Rules We Made, Rules We Break
490 Words
Chapter 10: Rules We Made, Rules We Break
The morning sun spilled into the kitchen like liquid gold, but the mood was anything but warm.
Leila sat at the island counter in an oversized shirt, scrolling through a press release draft Damian had asked her to look over. She hadn’t spoken more than three words to him since Chioma’s visit yesterday.
She didn’t even know why she was angry.
It wasn’t like he owed her anything.
Except maybe… honesty. Or something close to it.
Damian entered shirtless, towel draped over his shoulders, water still clinging to his chest from his early swim.
Leila didn’t look up.
He poured a cup of coffee, silence stretching between them like a rope waiting to snap.
“You didn’t sleep much,” he finally said.
She shrugged. “How would you know?”
“I walked past your room. The light was on at 2 a.m.”
She didn’t answer.
“I didn’t know she would come,” he added quietly.
Leila set the tablet down and finally looked up at him. “Why are we even fighting, Damian? None of this is real. We’re pretending, remember?”
Damian took a deep breath, then set his cup down.
“Maybe you’re pretending. I’m not sure I am anymore.”
Leila’s chest tightened. “Don’t say things like that.”
“Why not?”
“Because we made rules. No feelings. No confusion.”
“And yet,” he said, stepping closer, “we keep breaking those rules.”
The room felt too still. Too quiet. Her breath caught as he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“You looked jealous yesterday,” he murmured.
She swallowed hard. “And you looked like you wanted her back.”
His brows furrowed. “No. I didn’t.”
“Then why are you—” Her words were cut off as he closed the distance between them in one smooth step.
Their lips met again.
But this time it wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t for cameras or drama. It was slow. Certain. Electric.
His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing gently across her skin. She let her fingers curl into the fabric of his towel, pulling him closer without even thinking.
They kissed like they were falling — and had no idea how to land safely.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Leila whispered, “This is dangerous.”
“I know,” Damian said softly. “But I don’t care.”
She looked into his eyes.
And in that moment, neither did she.
Later, as she stood under a hot shower, letting the water run over her face, Leila pressed a hand to her chest.
This wasn’t just about money anymore.
It wasn’t about pretending.
It was about something real.
Something that terrified her more than losing the shop ever did.
She was falling.
And she didn’t think she could stop.
- Writer
