LOGINCleopatra’s heart skipped.She knew that look.The way his lashes lowered slightly. The way his breath grew slower as if he was holding himself in check.But she shook her head suddenly and shifted back, a soft but firm dodge before his lips could touch hers.“Don’t,” she said gently.Calvin paused.His brows knitted slightly, not in irritation but in concern.“I took my medication earlier,” she explained, fingers lightly touching the edge of her sleeve. “I don’t want you catching anything from me.”Silence settled, thick with unspoken warmth.Then Calvin exhaled slowly, almost helplessly amused by her stubborn kindness.His hand slid from her neck to her cheek instead, thumb tracing a slow, tender arc across her skin.“You worry too much about me,” he said.“It’s because I care,” she replied softly.His forehead rested lightly against hers not kissing, just sharing breath, closeness, the quiet pulse of affection.“If caring means I cannot kiss you now,” he whispered, voice low and sl
He unbuttoned the last button of his shirt, the fabric sliding open to reveal a faint glimpse of his chest and the defined lines of his abdomen. His gaze drifted toward her wardrobe, surprise flickering briefly in his eyes.“Can I use your towel?” he asked calmly.“Uh… yes, sure,” Cleopatra stammered softly.A faint, almost teasing smirk touched his lips before he walked to pick up the towel and headed into the bathroom.Moments later, the sound of running water faded.The bathroom door opened.Calvin stepped out, a towel loosely tied around his waist, droplets of water tracing slow paths across his skin.His gaze fell on Cleopatra.She was already asleep on the bed.Beside her, a neatly folded, oversized unisex T-shirt rested on the table.Slowly, he walked closer and crouched beside her, his fingers lifting gently to brush against her face in a tender, almost possessive caress.“So you couldn’t wait for me to return,” he murmured softly.A faint, indulgent smile curved his lips as h
Then he stopped.His eyes had caught another faint reddish mark higher along her upper thigh.The stillness between them deepened.His hand moved instinctively toward the hem of her robe but stopped midway, suspended in the thick, fragile silence.“Can I lift it?” he asked quietly.“Yeah, Calvin but it’s just a minor scratch,” Cleopatra replied.“I decide what is a minor scratch,” Calvin said in a low voice.He lifted the rope slightly higher.A deeper reddish scar appeared just above her knee.“Enough. Get dressed now,” he said, his tone carrying quiet finality, leaving no space for argument.The car screeched into the hospital parking lot, the tires protesting against the asphalt as Calvin brought it to an abrupt stop. Before the engine had fully died, he was already out of the car, rushing to the passenger side.“Can you walk?” he asked urgently, opening the door for Cleopatra.“I’m fine,” she murmured, though her voice lacked conviction.Calvin didn’t look convinced. His sharp eye
She instinctively stepped back, but her heel caught against a loose hanger on the floor. Her balance faltered and the avalanche of boxes came crashing down. The cardboard hit the floor with loud thuds. Cleopatra felt the impact first at her shoulder, then her waist, before she stumbled backward and landed beneath the mess. “Cleopatra!” Jovita screamed. Joss frantically shoved boxes aside. “I’m so sorry! I didn't, are you hurt?!” Pheebs was already pulling cartons off her legs. “Why would you stack them that high?! Are you trying to end her career before it begins?” “I was organizing!” Joss defended desperately while lifting the last box off her. Silence fell. Cleopatra lay there for a second, hair slightly disheveled, dust on her cheek. Just then she burst into laughter. Soft at first. Then uncontrollable. Everyone froze. “You’re laughing?” Pheebs blinked. Cleopatra pushed herself up slowly, brushing tissue paper from her lap. “I’m fine, it’s just boxes.” Joss exhaled s
The clinking of cutlery faded as curiosity sharpened the air around the table.Ink leaned back slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. “Do you mind introducing us to this pretty lady?” he asked, though the smirk tugging at his lips suggested he already knew exactly what he was doing.Before anyone else could respond, Calvin replied smoothly, a faint smile playing on his lips.“She’s Fairy—” he paused, letting out a soft chuckle as he corrected himself, “I mean, Cleo. Miranda and Raison’s daughter and the woman I love.”The confession dropped like a stone into still water.“You couldn’t even add that she’s my friend, Really? Colder,” Katie shot back, her tone sharp as she folded her arms, clearly offended by the omission.Cleopatra’s eyes widened at Calvin’s response, shock flashing across her delicate features.For a fleeting second, she forgot how to breathe.The certainty in his voice the way he claimed her without hesitation sent a tremor through her heart, leaving it racing wildly
Ink’s arm froze midair as he caught the direction of Catrina’s gaze. His brows lifted slowly, suspicion curling into curiosity. “What exactly are you staring at?” he asked, his voice low as he followed her line of sight. Catrina didn’t answer immediately. Her eyes widened, lips parting in pure disbelief as she leaned slightly forward, as though afraid the vision might vanish if she blinked. “Oh. My. God,” she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. “Calvin brought a girl home.” The words hung between them like a thunderclap. Ink stiffened. “This is shocking,” Catrina added, pressing her palm against her chest as though steadying her racing heart. “I can’t believe this…” For a moment, they simply stared at the scene unfolding below, the air thick with astonishment. Then suddenly, Catrina straightened, excitement flickering across her features. “Let’s go meet him,” she suggested, already taking a step forward as if she might storm downstairs that very second. Ink quickly rea
Pheebs’ soft laughter chimed through the room as she scrolled on her phone, her smile bright and smug.“Didn’t I tell you?” she said sweetly, tilting the screen toward them. “The internet is buzzing with Sabrina and Xander’s photos. Four days just four days and look at the traffic. Look at the sale
“Chill, man. You’re the one who’s head over heels, not me,” Simon smirked, shaking his head. “Ew… you almost killed me with that glare.”“Head over heels for her?” Calvin muttered, his voice low and incredulous.“I’ve lost count of how many times you’ve gone on about her,” Simon said, his laughter
“Have a seat,” Alvin said at last, gesturing faintly toward the chair across from him.His tone softened, but the weight behind his words did not.“You shouldn’t have abandoned your work at the Atelier. I’m aware things are quiet for you right now—Anthony isn’t around but that’s exactly why you sho
One of the decorators’ hands tightened around Cleopatra’s shoulder, grounding her in the moment.“If Guinevere were even half this stunning, we’d all be doomed,” someone murmured from the shadows, their voice a mix of awe and reluctant relief. “Thank God she isn’t.”Joss’s smile faded into somethin







