Book 2 Chapter 16
Dinner that evening was simple but comforting; grilled sea bass, a bowl of roasted vegetables, and soft bread drizzled with olive oil. The villa felt quieter than usual, the soft hum of the ocean rolling in through the open balcony doors. For the first time in weeks, Yalda felt a little more herself, the heavy fog that had weighed on her chest slowly beginning to lift.
She ate slowly, savoring each bite without forcing herself. The familiar clink of silverware and the scent of freshly baked bread grounded her in the moment. Across the table, Ioannis watched her quietly, his expression was unreadable but calm. He wasn’t hovering or asking her to eat more he was simply watching her.
He'd gathered her exhausted body after the sex and helped since the remaining soap of their skins before leading her to bed to get some rest, she'd slept for about two hours, and then it had been dinner time.
When she finished eating, she leaned back, rubbing her hand gently across her stomach. The gesture came naturally, almost instinctively. She didn’t feel that sharp, hollow ache of loss as much anymore. Instead, she felt… warmth.
When she looked up, Ioannis was still watching her, his gaze was soft but intent. He didn’t say anything, he didn’t have to honestly. The look alone was enough to tell her everything he was thinking. He looked at her with such love, such tenderness.
He reached across the table and brushed his thumb over her knuckles, a quiet show of affection. “I'm glad you're feeling better today,” he said simply.
She nodded. “My chest doesn’t feel so heavy anymore, I can actually breathe well.”
“That’s good.” He said smiling, "Did you like the food?"
Yalda nodded. "I did, it tasted great." She replied.
The villa was still quiet, Loki was asleep somewhere in their room uostairs. There was no tension between them, no heaviness pressing down, there was just stillness, the kind that didn’t feel oppressive for once. She took a deep breath and let herself lean back into the chair.
It had been so long she felt this way, and it truly felt so good to not feel so heavy anymore.
Her appetite had returned, her body was less sluggish, and her thoughts were more ordered. She could think again without breaking down. And that, to her, felt like progress. Real progress.
As she finished her juice, her mind began to wander to tomorrow.
Her first day back at work. Not officially, but it still felt like something significant. The thought both excited and scared her. She hadn’t worked in months, hadn’t even thought about spreadsheets, reports, or deadlines. But today, sitting in Ioannis’s office, she’d felt something stir inside her again, something like ambition, or perhaps just the comfort of being useful.
She would need to find an outfit for tomorrow. Something simple but presentable. And then, once they were done at the office, she’d need to go shopping for proper work clothes since she didn't have any at the moment.
She smiled faintly at the thought.
“You’re quiet,” Ioannis said, watching her over the rim of his glass.
“I’m thinking.” she replied, smiling.
“About what?” he seemed genuinely interested.
She set her glass down and sighed softly. “Tomorrow. I’m wondering what I’ll wear to the office. I’ll need to go shopping for proper clothes.”
It sounded a bit shallow but she didn't care, she was just glad to have something to look forward to.
He tilted his head slightly, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. “So, you’re not exhausted?”
After the long day he'd think she'd be too drained to think.
She shook her head. “No, not really. Why?”
“Good,” he said, pushing his chair back and standing. “Then we won’t be long.”
Before she could ask what he meant, he took her hand and led her toward the door.
And soon enough, they were outside and he was leading her into the car. They drove through the city in comfortable silence, the hum of the car and the distant buzz of nightlife filling the space between them. Yalda glanced out the window, watching the city lights flicker against the glass, she loved how alive the city was at night. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed the sound of people, of cars, of life continuing outside her bubble of grief.
When the car finally slowed, she recognized the street immediately. The boutique. The same elegant place Ioannis had taken her to before the Monte Carlo event, the same one where she’d tried on gown after gown while he sat back watching her with pride and awe.
Her lips parted slightly in surprise. “Here?”
He gave a small nod. “You said you needed work clothes.” he replied.
She couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her. “I didn’t mean tonight.”
“I know,” he said easily, helping her out of the car. “But I'll want you to rest tomorrow after work instead having to go shopping for clothes."
And she could only smile as her chest warmed.
Inside, the boutique smelled faintly of sandalwood and lavender. The soft lighting made everything gleam; rows of neatly folded fabrics, mannequins dressed in polished, understated elegance. The attendants recognized them instantly.
“Mr. Andreas!” one of them exclaimed, smiling broadly. “It’s so wonderful to see you again. Hello ma'am."
“And you,” Ioannis replied easily. “We’ll need some pieces for her. Something professional, perfect for her status and beauty."
And heat once again crawled up Yalda's neck. He was so.....perfect. at times, he seemed unreal, he seemed like someone who'd walked out of a dream.
The attendants nodded eagerly, bustling off to prepare options. Within minutes, a rack of outfits was rolled out; sleek pencil skirts, soft blouses, tailored trousers, and elegant dresses in muted tones.
Yalda ran her hand over the fabrics, her eyes lingering on each piece. They were all beautiful, refined, they were clothes that would fit effortlessly into Ioannis’s world, but more importantly, her old one.
“Try these first,” one of the attendants suggested, ushering her toward the fitting rooms.
Yalda glanced at Ioannis, who gave her a small nod of encouragement. “Let the show begin,” he said.
And she chuckled as she walked away. Inside the dressing room, she took her time, slipping into each outfit carefully. The first one was a beige blouse tucked into a black skirt, it fit perfectly. She turned slightly in the mirror, studying herself. The reflection staring back looked… capable. Not entirely confident yet, but strong enough to try.
For the first time in a long while, she didn’t see a widow or a broken lover, she saw a woman rebuilding herself. Piece by piece. When she stepped out, Ioannis’s gaze swept over her approvingly. “That one,” he said immediately.
She laughed softly. “You didn’t even look at the others.”
“I don’t need to.” he replied. "I love how you look; beauty and brains."
She rolled her eyes, but she didn’t argue. She tried a few more; the pale blue blouse, the soft gray dress, the crisp white shirt, and he complimented each one with quiet, honest approval.
By the end, the attendants had packed several neatly folded outfits into elegant bags. As Ioannis paid, Yalda thanked them, genuinely smiling at all of them. The warmth in her chest spread slowly, it was gratitude, comfort, and a small, fragile sense of happiness she hadn’t felt in months.
When they stepped back into the night, Ioannis took her hand again.
“Feeling even better?” he asked as they approached the car.
She nodded, her smile faint but real. “Yeah, very much so.”
He opened the car door for her, leaning slightly closer. “Good,” he murmured. “It makes you hotter.”
She laughed, and if Ioannis could, he would have bottled up the sound and kept it for the rest of his life.
As the car pulled away, Yalda leaned her head against the window, watching the city lights blur past. The day had started with uncertainty, but it was ending with something like hope. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new feeling, but tonight, she allowed herself to feel content.
The exhaustion began to set in and she let her eyes flutter close as Ioannis's hand settled over herself comfortingly.
A/N
We all need an Ioannis in our lives.
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