The next morning, Leo arrived at the hospital to help me get ready for my discharge.
He handed me some of my clothes and waited patiently as I got dressed.
Once I was ready, he gently supported me as we made our way out of the hospital and into his car.
As he drove, I glanced over at him and the weight of our past argument still lingering.
I broke the silence, my voice soft but determined.
"Leo, I really think I should go back to work today. There's too much I've missed, and I can't just—"
"No," Leo interrupted with his tone firm but not unkind.
His eyes flicked towards me before returning to the road.
"You need to rest. Your health is more important than work right now."
"But I feel better," I insisted even though the truth was that my body still felt weak, and my head still aching a little.
"I can't just stay at home doing nothing and I got bored."
Leo sighed deeply, his jaw tightening.
"Melody, you collapsed yesterday.
That's not something you can brush off.
You need to take care of yourself.
Pushing yourself to go back to work will only make things worse."
His concern was genuine, but I couldn't help feeling a little frustrated.
"I don't want to feel useless," I muttered under my breath.
Leo parked the car in front of my apartment and turned to me,
his expression softening.
"You're not useless. You need time to heal. Let me take care of things at the office.
Bryle and I can handle it."
I sighed, knowing he was right but still feeling conflicted.
"Fine," I said, relenting. "But I don't want to sit around all day doing nothing."
Leo smiled, a hint of relief in his eyes.
"You won't be. I'll come by and check on you after work. But please, take it easy for now."
As I stepped out of the car,
I realized how much my body still ached, and a wave of gratitude washed over me.
Leo had been there, despite everything, and I knew I needed to trust him.
While waiting for Leo to come back,
I paced around my apartment and trying to distract myself from overthinking.
The silence was both comforting and unnerving, glancing at my phone every few minutes, expecting to see a text or call from him, but nothing came.
Suddenly, a knock on the door startled me.
My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly rushed to open it,
feeling a flicker of excitement—was Leo back early?
But as soon as I opened the door, my eyes widened in shock.
I stood by the door, feeling a mix of surprise and nerves as Mr. Cyprus—Roughein Cyprus, Leo's Father—stepped into my apartment,
carrying a large basket of fruits.
His secretary followed behind also caring 2 large of basket of fruits, offering a polite smile as he set the basket down on my coffee table.
"Melody, I hope you're feeling better," Roughein said warmly.
"Leo mentioned me that you weren't doing so well, and I wanted to check on you personally."
"Thank you, Mr. Cyprus," I replied and offering a smile but still feeling a bit taken aback by the visit.
He waved his hand dismissively, a soft chuckle escaping.
"Please, no need to be so formal. Call me Roughein—or better yet, just call me 'dad' or 'father.' After all, you and Leo will be getting married soon, and I'd like you to feel more comfortable with me."
His offer took me by surprise, and I hesitated, trying to find the right words. "I… I appreciate the sentiment sir, but I think I'll stick to 'Mr. Cyprus' for now. It just feels... more appropriate and still new to me."
He chuckled, shaking his head slightly.
"I see, I understand. But don't feel shy. You're practically family, and I want you to feel at ease."
I offered a polite smile but remained firm.
"Thank you sir, but I think I'll need some time to get used to that idea."
Roughein nodded, though I could tell he wasn't giving up easily.
"Alright, alright. But don't be surprised if I keep reminding you," he said with a wink, lightening the mood.
I let out a soft laugh, appreciating his warmth but still feeling a bit overwhelmed.
He leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more serious but still kind.
"Melody, I'm not pushing you, just know you're welcome in our family. Leo means the world to me, and so do the people he cares about. So, if you ever need anything—advice, support, or just someone to talk to—I'm here."
I nodded, feeling touched by his words.
"Thank you, Mr. Cyprus. That really means a lot."
The reality of his words especially the mention of Leo and me getting married soon it made my heart flutter, and though I wasn't ready to call him 'dad,' it was comforting to know I had his support.
Roughein looked around my apartment, his eyes subtly scanning the space before a lighthearted smile spread across his face. "And your apartment is kind of small, isn't it?" he said casually.
"Would you mind move in to our house? It's quite big, and honestly, it feels a bit empty with just the two of us living there. It would be nice to have you there—maybe even see a grandchild someday."
He chuckled, clearly enjoying the image that popped into his head.
The mention of a grandchild made me startled, and I stared at him in shock.
"Wh-what?" I stammered, not quite sure if I'd heard him right.
He waved a hand, laughing again.
"Haha, just kidding, Melody," he said, though his grin was unmistakably warm.
"But, well, it was half meant," he added with a wink.
I blinked, feeling a mix of surprise and amusement.
The conversation had taken a turn I definitely wasn't prepared for,
but the sincerity in his eyes made it clear that he saw me as part of the family now—whether I was ready for that level of commitment or not.
Trying to collect myself, I offered a nervous laugh.
"Well, that's… quite a future to imagine," I said, my voice shaky but light.
Roughein leaned back in his chair,
still smiling, but now with a more thoughtful expression.
"No pressure, of course. But the offer's there. You're family,
Melody, and we'd love to have you closer."
I could only nod, still processing the idea of moving in—let alone the mention of future grandchildren.
"Anyway, I should be going now. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me, Melody,"
Roughein said, rising from his seat and giving a casual wave goodbye as he headed toward the door.
I smiled politely, watching as the chairman and his secretary left my apartment.
