Morning arrived quietly inside Rege's penthouse.
Soft grey light filtered through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, slipping past the dark curtains and stretching across the black walls and charcoal sheets. Manhattan was already awake beyond the glass. Cars moved endlessly below like streams of light while distant horns echoed faintly through the silence.
But inside the bedroom—
Everything remained still.
Maya stirred first.
Warmth surrounded her completely.
That was the first thing Maya noticed.
Not ordinary warmth either.
Heavy warmth.
The kind that wrapped around her completely and refused to let go.
A slow breath escaped her lips as she instinctively snuggled deeper into it, her sleepy mind still floating somewhere between dreams and consciousness. An intoxicating scent surrounded her senses immediately afterward.
Sandalwood.
Musk.
Agarwood.
Rich. Masculine. Dangerous.
Familiar.
Maya's lashes fluttered slowly.
Something felt strange.
Her sheets never smelled like this.
And she usually slept alone.
Mostly.
Her brows furrowed faintly before her eyes finally opened completely.
Dark grey ceilings greeted her first.
Then charcoal walls.
Muted amber lighting.
Unfamiliar surroundings.
Confusion flashed across her face instantly.
Maya shifted slightly before suddenly becoming aware of the thick masculine arm secured firmly around her waist.
Her breath caught.
Slowly—carefully—she turned her head.
And froze.
Rege.
His face rested partially buried within the loose strands of her dirty blonde hair that had escaped from the messy bun sometime during the night. His features looked softer in sleep, almost unfairly handsome beneath the dim morning light slipping through the massive windows overlooking Manhattan.
His features looked entirely relaxed in sleep, the permanent tension usually pulling at him completely absent now. Even his breathing sounded deeper. Steadier.
Peaceful.
Completely peaceful.
Maya blinked slowly in disbelief.
She had never seen him like this before.
And somehow—
It affected her deeply.
No sharp edges.
No coldness.
No restraint tightening his jaw.
Nothing dangerous.
He looked unburdened.
Human.
The memory of yesterday returned gradually afterward.
The penthouse.
The study.
The books.
Falling asleep while reading.
Maya stared at him quietly.
"How did I not wake up?" she whispered under her breath.
She was an extremely light sleeper. Even small sounds usually woke her instantly. Yet somehow Rege had carried her upstairs, placed her in his bed, and held her all night without disturbing her sleep at all.
That realization felt strangely intimate.
Maya swallowed lightly.
Her gaze drifted downward unconsciously.
He was shirtless.
Of course he was shirtless.
Heat crawled into her cheeks immediately.
Even asleep, Rege looked devastatingly beautiful. His dark hair rested messily against his forehead while his breathing remained deep and steady against her shoulder. The morning light softened his aquamarine eyes beneath closed lids, making him appear younger somehow.
Less untouchable.
Before Maya could stop herself, her fingers lifted slowly toward his face.
Her fingertips brushed gently against his eyebrow first.
Then lower.
Tracing the sharp bridge of his nose.
His lips.
Soft despite how dangerous he looked.
Maya's heartbeat stumbled unevenly.
What would his kiss feel like?
The thought entered her mind so suddenly that she almost startled herself.
Her eyes widened instantly.
"Oh my God," she muttered internally before blinking rapidly.
No.
Absolutely not.
What was wrong with her?
She shook her head quickly as though physically trying to remove the thought from existence.
Get yourself together, Maya.
Carefully, she tried removing his arm from around her waist.
Immediately, Rege tightened his hold instinctively in his sleep.
Maya froze.
Maya stared at him for a second before rolling her eyes softly.
"Possessive even unconscious," she whispered.
A faint smile tugged against her lips despite herself.
Slowly and carefully, she finally freed herself from his grasp before slipping quietly from the bed.
The room felt colder immediately afterward.
Maya glanced back toward him instinctively.
Rege remained asleep.
Still peaceful.
Still calm.
Still looking strangely vulnerable in a way she doubted anyone else had ever seen.
Something softened quietly inside her chest.
Then she quickly looked away before her thoughts wandered somewhere dangerous again.
Tiptoeing carefully, Maya left the bedroom and closed the door quietly behind her.
