"You did this, didn’t you?" I asked after Julian left.
"He requested it." Ares placed his hand at the small of my back and led towards the entrance of the building.
"And you approved it. You could have easily said no."
"I know how much you were fond of him." His eyes t mine. "You see your grandfather in him."
"As a matter of fact, I do. I never realized you were that observant."
"I’m always observant, especially when it cos to you."
Heat rushed to my cheek. "I know."
When we stepped through the revolving doors, into the spacious lobby, nostalgia hit so hard it felt like I would lose my footing. The weight of Es and Ares’ hand supporting my back gave balance.
Ares stepped into my line of vision, and I blinked.
"What?"
"You froze all of a sudden," he said as worry drowned his eyes.
"I-I did?"
"Just like in the car. Is everything okay, baby?"
"Y-Yes, why wouldn’t it be?" I asked nervously.
Ares checked his Rolex. Another mory lane hit . God, I can’t believe this was the sa cold-stone devil who treated ti better than a human being. The infamous devil CEO and, more strikingly, a mafia lord. That last bit crept through my brain, further reminding just who Ares King was.
"We can book a hotel."
His words snapped out of it. "Why?"
"You don’t look..." he paused as if irritated by the idea. "Comfortable."
I gulped. I don’t even know how I feel. There were a lot of things hitting all at once, and I couldn’t recognize them all.
I walked, and Ares’ eyes followed .
"Welco, Mrs. King."
I was greeted by the receptionist at the desk; they were all standing in a perfect pose, as well as the security personnel.
I stopped at the elevator, punching the number just as I rembered, but it didn’t work.
"Your birthday. Six tis."
I stiffened when Ares spoke behind .
I smiled, pressing the digits, and the elevator unlocked. I walked in, and Ares followed suit. When the doors shut, I spoke.
"I’m not uncomfortable. I just don’t know how to..." I sighed. "The last ti I was here, I was in a contract with you, and it was mandatory to stay. It was business, and it was an act. A benefit for both parties."
"It’s not any of that anymore."
"I know..." I murmured, yet I can’t erase that those things never happened because they did, and that was the foundation of what we are today.
When the elevator dinged, the doors slid open, and I stepped into the foyer. My heels echoed as they made contact with the floor.
I entered the living room, and the luxury almost blinded my eyes. Seems like he made upgrades.
"It’s still bland," I voiced. "There’s no warmth."
"You’re welco to change anything."
I turned to him. "Are you sure...?"
"Do the honors. You’re my wife."
"I love plants. I enjoy watering them every morning. A habit I picked up in Penrose."
"I’ll have an order made tomorrow."
My smile grew wider as I walked up the stairs to the second floor.
"Es’s room is on the left."
Es’s room? That was where my room was.
Ares grabbed the doorknob and opened the door for . I gasped.
It was no longer just one room, because this place is huge! He must have rged two rooms. There was a touch of pink everywhere, piles of toys, and her bed was so big, and don’t get started on the view; she had the best one in the house.
Fairy lights dressed the floor-to-ceiling windows, making it magical.
I’m not as surprised. If there was anyone who knew how to plan things three steps ahead, it was Ares King. He must have done all this the instant he found out I had Es.
This was sothing that must have taken a lot of detailed ti, because it was just too perfect, and I knew without a doubt, Es was gonna love this.
Ares helped pull the pink cover to the side and I gently sat to take off her coat and set it aside before lying her down. I removed her shoes and socks, tugging her in, making sure she was comfortable.
I moved my gaze to Ares, and he remained utterly focused. Smirking, I walked to the doors I knew led to the walk-in closet. I opened them, and this was enough to make awed.
Es had enough dresses and shoes to last a lifeti. She’s gonna twirl when she sees this.
"Do you think she would like it?"
"Like it?" I walked back to him. "She’ll love it."
His dimples carved when he blessed my eyes with a grin. I couldn’t resist kissing him, but I was quick to pull off before he grabbed hold of .
This devil has been seizing up like a hungry beast the entire day.
"I wonder what changes you have made..." I backed away. "...to our room."
Ares’ eyes darkened, and I giggled, scurrying into the corridor. I headed straight for Ares’ room, opening the door.
I rushed in, and my smile dropped; my lips ca apart as my entire body went stiff.
I don’t believe this.
Getting a grip of myself, I went to the closet and yanked it open. My breath turned shaky as I backed away.
"This was the one place I couldn’t change."
I whipped my head to Ares.
"I-I don’t understand..." I murmured.
"The thought of... change would have made it seem like you were never here."
All this ti? He left his room this way? For five years?!
Nothing has changed... nothing. He was trying to preserve the mory of .
I gulped, moving my eyes to that spot, and I neared it, pressing my palm against it, and the sensors picked it up, the built-in drawers opening.
I could feel Ares’ eyes drilling into as if he wanted to open up and see what my thoughts were.
I reached for the blindfolds, feeling the expensive material, and I was held up in a reverie again.
Everything was still in place. Everything. This man... this devil... just when I thought I knew it all, he still found a way to electrify in a way that made go numb.
This entire place was frozen in ti, and not once did he think to remove . I wasn’t just in his thoughts in the last five years; I was here. The ghost of road his penthouse.
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