Rome's POV
Weddings are strange things. The people. The noise. The strangers greeting you. You have to socialize. It's all a trouble.
Yet love them.
When the vows ended and applause rose like a wave, I stepped forward and pulled my brother into a tight hug.
"You did it, phi" I murmured.
He huffed a quiet laugh against my shoulder.
"congratulations," I said.
He squeezed harder. That was his version of thank you.
I turned to Peach next. he hugged me without hesitation.
Behind them, near the long table stacked with gifts wrapped in gold and ivory, stood Mhok.
He was holding Mok on one hand while Marn clung to his hand, both children dressed in tiny matching outfits that made them look like ceremonial marshmallows. Mhok's looking beautiful in that white suit.
His suit hung just slightly looser. His cheekbones were sharper. There was a faint tiredness beneath his eyes that makeup and lighting could not bully away.
He looked up.
Our eyes met.
And He smiled.
I smiled back.
My chest did something inconvenient at his smile. I tried to control this feeling for last one moh but seeing mhok.again evoke all my feelings.
I walked toward them.
"Mok, Marn," I crouched slightly. "You two look more expensive than the wedding cake.
Mok giggled while Marn hid behind Mhok's leg.
Mhok shifted the child more comfortably. "They insisted on matching."
"you look like tiny CEO mok," I said.
He huffed a quiet laugh.
" and me? " marn asked peeking.
" and you are my princess marn! " she giggled.
Mhok laughed at that as i look at him. It lingered between us for half a second longer than necessary.
"You look tired," I added, before I could stop myself.
"Long week," he replied.
There was more in that sentence. There always was with him. A locked door behind every simple answer.
Before I could reach for the handle, a voice chirped behind me.
"p'Rome!"
Plub.
"Dance with me," she declared.
"Commanding already?" I teased.
"I learned from the best phi."I glanced at Mhok. He was watching us, unreadable.
"Go," he said lightly. "She'll drag you anyway."
Plub grabbed my hand before I could protest and pulled me toward the dance floor where music swelled into something playful and bright.
The lights spun gold across the polished floor. I placed one hand gently at her back and lifted her other hand.
"Relax your shoulders," I instructed. "You're not going to war."
"I might be," she shot back.
I laughed and guided her through the steps.
She followed well. Wow, she is a Quick learner.
After a few turns, her expression shifted. Less teasing. More like.. curious.
"Did you ever hate me?" she asked suddenly.
I blinked. "That escalated."
She frowned slightly. "You used to be the youngest. Now I am." she hesitated
The music carried us in a slow spin. I considered the question honestly.
I shrugged.
"It's good to have a younger sister."
Her eyes searched my face as if trying to detect a crack.
"And Mhok?" she asked.
My foot missed half a beat.
"What about him?" I asked too quickly.
She smirked.
"Do you like him?"
The room suddenly felt warmer.
I cleared my throat. "He loves his job more than me."
She burst out laughing. Loud enough that a few guests glanced over.
"That's not what I asked."
"It's the only safe answer you're getting."
She leaned closer as we turned. "Let me help you."
"With what?"
She gave me a conspiratorial smile. "Wait and watch."
Before I could interrogate her further, she slipped out of my arms mid-song and disappeared into the crowd.
I watched her approach P'Kian. She whispered something into his ear. He listened, expression neutral at first.
Then he smiled and walked away nodding to her.
I narrowed my eyes.
When Plub returned, she looked extremely satisfied.
"What did you do?" I asked.
"Surprise."
"I don't like surprises."
"Yes, you do phi." she giggled.
We eventually drifted back to phi kian and Peach, who were seated now, hands still intertwined as if letting go might cancel the ceremony. I rolled my eyes.
I dropped into the chair beside them. "How does it feel, Mr. Husband?"
He leaned back. "Expensive."
Peach smacked his arm.
We laughed.
Then Mhok approached.
He had set the children down with a caretaker and now carried a neatly wrapped box tied with dark ribbon.
He handed it to Peach. "For both of you."
he accepted it warmly. "You didn't have to."
"I wanted to."
P'kian stood, adjusting his cuff. "Actually, I have something for you too."
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a simple envelope.
Mhok frowned slightly but took it."What is it?"
"Open it."
He slid a finger beneath the seal and unfolded the paper inside.
I stood up.
"What?" I asked.
Mhok looked up slowly.
P'kian 's voice was calm. "You're fired."
"You are no longer working for Arseni," he continued. "Effective immediately."
Mhok's brows drew together. "What?"
"It's done," he said. "You've done enough."
I turned to Plub.
She winked.
My heartbeat stumbled.
This was her.
Of course it was her.
"You can't just-" Mhok started.
"I can," pkian replied. "And I did."
"Well," I said lightly, trying to smooth the sharp edge of the moment. "Too bad you got fired." i tried to control my smile, but i knew my face would show up my happiness.
He stared at me, stunned.
"How about you join me instead?"
His eyes searched mine.
For a second, I thought he might say yes.
Then he smiled.
"I think I need rest," he said quietly. "And some time to relax."
The music swelled again behind us, filling the silence he left.
I nodded.
"Yeah," I said. "You deserve that."
Phi kian pulled Peach into another dance as the crowd cheered.
And I stood there, watching the man who has my heart. The man who I love. The man who had just been set free.
And wondering if freedom would take him further from me.
Or finally bring him to me.