The second she leaned against it, reality settled properly around her again.
Should she leave before he woke up?
Maybe she should.
That would probably be the smart thing to do.
Maya glanced around the silent penthouse.
Cold grey walls.
Sharp architecture.
Luxury untouched by warmth.
Loneliness wrapped itself around the space despite how beautiful it was.
And suddenly—
Leaving felt wrong.
Maya sighed softly.
Besides, she was starving.
"His kitchen deserves to actually be used," she murmured before pushing herself away from the door.
—
One floor below, Tatiana entered the living room already fully dressed for work.
The penthouse smelled faintly of coffee and toasted bread while soft morning light spilled across the dining area. Adela and Cassie sat at the table halfway through breakfast, their conversation quiet and relaxed.
Tatiana's sharp eyes swept across the room briefly.
Almost unnoticeably.
As though checking for someone.
Then she pulled out a chair gracefully and joined them.
Unlike Maya's warmth or Cassie's softness, Tatiana carried elegance like armor. Even early in the morning, she looked perfectly composed in a dark tailored suit, silver earrings glinting faintly beneath the light.
After breakfast, Adela glanced toward her curiously.
"Did you hear from Maya?"
Tatiana dabbed her lips delicately with a napkin before answering.
"Rege texted me last night, so expect her." Her thick British accent curled smoothly around the words. "I need to complete this case, then we can make plans to return to London."
Adela and Cassie exchanged a quick look.
Tatiana noticed.
Of course she noticed.
But she ignored it completely.
Standing gracefully, she leaned down and kissed both Adela's and Cassie's cheeks lightly before leaving the penthouse.
The door closed softly behind her.
For several seconds, silence lingered.
Then Cassie slowly turned toward Adela.
Adela turned toward Cassie.
Neither said a word.
But both expressions spoke volumes.
—
Meanwhile, upstairs, Rege finally woke around ten in the morning feeling unusually refreshed.
For several seconds, he simply stared at the ceiling.
Disoriented.
Not because of where he was.
But because he had actually slept.
Properly.
Deeply.
His body felt lighter somehow, less strained than usual. The constant pressure behind his eyes had dulled into something manageable for the first time in years.
Then he noticed the empty space beside him.
Rege's eyes shifted immediately.
Maya was gone.
He sat up slowly, reaching for his phone on the bedside drawer to check the time.
The second he saw it—
10:03 AM.
Rege almost sat upright completely.
Ten?
His jaw tightened faintly in disbelief.
Even as a child, he had never slept this long. On the rare occasions he forced himself to sleep using tranquilizers, he still woke around three or four in the morning restless and exhausted.
But this—
This was entirely different.
And he already knew why.
Maya.
Or perhaps more specifically—
Her presence.
Her warmth.
Her light.
Countless doctors.
Therapists.
Treatments.
Years of exhausting attempts to fix something inside him that never seemed capable of resting.
Yet somehow, beside her, his body had simply… surrendered.
Not once.
Twice.
Rege stared briefly at the empty sheets beside him before dragging a hand through his dark hair.
There were several missed calls and messages waiting on his phone.
Most from James.
Some from business partners.
A few from his uncle.
And several missed calls from his mother.
His forehead furrowed faintly.
Then he noticed Tatiana's message.
Take care of her, she's unique.
Rege read it once.
Then again.
Something quiet settled inside his chest.
He typed a response almost immediately.
I know and I will.
After sending it, he stood and disappeared into his walk-in closet. Minutes later, he emerged wearing black joggers and a grey sweatshirt before leaving the bedroom quickly.
He assumed Maya had already left.
But halfway down the staircase—
He froze.
Laughter echoed faintly from downstairs.
A woman's laughter.
His mother's laughter.
Rege's brows furrowed instantly.
For a brief second, he genuinely thought he imagined it. His mother never visited unexpectedly, especially not alone. His parents always informed him beforehand.
But as he descended the stairs fully and entered the living room—
He stopped.
His mother really was there.
Seated comfortably beside Maya.
Talking.
Maya looked polite as always, smiling softly, but Rege noticed the slight rigidity in her shoulders immediately.
Always.
His gaze sharpened faintly before he cleared his throat.
