The high from Singapore lingered like a warm afterglow for several days after our return. Mornings in the penthouse now began with shared showers and lingering kisses that often delayed our arrival at the office. Dario’s touch had become a constant, possessive yet tender, as if he couldn’t quite believe this version of us was real. I felt the same. The contract that once chained me now felt like a distant technicality. Work flourished alongside our relationship; the Asian expansion was ahead of schedule, and my contributions were no longer questioned but celebrated.
That evening, we attended a high-profile industry gala at one of the city’s opulent waterfront venues. Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead, and the air hummed with networking conversations and clinking champagne flutes. I w
