwork.
Fresh coffee in a polished silver pot.
Freshly squeezed juice.
Two champagne flutes beside a chilled bottle that almost certainly cost more than most people’s monthly rent.
Sean thanked the butler and tipped him generously.
[500 Dollars Spent]
[Balance: $3,971,960]
[1,000 Dollars Received]
[New Balance: $3,972,960]
After the butler left, Sean wheeled the cart toward the floor-to-ceiling windows where the morning sunlight spilled across the room.
Next, he checked on the bath.
The master bathroom was enormous—larger than the living room of his apartment.
He adjusted the water until it reached the perfect temperature before adding a generous amount of bubble bath along with a few fragrant bath oils.
Within moments, thick white bubbles covered the surface.
Sean watched the tub fill for a second and quietly admitted to himself that this was probably the most domestically capable he’d ever been.
Satisfied, he returned to the bedroom.
Olivia was still asleep.
He sat quietly on the edge of the bed.
Three minutes later, she stirred.
Her hand drifted across the sheets until it found the space where he’d been lying.
Finding it empty, she slowly opened her eyes.
She blinked once.
Twice.
Then her gaze settled on Sean sitting beside her in a hotel robe.
A sleepy smile appeared on her face.
"Good morning," Olivia said softly.
"Good morning," Sean replied.
She stretched lazily beneath the blankets before relaxing again with a contented sigh.
"I ordered breakfast for us," Sean said.
Olivia smiled.
"Thank you."
She leaned forward and gave Sean a gentle morning kiss before following his gaze toward the dining area.
The breakfast cart waited by the windows, bathed in golden sunlight.
Her eyes immediately landed on the champagne flutes.
"Sean..." Olivia said.
"Yeah?" Sean replied.
"Is that champagne?"
Sean nodded.
"It is."
"...Isn’t it a little early?"
"It’s not early," Sean said with complete seriousness. "It’s celebratory breakfast champagne. That’s different."
Olivia laughed.
"And what exactly are we celebrating?"
Sean smiled.
"Us."
For several quiet seconds, Olivia simply looked at him.
Her loose red hair framed her face, still slightly messy from sleep, while the necklace rested exactly where it had the night before.
The warmth in her eyes made Sean briefly glance toward the windows before looking back.
She looked toward the hallway, then blinked.
"...Sean?"
"Yeah?"
"Is there... a bath running?"
Sean smiled.
"I asked them to prepare one."
"So..." Sean said, gently taking her hand. "How about we enjoy that bath together before breakfast gets cold?"
Olivia looked into his eyes.
A faint blush colored her cheeks, but there wasn’t even a hint of hesitation anymore.
She smiled.
"I’d like that."
Olivia and Sean Hold each other hands as they walked toward the master bathroom together.
Olivia hand was warm in his as they crossed the suite. The marble floor was cool underfoot, a sharp contrast to the heat still lingering between their palms.