Maya almost sighed in relief.
His mother turned immediately and smiled brightly.
"Here he is, the man of the moment."
She stood to embrace him.
Rege accepted the hug stiffly.
Rigid.
Controlled.
Then withdrew calmly.
"What are you doing here, Mother?" he asked with an almost unnoticeable edge beneath his calm voice.
His mother ignored it beautifully.
"You truly know how to welcome your mother." Then she smiled mischievously. "Introduce me to your beautiful and delightful guest."
Her attention shifted toward Maya again.
Maya stood immediately out of politeness.
Rege's gaze moved toward her.
Something softened faintly.
"Krasota, this is my mother, Olga." His voice remained calm. "Mother, this is Maya… Krasota moya."
The final words carried the faintest hint of something dangerously gentle.
Olga noticed immediately.
Apparently Maya did too because her heart skipped painfully.
"Ona tak krasiva," Olga murmured softly while tucking strands of hair behind Maya's ear.
"Hmmm," Rege muttered quietly, also gazing at Maya.
Maya suddenly felt strangely scrutinized beneath both their gazes.
Her cheeks hurt from smiling so much already.
Then unexpectedly—
"You are welcome into the family dearest."
Olga embraced her warmly again.
Maya froze.
Family?
Confusion tangled instantly inside her chest.
Because technically—
Nothing existed between her and Rege.
Nothing official.
Nothing defined.
And Maya was nowhere near ready for a relationship.
Still—
Being welcomed so warmly felt strangely nice.
Safe.
And now that she looked carefully, she could see the similarities between Rege and Olga clearly.
The same aquamarine eyes.
The same elegance.
Olga reminded her faintly of Tatiana somehow.
Except Olga carried warmth naturally while Tatiana carried composure sharp enough to intimidate anyone alive.
That was when Maya remembered how the morning had started downstairs.
—
The kitchen still looked untouched.
Perfectly arranged.
Like somewhere no one truly used despite all the luxury surrounding it.
Black marble counters gleamed beneath the muted overhead lights while the silver appliances reflected against the dark walls almost too perfectly. Everything inside the space looked expensive, controlled and carefully maintained.
Just like Rege.
Maya opened the refrigerator and blinked.
Water.
Protein drinks.
Fruit.
Ingredients arranged with almost military precision.
Nothing comforting.
Nothing casual.
Nothing that looked like it belonged to someone who actually enjoyed food.
"Does he even eat?" she muttered softly under her breath.
Shaking her head, Maya grabbed bread, butter, tea and a few ingredients before moving around the kitchen comfortably.
Eventually, the silence inside the penthouse slowly changed.
Butter sizzled softly against the pan.
Tea brewed quietly.
Bread toasted.
For the first time since arriving there, the cold luxurious penthouse felt strangely alive.
Human.
Maya smiled faintly to herself as she settled at the kitchen island with her tea, toasted bread and sandwiches.
She had just finished eating when—
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
The sound of someone trying repeatedly to unlock the front door echoed through the penthouse.
Maya froze instantly.
Her eyes lifted toward the entrance.
Again.
Beep.
Her grip tightened instinctively around her phone.
For one brief second, she genuinely thought someone was trying to break in.
The penthouse suddenly felt too quiet.
Too large.
Too empty.
Maya slid off the stool cautiously and grabbed her phone immediately, prepared to call security if necessary.
Then she heard it.
"Rege, you've changed your codes again."
A woman's voice.
Maya paused.
And for one irrational second, jealousy burned unexpectedly inside her chest before she could stop it.
A woman?
This early morning?
Her mind betrayed her immediately.
Girlfriend?
Ex?
Someone important?
Maya clenched her jaw lightly.
Ridiculous.
Rege had never once given her any reason to doubt him.
Still—
Men that looked like Rege usually came attached to women equally beautiful and intimidating.
The beeping continued.
Maya approached the door carefully anyway, security still one touch away on her phone in case this truly was not what it seemed.
Then she opened the door.
And blinked.
A very elegant and sophisticated woman who appeared to be somewhere in her forties stood outside carrying a large expensive bag.
The first thing Maya noticed was the woman's smile.
Warm.
Sweet.
Unexpectedly welcoming.
