The first light of morning spilled softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Ryan stirred, opening his eyes to find Mia curled up beside him, her hair spilling across the pillow like silk. For a long moment, he just watched her—watched the way the sunlight touched her face, highlighting the gentle curve of her cheek and the soft rise and fall of her chest.
"Morning," she murmured, half-asleep, her voice thick with sleep.
Ryan smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Good morning," he replied, voice low and tender. "Sleep well?"
Mia stretched lazily, blinking at him. "I… I think so. I'm just… happy, I guess," she admitted, a shy smile tugging at her lips.
Ryan leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "Good. You deserve to be happy." His hand lingered on her cheek for a moment before he reluctantly pulled away. "Come on, we should get up. I'll make breakfast."
Mia groaned dramatically. "Breakfast already? But it's too early."
Ryan chuckled, taking her hand. "Not too early. Just perfect. Besides, I have something to prove."
She raised an eyebrow. "Prove what?"
"That I'm a decent cook," he said, teasingly. "And I'm starting with eggs."
Mia rolled her eyes but followed him into the kitchen, tying her hair back. "Alright, chef. Let's see what you've got."
Ryan moved confidently around the kitchen, flipping eggs in a pan while humming softly. Mia leaned against the counter, observing him, the corners of her mouth tugging into a smile. "You know," she said lightly, "I always wondered what it would be like if you actually did the normal, everyday stuff. Like cooking breakfast."
He glanced at her, a playful sparkle in his eyes. "And now you get to see it. Lucky you."
She laughed, the sound bright and airy, and stepped closer to help. "Well, I think I should assist, just in case you burn the place down."
Ryan gave her a mock gasp. "Burn the place down? Me? Never. But… okay, I'll let you be my assistant. Just don't get in my way."
The morning passed in a rhythm of playful banter and shared laughter. Ryan tried to flip a pancake with flair, only for it to land slightly off the pan and stick to the counter. Mia burst out laughing, pointing at the mess. "Smooth move, chef!"
He grinned sheepishly. "It's called rustic charm."
"Oh, sure. Rustic charm," she teased, scraping the pancake off the counter to help him.
They moved seamlessly around each other, their laughter mingling with the sound of sizzling eggs and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Mia found herself stealing glances at Ryan, noticing the subtle way he concentrated when cooking, the gentle way he moved around her, the warmth in his eyes whenever they met hers.
When the breakfast was finally ready, they carried plates to the small table by the window. Ryan poured coffee into their mugs, then reached across the table to squeeze her hand. "You know," he said quietly, "being here like this… it makes me realize how much I've missed the little things. The normal, everyday stuff. I want all of it with you."
Mia's chest tightened, her heart skipping a beat. She smiled softly, squeezing his hand back. "I want that too. I don't care about the chaos outside… I just want this. You. Us."
Ryan leaned forward, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. "Good. Because that's exactly what you're getting."
They ate in companionable silence for a while, occasionally exchanging teasing remarks or soft laughter, but the comfort between them was undeniable. Every glance, every touch, every shared smile reinforced the connection they had finally admitted existed.
After breakfast, Ryan helped Mia clear the dishes. "You know," he said, "we make a pretty good team. Maybe we should try this more often."
Mia laughed. "You mean cooking together, or being… us together?"
He smirked. "Both."
Once the kitchen was clean, they got ready to leave for the company. Mia pulled on her jacket, Ryan tossing her the keys. They walked out together, their hands brushing occasionally, lingering longer than necessary. Every touch, every glance, seemed to reaffirm their unspoken promise: they were in this together.
The drive to the company was filled with playful chatter, quiet laughter, and the occasional comfortable silence. Ryan found himself sneaking glances at Mia, admiring the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed, the way she spoke with passion about her work, and the quiet determination that had always drawn him to her.
When they arrived, Mia opened the door for Ryan, and he placed a protective hand on her back as they entered. The staff immediately noticed the difference. Ryan's usual stoic demeanor had softened, his smiles more frequent and genuine. Mia's eyes, usually focused and serious, now held a light that hadn't been there before. Together, they radiated a new kind of energy, one that spoke of trust, intimacy, and shared purpose.
Meetings, calls, and tasks came one after the other, but the subtle gestures they shared—an affectionate glance, a reassuring touch, a small squeeze of the hand—reminded them of the bond that had grown overnight. Even in the midst of work, it was clear: they were no longer just colleagues or friends. They were partners in every sense of the word.
