The morning light was slowly seeping into the apartment windows, the warmth of the sun’s light only bringing more warmth to Charlotte and Kai’s huddled up form. It was soothing, the light. So was the feeling of Kai’s arms around Charlotte’s waist.
Both were already awake, but didn’t want to move away from each other. The feeling of the position was all too tempting. The bed was soft, and their bodies felt heavy.
“…You know we have to get up soon, right?”
Charlotte said, shifting a little in Kai’s arms before she felt Kai tighten his grip on her waist, the action almost involuntary.
“Five more minutes.” He mumbled under his breath, burrowing his head to Charlotte’s lavender scented hair.
“The smell of your hair is making me sleepy…It’s all your fault…” He murmured, his hand making its way under Charlotte’s shirt, absentmindedly tracing small patterns against her stomach.
“You know I’m weak for lavender…”
She said, a slight pout on her face. She always had a habit of waking up early and on time. She never really liked sleeping in unless she had nothing to do. But Kai…He slept whenever he was able to.
But it was whatever. At this point she was used to it.
“But we have to start getting ready soon. You know we have to meet up with our parents today.”
“And let them see you with those puffy ass eyes? Even you know you should sleep for a little longer.”
Kai gently shifted Charlotte, turning her back so that she was facing Kai’s face. He lifted his hand and grazed her cheek with his thumb, thoroughly savoring how it got warmer under his touch. A small smile lighting up his features as he leaned in closer to her, kissing her forehead and slowly getting up.
“I’ll get ready before you. Just sleep for now, okay?”
Charlotte hummed in affirmation, burrowing deeper into the blankets, her eyes fluttering shut. She couldn’t tell if she was keeping them closed to try to sleep, or if it was to distract herself from the fact that Kai was in the other room, undressing…She felt herself blush, but shifted again, sighing under her breath. She still felt that lingering feeling of doubt. What if she didn’t look as good as Kai thought? She knew that Kai wouldn’t care what she looked like under all her clothing, but it still irked her, constantly.
She drifted off to sleep, her body relaxing and her mind quieting down everything else around her.
Kai, who was still in the shower, hummed a soft melody under his breath, the same one that they used to sing together as kids. He couldn’t keep the smile off of his face, his body practically shaking in happiness. He was looking for a time all by himself so he could finally celebrate.
Kai finished his shower with a content sigh, water still dripping from his hair as he wrapped a towel around his waist. He stood there for a moment, hands braced against the sink, staring at his reflection. The grin on his face wouldn’t go away no matter how much he tried to relax his features.
He muttered to himself, a quiet laugh slipping out.
He dried off, got dressed in something simple but clean—black slacks, a fitted white shirt, sleeves rolled just enough to look effortless—and ran a hand through his damp hair. He glanced toward the bedroom door, listening. Everything was quiet. She was still asleep.
He moved quietly, gathering his wallet and watch before heading back into the bedroom. Charlotte was curled on her side, blankets pulled up to her chin, her hair slightly messy from sleep. The morning light painted her softly, and for a moment, Kai just stood there, watching her chest rise and fall.
He swallowed, something warm blooming in his chest, and gently shook her shoulder.
She groaned softly, turning her face into the pillow.
He chuckled, sitting on the edge of the bed. “You said we have to get ready. Dinner’s in a few hours.”
Her eyes fluttered open slowly, unfocused at first. Then they landed on him.
She whispered, cheeks immediately warming.
He smiled at her reaction.
She pushed herself up slightly, pulling the blanket closer around herself.
“You’re… already dressed.”
“Yep. I figured I’d let you take your time.”
He tilted his head, noticing how she pulled the blanket closer to herself.
Charlotte hesitated, then nodded.
He reached out without thinking, brushing his thumb across her knuckles.
“—we’re doing this together.”
That earned him a small smile.
After he left the room, Charlotte sat there for a moment longer, letting her heart calm down. She then took a deep breath and got up. She showered, letting the warm water wash away the last traces of doubt clinging to her. By the time she stepped out, she felt steadier.
She chose a simple dress—soft fabric, neutral tones, something elegant without trying too hard. It reminded her of her parents’ designs: timeless, thoughtful, made with care. She styled her hair loosely and kept her makeup light, pausing to look at herself in the mirror.
This is enough, she told herself.
When she stepped out, Kai looked up from his phone—and froze.
Charlotte blinked. “What?”
He stood up, clearing his throat.
“Nothing. Just—yeah. You look amazing.”
She laughed softly, warmth spreading across her face.
They left together, fingers hesitantly brushing in the elevator before finally intertwining. Neither of them commented on it, but neither let go.
