Until It Was Her

Almost Domestic

Elena barely slept not because Adrian touched her because he didn’t and somehow that was worse. The massive bed felt painfully small despite the distance between them. She lay on one side staring at the dark ceiling while Adrian rested on the other,one arm beneath his head, his breathing steady and controlled. Too Controlled.

As if he was forcing himself not to move closer. Moonlight spilled softly across the room, painting silver lines over the sheets and sharp outline of Adrian's body beneath them. Elena hated how aware she was of him.

Every shift. Every breath. Every moment. At one point she turned slightly and realized Adrian was already awake. Watching her, neither spoke. The tension between them had become almost unbearable now, thickening the air around them in dangerous silence.

“You’re still awake,” Elena whispered. “So are you.” His voice rougher in the dark, she swallowed slowly before turning her back again. “This is strange.”

“Being married?” … “Sleeping beside someone I barely know.” A quiet pause. Then…

“You'll get used to it.”

The calm confidence in his voice sent heat through her chest for reasons she refused to examine. Elena closed her eyes after that, pretending sleep came easier than it did. Beside her Adrian stared at the ceiling for another hour.

Because her scent lingered on the sheets now. Soft, feminine, distracting and every time she moved closer in her sleep, his entire body tightened with restraint. This was becoming a problem far too quickly.

The next morning, Elena woke up first, sunlight poured through the curtains, bathing the room in warm gold. For a moment she forgot where he was until she turned slightly and saw Adrian asleep beside her and God… sleeping somehow made him even more attractive.

His dark hair fell messily across his forehead, his sharp features softened by sleep in a way she doubted anyone ever saw. Without his cold expressions and controlled demeanor, he looked younger. Less untouchable.

Elena stared for a second too long before quickly slipping out of bed. She changed into a cream sweater and soft trousers before heading downstairs. The staff immediately rushed toward her. “Mrs Vale, we can prepare breakfast…”

“”It's okay,” Elena said gently with a smile. “I'd like to do it myself.”

The older housekeeper looked shocked. “Yourself?”

“It's only breakfast.” And honestly… She needed something normal right now. The kitchen slowly filled with the comforting scent of coffee and butter as Elena moved around naturally, tying her hair loosely back while preparing food.

She looked strangely at peace there, which is exactly what Adrian's personal assistant noticed the moment he walked in. Damian Cole froze near the doorway. Well that was unexpected. He had worked for Adrian for years and met plenty of women connected to him… including Vanessa. The woman Adrian once claimed to love.

Vanessa had been beautiful, yes but cold,calculated, always aware of status and attention. Elena felt completely different, she stood in the kitchen laughing softly with one of the maids while making breakfast like she belonged there naturally. Warm, human and dangerously lovable.

Damian immediately understood why Adrian looked unsettled lately. “Mrs Vale?” She turned at the unfamiliar voice. Damian smiled politely. “Damian Cole. Your husband's assistant and best friend.”

“Oh,” She smiled warmly and held her hand “Call me Elena, nice to meet you.”Okay Elena.

Adrian was finished, Damian knew instantly because women like Elena were dangerous in the worst way they made emotionally unavailable men suddenly want things they were never prepared for.

“You cook?” Damian asked genuinely surprised. Elena laughed softly. “Sometimes.”

“That's rare in this house.

“I like normal things.”

Again dangerous…. Before Damian could reply, Adrian entered the kitchen and immediately stopped. His eyes landed on Elena first. Always Elena first.

She stood near the counter with sunlight wrapping around her softly, loose strands of dark hair framing her face while she poured coffee into mugs. For a second Adrian simply watched her. Something unfamiliar tightening in his chest, domesticity should not look this attractive.

“Elena,” he said slowly,” “What are you doing?” she glanced at him over her shoulder. “Making breakfast.”

“The staff handles that.”

“I know,”

“Then why are you doing it yourself?” Elena looked genuinely confused by the question.

“Because it's breakfast, Adrian. Not surgery.” Damian immediately looked away to hide his smile and Adrian…

Adrian stared at his wife like he didn't know whether to be irritated or fascinated. She treated wealth like it meant nothing. As if she genuinely didn’t care about privileges surrounding her and that was new. Very new.

Elena placed a plate in front of casually before sitting down herself, Damian watched carefully as Adrian's eyes followed every movement she made without him realizing it.

Interesting, very interesting.

“So,” Damian said carefully, “your parents are asking about honeymoon arrangements.”

The moon shifted instantly, Adrian's expression cooled again. “It's cancelled?”

Elena blinked, “Cancelled?”

“Our parents insisted on it,” Adrian said flatly. “I didn't.”

Damian noticed the tiny flicker of disappointment Elena tried hiding before she lowered her gaze toward her coffee. Small, almost invisible but Adrian noticed it too and strangely… it bothered him. More than it should have.

Damian cleared his throat carefully. “Your mother won't be happy,”

“She rarely is.” Elena remained quiet after that . Until Damian casually mentioned. “I heard your store hit another milestone recently. Congratulations.”

Adrian looked up immediately. “What?” Elena looked slightly uncomfortable now. “It's not important.” Damian nearly laughed, oh she definitely haven't told him.

“Your wife owns one of the most successful luxury boutiques in the city,” Damian said casually. “She became a millionaire two years ago.”

Adrian stared at Elena, “You are wealthy?” She looked almost embarrassed by the attention. “Comfortable.” You let me assume… “That I married you for money?” She finished calmly. “You assumed that on your own.” Damn… Even Damian felt that one.

Adrian leaned back slowly, studying her differently now, everything suddenly made more sense. The independence, the calm confidence and the fact that she never seemed interested in his wealth because she had her own.

“My father always focused on my brothers anyway,” Elena said softly after a moment, stirring her coffee absentmindedly. “So I focused more on myself and built my business. The Family business is meant for them. I think everyone forgot about me except my mother.”

Something about her tone felt practiced like she was used to being overlooked and unexpectedly… Adrian hated hearing that. Because the idea of anyone forgetting Elena Rossi existed suddenly felt impossible to him.