TWENTY TWO_CLOSER THAN BEFORE
Morning sunlight slowly slipped through the tall windows of the room.
Aiden woke up first.
For a moment, he didn’t move. He simply lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to remember where he was.
Then it came back to him.
The wedding.
Alexander.
The mansion.
The shared room.
He turned his head slightly.
Alexander was still asleep beside him.
For someone known as the most feared mafia king in the city, he looked strangely peaceful when he slept. His dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, and his breathing was slow and steady.
Aiden studied him quietly.
How can someone so dangerous look so calm?
Just as Aiden was about to look away—
Alexander suddenly spoke.
“If you keep staring at me like that, kitten, I might start thinking you like what you see.”
Aiden froze.
“…You were awake?”
Alexander slowly opened his eyes, amusement dancing in them.
“For the past two minutes.”
Aiden immediately turned away, embarrassed.
“I wasn’t staring.”
Alexander chuckled softly and pushed himself up on one elbow.
“You were.”
“I wasn’t.”
“You were.”
Aiden grabbed a pillow and lightly threw it at him.
Alexander caught it easily.
A small smile appeared on his lips.
“You’re cute when you’re annoyed.”
Aiden crossed his arms.
“I’m not cute.”
Alexander tilted his head slightly as if studying him.
“Hmm.”
That single sound made Aiden suspicious.
“What?”
Alexander leaned a little closer.
“You blush easily.”
Aiden quickly covered his face.
“I do not!”
Alexander laughed quietly.
The sound was warm and deep — not the cold laugh people feared from the mafia boss.
After a moment, the teasing faded, and silence settled between them again.
But this silence felt different.
Comfortable.
Alexander’s voice became softer.
“You slept better last night.”
Aiden nodded slowly.
“…I think it’s because you were there.”
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Aiden’s eyes widened.
Alexander went still for a second.
Then a small, genuine smile appeared on his face.
“Well,” he said gently, “I’m not planning on going anywhere.”
Aiden looked at him.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Alexander slowly reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Aiden’s ear.
His voice dropped into a quiet whisper.
“You deserve to feel safe, Aiden.”
The way he said his name made Aiden’s chest tighten.
Not kitten this time.
Just Aiden.
Soft.
Careful.
Important.
Aiden’s heart began beating faster.
“Alexander…”
But before he could say anything else—
A knock suddenly echoed on the door.
Both of them pulled slightly apart.
Alexander sighed in irritation.
“Who is it?”
A guard’s voice came from outside.
“Boss, your mother is here. She says she wants breakfast with you… and your husband.”
Alexander looked at Aiden.
Aiden looked back.
“…Your mom is here?” Aiden asked nervously.
Alexander smirked.
“Relax.”
He stood up and stretched slightly.
“She already likes you more than she likes me.”
Aiden blinked.
“That can’t be true.”
Alexander walked toward the door but paused for a moment.
Then he looked back at Aiden with a teasing smile.
“Come on, kitten.”
He opened the door.
“Let’s go see your biggest supporter.”
Aiden had a strange feeling this breakfast was about to change everything.