The ride to the restaurant was quieter than Charlotte expected.
Not uncomfortable—just heavy with anticipation. The city lights blurred past the car windows, reflections flickering across the glass as traffic hummed softly around them. Charlotte sat with her hands folded in her lap, thumbs brushing against each other in a nervous rhythm. Kai noticed immediately.
Without a word, he reached over and laced his fingers through hers. His palm was warm, grounding. She glanced at him, surprised, and he gave her a small, reassuring smile.
She nodded, though she wasn’t entirely sure it was true.
“I think so. I just… didn’t realize how real this would feel.”
He squeezed her hand, a quiet understanding.
They pulled into the restaurant parking lot soon after. The building was elegant—tall windows glowing with warm light, soft music faintly audible even from outside. It was a place meant for deals, celebrations, and important conversations. Charlotte had been here dozens of times growing up, but tonight felt different.
As soon as they stepped inside, the familiar scent of polished wood and subtle perfume wrapped around them. A hostess greeted them by name and led them toward the private dining section where their families were already seated.
Charlotte slowed her steps unconsciously.
Kai noticed and leaned closer.
“You don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for. We can just… be us.”
She took a breath, nodding.
“I know. I just don’t want this to turn into a business meeting about us.”
“With our parents? It’s inevitable.”
They both gave eachother a weak smile.
They rounded the corner—and that was when everything stopped.
Charlotte’s mother was mid-sentence, gesturing animatedly while Charlotte’s father listened with his usual thoughtful expression. Across from them sat Kai’s parents, relaxed, wine glasses already half full. The conversation died the second they noticed Charlotte and Kai standing there… together.
Charlotte’s mother’s eyes immediately dropped to their hands.
Then her eyebrows lifted. Her eyes lit up.
Kai’s dad leaned back in his chair, squinting. “Is it, though?”
Charlotte swallowed, her eyes glancing at Kai’s before she spoke up, her voice soft.
“Mom—Dad—there’s something we need to tell you.”
Kai straightened beside her, shoulders tense but posture firm, his eyes drifting to Charlotte’s father.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Charlotte’s father let out a low chuckle.
Her mother stood up immediately and crossed the room, pulling Charlotte into a tight embrace.
“Mad? Sweetheart, I’ve been waiting for this since you two were little.”
Kai’s mom followed suit, hugging Charlotte as well before turning to her son and cupping his face with both hands.
“You finally figured it out.”
She said softly, pride shining in her eyes.
“I’ve had enough of hearing you talk in your sleep about her.”
She said playfully. Charlotte blushed from the revelation, trying to pretend not to hear it while Kai laughed nervously.
The mood shifted completely after that.
What started as surprise turned into celebration—glasses raised, laughter echoing through the private room. The waiter returned at the perfect time, refilling drinks and smiling knowingly as congratulations were exchanged.
Once everyone settled, the conversation naturally drifted—first to how it happened.
Kai said, rubbing the back of his neck. “That wasn’t an accident, was it?”
Charlotte’s mother smiled innocently.
“We might’ve nudged things a little.”
“You booked us the same room.”
“We’ve been business partners for years. It only made sense to invest in the future.”
Charlotte buried her face in her hands as everyone laughed.
Dinner was served soon after, plates arranged meticulously, the aroma rich and comforting. As they ate, talk turned to work—their parents discussing upcoming collections, fabric sourcing, international expansion. Charlotte listened closely, as she always did. Fashion wasn’t just her parents’ company—it was something she’d grown up with, something woven into her life.
“You’re doing that thing.”
“Thinking ten steps ahead. You do it when you’re interested.”
Across the table, Kai’s mom noticed and smiled.
“We’ve been talking about a joint line for years now. A collaboration between both companies.”
Charlotte’s heart skipped.
Her father said, nodding.
“And honestly, having the two of you involved makes it even more promising.”
Charlotte’s mother tilted her head.
“Creatively. You both understand the brands, the audience, and—”
She paused, smiling knowingly
Charlotte felt Kai’s hand squeeze hers again, this time with a mix of nerves and excitement.
Charlotte admitted softly.
“Not a demand. Just an opportunity. An offer we can talk about later.”
The rest of dinner passed more gently after that—stories from their childhoods resurfacing, embarrassing moments dragged into the light. Kai groaned when Charlotte’s mom brought up the time he cried because Charlotte beat him at a spelling bee.
“I was eight!” He protested.
Charlotte added with a grin.
As laughter filled the room again, Charlotte leaned slightly closer to Kai, her shoulder brushing his arm. The doubt that had lingered that morning felt quieter now. Not gone—but softened.
