Chapter 7

NYLA

I choked on the remnant of food I was still chewing.

“Secretary? But I don't–”

“I understand what you might be thinking, but it's not a bad idea, I thought about it deeply.”

I didn’t answer Kael immediately. The words sat heavy in my chest, not because I didn’t want to say yes, but because saying yes felt like stepping fully into a life that wasn’t mine yet.

A life I wasn't sure I was ready for just yet. It felt like I was abandoning my old life, and I didn't want that.

“Take your time,” Kael said, voice calm, and steady as always. “There’s no pressure.”

I nodded, grateful and unsettled at the same time. Kael gave me space but I wasn't sure why a stranger could possibly be offering me so much.

Dinner went by quickly, I walked to my room immediately after I wished Kael a goodnight rest. I laid down and in no time, I fell asleep almost immediately.

As I drifted further into sleep, I was somewhere dark, I was running. My chest burned, legs heavy, the world blurring at the edges. Two people chased me, close enough that I could feel their presence without seeing them. I tried to scream, but my throat locked, the sound dying before it could escape.

When they caught up to me, I screamed with sudden fear, “Evans!”

I woke up gasping, clawing at the sheets, heart slamming so hard it hurt. My body shook like it didn’t realize I was awake yet.

A few minutes later. Kael barged into the room.

“Nadia.” His voice cut through the panic.

He wrapped his arms around me before I could pull away, strong and warm, grounding me when my mind refused to stay still. I pressed my face into Kael’s chest without thinking, breathing in slowly, desperately, until the room stopped spinning.

“You’re safe. You’re here in my arms. Nothing is going to hurt you.” Kael murmured softly.

My fingers fisted in fabric, afraid to let go. Kael stayed, one hand steady at my back, the other brushing through my hair in slow, calming strokes.

Eventually, the shaking eased. Exhaustion crept in again, heavier this time. I didn’t remember when my breathing evened out or when sleep pulled me under.

I didn't realize morning had already arrived. The smell of fresh tea woke me first.

I blinked, disoriented, then noticed the tray on the nightstand and Kael sitting beside the bed.

“You didn’t wake me,” I said, my voice was rough.

“You needed rest,” Kael replied. “How are you feeling?”

I considered the question honestly. “Tired. But… better.”

Kael nodded, eyes searching my face like he was checking for answers. “Do you remember anything from last night?”

“Not really, only pieces,” I admitted.

Kael didn’t press further. Instead, Kael handed me a glass of water and waited while I took a few sips.

“Have you thought more about your family?” Kael asked gently. “Anyone at all I could contact?”

I shook my head. “Nothing new has come to my mind. It’s still blank, I am sorry about last night.”

Something unreadable flickered across Kael’s expression, but it passed quickly. “It’s normal. The nightmares will stop eventually.”

There were questions Kael didn’t ask. I knew it. I’d heard myself say a name in my sleep, one I didn’t recognize even while dreaming. The silence around it felt intentional.

Over breakfast, warmth settled between us. Easy conversation and small smiles that followed. Normalcy I hadn’t known I missed, at the hospital everyone was looking at me like I was fragile. I hated the stares and pity.

“Kael, I have made my decision,” I said suddenly.

Kael looked up. “And that is?”

My heart pounded, but the answer felt right. “I want to work for you. As your secretary.”

Kael’s smile was slow, restrained, like relief carefully controlled. “Good.”

“But I don't know anything about literally anything.”

“It's easy, I will explain,” Work started after lunch.

Kael explained everything patiently, from schedules, to emails, virtual meetings, notes. Absolutely everything.

There were no overwhelming expectations. Or sharp criticism when I hesitated or looked confused, and I learned everything quickly.

Days passed like a breeze. I worked from home most days, learning the rhythm of Kael’s life through calendars and messages.

I surprised myself on most days. Things clicked so easily and organization came naturally.

Anticipating needs felt instinctive, like something my mind remembered even if I didn’t. And every time Kael gave that small approving smile, warmth bloomed low in my chest.

I realized that part of me worked so hard because I wanted to please Kael. The attraction crept in subtly, even when I tried to stop it. It was already there.

I noticed how my body reacted when our hands brushed when passing documents.

Eye contact lingered a bit too long.

Moments where the space between us shrank until I could feel Kael’s breath, feel the pull, then both of us would step back, pretending nothing happened.

**********

Days later, another nightmare shattered the fragile calm I held onto for days.

This one didn’t even let me fully wake before Kael was there. His soft touch had pulled me out of the nightmare. With his arms wrapped around me and his reassuring words, “I’ve got you,” his fingers tracing slow circles along my back.

“Kael…” He shushed me with a tighter embrace.

“You’re safe.”

Tears slipped free despite my efforts to remain strong. Kael brushed one away with his thumb. I looked up at him without thinking, like something in me just needed to see his face.

I kissed him first. Just a soft, shaky press of my lips against his. Like I was asking if this was okay, I was scared and hopeful all at once. He went still for a second, then eased back a little, eyes searching mine, breathing unevenly, it felt like he was worried he’d break something if he moved too fast.

But god, the air between us felt electric. His hands came up slowly, cupping my face like I was something precious, and then he kissed me back.

It was deep and deliberate, lips parting, tongue sliding against mine in this slow, hungry way that made my stomach flip and my knees go weak. It wasn’t rushed. It was like he was tasting me, pouring everything he’d been holding back into that one kiss.

Heat rushed through me, melting all the cold, sacred places inside. My heart was pounding so hard I swear he could feel it.

I shifted in Kael’s arms, his breathing still deep and even against my neck. My heart gave a lazy, happy thud until I heard a knock.

Kael stirred, his hand tightened on my waist, as his eyes snapped open.

Another knock landed on the door. “Kael, baby I know you're in there.” A female voice sounded.

“Shit.” Kael said softly.

“Open the door. We need to talk… about what really happened that night.”