The door closed behind them with a muted click. Leo stood just a few feet inside the study, hands loosely at his sides, while Dad made his way to the desk without saying a word.
For a moment, the only sounds were the faint ticking of the old clock on the wall and the quiet hum of crickets outside.
Dad leaned on the edge of the desk and folded his arms. "You know I didn't call you in here for coffee and bonding."
Leo nodded once. "I figured."
"Then you know I'm not easy to impress."
"I wasn't trying to impress you, sir," Leo said calmly. "I was trying to show you I love your daughter. That I respect her. That I want to take care of her — not because she needs it, but because I need her."
Dad's jaw tightened, but he didn't look away.
"You've got a reputation, Mr. Cyprus. Big company, big money, clean image. Looks good on paper."
Leo stayed quiet, letting him speak.
"But I'm a father. That means I've been trained by life and sheer paranoia to see through smooth talk and good suits." He eyed Leo intently. "So tell me, Leo. Not the businessman. Not the charmer. Just the man. Why you? Why do you think you're the one who deserves her?"
Leo met his gaze without flinching. "Because I'm the one who stayed."
Dad's brow furrowed.
"I stayed," Leo continued. "When things got hard, when she pulled away, when others gave up. I stayed. I never stopped choosing her. I don't have all the right answers, and I'll probably mess up more than once—but I'll always fight for her. Even if it means waiting for your approval, day after day."
Silence hung heavy between them.
Then Dad stood upright and moved toward the shelf behind his desk. He pulled down a small wooden box and opened it—inside was a photo of a younger version of himself with Melody's mom, smiling under a tree.
"She once asked me to marry her three times before I said yes," Dad muttered, voice lower now, almost wistful. "She said I was too proud. Too stubborn."
Leo didn't say a word.
Dad closed the box gently, turning back to him. "You've got some steel in your spine, Cyprus. I'll give you that."
He stepped forward.
"Don't think I'm done watching you. I'll always be watching. But…" His lips twitched. "If she's willing to fight this hard for you… and you're still standing after my grilling… I suppose I'd be a fool not to let you marry her."
Leo's breath hitched slightly — not from shock, but from the quiet relief he tried not to show.
"I'll take care of her," he said, voice low and firm. "That's a promise."
"You better," Dad replied, offering his hand at last.
Leo reached out and shook it — firm, steady.
No longer just a handshake.
But a truce.
A green light.
A blessing.
And outside the study door, a life waited — messy, beautiful, and finally theirs to live together.
Before I could say anything else, Mom called from the kitchen.
"Dinner's on the table! And I swear if any of you make me reheat this lasagna again—"
Zake's voice floated in next: "Okay but can I get another garlic bread, please? These things are dangerously good."
Laughter bubbled up in my chest for the first time that evening.
I glanced up at Leo. He leaned down and whispered, "I told you—worth it."
We walked back into the dining room, hand in hand, into a warm, buzzing table of food, family, and a future that finally didn't feel so far away.
----------------------------------
The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a golden glow on the wooden floor as I zipped up my bag. Leo was already dressed, helping Mom tidy up the breakfast dishes, while Dad lingered near the front door—arms crossed, eyes suspiciously shiny.
"We should hit the road before traffic gets bad," Leo said, slinging his suit jacket over his shoulder.
I walked over to Dad, my chest tightening all over again. "I'll call you when we get there," I said softly.
Without a word, Dad pulled me into a tight, almost bone-crushing hug.
"Don't go acting like I'm not used to you leaving," he muttered, voice low. "But I still hate it every time."
"I'll miss you too, Dad," I whispered, hugging him tighter.
He let out a deep sigh, then gently pushed me back so he could look me in the eye. "Be smart. Eat well. Don't skip meals. And if anyone gives you trouble—"
"I'll call Zake?" I teased.
He narrowed his eyes. "No. You call me. I'll bring Zake."
I snorted, wiping at the corner of my eye.
Then Dad turned to Leo. The warmth was gone, replaced by that classic "intimidating father" look again.
"You remember what you promised me," he said firmly.
Leo nodded, his expression sincere. "Yes, sir. I'll protect her. Always."
Dad pointed a firm finger at him. "If I ever hear you hurt her—even emotionally—I will drive straight to the city, drag her home, and marry her off to Zake before you can say 'CEO.'"
Leo didn't flinch. "Understood, sir."
I shook my head. "Dad…"
But he smirked. Just a little.
Then Mom came forward, wiping her hands on her apron. "You two drive safe, okay? Call us when you arrive."
She kissed my forehead gently and pulled me into a warm hug. "And tell Leo not to skip breakfast like last time."
"I'll make sure," I smiled.
Before heading out, I paused at the threshold and turned to them one last time. "Thank you. For trusting us. For the blessing. For… everything."
Mom nodded tearfully.
Dad cleared his throat and looked away. "Just don't mess it up, Cyprus!"