The moment the door closed behind them, I let out a sigh,
my mind still reeling from the unexpected visit and his subtle hints about moving in with Leo.
Outside, Roughein walked with his secretary to the car.
As they approached, he glanced over at his secretary, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"So," he began, lowering his voice,
"what do you think I should do to convince her to live in our house?"
The secretary smiled knowingly but didn't say a word.
Roughein suddenly brightened as if a brilliant idea had struck him.
"I've got it," he muttered to himself with a grin,
sliding into the backseat of the car, his mind already working on his next plan.
As time passed, I heard a knock at my door, and I knew it was Leo.
My heart fluttered as I opened the door, and before I could say anything,
he pulled me into a warm embrace, catching me off guard with how tightly he held me.
"I missed you," he whispered, his voice soft but full of emotion.
I sank into his embrace for a moment before we finally stepped inside.
Leo froze, his eyes widening in surprise as he spotted the mountain of fruit on my table.
"What in the world... who gave you all of this?" he asked, looking genuinely confused.
I chuckled. "Your father.
He came by earlier with his secretary and brought all of this."
Leo blinked, then raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "My father? Let me guess—he tried to convince you to marry me, didn't he?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "How did you know?"
"Because that's exactly what he would do," Leo smirked.
"He's been waiting for an excuse to push us toward marriage for ages.
" He glanced back at the fruits, a grin spreading across his face.
"Looks like he's really pulling out all the stops now."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes, but the idea made my heart skip a beat.
He settled onto my couch, and I watched as he loosened his tie,
his movements deliberate and smooth.
With each pull of the fabric,
he transformed from the polished businessman I was
used to seeing into someone more relaxed yet undeniably captivating.
The way he looked at me—his deep-set eyes sparkling with mischief—only added to his allure.
The necktie slipped from his grasp, revealing the strong lines of his jaw and the casual confidence that surrounded him.
I couldn't help but admire the handsome, hot man sitting before me, the tension of our earlier conversation slowly melting away in his presence.
"Now that we're both here," he said with a playful glint in his eyes, "maybe we should discuss my father's rather enthusiastic proposal for us."
He reached out, taking my hand and pulling me closer.
Before I knew it, I found myself falling into his lap, warmth enveloping me as I settled against him.
I could feel my heart racing, caught off guard by the sudden intimacy.
"What else did you two talk about?" he asked, his voice low and curious, a hint of playfulness lacing his words.
I took a deep breath, meeting his gaze.
"Well, I told him about our relationship and how it feels a bit overwhelming," I began, recalling the earlier conversation with his father.
"He was really supportive but also a bit... persistent about the idea of marriage."
Leo raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on his lips.
"Persistent, huh? What did he say?"
I couldn't help but chuckle.
"He was joking about how our apartment is small and how nice it would be for us to move in with him—he even mentioned wanting to see grandkids someday."
"Did he now?" Leo replied, feigning shock.
"I can see where I get my charm from."
I rolled my eyes playfully but continued,
"He said I could call him Roughein, or even Dad, which felt a bit much for me."
Leo's expression softened, and he leaned closer.
"You know, it wouldn't be so bad to call him Dad if we really take that step."
I felt my cheeks warm at the thought.
"Are you trying to convince me to marry you now?"
"Maybe," he said with a teasing grin.
"But only if you promise to make my father a grandpa one day."
His playful demeanor made my heart flutter, and for a moment,
I could see a future unfolding before us.
He buried his head against my chest,
letting out a soft sigh that hinted at his exhaustion.
The weight of the world seemed to lift from his shoulders as he nestled closer, seeking comfort in my presence.
I ran my fingers gently through his hair, feeling the softness beneath my fingertips.
"How's work been?" I asked, trying to gauge how he was holding up.
"How's everything at the company?"
He pulled back slightly, looking up at me with those striking eyes, a mixture of weariness and affection swirling in their depths.
"It's been intense, to say the least," he admitted.
"We've had a series of meetings lately about the company's expansion, and it feels like I'm constantly juggling a million things at once."
I could see the tension etched on his face, and my heart ached for him.
"You should take it easy, Leo. You don't have to handle everything alone."
He chuckled softly, a hint of gratitude in his voice.
"I know, but I want everything to go smoothly.
I'm really excited about the new opportunities, but it's just a lot to manage."
"Have you had time to relax?" I asked, concerned for his well-being.
He leaned back against me, his forehead resting against my collarbone.
"Not really. But I'm managing. I just want to make sure everything is in place for us."
The sincerity in his words sent a rush of warmth through me,
and I tightened my hold around him.
"Then let's make it happen together," I said, feeling a sense of determination blooming within me.
Leo smiled, the exhaustion fading momentarily as hope flickered in his eyes.
"Together," he echoed, his voice steady and reassuring.
"But seeing you makes me relax now," he murmured, his voice low and tender.
The moment hung between us, charged with an unspoken intensity.
I could feel the warmth radiating off him, enveloping me in a cocoon of comfort and desire.
His gaze locked onto mine, and in that instant, everything else faded away.
The world outside ceased to exist as we became lost in each other.
He leaned in closer, the distance between us evaporating.
I could feel his breath against my skin, soft and warm, sending shivers down my spine.
As if drawn by an invisible force, he gently cupped my face,
his thumb brushing against my cheek.
My heart raced, a mix of anticipation and longing coursing through me.
Slowly, he tilted his head, and I closed my eyes, surrendering to the moment.
His lips met mine with a feather light touch at first, testing the waters.