JR stepped into the quiet of his home, the soft click of the door behind him sealing off the noise of the outside world. The long day weighed heavily on his shoulders, but the silence of the house promised peace. He dropped his keys gently into the bowl by the entrance, loosened his tie, and paused for a moment, allowing the calm to settle over him.
Then—he heard it.
A soft clatter. The rustle of movement. Faint metallic clinks.
Someone was in the kitchen.
JR's brow furrowed. It was nearly midnight. Who could possibly be in the kitchen at this hour? His mind briefly flashed to the possibility of something suspicious, but the thought passed quickly. His home security was airtight, and only a handful of people had access.
Curious and slightly amused, he made his way quietly toward the source of the sound. As he rounded the corner, he stopped in his tracks and leaned gently against the doorframe.
There she was—Bella.
She stood barefoot on the tiled kitchen floor, her long hair tied up messily, wearing one of his oversized t-shirts and leggings. The dim kitchen lights illuminated her profile as she busied herself with something on the counter—preparing snacks, it seemed.
A soft smile spread across JR's face.
"Baibe," he said, voice low and affectionate, "what are you doing up at this hour?"
Bella jumped slightly, startled, her hand flying to her chest. "Oh my God, JR! You scared me."
He chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sneak up on you."
Bella narrowed her eyes, half smiling. "How long have you been standing there?"
JR tilted his head with playful mischief. "An hour."
Bella laughed, lightly swatting a spoon in his direction. "Liar."
"Alright, alright," he grinned. "I just got home."
She walked over and wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace, pressing her cheek to his chest. The tension in his body began to melt the moment she touched him. The world could be collapsing outside, but in her arms, everything felt still.
"Come on," she said, taking his hand. "Let me help you take your bag upstairs."
JR followed her up to the bedroom, the quiet thud of their footsteps soft against the carpet. Once there, she placed his bag neatly by the dresser and turned back toward him.
"I was just making some tea," she said as they headed back downstairs. "Do you want some?"
"Yeah," he said, unbuttoning his cuffs and rolling up his sleeves. "That sounds perfect."
As she returned to the kitchen, Bella glanced back at him with concern. "You must be starving. Let me warm up some food for you too."
JR started to protest, but the growl in his stomach beat him to it.
Bella giggled. "No arguments then."
In a matter of minutes, she had taken out a portion of bean stew and rice, carefully placed it in a pot, and began warming it. She poured water into the kettle and prepped two cups for tea. The scent of herbs and spices soon filled the kitchen.
JR sat at the dining table, watching her move with quiet efficiency and gentle grace. Every motion—how she stirred the pot, arranged the plates, poured the juice—was done with care. It wasn't about impressing him; it was just who she was. He found himself smiling without even realizing it.
Bella brought over the food and placed it on the table with a touch of pride. "There we go," she said, setting a steaming plate of rice and stew in front of him. "Tea, juice, and dinner. You better eat all of it."
"Yes, ma'am," JR teased, picking up his spoon.
They sat together, and he ate slowly, savoring both the food and the comfort of her presence. It had been a long time since he'd had a night like this—quiet, warm, human. The world outside was full of corruption and conflict, of criminals and political games. But here, it was just two people sharing a meal in the middle of the night.
Bella watched him with soft eyes as he ate, occasionally sipping her tea. "Rough day?" she asked gently.
JR paused for a moment, spoon midair. "More than rough. We made some progress—big arrests, international coordination. But it's nowhere near over."
She reached out and placed her hand over his. "You're doing amazing, JR. And I'm proud of you. But remember, you're allowed to rest. You're human too."
He nodded, his heart warming at her words. "I know. That's why being here—like this—matters. You're the only thing that makes the weight feel lighter."
Bella smiled and gave his hand a squeeze. "Well, lucky for you, I make pretty decent tea and exceptional late-night stew."
They laughed quietly, the kind of laugh shared between two people who knew each other beyond words.
After he finished eating, Bella cleared the table while JR insisted on helping. They moved around the kitchen together, cleaning dishes and drying hands, their movements in sync. It wasn't grand or dramatic. It was real.
As they turned off the lights and headed back upstairs, JR wrapped his arm around Bella's shoulders. The house was silent again, but now it felt warm. Lived in. Loved in.
Lying in bed, with Bella curled against his side, JR stared at the ceiling for a long while. His thoughts still roamed—the interrogations, the documents, the faces of those they'd arrested—but tonight, those worries couldn't reach him.
Tonight, he had peace.
And as sleep finally began to take hold, he whispered to the darkness, "We'll finish what we started. But not tonight."
Beside him, Bella stirred slightly, her fingers finding his.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, JR allowed himself to sleep—not as a leader carrying the weight of justice, but as a man simply holding onto what mattered most.