Leo chuckled as he opened the car door for me. "I'll do my best."
And with that, we drove off—back to the city, to reality, to the life we were building. With my parents' blessing tucked safely in our hearts, and each other's hands tightly held, the road ahead felt just a little more certain.
The morning crept in quietly, draping the bedroom in soft amber light that slipped past the curtains. Outside, the city murmured its usual rhythm — distant cars, early footsteps, the faint hum of life returning.
But in here… it was just us.
I stirred, eyes fluttering open to find Leo still asleep beside me, one arm lazily draped across my waist, his breathing slow and even. His hair was a little tousled, his lips slightly parted, and in that unguarded moment, he looked younger… softer.
I didn't move. I just lay there, watching him, feeling the rise and fall of his chest and the warmth of his skin close to mine. The memory of last night — of laughter over takeout, of gentle kisses and quiet confessions beneath the sheets — still lingered on my lips.
He must've felt my stare because, without warning, Leo's eyes blinked open. Hazel, sleepy, and still a little dreamy.
"…Were you watching me sleep?" he mumbled, voice gravelly from sleep.
I smiled sheepishly. "Maybe."
He didn't answer — just smirked, then rolled slowly, gently, until he hovered over me, his arms caging me in.
"Do I look good asleep?" he teased, leaning in, his breath brushing my cheek.
I giggled, fingers brushing lightly down his back. "You look like a handsome angel that forgot to shave."
He chuckled, low and warm, and then leaned down. His lips found mine in a kiss so slow, so tender, I thought my heart might burst.
It wasn't rushed. It wasn't fiery.
It was soft. Meaningful.
The kind of kiss that said I'm here. I love you. I'm not going anywhere.
Leo pulled back just enough to look at me, brushing a stray hair from my cheek. "I still can't believe you're real sometimes," he whispered.
I cupped his face. "I am. And I'm not going anywhere either."
He smiled, then lowered himself again, his kisses traveling from my lips to my jaw, to my neck — lingering like a secret only he was allowed to know. My hands roamed up his back, feeling his heartbeat sync with mine, and for a long, perfect moment, there was nothing else in the world but the two of us tangled in blankets, time forgotten.
"I wish we could stay like this," I murmured against his ear.
"Who says we can't?" he whispered back. "I'll call in late. Blame the weather."
I laughed. "It's sunny outside."
He grinned. "Then I'll blame the sunshine. It was too distracting."
We both knew we had responsibilities waiting. Work, meetings, life.
But for now — just for a little longer — we stayed right where we were.
Wrapped up in each other. And the morning light.
A soft knock tapped against the bedroom door.
Leo groaned playfully and buried his face in my neck. "I take it that's not room service?"
I giggled. "Not unless your staff upgraded their service."
From the other side, the familiar voice of the housemaid came through. "Sir Leo, Ma'am Melody… the Chairman has requested your presence for breakfast."
Leo rolled off me with a dramatic sigh and flopped onto the bed. "My father has the worst timing."
I nudged his shoulder. "He probably just misses you. Or wants to remind you to be early for your board meeting."
Leo stretched, then glanced over at me, a lazy grin curling on his lips. "Then we better not keep him waiting. Especially now that you're the future Mrs. Cyprus."
I felt my cheeks warm. "Then let's make sure we look like we've slept on silk, not each other."
He laughed as we got out of bed together.
We moved around the room in comfortable sync — Leo buttoning up a crisp shirt while I brushed my hair in front of the vanity. He occasionally glanced my way, sneaking in a wink or a playful smirk, and I couldn't help but smile back, heart still fluttering from our morning.
He came up behind me as I slipped on my earrings, wrapping his arms around my waist, chin resting on my shoulder.
"You're too stunning for a breakfast meeting," he whispered.
"You're too sweet for a ruthless CEO," I teased.
"Shh," he grinned. "Don't ruin my image."
We both laughed, kissed once more, then gathered our things — briefcases, files, Leo's tablet — and headed out of the bedroom, hand in hand.
Downstairs, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and toasted bread filled the air. In the grand dining room, Leo's father — the ever-imposing Chairman Cyprus — sat at the head of the table, skimming through a tablet while sipping from a porcelain cup.
He looked up as we approached, his expression unreadable as always. "Good. You're awake."
"Morning, Father," Leo greeted smoothly, pulling out a chair for me before taking his own seat beside me.
"Good morning, sir," I added with a small bow of my head.
The Chairman gave a single nod. "Eat well. You'll need the energy. The day's schedule is tight."
"Yes, sir," Leo said, passing me a plate. "But we're ready."
He glanced at me with a quiet confidence that warmed my chest — as if he was saying we've got this without needing words.
I smiled and took the plate.
And just like that, our day began.
Together.
Just as I lifted my cup of coffee for another sip, Chairman Cyprus set down his tablet with a sharp clack.
"Leo. Come with me."
Leo's brows rose slightly, but he nodded. "Of course."