Book 2 Chapter 12
Yalda awoke to the of the running shower before it went off.
She stretched her spent limbs, pushing against linens which seemed to have been carefully draped over her body. Her muscles felt loose, her mind felt a little more rested, and her chest wasn't as tight as it had been for the past three months.
It was late morning already, she could tell by the sunlight pouring in through the fluttering curtains.
The bathroom door opened, and Ioannis stepped out with a towel hanging loosly on his waist. Her gaze involuntarily raked over his sculpted chest, his abs and his biceps before trailing up to his face, his hair was wet and slicked back, the sharp contrast against his skin made him seem paler.
He smiled on seeing that she was awake.
"Good morning." He greeted easily. "How are we feeling today?"
Yalda managed a genuine smile. "I feel… better. Thank you."
"That's good to know." He said, making his way into the walk in closet. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did." She replied, she had to speak louder now. "Did you?"
"Yes yes, thank you." He replied.
She heard the sound of the hand dryer blowing for a few minutes followed by shuffling and spraying. And when he returned, he was already dressed, immaculately so. But a pang of disappointment stabbed at her heart; he was going out.
He wore a slate-grey suit which was tailored to perfection. His hair was still damp, slicked back from his face to showcase the shrp angle of his face. He looked every bit of the imposing CEO. He crossed the room, leaning down to press a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead. His touch was warm and comforting as always.
He settled on the edge of the bed.
"You're heading out?" She asked, she couldn't keep the disappointment out of her tone.
He nodded.
"Yes, unfortunately. Alina will be bringing a specific, high-protein breakfast up for you shortly. You need to shower and eat everything she gives you." He said. He glanced at his watch. "I have a meeting I cannot miss. It’s a consolidation strategy, something important I need to finalize before the European markets close this evening."
She couldn't help the sense of dread and the immediate return of anxiety about being alone with her thoughts.
"Okay." She said quietly, but her eyes said something else and Ioannis could read them.
"I will be back as soon as possible," he assured her, stroking her bare shoulder. "By early afternoon, I promise. You'll be fine, right?"
"I..." Yalda hesitated, trying to rationalize the feeling, but the need for his presence was too stark, she couldn't help it. "I don't... I don't want to stay here alone."
He studied her face, his decision made was made in a brief moment. The meeting may have been crucial but it instantly became secondary to her emotional stability.
"Would you like to come with me then?" He asked, rising.
Yalda’s response was immediate.
"Yes," she said quickly, sitting up. "Yes, I'd like to."
He smiled, a deep, satisfied curve of his mouth that crinkled the corners of his eyes.
"Good. Then we make it quick. How quickly can you get ready?" He asked her.
Yalda felt a rush of adrenaline, she hadn't dressed for the office in a very long time and she wasn't even sure she had fitting outfits, but she was sure she'd find something.
"Fifteen minutes," she replied, throwing the duvet back. "I'll be ready in fifteen minutes."
He nodded.
"Alright then." He said as he took her hand and helped her out of bed. "Let's begin."
The next fifteen minutes were a blur of motion, they were a welcomed physical distraction. She felt the smooth, warm water of the shower wash away the night's intensity, refocusing her on the present moment. She bypassed the casual, comfortable clothes, knowing that if she was going to be Ioannis's appendage in a corporate environment, she needed to look worthy of being with him.
She chose a simple black crepe shift dress. It was perfectly cut, stopping just above the knee, with a structured neckline. She pulled her hair back into a low, smooth knot, minimal jewelry, and a pair of large, dark sunglasses which matched her outfit but was also a perfect shield for her puffy eyes.
Exactly fifteen minutes later, she emerged from the dressing room. Ioannis was waiting, his gaze was fixed on his screen, but it flickered up on hearing the subtle click of her heels on the polished floor.
"You look..." he began, his voice had lowered considerably. "You look good, Yalda. Very elegant, as always."
It was an inadequate compliment. The truth was far more complex, and his composure cracked, it splintered his focus for a moment.
Seeing her in the black dress and the sunshades unsettled him, it reminded him that she was truly a widow trying to pull herself together, a person who was still mourning and grieving. It reminded him of how broken she'd looked during the funeral when he'd seen her. He'd wanted nothing more than to go to her and gather her in his arms, he'd wanted nothing more than to hug her till she didn't feel so lost anymore.
"The glasses," he commented, his voice carefully neutral, "They hide most of your face but it's sunny outside so it's all good."
Yalda nodded, unaware of the internal chaos her outfit had caused.
He walked toward her, taking her bare arm in his hand and guiding her toward the door. They walked down the marble staircase, the quiet sounds of their movement filling the luxurious atrium.
"You're going to have food once we get to the office, and you're going to let me know if you get tired or if your shoes get uncomfortable." He said as he lead her outside. "Okay?"
She nodded. He was so sweet, so kind, and at this point she could only be grateful for having him in her life.
"Okay." She replied.
"Good."
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