She walked over quickly, and with the ease of someone completely comfortable, sat down in Ethan's lap in her own office chair, wrapped her arms around his neck, and spoke in that soft voice she only ever used with him: "Hey~ Tired?"
Ethan wrapped his arms naturally around her waist, his chin resting lightly against her hair: "Not even a little, now that I'm here with you."
The office held its warmth around them. The two stayed close, talking quietly, sharing small observations and feelings from the morning, stretching out the rare privacy.
Sunlight came through the blinds in soft lines, laying across the two of them in something still and easy.
They stayed like that for a full hour.
...
Around noon, Ethan took Diana's hand and walked out of the building: "Come on. Good food first, then something important to take care of."
They drove to a well-regarded French restaurant nearby.
Slow-braised short rib, pan-seared duck breast, vichyssoise, a delicate tasting menu that settled the morning's pace into something unhurried.
Midway through the meal Ethan mentioned: "I've got some free time this afternoon. I want to take you to look at a place. You can't live in hotels and crash at the office forever."
Diana's eyes lit up. She nodded with real feeling in it.
A place that was genuinely theirs — that meant something to her.
After lunch, Ethan drove Diana to a high-end residential development not far from the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
Hudson River views. Prime location.
They walked into the luxury sales center of a top-tier real estate developer.
A massive architectural model dominated the center of the floor. Polished marble underfoot, soft curated lighting, a subtle fragrance in the air. The whole space was designed to signal exactly what kind of money moved through it.
A sales consultant in a fitted blazer and flawless makeup came over immediately with a professional smile: "Good afternoon. Welcome to The Hudson Residences. First visit? What kind of unit are you looking for?"
Ethan kept it brief: "Large flat or penthouse duplex. Big square footage, good river view, fully finished, move-in ready."
The consultant's smile went up a notch. This was a serious buyer.
"Of course, sir. We do have several premium large flats and penthouse duplexes currently available, all with unobstructed Hudson River views. If you'll follow me to the model, I'll walk you through everything."
The consultant went through the location, the developer's brand, the finish standards.
Ethan listened, but most of his attention was on Diana. He leaned slightly toward her and said quietly: "Whatever you like."
Diana listened carefully, eyes moving slowly across the architectural model.
The consultant read the room and shifted her focus, recommending a southeast-facing full-floor flat on the 38th floor: "This is one of our flagship units. Approximately three thousand square feet. Four bedrooms, three and a half baths, three terraces. Two full master suites, floor-to-ceiling curved glass on three sides, direct views of the Hudson and lower Manhattan. Fully finished with premium international specifications throughout — Italian stone flooring, German fixtures, full smart home integration, custom lighting design. The model unit is upstairs if you'd like to see it in person."
Diana looked at Ethan. He nodded. "Let's go up."
Straight elevator to the 38th floor.
The moment the model unit door opened, even Ethan and Diana — neither of them easily impressed by anything — went slightly still.
The living room connected to a wide wraparound terrace. The Hudson spread out in front of them like a painting that had no frame. Afternoon light poured in unrestricted, picking out every detail of the space — Italian stone floors, a chef's kitchen in matte finishes, smart panels flush with the walls, custom pendants hanging at exactly the right height.
Diana's eyes went bright immediately.
She took Ethan's hand and walked through each room.
The main bedroom had a walk-in wardrobe and a deep soaking tub facing the water. The study was quiet and tucked away. The second bedroom was easy and comfortable. Every corner finished with the same care as the first.
She especially loved the curved wraparound terrace off the living room. She could already picture the two of them there at dusk, watching the light go off the water and the city come on.
"This is..." Her voice carried something dreamy in it. She looked at Ethan, eyes full and soft.
Ethan saw her face and had already decided.
He turned to the consultant: "What's the price on this unit?"
The consultant maintained her composure but her energy sharpened: "Sir, this is one of our premier offerings. Current asking price is four point eight million. Given the floor, orientation, and view profile it's—"
$4.8 million. In 2014, that was a serious number.
Diana's hand tightened around Ethan's without thinking.
Ethan's face didn't move. He just nodded, then looked at Diana: "Do you like it? If you like it, this is the one."
"I do. But... this is so much..." Diana said softly. She knew Ethan had money. A nearly five million dollar apartment still made her heart jump.
Ethan smiled and brushed her hair back gently: "What matters is that you like it."
He turned back to the consultant without any more deliberation: "We'll take it. Full payment. Can we handle the paperwork today?"
Full payment.
The professional composure on the consultant's face cracked for just a second — genuine shock, followed by a wave of barely contained excitement, voice coming out unsteady: "Of— of course, sir. Right this way. I'll prepare everything immediately. Excellent taste."
Her manner shifted immediately. More careful. A quiet kind of awe sitting under the professionalism.
She glanced at the car keys on the table — the Ferrari logo catching the light.
Ethan hadn't driven that one in a while. He'd been letting Diana use it, taking Alex's Audi himself when he needed to get around.
For the next hour in the VIP suite, Diana felt like she was moving through a dream.
She signed her name across a thick stack of documents. The finance team processed the transfer efficiently.
When nearly five million dollars moved out of the account and came back as a glossy red "Purchase and Sale Agreement," Diana held it carefully, feeling the weight of it. Not just a property. Something more than that. A real thing Ethan had handed her, solid and close.
Their own place, on the waterfront of this city.
Walking out of the sales center into the afternoon light, the feeling of it still hadn't fully settled — tens of millions of dollars moving in an hour, a contract now in her hands that meant something about the future.
Ethan opened the car door, caught the still slightly dazed look on Diana's face, and smiled as he lightly pinched her cheek: "Come back to earth, President Liu. House is sorted. Now we make it a home. Let's go — shopping time."
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