The morning sun filtered through the window, casting a warm glow across the room as it gently illuminated Bradon's face. He stirred awake, rubbing his eyes before turning to Natalia, who remained peacefully asleep beside him. Even in slumber, her serene beauty captivated him. The irresistible urge to kiss her overcame him, and he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss at the corner of her lips.
The delicate gesture stirred her awake. As her eyes fluttered open, a sleepy yet warm smile spread across her face. "Good morning," she murmured, her voice heavy with sleep. Instead of replying, he kissed her again, this time savoring the moment, allowing the quiet joy of their mornings together to envelop him.
Waking up beside her, sharing these tender moments, was everything he had ever dreamed of. He had made mistakes in the past, but he was determined to change—for her, for Natalia. She deserved the best of him, and he intended to ensure she got it.
"If you keep doing this, I'm definitely going to be late for work," Natalia giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Not that I mind too much," she added playfully.
Bradon frowned slightly. The thought of her leaving for work always left an emptiness in his chest. He hated being apart from her, even for a day. The dangers of her job only heightened his anxiety. She was smart, capable, and strong, but her involvement in criminal investigations made him uneasy. Every time she stepped out the door, he couldn't shake the worry gnawing at him.
"Then don't go," he murmured, putting on his best sad face, hoping to convince her to stay just a little longer. He knew how much she loved her job, but a part of him wished she could remain safely by his side, away from the risks her work entailed.
"It's work, baby," she said softly, leaning in to plant a gentle kiss on his lips before pulling away. "Now come on, get up and let me get ready." Her tone was sweet yet firm, and he could see the determination in her eyes.
He wasn't ready to let her go just yet. "But I'm not done with you," he teased, reaching for her again, unwilling to relinquish the warmth of her touch so easily. The thought of her leaving for the day sank heavily in his chest, and he wanted just a few more moments with her before reality pulled her away.
A blush spread across Natalia's cheeks, her pink hue betraying the amusement in her eyes. She didn't pull away, instead lingering for a few more moments, soaking in the closeness between them. Eventually, with a playful sigh, she loosened his hold and slipped away, flashing him a quick smile before darting into the shower.
As she got ready, Bradon made his way to the kitchen, deciding to surprise her with breakfast. He wanted to make up for last week, when he had been too consumed with work to pay her the attention she deserved. Carefully, he prepared her favorite meal, hoping the gesture would speak louder than any words could.
Moments later, the familiar scent of her perfume drifted through the air, a signal that she was done getting ready. That comforting fragrance filled the room, making him smile even before he saw her.
"Do you not want me to go to work?" Natalia asked, her tone shifting slightly as a faint frown creased her face. There was a hint of frustration in her voice, and he could sense where the conversation was heading.
Bradon remained silent, unwilling to escalate things into an argument. The last thing he wanted was to ruin the beautiful morning they had shared. He held his tongue, hoping to maintain the peace, even though every fiber of his being wanted her to stay.
Natalia studied him for a moment before shaking her head with a smirk. "Stop being so hot in the morning," she teased, her voice light with a playful edge.
At her words, a mischievous grin spread across his face. A devilish glint flickered in his eyes as he subtly flexed his bicep, half-expecting it to catch her attention. It worked. Within seconds, she was behind him, her arms wrapping around his torso as she nestled against his back.
"Aren't you getting late now, Nat?" he teased, his voice dripping with mockery.
She let out a soft huff, but her embrace remained firm. "I can spare a few more minutes," she murmured against his shoulder, her breath warm against his skin.
Bradon chuckled, reveling in the victory of having her in his arms just a little longer. But he knew—soon enough, she would have to leave, and the weight of her absence would settle over him once more.
Her grip on him slowly loosened, signaling that their moment was coming to an end. But before she could fully pull away, he turned to face her, wrapping his arms around her in a warm, comforting hug. He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, savoring the closeness for just a little longer.
Not long after, he served her the breakfast he had prepared, and they sat down together, enjoying a quiet meal. As they ate, they chatted about the usual—daily life, little things here and there—but then she started talking about her last case and the excitement she felt for the new one she was about to take on. He listened closely, but when she mentioned the details of her upcoming case, his breath caught for a moment. The thought of her diving into another criminal investigation always left him uneasy, but he tried not to let it show.
After they finished, he dropped her off at the office, watching her disappear into the building before heading to the gym, trying to shake off the lingering worry as he focused on his workout.
Throughout the day, he couldn't shake the thoughts of her new case—it kept circling in his mind like a storm he couldn't escape. AI Deepfake. Of all the cases out there, why did she have to pick this one? It wasn't just any case; it hit far too close to home. Convincing her to drop it would only raise her suspicions, and he couldn't afford that. But still, she wasn't an investigating officer. Why was she getting involved in something so risky?
The deeper she dug into this case, the more danger it posed—not just to her, but to him. She already hated him for reasons she didn't fully understand, and this would only fuel the fire. Every day she made his life more complicated, more stressful, without even realizing it. Why did she have to be the one to add to his anxiety every single day?
Consumed by the thought of her new case, he decided to call his partner, a sense of urgency creeping into his voice as he spoke. "We need to be cautious, man." She couldn't get too close or start poking around in their work. They had just started seeing real success scamming people, and he couldn't afford for her to blow it all up now.
The fear of losing everything weighed heavily on him. The money they were pulling in was his lifeline—it was all he had left. If this operation went down, he'd be left with nothing. He had already lost his job, a fact he was keeping from Natalia. She had no idea. And if she found out, it would only confirm what she already thought about him—that he was a failure, a burden, a loser. He couldn't let that happen. He couldn't give her any more reasons to look down on him. So, he had to protect this secret, and the money that came with it, at all costs.
Shaking off those troubling thoughts, he refocused on his work, pushing the anxiety aside. The hours flew by, and before he knew it, evening had settled in. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, he sent Natalia a quick message, letting her know he'd pick her up after work.