As the morning wore on, Mia found herself thinking about how different things felt. She no longer feared the uncertainty of life outside the office. With Ryan by her side, every challenge seemed manageable. Every obstacle, surmountable. And Ryan, despite the lingering thoughts of the pack and his responsibilities, found himself smiling more than he had in months.
They faced the day together, not just as two people who loved each other, but as a team ready to navigate the chaos of the world. And for the first time, both of them truly believed that as long as they were together, nothing could break them.
---
The company hummed with the usual energy, phones ringing, keyboards clacking, and the soft murmur of conversations. But today, something felt different. Ryan and Mia entered side by side, a subtle but undeniable aura of unity surrounding them. Staff members noticed immediately—their usual professional distance softened, replaced by gentle smiles, whispered greetings, and quiet admiration.
"Morning, boss," one of the assistants said, glancing nervously at Mia.
"Morning," Ryan replied, his voice steady but warm, a subtle nod to Mia that made her blush.
Mia straightened her jacket and smiled. "Good morning, everyone. Let's make today productive."
Ryan walked beside her as they moved toward their offices. "You know," he said quietly, "seeing you take charge like this… I kind of like it."
Mia smirked, leaning slightly toward him. "You like it? Or you just like having me around?"
Ryan chuckled softly. "Maybe a little of both. But mostly both."
She rolled her eyes playfully. "Flatterer."
Their teasing banter drew quiet smiles from a few colleagues who had gathered near the reception. It was unusual to see the normally stern Ryan so relaxed, and even more unusual to see Mia responding to him with ease.
Inside the main office, Mia immediately began checking schedules and emails, delegating tasks efficiently. Ryan stood beside her, scanning reports and offering advice where needed, his eyes occasionally drifting to her, admiration clear in his gaze.
"Here," Mia said, handing him a document. "I want you to review this proposal. We need it finalized by noon."
Ryan accepted it, pretending to read carefully, then looked up at her with a teasing grin. "You know, I could just sign it for you, but I'd rather hear you tell me why it's important."
Mia shook her head, suppressing a laugh. "You're impossible. Just read it, Ryan."
He leaned back in his chair, flipping through the pages but keeping one eye on her. "Fine, fine. I'll read it… but only because you're so persuasive."
By mid-morning, the atmosphere between them had become almost palpable. Small touches—a hand on the shoulder to emphasize a point, a shared glance over a report, or a quiet laugh at an inside joke—spoke volumes about their connection. The colleagues began to notice that whenever Mia and Ryan interacted, their work seemed smoother, more efficient, and even more inspired.
"Ryan, you're needed in the meeting room," one of the managers called.
He glanced at Mia, who nodded. "I'll join you in a bit," he said, then turned to the manager. "Lead the discussion; I'll be there shortly."
As soon as the manager left, Mia leaned closer. "You know, you don't have to be the intimidating boss today. I kind of like the version of you who laughs."
Ryan smirked, taking her hand briefly before letting go. "Well, if it's because you're here, I can promise a few more laughs."
Mia shook her head, smiling softly. "You're lucky I like you."
Lunchtime arrived, and instead of eating alone in their offices as they usually did, Ryan suggested they take a walk to a small café nearby. Mia agreed, and together they left, their hands brushing occasionally, a subtle reassurance of the bond they were building.
Outside, the world felt lighter. The stress of the company seemed distant when they were together. Ryan opened doors for Mia, and she smiled at him in a way that made his chest tighten pleasantly.
"You really have changed my idea of mornings," Mia said as they walked side by side. "I didn't think I'd ever look forward to the workday this much."
Ryan's gaze softened. "It's different with you. Everything's better with you."
Mia felt a flutter in her chest. "I think I'm going to like working with you like this… as long as you don't distract me too much."
He laughed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Too late. I've already distracted you."
Back at the office after lunch, they returned to the rhythm of work, but now with an unspoken sense of partnership. Ryan coordinated with the team to solve problems, Mia made decisive calls, and together, they made everything run smoother. Colleagues who had been skeptical of Mia's youth and Ryan's sternness began to notice the synergy, the quiet respect and care they had for each other.
By the end of the day, as they walked toward the exit, Ryan glanced at Mia. "See? I told you we'd make a good team."
Mia smiled, bumping her shoulder gently against his. "Yeah, yeah. Don't let it get to your head, boss."
Ryan chuckled. "Noted. But just so you know… I'm already thinking about tomorrow. Another day, another adventure. Together."
Mia laughed softly, taking his hand in hers. "I like the sound of that."
And as they left the company, walking side by side with their fingers intertwined, it was clear to both of them—and to anyone watching—that this was only the beginning.