Kaia didn't expect his place to feel like him.
Cold.
Neat.
Too… perfect.
Everything looked untouched, like no one actually lived there.
She stepped further inside, her heels making soft sounds against the polished floor.
Her eyes moved slowly across the space.
Minimal furniture.
Neutral colors.
No personality.
"…You live like a machine," she muttered.
Behind her, Lucian closed the door.
"…It is efficient."
Kaia rolled her eyes.
Of course it is.
She dropped her purse on the couch without asking.
Just to disturb something.
"…So," she said, turning to him, "where am I staying?"
Lucian walked past her.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"…This way."
A pause.
"…Jerry, our butler, has already placed your luggage in your room."
Kaia followed him down the hallway, her eyes scanning everything like she was inspecting a hotel.
He opened a door.
"…This is your room."
Kaia stepped in.
It was…
Nice.
Too nice.
Clean.
Prepared.
Like he had been expecting this.
She turned slowly.
"…You had this ready."
Lucian didn't deny it.
"…Yes."
Kaia narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…You're very confident."
Lucian met her gaze.
"…I prefer being prepared."
She stared at him for a second.
Then scoffed softly.
"…Same thing."
Kaia dropped her purse on the bed.
Turned back to him.
"…We need rules."
Lucian nodded once.
"…Agreed."
That was too easy.
Kaia crossed her arms.
"…No interfering with my work."
Lucian tilted his head slightly.
"…Define interfering."
Kaia blinked slowly.
"…This is exactly what I mean."
Lucian didn't react.
"…Clarification improves efficiency."
Kaia stared at him.
"…You're going to be exhausting."
Lucian replied calmly:
"…That is not my intention."
She let out a small breath.
"…Stay out of my decisions," she said.
"…And I'll stay out of yours."
Lucian considered that.
Then nodded.
"…Acceptable."
Kaia hesitated for a second.
Then added quietly—
"When you fall for someone… tell me."
Lucian paused.
"…Do you have someone?" he asked.
"No."
A beat.
"…Do you?"
Lucian looked at her.
Not long.
But directly.
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…You."
Silence.
Not awkward.
Just… new.
Kaia walked past him toward the door.
"…I'm going to look around," she said.
Lucian didn't stop her.
"…The kitchen is to your left."
She paused.
Looked back at him.
"…I didn't ask."
Lucian met her gaze.
"…You were going to."
Kaia:
"…I wasn't."
"…You would have."
She stared at him for a long second.
Then turned and walked away.
The kitchen was just as expected.
Clean.
Silent.
Unused.
Kaia opened the fridge.
Organized.
Everything aligned.
She grabbed a bottle of water—
then stopped.
"…Do you even eat real food?" she called out.
Lucian's voice came from behind her.
"…Yes."
Kaia turned slightly.
He was closer than she expected.
She didn't move.
"…This looks like a hospital fridge," she said.
Lucian glanced at it.
"…It is sufficient."
Kaia shook her head.
"…We're fixing that."
Lucian looked at her.
"…We?"
Kaia smirked slightly.
"…You live with me now."
A pause.
"…That means improvement."
Lucian didn't respond immediately.
Then:
"…Noted."
Kaia straightened.
"Go change," she said casually.
"We're going to the supermarket."
Lucian blinked once.
"…Now."
Kaia grabbed her bag.
"…Yes. I need something spicy."
A pause.
Lucian looked at her.
Then nodded once.
"…Understood."
Kaia leaned against the counter.
Studying him.
Still cold.
Still controlled.
Still… Lucian.
But now—
he was in her space too.
Whether he realized it or not.
Kaia turned away slightly.
Taking another sip of water.
Living with Lucian Blackwood wasn't going to be difficult.
She exhaled softly.
It was going to be exhausting.
A small pause.
…And slightly interesting