Val didn't make breakfast this morning.

Normally, that would've stung a little. She always did — or at least, she used to — every weekday like clockwork, before things got… complicated. But not today. Not this morning.

Maybe it's because she woke me up.

Not with words, not right away — just the soft drag of her fingertips tracing lazy circles across my chest, the faint tickle of her hair brushing my skin as she leaned in. Then came the whisper, low and velvety and warm against my ear.

"Morning, husband," she'd murmured, like it was a secret meant for just us.

It still amazes me how that one word — husband — can completely undo me.

I smiled before my eyes were even open. She kissed my jaw once, then twice, before whispering something about having to leave early. Some work meeting or "project handover." I honestly didn't catch all of it; I was still caught between half-sleep and her voice.

"Go back to bed," she said, brushing my hair off my forehead.

I didn't. I just watched her move around the room, that quiet grace that was all hers, even in a rush, and thought, yeah… maybe things really are fine now.

Between her schedule and mine, mornings like this had become pretty normal. She and Aline usually took turns with breakfast, though "taking turns" was generous. The few times I tried to help, Val would somehow materialize beside me, wooden spoon in hand, shaking her head like I was about to commit a crime.

I still remember the last time I tried to cook for us. I'd just cracked the eggs when she walked in, took one look at the pan, and said, "Kai, I love you, but I also love my kitchen not being on fire."

She took over, of course. And somehow, I ended up laughing instead of being offended.

That was Val. Always knowing how to make something feel lighter than it should.

By the time I finally got up, the house smelled faintly of coffee and toasted bread. Aline was already in the kitchen, humming something soft under her breath while Duchess sat on the counter like she owned the place. Which, judging by how Aline was scratching her under the chin, wasn't too far from the truth.

Aline looked up as I made my way down the stairs, her face brightening instantly. "Good morning, Mr. Tanaka," she said cheerfully.

"Morning, Aline," I replied, still rubbing the back of my neck. "You're up early."

She smiled and gestured at the cat. "Duchess decided it was playtime an hour ago. I didn't have a choice."

I chuckled. "Yeah, she's good at that."

"Breakfast is ready," Aline said, then added with a teasing grin, "Mrs. Tanaka told me to handle it today since she had to leave early. She said she'll cook dinner instead."

For some reason, that alone made my morning.

I tried to hide the smile that crept onto my face, but Aline noticed. Of course she did. "You look happy, sir," she said lightly. "Should I take that as a good sign?"

"Yeah," I said, unable to help it this time. "A very good one."

Aline laughed softly, and Duchess meowed as if to agree.

After breakfast — which, thankfully, Aline kept simple — I left for work feeling lighter than I had in weeks.

---

Gray & Milton's headquarters sat in the heart of the city, sleek, all glass and white marble, with just enough intimidation in its design to remind everyone why it was considered one of the best engineering and consulting firms in the country.

The elevator chimed softly as I reached my floor. The doors slid open to reveal the usual hum of Monday: the clicking of keyboards, phones ringing, quiet chatter, the faint scent of freshly brewed coffee mixing with the smell of paper and printer ink.

And for the first time in a while, I smiled as I walked through it all.

Maybe it was the sleep. Or maybe it was because Val had called me husband again.

Either way, Derrick noticed — as he always did.

He was already at his desk when I walked in, leaning back in his chair with that lazy grin of his. As soon as I set my coffee down and dropped into my seat, he spun his chair halfway toward me and raised an eyebrow.

"Someone's in a good mood," he said. "You win the lottery or something?"

I took a slow sip of my coffee, matching his tone. "Something like that."

He smirked. "Ah. So, Mrs. Tanaka forgave you then?"

I glanced at him. "I don't remember saying I needed forgiving."

He chuckled. "Yeah, and I don't remember you smiling that wide since… well, since before you started coming in looking like your soul left your body."

I laughed quietly. "You should've gone into counseling, Derrick. You've got the observation skills for it."

He made a mock bow. "What can I say? I read people."

He wasn't wrong though, he really did read people. And shockingly well for someone who pretends he's too busy flirting with the intern to notice anything deeper.

Derrick wasn't just my colleague; he was the one guy in this building I could actually relax around. He'd never asked what was wrong when I was off, but he'd always known it had something to do with Val. And I respected him for not pushing. That's why he's now my second real male friend, right after Trent, who still holds the top spot. Marina's still in her own category entirely of course.

"So," he said, tapping his pen against the desk. "Before I forget — did you hear about Tasha?"

I frowned. "What about her?"

"She got engaged." He grinned. "To some guy named Lewis something. Lewis—uh—Hartman? No, Harrison. Yeah. Lewis Harrison."

"Lewis something," I repeated, deadpan.

] "That's the one."

I shook my head, trying not to laugh. "You're terrible with names."

] "I remember the important parts. The rest's just filler."

"Right. Like basic human detail."

He ignored that. "Anyway, I heard the proposal was big. Fancy dinner, fireworks, the whole nine yards. Guess some people still do grand gestures."

I raised an eyebrow. "You saying that like you wouldn't do the same thing."

Derrick smirked. "If I ever find someone crazy enough to marry me, sure."

"Emphasis on crazy," I said.

"Touché." He leaned back, taking a sip from his mug. Then, casually, he said, "So, how's the bid coming along?"

It took me a second to register. "The Meridian Development Initiative?"

"Yeah, that one." Derrick snapped his fingers. "The big fancy government project with a name no one can pronounce right. How's it looking?"

I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly. "It's... moving. We've finalized most of the sustainability framework, and the presentation deck's in review. Still a few weeks before submission, though."

Derrick nodded. "And competition?"

I hesitated, then smiled thinly. "You know how it is. Everyone's out for blood."

"Right," Derrick said, his grin crooked. "You've got Moreau Dynamics on one side, your father-in-law's empire, and Weldane Mechanics on the other. Not exactly the friendliest competition."

I forced a smile. "Yeah. Something like that."

Weldane Mechanics — top three in the country when it came to infrastructure and large-scale builds. Moreau Dynamics? The giants. The ones everyone expected to win by default, mostly because of their legacy and history in the field. And then there was Gray & Milton — not smaller by any means, just newer, sharper, and bold enough to challenge the old guard.

Sixteen firms in total, all running for the same thing. But only one would get it — the full oversight contract. The one that came with power, prestige, and enough zeroes in the payout to make every CEO in the room forget their manners.

The rest — maybe five or six — would still get pieces of the project as subcontractors, but everyone knew that wasn't the real prize. Everyone wanted to be the main contractor, the name stamped on every report, every news headline, every government file.

Derrick gave me a sideways look. "Think you can bring this one home?"

I tapped the edge of my mug, pretending to think. "We've got the numbers," I said finally. "The design's solid, the sustainability model's one of the best we've put forward, and the environmental efficiency data's unmatched. With the right timing—"

"—and the right politics," Derrick added.

"Exactly."

He grinned, lifting his coffee cup in mock salute. "Well, either way, I'm rooting for you, man. Someone's gotta keep the old guard nervous."

I smiled, genuine this time. "Thanks, Derrick."

He nodded once and turned back to his monitor, already typing away.

I watched him for a moment, then glanced at the window, the city stretched out beneath the sunlight, the skyline gleaming like steel and glass promises.

And for a second, I let myself believe it, that things really were back on track.

Val and I were okay. The project was stable. The day was calm.

But somewhere in the back of my mind, her father's words still lingered, quiet but sharp.

You'll regret this, Kai.

Maybe not today. Maybe not yet.

But I could feel it. The story wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

---

To be continued...

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