did I really say those words

Kael's expression grew serious as he sat down on the bed beside me, his hand reaching out to take mine. "Sophia," he said, his voice firm yet filled with tenderness. "The party is canceled for tonight. We'll talk tomorrow, I promise."

He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side. The warmth of his body was comforting, his touch soothing my frazzled nerves. His eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I saw the man beneath the dominant exterior—vulnerable, conflicted, and genuinely concerned for me. "Just rest now," he said, his thumb tracing circles on the back of my hand. "You've had a long day, and we both need some sleep."

I nodded, exhaustion overtaking my body like a thick blanket. He lay down beside me, his muscular frame dominating the space but offering a surprising comfort. I felt his warmth envelop me, his heart beating a steady rhythm against my side. He pulled the covers over us, his hand still entwined with mine. The softness of the bed was everything i needed.

As my eyes grew heavy, I couldn’t shake the feeling that our conversation was unfinished, but the pull of sleep was too strong. The last thing I heard was Kael's gentle whisper, "Everything will be okay, baby." And with that, I allowed myself to drift off, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. I awoke to the feeling of Kael’s arm around my waist, his breathing steady and calm. For a brief moment, I felt a sense of peace, but as reality set in, my heart began to race. What had happened last night? Did I really say those things? Did he?

The sound of a knock at the door shattered the quiet, and I bolted upright, my eyes wide with fear. Kael stirred beside me, his grip tightening before releasing as he mumbled something incoherent. My heart pounded as I slid out of bed, the cold floor sending a jolt through my body. The knock came again, more insistent this time.

I rushed to the door, my hand trembling on the knob. As I pulled it open, the sight of Kael's father standing there made my stomach drop. He was a tall, imposing figure, his eyes narrowed as he took in the disheveled state of the room. "Good morning, Miss Sophia," he said, his voice calm and measured.

"G-good morning, sir," I stammered, bowing my head as respectfully as I could. His smile was polite, but his gaze was sharp, and I could feel it cutting through me. "Is everything okay?"

"Good morning," he replied, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. His eyes flicked over to the rumpled bed and the discarded clothes on the floor before landing on Kael, who was still sound asleep. "It seems like quite the evening," he said, his voice holding a hint of amusement.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I frantically tried to smooth down my hair and cover myself with the towel. "I-I'm sorry, sir," I stuttered, feeling a mix of panic and shame. "I didn't mean for—"

Mr. Logan held up a hand, silencing me. "No need for apologies," he said calmly. "I've seen enough to understand what happened here." His eyes lingered on me for a moment, a knowing look that made me want to crawl into a hole and disappear. "I'm sure you two have much to discuss," he added, his voice still laced with amusement. "But right now, we need to get ready for breakfast. Your presence is required in the dining room in half an hour."

With a final nod, he turned and left the room, leaving me standing there, feeling more exposed than ever. The shame of his gaze was still there, and I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of embarrassment. My heart was racing, and my hands were shaking as I closed the door behind him. I glanced back at Kael, still sleeping peacefully, oblivious to the conversation that had just taken place.

I took a deep breath, closing the door after Mr. Logan left. My heart was still racing, and I turned to look at Kael, who was now stirring awake. His messy hair and relaxed expression made him look softer, and for a moment, I forgot the panic from a few seconds ago. But reality hit again, and I hurried over to him.

“Kael, wake up,” I said softly, shaking his shoulder. His eyes fluttered open, and he gave me a lazy smile.

“Morning,” he mumbled, his voice groggy.

“Kael, your father was just here,” I said quickly, my voice shaking. “He told us to be ready for breakfast in half an hour.”

At that, his eyes snapped fully open. “My father?” he asked, sitting up straight. His tone was sharper now.

“Yes,” I nodded, fidgeting with my fingers. “He saw everything… the room, us—everything.”

Kael ran a hand through his hair, muttering something under his breath. “Alright, I’ll handle it,” he said, swinging his legs off the bed. “I’ll take a quick shower.”

I watched as he grabbed some clothes and headed into the bathroom. The sound of the shower running filled the room, and I tried to calm my nerves. I smoothed out the sheets on the bed, but my mind was spinning with thoughts about how Mr. Logan must have judged me.

After a few minutes, Kael walked out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist, his hair damp and water droplets sliding down his chest. He looked at me and smiled.

“Your turn,” he said, nodding toward the bathroom.

“I’ll go in a minute,” I said, avoiding his gaze.

Kael frowned, stepping closer. “No, Sophia. Go now. We don’t have all day.”

“I’m fine,” I started, but before I could finish, he cupped my face and kissed me. The kiss was firm but gentle, and it left no room for arguments.

When he pulled away, his voice was soft but firm. “Go take a shower, baby. I’ll wait.”

My face felt hot as I grabbed some clothes and hurried into the bathroom. The warm water washed over me, and I tried to steady my breathing. By the time I came out, I felt calmer. I quickly got dressed in a simple dress and tied my hair back.

Kael was waiting by the door, fully dressed in a crisp white shirt and dark pants. He looked every bit like the confident man I first met, but his smile softened when he saw me.

“Ready?” he asked.

I nodded, and we headed to the dining room together. As we walked, I glanced at him nervously. “What do you think your father will say?”

Kael shrugged, his hand brushing against mine. “Don’t worry about him. I’ll handle whatever he has to say.”

“But—” I started, and he gave me a sideways look.

“Sophia, trust me,” he said firmly. “You’re with me now. That’s all that matters.”

His words calmed me, and I felt a small smile tug at my lips. We reached the dining room, the heavy doors looming in front of us. Kael pushed them open, and I braced myself for whatever was waiting inside.