Bound to the billionaire

Honeymoon

Amira pov

The afternoon sunlight poured gently through the tall windows, coating the living room in a soft golden glow. The air smelled faintly of jasmine and tea warm, calm, and sweet, just the way Grandma liked it.

When she told me she wanted to stop by for tea, I thought it would be a short, polite visit. But the moment she stepped through the door, smiling with that graceful confidence of hers, I knew I was wrong. She had that glint in her eyes the one that always meant she had plans.

“Amira, darling,” she said, her voice elegant and warm as always. “You look lovelier every time I see you.”

I smiled and welcomed her in. “That’s sweet of you, Grandma. You’re glowing yourself.”

She chuckled softly as I helped her settle into one of the cream-colored couches. Harrison brought in the tea tray, her steps quiet as she placed everything neatly before us cups, biscuits, sugar cubes, and honey.

“Thank you, Harrison,”I said.

Grandma waited until Maya left before leaning in slightly. “Now, tell me, how are you and Damien doing?”

I froze for a second, my hand halfway to the teapot. “We’re… fine,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “Just… busy.”

“Busy?” she repeated, one brow lifting in amusement. “Darling, every couple is busy. The difference is whether you make time for each other.”

Her gaze was sharp, even behind the kindness in her tone. I poured the tea to avoid her eyes. “He’s been handling a lot at the company lately.”

“And you?” she asked. “Are you handling him well enough?”

That made me look up, startled. “I…”

She laughed softly, waving her hand. “Don’t look so frightened, dear. I’m not scolding you. I just know my grandson he’s strong-headed, but deep down, he’s still the boy who used to sit beside me and build toy planes in the garden.”

I couldn’t help but smile at that image. It was hard to imagine Damien as a child carefree, smiling, innocent. The man I knew was nothing like that. But hearing it from his grandmother made it feel more real.

“What was he like?” I asked curiously.

Her eyes softened as she stirred her tea. “He was curious. Always asking questions, always building something. He adored his sister Kara. You could never find one without the other. When she passed away in that accident…” Her voice faltered slightly, the warmth fading for a moment. “…he changed.”

I listened quietly, my heart tightening. I’d heard rumors of the tragedy before, but never from someone who lived through it.

“That accident didn’t just take his family,” she continued, her voice lower now. “It took his light. He became colder, quieter. He stopped smiling. Sometimes I wonder if he still blames himself.”

I swallowed hard. “He never talks about it.”

“I know,” she said gently. “He buries his pain beneath his work. But, Amira…” She reached across the table and took my hand. “He needs someone who reminds him that life can still be warm. That he’s still capable of being loved.”

I didn’t know what to say. Her words sank deep into me, touching something I hadn’t realized was aching.

“I’ll try,” I said finally, my voice quiet but sincere.

She smiled knowingly. “Good. Because I’m about to help you.”

I blinked. “Help me?”

“Yes.” Her eyes gleamed with a mischievous spark that didn’t match her age. “You two are going away this weekend.”

“What?” I nearly spilled my tea. “Grandma…”

“No excuses.” She was already pulling her phone out of her purse. “I’ve booked a beautiful resort by the coast. It’s peaceful, private, and perfect for a couple who need to… reconnect.”

“Grandma,” I said quickly, trying to find the right words. “Damien is very busy this week. There’s a major contract…”

She waved her hand. “Oh, please. No man is that busy for his wife. He’ll survive a weekend without his laptop.”

“But…”

She was already dialing his number.

My eyes widened. “You’re calling him right now?”

“Of course. We’ll settle this like adults.” She pressed the phone to her ear before I could protest again.

I sat frozen, my stomach twisting. I could already imagine Damien’s reaction calm on the surface, but definitely annoyed beneath it.

“Damien, dear!” Grandma said cheerfully when he answered. “How are you, my handsome boy?”

I could faintly hear his voice on the other end, deep and composed as always.

“Oh, nonsense,” she said. “You sound tired. Which is exactly why you and Amira need a little getaway. I’ve arranged a suite for the two of you. It’ll be lovely ocean views, candlelit dinners, all the works.”

I could hear the low murmur of his reply. She frowned slightly. “No, no, no. Don’t start with ‘I have meetings,’ young man. You can delegate for once in your life.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing, though anxiety still coiled in my chest. Nobody could say no to Grandma. Not even Damien Cole.

She gave a satisfied little nod. “Good. It’s settled, then. You’ll go. Consider it a delayed honeymoon.”

My head snapped toward her. “Honeymoon?”

She ended the call and smiled sweetly at me. “He said yes.”

I stared at her, speechless. “He said… what?”

“He agreed. Though I had to twist his arm a little.” She picked up her cup again, utterly calm. “You’ll leave Friday morning. Everything’s arranged.”

I groaned softly and covered my face with my hands. “Grandma…”

She chuckled. “You can thank me later, dear.”

I peeked at her through my fingers. “You really think a weekend getaway is going to fix things between us?”

“I don’t expect miracles,” she said with a shrug. “But time alone has a way of revealing truths and building bridges.”

I wanted to argue, to say that Damien and I didn’t need bridges, just peace. But a small, foolish part of me wondered what it would be like just the two of us, away from work, from secrets, from pretending. Maybe she was right. Maybe something could change.

Grandma stood, smoothing the front of her elegant dress. “Now, I should be going. Don’t worry, my dear. I’ll handle everything.”

I walked her to the door, still half in disbelief. “You really don’t take no for an answer, do you?”

She smiled and winked. “That’s how I survived raising the Cole men.”

When she left, the house felt strangely quiet. I stood there for a while, replaying her words. About Damien. About his past. About love.

Maybe I didn’t understand him not fully. But I couldn’t deny that something inside me wanted to.

My phone buzzed.

Damien.

I hesitated before answering. “Hello?”

“So,” he said dryly, “I heard we’re going on a honeymoon.”

I closed my eyes and sighed. “I tried to stop her.”

“I’m sure you did.”

“Damien…”

He cut in, his tone softer this time. “It’s fine. She sounded… determined.”

“That’s putting it mildly.”

A pause. Then, to my surprise, a faint chuckle. “Guess I’ll clear my schedule.”

“You don’t have to,” I said quickly. “Really. I can tell her…”

“Amira,” he said quietly. “It’s just a weekend.”

Something about his voice calm, tired, but sincere made my chest tighten. “Okay,” I said softly. “Just a weekend.”

“Pack something nice,” he added before hanging up.

I stared at my phone, my lips curving into a small, confused smile. I didn’t know what to expect from the trip awkward silence, maybe another argument. But there was also a part of me that couldn’t help feeling… hopeful.

Maybe, just maybe, Grandma knew exactly what she was doing.