The sunlight spilled softly through the curtains, painting Elara's bedroom in a warm gold. She stretched, swung her legs out of bed, and quietly made her way downstairs, determined to start the weekend calmly.
In the kitchen, a tall man was already arranging plates on the counter.
"Good morning, Mrs. Cole," he said with a polite bow. "I wasn't able to introduce myself properly yesterday."
Elara smiled, slightly taken aback. "Oh! Good morning… James. Please, just call me Elara."
James hesitated. "Mrs. Elara?"
She laughed softly. "No—just Elara is fine."
Elara joined him, assisting with the breakfast preparations—chopping fruits, arranging bread, and setting plates. The kitchen felt alive with movement, and the conversation flowed easily.
"You've been with Adrian a long time, haven't you?" Elara asked while stirring a pot of oatmeal.
"Yes," James replied, pausing thoughtfully. "Since he was a teenager. I've seen a lot, but you… you handle yourself with care. He notices that, even if he doesn't say it."
Elara smiled faintly. "I try. He's… not easy to read."
James chuckled softly. "No, he isn't. But he appreciates those who notice the little things."
---
The sound of footsteps on the stairs made her glance up. Adrian appeared, casually dressed, hair slightly messy from sleep. Elara felt a familiar flutter but quickly reminded herself—this was a contract, nothing more.
"Good morning," Adrian said, leaning against the counter. "I was wondering why you didn't go to work today."
Elara stirred her oatmeal calmly. "I don't go to work on weekends."
He raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Ah, so you take your weekends seriously. Good to know."
Elara smiled faintly. "Yes… a girl needs some rest, doesn't she?"
Adrian's eyes softened, and he added, "Also, my sister will be coming for lunch. She's heavily pregnant, so I thought it'd be nice for her to visit."
Elara nodded, thinking of what she could prepare—something hearty yet gentle for Helena.
---
By noon, the doorbell rang, and Helena stepped in, her face lighting up with a familiar warmth.
"Elara! It's so good to see you again!" Helena exclaimed, embracing her. "I can see my brother is taking care of you."
Elara returned the hug, smiling. "It's wonderful to see you too, Helena. You look radiant!"
Helena laughed, resting a hand on her belly. "Thanks! This little one keeps me on my toes. But it's such a joy to visit—and even better to see you here. You really make this house feel warmer."
Adrian stood quietly nearby, arms crossed but with a soft smile tugging at his lips. "Helena, you know she's been helping with everything. I think she's doing quite well."
As Elara served the lunch she had prepared—light sandwiches, fresh fruit, and a warm soup—Helena's eyes sparkled. She tasted a bite and clapped her hands lightly. "Elara, this is delicious! You really have a talent for this—you've made my day even better."
Elara felt her cheeks warm. "Thank you, Helena. I'm glad you like it."
The three of them settled into the dining room, chatting easily. Helena shared funny stories from her pregnancy, Adrian teased her gently, and Elara laughed quietly, feeling the warmth of belonging in the room.
"You two must come to the baby gender reveal next weekend," Helena said, resting her hands on her belly. "I want both of you there. You've already been part of so many little moments in our family."
Elara felt a gentle warmth in her chest. "We'd be happy to," she said softly.
The lunch passed with playful teasing—Helena daring Adrian to admit past embarrassments, Elara quietly enjoying the sense of family and laughter surrounding her. For the first time, despite the unusual circumstances of her life with Adrian, she felt a small, growing sense of belonging.
---
After Helena left, promising updates and gifts for the baby, the house returned to a quiet hum. Elara and Adrian stood in the kitchen, clearing the dishes together.
"Thank you for lunch," Adrian said quietly, his voice softer than usual. "She seemed genuinely happy."
Elara smiled, stacking plates. "I'm glad. I wanted her to feel comfortable. She's… very warm."
Adrian's eyes met hers over the rim of a glass he was drying. For a brief moment, the air between them thickened with something unspoken—a curious tension that neither could quite define.
"You've been handling this… really well," Adrian said, leaning against the counter. "With my house, my sister, everything. I didn't expect you to settle in so quickly."
Elara's hands froze for a second. "I… I just try to do what I can," she said softly, avoiding his direct gaze.
He stepped slightly closer, close enough that she felt the warmth from his presence. "You're more capable than I gave you credit for," he murmured, his eyes scanning her face as if reading her thoughts.
Elara's cheeks heated, and she quickly looked down at the dishes in her hands. Don't fall for him, she reminded herself, her heart beating faster. It's a contract. That's all.
Yet Adrian didn't move away. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, a small, teasing smile forming. "You know, for someone who tells me not to fall in love… you're making it surprisingly difficult."
Elara felt her breath hitch. "I—" She shook her head, forcing a laugh. "I'm not… I'm not falling in love."
"Right," Adrian said lightly, though his eyes betrayed amusement. "Sure. Not at all."
For a moment, the room was filled only with the soft sounds of clinking dishes and their quiet breathing. Then Adrian reached over, taking a plate from her hands. "Let me help you with that," he said, his touch brushing hers ever so slightly.
Elara felt a small thrill at the contact, and she quickly reminded herself again: This is not love. This is… just a contract.
He noticed her hesitation and chuckled softly. "Don't worry. I won't bite," he teased, his voice low enough to make her heart skip.
She shook her head, smiling despite herself. "I know."
And in that quiet, shared moment, a fragile understanding passed between them—an acknowledgment that their unusual arrangement was slowly shifting into something more… complicated, intimate, and unspoken.