Will you, Elena Silas?

The intoxicating aroma of freshly brewed coffee beans filled the air, gently coaxing Elena from sleep. It was the scent she craved to kickstart every day. She entertained the fantasy of a coffee-loving neighbour possessing such divine brewing skills. But the stark reality of her tiny bedroom quickly dispelled such idyllic thoughts.

"Alright, time to wake up," she muttered, silencing the alarm before its jarring shrill at 6:00 am sharp.

Stretching languidly, she contemplated whether or not to snuggle under the duvet for a little a while longer.

A wistful longing flickered through her. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone special sharing a perfect cup of coffee, the intimacy of a shared breakfast a comforting prelude to their day?

The memory of Tony, a phantom of a past life, intruded on her thoughts. He wasn't anyone closer to that, he was but a maestro of empty promises.

Typically, a man with many words without action!

Yet, the persistent aroma of her favourite bitter brew was too tempting to ignore.

A soft clinging of plates from the other side of the door startled her.

Her mind raced, the first thought was an intruder.

But then, the memory of Theo, asleep in her living room, brought a sense of calm.

Curiosity piqued, she padded towards the door, her hand hovering over the doorknob.

Fatigue and the relentless march of sleepless nights had taken their toll. The thought of Theo entering her room last night spiked her anxiety. The cup of tea he had offered her, and the false sense of security it provided, had lulled her into a deep, if uneasy, slumber.

Throwing back the duvet, she rushed out to check on him.

The scene that unfolded before her was surreal.

Clad in her brown apron which somehow accentuated his lean physique, he moved around the kitchen with surprising ease, setting the table for a meal. Effortlessly sophisticated in a clean, white long-sleeved shirt casually rolled up to his elbows. The mundane task of preparing breakfast was elevated to an almost choreographed performance.

Ah, she forgot to mention those hands – strong, with visible veins – they added a touch of unexpected intrigue. The whole scene totally plays like a television commercial advertising.

Upon noticing Elena's presence, Theo turned, a charming smile lighting up his face. "Good morning, baby. Sleep well?" His voice was rich and deep, carrying a warmth that seeped into the room.

"Yeah, I guess... You, you made breakfast?" Her voice was a mixture of surprise and delight as she approached the counter. The tantalising aromas of coffee, bacon, and toast filled her senses, a stark contrast to her usual rushed morning routine.

A feast awaited her – golden toast, perfectly cooked bacon, and a steaming pot of coffee. It was more than she had expected, a gesture of care that touched her deeply.

He had laid a feast of steaming mug of coffee, crispy bacon, and perfectly toasted bread. It was a simple meal, but the care and attention to detail were evident. "I thought it would be a nice surprise," he explained. "Hope it's to your liking."

"This is beyond the best." she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with genuine appreciation. "Is there anything you can't do?"

His smile widened. "Just for my baby. Go wash-up and get ready. Let's have breakfast together," he suggested.

"Sure, I will be quick." Elena scurried away, suddenly aware of the need to ground herself.

A wave of warmth washed over Elena as she retreated to the bathroom. The prospect of sharing a meal with Theo, of experiencing this unexpected intimacy, filled her with a sense of anticipation.

Theo watched her with amusement, his eyes gleaming with a happiness he couldn't quite contain. The morning sun poured through the blinds, casting golden fingers of sunlight across the dining area. They sat across from each other, the shared meal a silent acknowledgment of their newfound companionship.

"How is it?" he asked, his voice filled with anticipation.

Elena took a bite, savouring the flavour. "Perfect," she replied, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. "The coffee alone is enough to brighten my day."

The awkwardness that had once hovered between them had dissipated, replaced by a comfortable silence.

After all, he was undeniably someone who is out of this world.

"Great, I will prepare breakfast from now on then." Theo declared, with a casual confidence in his voice.

Elena raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Seriously? Don't you have… a life beyond this? I mean, I'm curious…"

Elena's inquiring mind had always elated him. A playful glint appeared in Theo's eyes. "I'm planning to permanently reside in your world, with occasional returns to my kingdom." he explained, taking a sip of coffee. His tone was matter-of-fact, as if discussing a simple change of address.

To anyone else, such a statement would be met with disbelief, but Elena, having already accepted the extraordinary, found herself merely intrigued.

Ironically, just as they'd finally connected, she had to leave again.

"But, ironically, I have to leave again," Elena said, a tinge of disappointment colouring her voice. The prospect of spending a month apart was a bitter pill to swallow. "I'll be gone for a month this time."

"A month?" Theo's brow furrowed in concern. "That's a long time."

The weight of his disappointment was palpable, and it touched her unexpectedly.

Elena nodded, refusing to meet Theo's gaze. The weight of her impending departure was crushing, threatening to overwhelm her. She couldn't bear the sight of him, the fear of what she might do if she looked into his eyes. Tears pricked at the back of her eyes, a silent plea for release.

Theo seemed to sense her distress. His expression softened, his voice filled with concern. "Elena," he murmured, reaching out to her, "Are you alright? Look at me."

Unable to hold back any longer, Tears streamed down her face, each dropping a silent testament to the turmoil within her. "No.., I'm not okay." she choked out, her voice barely audible.

"What's wrong, Elena?" Theo asked, his voice filled with concern. He gently cupped her face in his hands, his touch a grounding force amidst the chaos of her emotions. "Tell me, Elena."

"I thought I was losing my mind," she sobbed. "That meeting you the first time was all a figment of my imagination."

Theo pulled her into a comforting embrace. "I'm so sorry, Elena," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm. "There were unforeseen circumstances, I should have been there for you."

For a moment, Elena resisted the temptation to surrender, her mind battling with her heart. But the warmth of his embrace was intoxicating, and she found herself yielding to its comfort. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply, the lingering therapeutic scents of him.

"I know you would have," she replied, her voice muffled against his chest. "I just... I needed to believe it was real."

Theo held her gently, allowing her to process her emotions at her own pace. "It is real, Elena," he assured her, his voice steady. "Everything about this is real."

A sense of peace washed over her. In this moment, with Theo's arms around her, the world seemed to make perfect sense.

Pulling back slightly, he held her gaze, his eyes filled with a sincerity that stole her breath away. "Starting from now, Elena Silas," he began, his voice low and intimate, "will you allow Theo Horatio, a fool who waited far too long, to mend your broken heart?"

A soft smile curved her lips. "Yes, Theo Horatio," she replied, her voice a tender caress. Leaning into him once more, she closed the distance between them, her breath mingling with his as she whispered against his lips, a silent affirmation of the emotions that had been building between them for so long.

Theo met her lips, moving slowly, savouring the softness of her lips, tasting the sweetness that was uniquely hers. His lips lingered on hers, drawing out the moment, as if trying to imprint every sensation into his memory. And she responded in kind, her hands tangling in his hair, her body pressed against his, her heartbeat echoing the rhythm of his own as she gave herself over to the moment completely.

Being this close to the woman he loved, Theo finally allowed himself to express everything he had kept hidden for so long.

In that embrace, in that kiss, they felt a profound sense of rightness, as if this was where they were always meant to be—by each other's side, loving each other with everything they had.

The rest of the world could wait; this was their time, their moment, and they intended to savour every second of it.