Chapter 335

Chapter 335
Olivia

The next day at the office passed in the usual rhythm of emails, strategy sessions, and back-to-back meetings.
Evening light filtered through the bedroom curtains as I pulled my laptop onto the bed, ready to tackle more Cornerstone research. Alexander emerged from the bathroom, toweling his hair dry after a shower.
"Working again?" He settled beside me, still wearing just sweatpants.
"Always." I pulled up another property file and made notes on their current branding inconsistencies. "This location is gorgeous, but their marketing makes it look like a business hotel."
He glanced at my screen, then grabbed his own tablet. "I need to talk to you about something."
The serious tone made me look up. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong." He set down his tablet, turning to face me fully. "I have a business trip coming up. Critical negotiations for a major acquisition that require my physical presence."
"Can't you do video conferences?"
"Not for this level of complexity. Some deals require face time, reading body language, building relationships in person." He ran a hand through his damp hair. "The trip will take two to three weeks minimum, possibly longer depending on how negotiations progress."
Two to three weeks felt like forever. I'd gotten used to having him around, to our evenings together, to him being just down the hall during workdays.
"Where are you going?"
"Dubai first, then London, and finally Singapore." He paused, his expression brightening slightly. "And you're coming with me."
I blinked. "What?"
"Come with me. We'll make it work around your schedule."
"Alex, I can't." I gestured at my laptop screen, which was filled with Cornerstone files. "I've got Cornerstone starting, Thompson wrapping up, and about seventeen million other things demanding attention. I need to study all the properties more deeply, attend multiple site visits, coordinate with my team..."
His face fell, disappointment clear despite his attempt to hide it. "Right. Of course. I should've realized."
"It's not that I don't want to," I said quickly, setting my laptop aside. "The timing is just terrible. I'm barely keeping my head above water as it is."
"I understand. Your career comes first. I get it."
"Don't do that. Don't make it sound like I'm choosing work over you."
He held up his hands. "I'm not. Really. I know how important Cornerstone is."
We sat in silence for a moment, the air heavy between us.
"When do you leave?" I finally asked.
"Tomorrow evening. The timeline is tight, but the acquisition opportunity won't wait." He reached for my hand. "Will you be okay managing everything alone for a few weeks?"
"I'm not alone. I have my team. We'll handle it."
"Good." He squeezed my fingers gently. "I hate leaving you right now."
"Then don't go," I teased, knowing it was impossible.
"If only." He pulled me closer, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Promise me you'll actually sleep occasionally? Not just work yourself into the ground?"
"I promise. If you promise to actually negotiate instead of just charming everyone into submission."
"Where's the fun in that?"
I leaned my head against his shoulder, breathing in his familiar scent. Tomorrow he'd be gone, and the house would feel emptier. The realization caught me off guard, how much I'd come to depend on his presence.
"Hey," I said suddenly, an idea forming. "What if I promise that if I get ahead on my Cornerstone work and can carve out a few days, I'll fly out to visit you? Surprise you in whatever city you're working from?"
His whole face lit up. "Really?"
"Yeah. I mean, I can't guarantee it'll happen, but if there's a window..." The idea appealed to me more than I'd expected. Showing up unannounced in Dubai or Singapore, stealing a few days together in some exotic location.
"I'd love that." He kissed my temple. "Absolutely love it."
"Then consider it a goal. Motivation to get my work done efficiently."
"Now you're just being strategic."
"Always." I picked up my laptop again and pulled up the Cornerstone timeline. "But seriously, if I can make it work, I will. That's a promise."
"Good enough for me." He grabbed his own tablet and settled back against the headboard. "Now show me what's got you so stressed about Napa's marketing."
I shifted the laptop so he could see the screen and pointed out the inconsistencies between their luxury amenities and their budget-focused advertising. He listened patiently and asked smart questions that helped clarify my thinking.
"You're doing it again," I said after explaining my third strategic concern.
"Doing what?"
"Being ridiculously supportive when you have your own massive deal to prepare for."
"Multitasking is one of my many talents." He scrolled through another Cornerstone property page. "Besides, talking through your strategy helps me think through mine. Similar principles apply."
We worked side by side for another hour, occasionally bouncing ideas off each other. The comfortable silence felt natural now, neither of us needing to fill every moment with conversation.
Around ten, I closed my laptop and stretched. "I need to stop before my brain melts."
"Smart choice."
I set my laptop on the nightstand, already dreading how early morning would arrive. My eyes burned from staring at screens all day, and my brain felt like mush.
Alexander wrapped his warm, solid arms around my waist, pulling me closer.
"Get some sleep," he murmured against my hair. "Tomorrow's going to be busy."
"Every day is busy."
"Fair point."
I burrowed deeper into his embrace, breathing in his familiar scent. Within minutes, exhaustion dragged me under.
The next morning came too early.
My alarm blared at six, ripping me from dreams I couldn't quite remember. I groaned, slapping at my phone until blessed silence returned.
Alexander was already awake beside me, scrolling through his phone with the screen dimmed.
"Morning," he said without looking up.
"Is it?" I squinted at the clock. "Feels more like the middle of the night."
"That's what coffee is for."
I dragged myself out of bed, stumbling toward the bathroom. The shower helped wake me up, hot water pounding against my shoulders until I felt almost human.
When I emerged, Alexander had disappeared. I could smell coffee drifting up from downstairs.
I dressed quickly in a charcoal pantsuit, twisted my hair into a low bun, and headed down to find Alexander already at the dining table with two cups of coffee waiting.
"You're a lifesaver," I said, grabbing the nearest cup.
"I know." He pushed a plate of croissants toward me. "Eat."
"Bossy this morning."
"Someone has to make sure you actually consume food instead of just caffeine."
I took a croissant and tore off a piece. The buttery layers practically melted on my tongue. Chef had outdone himself again.
Alexander watched me over the rim of his coffee cup, his expression unreadable.
"What?" I asked around a mouthful of pastry.
"Nothing. Just making sure you're actually eating."
"I'm eating. See?" I took another deliberately large bite.
"Hilarious."