Page 55 of Her Alien Owner
For a moment, we stand there in silence, wrapped in each other’s presence. The world outside can wait; right now, all that matters is this quiet moment together.
And as I hold her close, I vow to myself that no matter what challenges lie ahead, I’ll face them head-on—for her sake and for ours.
“Thank you,” she whispers against my chest.
“No need for thanks,” I murmur back.
“Still...” She pulls back slightly to look up at me. “Thank you for everything.”
I lean down and press a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Anything for you,” I whisper.
The sound of laughter from the gala drifts up to us, but it feels like a world away. Here on this balcony with Ariana in my arms, everything else fades into insignificance.
And in this quiet moment under the starlit sky, I find a peace I never thought possible—a peace worth fighting for with every fiber of my being.
CHAPTER 23
ARIANA
"Valen," I say, stepping into his study. The room smells of polished wood and faintly of the cigars his guests always seem to bring. He looks up from his papers, green eyes locking onto mine with that familiar intensity.
"Ariana," he replies, setting down his pen. "What can I do for you?"
"I want to have dinner with you," I blurt out before my courage wavers. His eyebrows lift in surprise, and I hastily add, "I mean, just the two of us."
He leans back in his chair, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I think that's lovely. I'll tell the chefs to prepare something special."
"No," I interrupt, taking a step closer. "I want to make you dinner."
He looks genuinely confused. "You do know we have a full kitchen staff for that, right? Plenty of money and people to handle it."
"I know," I say, smiling softly. "But I want to do this myself. For us."
He studies me for a moment, as if trying to decipher my motives. Finally, he nods. "Alright. If it means that much to you."
"It does," I assure him. "I'll need to go to the market for ingredients."
His confusion shifts into curiosity. "What are you planning to cook?"
"You'll see," I tease lightly.
He chuckles, a rare sound that makes my heart skip a beat. "Very well then. I'll look forward to it."
Leaving the estate, the streets of Armstrong greet me with their usual dust and decay, but today they seem almost... inviting. The market buzzes with life—vendors shouting their wares, children darting between stalls, and the smell of spices mingling with the ever-present scent of old stone and metal.
As I navigate through the crowd, my thoughts drift back to Valen and how far we've come together. When I first started working at his estate, he was an enigma wrapped in layers of wealth and mystery. Now, he's still an enigma but one who’s let me peek behind the curtain.
I select fresh vegetables from a vendor who smiles at me kindly. My fingers brush over ripe tomatoes and fragrant herbs as if anchoring myself in this moment.
The memories flood in: our first accidental touch that sparked something indescribable between us; his protective presence when my ex-boyfriend showed up uninvited; our shared dinners where words were few but emotions ran deep.
As I pay for my purchases, I can’t help but feel a swell of gratitude mixed with trepidation. We've had our misunderstandings—his protective gestures sometimes felt like control—but tonight is my way of showing him how much he means to me.
Back at the estate, the kitchen staff eyes me curiously as I take over their domain. They offer help, which I politely decline. This is something I need to do myself.
Chopping vegetables and simmering sauces becomes a meditation—a way to channel all my feelings into something tangible and nourishing.
Valen’s enigmatic nature still keeps me on edge sometimes, but tonight is about more than just food; it's about trust and connection—two things we've both struggled with but are slowly learning together.