Episode 7: The Morning After
802 Words
Bianca woke slowly, her eyelids heavy, her body wrapped in a strange sense of comfort she hadn’t felt in days.
It took her a moment to remember where she was.
Then she felt it.
A warm presence near her. A slow shift of air. A faint smell of crisp cologne.
Her eyes fluttered open…
And there he was.
Alexander Kane.
Sitting in a chair right beside the bed, his elbows on his knees, his head tilted back in exhausted sleep. His tie was loose, two buttons undone, and he looked nothing like the cold billionaire she had met on her first day.
He looked… human.
Tired.
Worried.
Guarding her.
Bianca blinked, overwhelmed by the image.
He stayed.
All night.
He didn’t leave her.
Something in her chest tightened warm, unfamiliar, dangerous.
She sat up slowly, trying not to wake him, but the mattress shifted and he instantly opened his eyes.
His gaze moved to her, sharp, alert, but then softened the moment he saw she was okay.
“You’re awake,” he said quietly.
“Yes.” She swallowed. “Did you… sleep here?”
He dragged a hand through his hair.
“Someone had to make sure you were breathing properly.”
Her cheeks warmed.
You didn’t have to, she wanted to say.
But she couldn’t.
Because maybe… he did have to.
Maybe he wanted to.
The Unspoken Conversation
“How do you feel now?” he asked.
“A bit weak. But better.”
He nodded, relief flickering across his face before he could hide it.
“I’ll have the chef prepare something light for you. You need to eat.”
“A–Alexander,” she whispered, “I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t mean to… collapse.”
His eyebrows drew together.
“It wasn’t your fault,” he said firmly. “Don’t ever apologize for struggling.”
The gentle authority in his voice stunned her.
This man who always controlled everything was speaking like she mattered.
As if he cared.
Maybe he didn’t even realize how soft his voice had become.
A Soft Touch
She tried to push herself up fully, but her hand slipped. Alexander moved before she could blink. He caught her wrist gently, steadying her with surprising care.
“Slowly,” he murmured.
His fingers wrapped around hers warm, firm, reassuring.
A shiver ran through Bianca’s arm.
She tried to pull away but he didn’t let go immediately. His gaze lingered on her face, searching, almost… conflicted.
Then he let go.
“Take your time,” he said, clearing his throat as if the moment affected him too much.
A Glimpse of Jealousy
A soft knock sounded.
“Sir, the driver is ready to take you to the board meeting,” the housekeeper said through the door.
Alexander’s jaw tightened.
Right.
He was still a CEO.
Still a billionaire.
Still living in a world of power and money.
He looked at Bianca, and something flickered in his eyes hesitation.
He didn’t want to leave.
“Tell them I’ll be five minutes,” he said.
Bianca blinked. Alexander Kane? Delaying a meeting? Impossible.
He turned back to her.
“I’ll be gone for a few hours. I want you to rest. If you need anything..anything at all call me.”
He placed his phone on the bedside table.
“My private line is open.”
Her breath caught.
He never gave anyone access to that phone. Not even employees.
“Alexander… I don’t want to be a burden,” she whispered.
His expression hardened instantly.
“You’re not a burden,” he said quietly but decisively. “Not to me.”
Her heart skipped.
The Almost-Kiss
He leaned down slightly, as if to check her temperature, but his face ended up inches from hers.
Bianca froze.
His breath brushed her cheek.
His eyes dropped to her lips for the briefest moment.
Time slowed.
She felt the world tilt warm, electric, wrong but so right.
Then he caught himself.
He pulled back abruptly, jaw clenched, eyes dark.
Dangerous.
“I… should go,” he said, his voice rougher than before.
He stood up too quickly, grabbed his jacket, and headed for the door.
Before He Leaves
Just as he opened the door, he paused without turning around.
“Bianca.”
“Yes?” her voice came out small.
He exhaled slowly.
“You scared me last night… more than I’ve been scared in a long time.”
Her breath hitched.
“And I don’t want it to happen again,” he added softly.
Then he walked out leaving Bianca staring at the closed door, her heart racing wildly, her entire body warm with a feeling she couldn’t name.
But she knew one thing:
Last night changed something between them.
And neither of them could pretend otherwise.
- Writer
