The streets are bustling with activity as people hurry to catch their trains or buses home. Taxis and cars honk their horns impatiently as they navigate through the crowded streets, while pedestrians weave their way through the throngs of people.

However, on the 42nd floor where the CEOs office is situated, of the glass-and-steel monolith known as L-Prime Tower, all was silent—except for the steady hum of the air conditioning. Cassian Lancaster's office was a statement of power. Floor to ceiling windows stretched across two walls, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the city's glittering skyline. The lights below flickered like distant stars, a reminder of the world bustling far beneath him.

He sat behind a sleek mahogany desk, sleeves rolled, tie discarded, his attention buried in a stack of legal documents thick enough to flatten a small animal. The pages were dense with clauses, foreign terms, and dotted signatures. Behind him hung a massive picture frame of he and his father, Fredrick Lancaster.

Cassian had just turned 18 years old when his father died of a heart attack. The young man inherited an empire before he could even finish college—a responsibility heavier than any burden he'd ever known. Yet, he was told his father trusted him. Even with that, he wasn't allowed to properly run the company until after college, and he had to fight tooth and nail to prove he was more than a legacy.

His blue eyes were fixed on the computer screen in front of him. Malik & Sons Holidngs—a construction dynasty based in the UAE. Billion dollar merger. His father would've killed for this deal. Cassian just had to survive it. He flipped a page. More non-competes. More restrictions. A red ink circle around a paragraph that reeked of hidden control.

A flick of his wrist scratched out the last clause. A final signature, bold and clean, sealed the deal. Cassian leaned back, the leather chair sighing beneath him. The polished chrome clock above the door read 7 p.m. As Cassian's weary gaze shifted from his computer screen to his phone, he noticed a notification illuminating the screen. With a glimmer of hope, he unlocked his phone and was greeted by his girlfriend's smiling face, adorning his wallpaper. A sense of warmth washed over him, momentarily erasing the fatigue that had consumed him.

It was also a text message from her.

Are you okay my love? I haven't heard from you today. 🥺❤️
~ Ellery🔐❤️

Cassian smiled, and in that moment, a decision was made. He knew he couldn't spend another minute in the confines of his office. With newfound energy, he hastily gathered his things, shoved papers into his briefcase, shut down his computer, grabbed his coat, and headed for the door. He strode purposefully towards the private elevator, excitement bubbling beneath his exhaustion.

Stepping out onto the ground floor, the cool night air embraced him, raising goosebumps on his arms. The streetlights cast a soft glow on the streets, creating an ethereal ambiance.

"Goodnight, sir," the security guard greeted him with a respectful bow. Cassian offered a soft hum in response, his mind already miles away, already with Ellery. He walked towards his car, a gleaming Rolls-Royce Ghost. His fingers, still trembling slightly from exhaustion, fumbled with the keys before finally unlocking it.

As he settled into the driver's seat, he took a deep breath, trying to shake off the weariness that still clung to him. The powerful engine purred to life, a low growl that broke the silence of the night, and Cassian began his journey to Ellery's.

With each passing mile, anticipation coiled tighter in Cassian's gut. He created the comfort of her presence , the quiet solace she provided from the relentless demands of his life. His mind brought back the thing he'd been pondering over this morning. A huge step he wanted them to take.

As he neared her neighborhood, the familiar sights and sounds brought a sense of familiarity and tranquility. The houses stood like sentinels, their windows glowing with warm, inviting light. The scent of blooming flowers permeated the air, creating a delicate fragrance that filled his senses.

Finally, Cassian pulled up in front of Ellery's house. The exhaustion that had weighed him down seemed to dissipate as he stepped out of the car. With renewed energy, he straightened his posture and adjusted his disheveled appearance, running his fingers through his tousled hair. He paused before the familiar blue door, illuminated by the warm, golden glow of a small bulb fixed just above it, spilling light onto the pathway.

Cassian knocks on the door softly, a gentle rhythm, mindful of the peaceful night. Inside, Mona was lounging on the couch, a colorful array of nail polish bottles scattered around her as she meticulously painted her nails.

Mona was about to add another stroke of the brush, when the soft knock startled her, causing her brush to slip. She cursed under her breath, frowning at the sight. The knock came again, and this time she closed the brave blush pastel pink she had bought from Olive and June collection.

"Coming!" She called out, lifting herself up from the couch. She slowly walked to the door and opened it, a wide smile spreading across her face at the sight of her visitor.

"Cassian!"

"Hey, Mona. How are you?"

"I'm fine. You look utterly exhausted." Mona stated, her gaze falling on the faint dark circles under his eyes.

"Eh, it's nothing. Is Ellery home?"

"Yes she is." Mona spun around, her gaze echoing through the house, "Ellery, Cassian's here to see you!"

Then with a warm smile, she gestured inside.
"Don't just stand there, Cassian—come in."

Cassian stepped into the cozy apartment as Mona followed close behind. He sank onto the couch, and Mona offered to make him some instant coffee.

From her bedroom, Ellery appeared. Fresh from her bath, her skin glowed softly, flushed with warmth. Damp, wavy chestnut hair was wrapped in a pristine white towel, with loose tendrils framing her delicate face. She wore a muted pastel cotton t-shirt, oversized and slipping off one shoulder, paired with soft heather-gray sweatpants that hung comfortably on her hips.

Cassian's breath caught as he drank in the sight of her effortless beauty. He couldn't believe how stunning she looked in such a casual outfit. Truly his lady would look divine even in a rice sack.

"I just sent you a message." Ellery said, cheeks tinged pink.

