Chapter 23: Love in the Air

**My sincerest apologies. If you notice, the previous chapter before this one is chapter 25, while this one is chapter 24. Yeah, there was a huge mistake mix-up and I can't seem to correct it. But please if you have already read the previous chapter, read this one and go back to it so you'll understand better.**

***Vanessa’s POV***

I creaked the door open and crept into the inviting, cozy atmosphere of the living room. I silently let my shoes drop onto the bed so they wouldn't disturb West while he was sleeping. Nevertheless, of course, Emma was still in dreamland, snuggled on the sofa in slippers next to an almost-drained cup of tea.

“Vanessa?” she spoke in a very quiet tone, her brow furrowing as she sat up straight. “You’re late. I was about to text you—”

The moment she saw my red cheeks and dreamy eyes, her words withered. “Wait a minute…” Emma’s hazel eyes narrowed suspiciously. “No kidding, it looks like you just stepped off a rom-com set. Spill. Right now.”

I briefly hesitated but felt overwhelmingly nauseous from a dizzying mix of excitement and nerves. I sat down on the sofa next to her, grabbed a pillow, and placed it on my lap. “Emma,” I whispered, my voice trembling with excitement. “I kissed him. Sergie.”

For a moment, Emma simply stared at me, blinking as if her brain needed time to catch up. Then her jaw dropped. “WHAT?!”

“Shh!” I waved my hands frantically. “You’ll wake West!”

“I don’t care!” she whisper-shouted, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. “You kissed Sergie Ivanov? The Sergie Ivanov? Oh my God, Vanessa!”

I couldn't help but smile, reaching across my face. “Yes, Emma. It just… happened. And it wasn’t just a kiss—it was…” My cheeks burned as I thought of the passion and intensity that had passed between us. “It was amazing.”

Emma grabbed my arm, her grip tight. “Okay, you need to tell me everything. Don’t leave out a single detail. What led to this? What did he say? How did it feel?”

I laughed at her dramatic enthusiasm but obliged. “He invited me to his penthouse to see his private art collection after work. I didn't know yet that he has 'Falling Forward'—the canvas on which I spilled my soul.”

Emma gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “You’re kidding.”

“I’m not! He told me he bought it because it spoke to him, and Emma…” I paused, my voice softening. “The way he looked at me when he said that—it was like he saw every part of me.”

Disbelief turned to a watery gaze in her glassy, unseeing eyes. “Vanessa, you’re glowing. Like, literally glowing. You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

I bit my tongue; the impact of her remarks weighed heavily on my spirit. “I think so,” I wheezed, struggling for words. “No, I know I am. He's good; he's kind; and most importantly, it's way more than I could have imagined. And when I'm with him, Emma, the world around me disappears.”

Emma fixed me with a serious look before bursting into tears. “Oh my God, Vanessa! My best friend is in love! I never thought I’d see the day.”

“Emma!” I protested, swatting at her playfully.

She laughed but then grew serious again. “Okay, but you need to be sure about this. Sergie isn’t just some guy, you know? He’s a billionaire, and his world is complicated. Are you ready for that?”

I met her gaze with steady resolve. I knew it wouldn’t be an easy decision, but I also knew myself well enough to understand what I wanted—and Sergie… he’s worth it. “I’ve never felt this way before, Emma.”

Emma leaned back thoughtfully. “Well, if you’re sure, then I’m happy for you. Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay?”

“I promise.”

Her grin returned brightly. “So tell me—what does it feel like? Being in love?”

I blushed as images of Sergie filled my mind again. “It’s… terrifying and exhilarating all at once. He makes me feel seen like I've never been before. And when he looks at me… I stand frozen; it feels like the skin on my face is on fire.”

Emma let out a dreamy sigh. “You’ve got it bad, Vanessa.”

“Yeah,” I admitted with a laugh. “I really do.”

Sergie’s POV

The door to my penthouse closed softly with a gentle clack, but the empty corridor felt like it was closing in around me with a fresh sense of pressure. My thoughts were consumed by her—Vanessa: her friendliness, her liveliness, and the expression in her green eyes that spoke of her art.

And her lips.

I ran my fingers through my hair as I paced back and forth in the room while memories of that kiss replayed in my mind. It had been perfect—better than I had hoped—but it also left me completely undone.

So here I was again in the gallery of my art collection—the one from which it all began—staring at "Falling Forward," its unconstrained emotion forever linked to her.

“What are you doing to me, Vanessa?” I murmured, shaking my head.

Not only had I fallen for her; I had fallen deeply in love with her—hard. The realization crashed over me like a runaway freight train as I slumped down next to the chair and stared at the canvas.

I picked up my phone and paused for a moment before typing a brief SMS.

Sergie: Do you want to join me for dinner tomorrow evening?

The response came almost instantly.

Vanessa: I’d love to.

I couldn't help but smile wryly at her answer. After being in a state of not allowing myself to experience hope for so long, for the first time in years, I felt hope—a tiny flicker of fire.

Just as I was about to silence my phone and drop it back down on the table, it buzzed again.

Julian: Call me when you get a chance. Not urgent, but there are some logistics we’d like to discuss about the upcoming launch.

I sighed and dialed his number; Julian answered on the second ring.

“Late night, huh?” he teased.

“Well, yes,” I replied as I leaned back in my seat.

Julian chuckled lightly. “I’ll keep it brief: The team is getting final approval for the marketing strategy for the new line and so on. I’ll send you updates tomorrow morning.”

“Good! Thanks, Julian.”

“No problem! Oh—and Sergie?”

“Yeah?”

There was a short pause before he continued speaking; somehow his voice sounded intriguing tonight: “You sound… different—happier.”

I froze for a moment unsure how to respond before finally saying, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Julian.”

“Alright then! Goodnight!”

When the call ended, I fixed my eyes back on the screen as Julian's words echoed in my mind: Different… Happier.

For once, I couldn’t deny it—but this process was still unfolding; there was no way I'd stop now.