For once, she didn’t feel like she was standing on the outside of his world.
And for now, that was enough.
After the meeting and celebrations, Charlotte and Kai eventually made it back home, both tired but less tense than before.
The apartment felt different now.
Not unfamiliar—Charlotte had stayed here before, countless times over the years—but altered, as if something invisible had shifted its weight. The air felt warmer. Fuller. Like the walls themselves were holding their breath, aware that something long overdue had finally happened.
The door clicked shut behind them, and the sound echoed softly through the entryway.
Charlotte slipped off her shoes first, lining them neatly by the wall like she always did. Old habits didn’t disappear overnight. Kai noticed—he always did—but he didn’t comment. He just watched her with that same quiet fondness he’d been carrying since dinner.
She asked, self-conscious.
“Nothing. Just thinking.”
He scoffed lightly. “Only when I overdo it.”
They moved around the apartment naturally—Charlotte setting her bag down, Kai tossing his keys onto the counter. The night had drained them both, not physically, but emotionally. It had been full of revelations, laughter, old wounds reopening only to be gently closed again.
Kai rolled his shoulders, exhaling.
He said, voice casual. Then, quieter, more careful. “You can come with me. If you want.”
Not because the idea scared her—but because it surprised her how gently it was offered. No expectation lingered behind his words. No impatience. Just an open door, waiting.
She turned to look at him, searching his face. Kai met her gaze steadily, hands relaxed at his sides. He noticed the hesitation immediately and responded before she could even speak.
He said softly. “You don’t have to. I promise I’m not trying to rush anything. I just like… being near you. That’s all.”
Her chest tightened—not with anxiety, but with something closer to relief.
She nodded slowly. “I know. I just—this is new.”
“And that’s okay,” he said without missing a beat.
“We can take it slow. As slow as you need.”
She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“…Okay,” she said, shy but sincere. “I’ll join you.”
The bathroom soon filled with steam, warm and comforting. The sound of running water drowned out the rest of the world, leaving only the quiet space they shared. Kai scooted just enough to give them separation, instinctively positioning himself on the opposite side of the tub.
Charlotte hugged her arms loosely around herself, shoulders slightly tense. She wasn’t scared—just hyper-aware. Of herself. Of him. Of how close they were without touching.
Kai noticed and turned his face away slightly, giving her space without making it obvious.
They stood like that for a moment, letting the water run.
Then Kai spoke, breaking the silence.
“You did really well tonight.”
Charlotte blinked. “At dinner?”
“You handled everything… really calmly. I know it couldn’t have been easy.”
She shrugged faintly. “I was terrified.”
He smiled softly. “You hid it well. Better than me.”
That earned him a quiet laugh from her. The tension eased just a little.
They talked as the minutes passed—nothing heavy at first. Joking about how their parents had clearly been plotting for years. Laughing about how obvious everything seemed in hindsight. Kai admitted he’d nearly choked on his drink when his dad said ‘about time’.
“I thought I was gonna pass out…”
Charlotte giggled, shoulders relaxing. “You did look a little pale.”
The steam wrapped around them, blurring edges, softening thoughts. Charlotte’s arms loosened. Her posture shifted—less guarded, more at ease.
Kai said after a pause, voice thoughtful,
“you don’t have to be ‘put together’ around me.”
She glanced toward him. “I know. I just… forget sometimes.”
“I don’t expect anything from you.”
“I just want you comfortable.”
Her throat tightened, but she nodded. “Thank you.”
By the time they turned the water off, the earlier nervousness had faded into something quieter—trust, maybe. Familiarity reshaped into something deeper.
They dried off separately, moving around each other with a careful ease that felt natural rather than forced. Kai pulled on boxers and a robe, his hair still damp, curls forming at the ends. Charlotte slipped into a simple sleep set, soft and modest, then braided her hair with practiced hands.
She reached for her lavender scent.
Just a little—out of habit more than intention.
Kai stilled behind her the moment the scent filled the room.
He inhaled slowly, eyes fluttering shut, eyebrows furrowing faintly, shoulders dropping like he’d finally relaxed for the first time all day.
He murmured without thinking.
He laughed quietly, embarrassed.
“Sorry. That just slipped out.”
Before she could respond, he stepped closer—slow, careful—hands hovering at her waist, silently asking permission. When she leaned back into him instead of pulling away, his breath hitched.
He wrapped his arms around her gently, holding her like she was something precious rather than fragile. He rested his forehead in the crook of her neck, nuzzling there softly, content.
Charlotte didn’t flinch this time.
She relaxed into his hold, resting her hands over his arms. “You always say things like that.” she whispered.
“Only when they’re true.”