"I came as soon as I saw it."

Her heart fluttered as she crossed into the living room. As she approached the couch, Cassian sprang up, eyes wide with delight, arms opening welcome her. They embraced tightly, the warmth of his hold washing away the day's exhaustion.

"I missed you." He sighed, the words a low murmur against her hair. Ellery wrapped her arms around him, her hands tracing his back. He kissed her forehead gently, making her giggle. Then, tenderly, he planted kisses on her cheek, her nose, her eyes—everywhere.

"Babe, calm down," she laughed, the tingles sparking between them. They settled on the couch, Cassian resting his head on her shoulder, eyes closed. Ellery smiled, patting his hair softly.

Mona returned with a steaming mug of coffee, setting it on the table between them.

Cassian sits up, "Thank you, Mona."

"Always," she replied with a smile before retreating to her room. Ellery muttered a grateful thanks, and Mona winked before closing the door behind her. Taking a sip, Cassian savored the warmth as Ellery's fingers caressed his free hand.

"You okay? You look exhausted. Busy day?" she asked gently. Cassian nodded and set the cup back down. He rocounted the day's grind and Ellery sighed in sympathy.

"You should rest, Cassian. Or... are you planning to stay here tonight?"

He teased, "Can I?"

She swatted his hand playfully. "Of course not."

They have been together for nearly five years, yet their relationship hadn't gone beyond kisses. Ellery wanted to wait until marriage. Cassian always said he understood—and she hoped he truly did.

"Scared you'll be tempted to do something to me?" He wiggled his brows, and she scoffed.

"As if..." she trailed off as he turned to her, his gaze steady and tender. Slowly, he leaned in, eyes never leaving hers. His hand cupped her face gently, thumb tracing her cheekbone, sending shivers down her spine. Her eyes fluttered closed, anticipation building, a delicious ache. Their lips met—soft at first, a tentative exploration, then with a sudden hunger that ignited their senses.

His fingers tangled in her damp hair, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss. She tasted like strawberries and warmth. Her breath hitched as he explored every curve and contour of her mouth, his tongue teasing, demanding. The world outside ceased to exist; there was only the heat of their bodies, the escalating rhythm of their hearts.

She pressed against him, her body molding to his, an unspoken invitation. The couch creaked faintly under their weight, but neither noticed, lost in their own universe. His lips trailed down her jawline, leaving a searing trail of fire. She arched her neck, granting him access, and he kissed the delicate skin there, savoring the frantic pulse beneath his lips. Their hands roamed—over shoulders, down spines, seeking solace and deeper connection. His fingertips traced the edge of her collarbone, and she shivered, a soft moan escaping her lips.

As the kiss intensified, a new urgency seized Cassian. He broke their embrace just long enough to scoop Ellery effortlessly into his arms. A gasp escaped her lips, quickly followed by his renewed kiss as he carried her, surprisingly light, out of he living room. She wrapped her legs around his waist, holding on tight as he navigated the dim hallway.

He kicked open her bedroom door, the soft thud a mere whisper in their heightened sense. They stumbled in, a tangle of limbs and hungry mouths, before he gently lowered her onto the edge of her bed. The mattress dipped under their combined weight. He leaned over her, his eyes blazing with a raw, undeniable desire, his hands tracing the curves of her waist under her shirt, pushing it higher.

"Cassian," she breathed, her voice a thin thread, half warning, half invitation. He silenced her with a deep, consuming kiss, his hands swiftly discarding the soft cotton t-shirt and then the sweatpants. Her body, bathed in the soft glow from the hallway, was exquisite. He tasted the frantic pulse at her throat, trailed kisses down her chest, each one a promise.

With a low groan of desire, he lowered himself, tongue tracing the searing path along her inner thigh, savoring the delicate curve of her hip. A soft gasp escaped Ellery as he found her, his mouth hot and insistent against her. She arched into him, her fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer as waves of pure sensation washed over her. Her breath hitched, ragged and shallow, as the world narrowed to this intense, consuming pleasure. His name was a whispered plea on her lips, again and again, lost in the rising tide of sensation until she trembled, utterly undone.

He slowly rose, his eyes dark with shared passion, his lips swollen from their kisses. He leaned back, resting his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling, sharp and uneven.

"I know," he murmured, his voice thick with unspent longing, acknowledging their understanding without needing to say more. He kissed her forehead, then her nose, then her lips one last, lingering time. He gently helped her sit up, disentangling their legs, though his hand remained clasped around hers.

He shifted, pulling her closer, settling her back against his side on the bed. "I missed you," he said again, softer this time, his voice laced with the weariness that had finally caught up to him. He stroked her hair, taking a moment to simply breathe her in.

Ellery leaned into him, her heart still pounding, a mixture of heady satisfaction and profound relief washing over her. She knew how difficult this was for him, and his respect for her wishes, even in moments of such intense desire, meant everything.

"Ellery," he began, his voice taking on a new seriousness, "we've been together since college, and I love you very much. From the moment our paths crossed, my world shifted. Every moment spent in your presence feels like a dream, and I find myself falling deeper and deeper in love with you. With you, I feel safe, cherished, and understood in a way I have never experienced before." He took her hands in his, bringing them to his lips and kissing the top of her knuckles, his gaze steady on hers.

Ellery gasped softly at his heartfelt confession, her cheeks flaming a deep, vibrant red. Is he really about to propose to her? In bed?

"And now," he continued, his voice firm with conviction, "I truly can't imagine a future without you by my side. I want you to meet my mother."

TO BE CONTINUED
word count, 2,184.