Then she noticed the aquamarine eyes.
The exact same eyes as Rege.
"Oh!"
Before Maya could even react properly, the woman embraced her warmly, kissed both her cheeks affectionately and entered the penthouse like sunlight invading darkness.
Maya froze completely.
"Oh dear pardon me for interrupting your lovely morning," the woman said quickly with the sweetest smile Maya had ever seen. "I am Rege's mother and I know it's not ideal seeing me when you're just out of bed, but I needed to see my son."
The woman carried the large bag toward the kitchen while Maya remained standing near the entrance trying to process what had just happened.
Mother.
Maya's brain stopped functioning temporarily.
Then suddenly—
Awareness hit her brutally.
She had not showered.
Had not brushed her teeth.
Her essentials remained downstairs inside Tatiana's penthouse.
And her hair probably resembled a bird's nest.
Wonderful.
Absolutely wonderful.
Maya tried smoothing her messy hair quickly with her fingers while internally dying from embarrassment.
Meanwhile, Rege's mother carried her bag toward the kitchen before returning moments later with a glass of water and the same warm smile.
Then she embraced Maya again.
Maya blinked in surprise.
"Sit dear," Rege's mother said warmly while settling herself comfortably onto the couch. "It's more your place than mine."
Maya laughed awkwardly before sitting opposite her.
"Where's Rege?" the woman finally asked.
"He's asleep please," Maya answered politely with a small smile.
The woman blinked.
Then smiled widely.
"Awwww that's sweet," she said immediately. "He must be very tired from the night's work."
Maya nearly combusted.
"Please there's no— nothing like that," she said quickly, cheeks burning scarlet.
The woman laughed heartedly.
"Oh darling, you are adorable."
Maya wanted the ground to swallow her completely.
Thankfully—
Rege appeared and saved her.
—
"Mother," Rege interrupted calmly. "Please excuse us. Make yourself comfortable in the kitchen and dining hall."
Olga rolled her eyes dramatically.
"It was really lovely meeting you dear. I hope to see you again soon."
This time Maya returned the embrace properly with an equally wide smile.
Rege cleared his throat lightly.
Both women ignored him for another second before finally separating.
Olga waved sweetly before disappearing toward the kitchen.
The second she vanished from sight—
Rege took Maya's hand gently.
Firmly.
"Forgive me, Krasota," he said softly. "I had no idea my mother would be coming today."
His voice sounded unusually careful.
"It's okay," Maya answered reassuringly. "Your mum seems lovely and it was really nice meeting her."
Then she laughed softly while pointing toward herself.
"I only wish I met her under proper conditions."
Rege's gaze moved slowly over her messy appearance.
Beautiful.
The thought settled instantly inside his mind again.
His jaw tightened slightly.
Dangerous territory.
Instead, he only nodded once.
"I am sorry I can't stay long," Maya admitted softly, avoiding his eyes. "But I really need a shower."
"It's okay," Rege muttered quietly before guiding her toward the elevator.
"You can leave me here," Maya protested softly once inside. "I am just on the next floor."
Rege ignored her completely and entered beside her anyway.
Maya rolled her eyes.
But her smile betrayed her instantly afterward.
Rege watched her quietly.
And smiled too.
Small.
Real.
The elevator doors opened moments later onto Tatiana's floor.
Rege walked her all the way toward the penthouse entrance despite her lack of protest this time.
Because honestly—
They both knew he would never listen.
Cassie opened the door before Maya could enter the code.
"Maya, Adela is inside."
Cassie greeted Rege politely with a small nod before leaving to dispose the trash bags.
Inside, Adela sat comfortably on the couch scrolling lazily through her phone.
The moment she saw them together—
Her smile became instantly knowing.
Rege nodded briefly toward her before turning back toward Maya.
"Forgive me again for this morning," he murmured softly. "Take care, Krasota."
Then before Maya could even respond—
He kissed her forehead gently.
Tenderly.
And left without another word.
Maya froze completely.
Heat exploded across her cheeks instantly as she stared toward the closed front door long after Rege disappeared.
Behind her, Adela slowly lowered her phone.
One hand covered her mouth dramatically.
And the knowing smile on her face widened.