Chapter 15

Kiyara

In the past few days, Ezekiel and I have been working on a bracelet that can locate another bracelet of its kind. It's a perfect blend of my creative flair and his brilliant mind. I'm confident this will be one of my greatest creations.

"I want the bracelet to have a diamond finish; hope that's alright," I asked Ezekiel, who was in my living room, listening to my design ideas. I wanted to be meticulous with the designs so he'd feel comfortable integrating the technology and all the technical details.

"It won't be a problem," he replied, focused on his laptop. "I want the glowing part to have a 'K' engraved in it, and make sure it's really bright," I said, emphasizing the "really."

"I'll do whatever you ask. Is that everything?" he asked, looking at me.

"Yes," I nodded.

"So, if I wear one bracelet and give you the other, and I can't find you, it will guide me to you, like magic?" I said with a smile.

"Exactly," he said, his deep voice always managing to make me feel weak in the knees.

"Wow, that sounds amazing! When you're done, I'll make us some coffee," I said, resting on his lap.

Yes, I've been acting a lot like his girlfriend lately, and I haven't told him I love him yet. I wanted to tease him a bit and save that confession for a more romantic setting.

He gently ran his fingers through my hair, patting and rubbing it as if it were the softest fur.

After making coffee for Ezekiel, we continued discussing the project.

"Where exactly is your technology company?" I asked curiously.

"Underground," he sipped his coffee.

"So, is it a secret company?"

"No, just discreet," he replied.

"Oh," I said.

"So, are you close with your brother-in-law?" I asked, sensing the quiet.

"Not particularly, though he works at E-tech too," he said, still focused on his laptop.

"He does? As one of your employees?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes," he nodded, and I wondered how he fell for Jasmine.

"So how did their relationship start?"

"I'm not sure, but if I could go back in time, I might have reconsidered hiring him," he said casually, and I smiled.

"Why?" I asked.

"He doesn't quite deserve my sister," Ezekiel said, revealing his protective nature. It seemed he might have been a bit of an obstacle in their relationship.

"Oh, come on, don't be the villain in their love story. You don't see a villain in ours," I said, instantly regretting it. Did I just reveal that we had a love story? Ezekiel looked at me with wide eyes and a smirk.

Oh no.

He moved closer until there was no space between us.

"Our love story?" he said slowly.

"I-I well—"

"Admit it already, you love me, Kiyara," he whispered against my ear. I nodded, and he whispered again, "Say it."

"I-I," I stuttered, not planning to say it right now.

"I love you, Ezekiel," I said anyway, feeling a sense of liberation.

"Finally," he said, lifting me onto the kitchen counter as we kissed. His hands snuck under my shirt, making that day one of the most memorable of my life.

I introduced Ezekiel to my friends the following week, and Bella wasn't making it easy. She eyed him as if he were one of her past suitors.

"So, you and Kiyara, huh? We've heard a lot about you," she said slowly.

"Hope it's all good," Ezekiel replied, casually lounging on the couch with his legs crossed, a smirk on his face while I sat beside him, looking nervous.

"I honestly thought Kiyara would never find a boyfriend, but look! What a miracle!" Ariel exclaimed, thrilled that Ezekiel and I were officially together.

"So, what did he do that melted your heart?" Bella asked calmly.

"Well..." I glanced at Ezekiel, and he smiled at me.

"I think I've been in love with him from the start. Ezekiel is incredibly charming and definitely my type," I smiled, knowing Ezekiel would tease me about it later. He was grinning from ear to ear as I rolled my eyes.

"Awwww," Ariel said, wiping an invisible tear.

"It was more like an enemies-to-lovers story," Ezekiel said, and I chuckled, recalling the days I pretended to dislike him. Bella narrowed her eyes at Ezekiel.

"Hope he doesn't do anything against your will," she said.

"No," I replied.

"At times," Ezekiel teased, making me glare at him. Did he really want to bring up the times I resisted his advances?

"Uhm, is it a yes or a no?" Ariel asked, confused.

"No," I awkwardly laughed and glared at Ezekiel. Bella took a sip of her cocktail, no longer paying attention to us. Soon, Ezekiel left for work.

Ezekiel

Finally, it was my turn to share my relationship with Kiyara with someone close to me. Jasmine was eager to hear about it, and I knew she'd be thrilled since her big brother was finally opening up about his personal life.

"So, who is the person we're waiting for?" she asked eagerly. I looked at her with a straight face and said, "You'll see." Soon, I saw Kiyara's Lamborghini parked outside and smiled.

Jasmine looked at me curiously and tried to peek at who was coming. We heard a knock at the door, and Luke approached us. "Mr. King, Mrs. Kelfy, Miss Kiyara is at the door," he announced elegantly.

"Let her in," I said, and Luke bowed and left.

"Wha—What is Kiyara doing here? Are you—" Jasmine started but was interrupted by Kiyara, who had a bright smile and was dressed in a yellow mini pencil skirt with a slit, a white crop top, a yellow mini jacket, and white boots.

"Oh my gosh, girl, what are you doing here?" Jasmine asked, surprised. Kiyara looked at me, and I reached out for her hand. She took it, and I guided her to sit beside me on the couch, while Jasmine and her husband sat opposite us.

"Meet my girlfriend, Kiyara, and my future wife," I said casually, and everyone in the room, including Kiyara, looked shocked.

"Oh. My. God!" Jasmine said slowly, then broke into a wide smile. "Oh my God! That's so lovely! So, Kiyara and I will finally be sisters-in-law. How perfect is that, darling?" she turned to her husband, who hadn't spoken since he arrived.

"Yes, my love," he smiled at her, which made me scoff slightly.

"So, how did everything happen? I had a hint when you punched that guy at the party, but I didn't expect you to move so quickly, Ezekiel."

"It was love at first sight," I said plainly. Jasmine squealed with excitement.

"Really, Kiyara?" she asked, turning to her.

"Y-Yes, but we got to know each other well before I agreed to be his girlfriend."

"And future wife," I added. Kiyara whispered, "We never agreed to that," and I whispered back, "But it will happen anyway." Kiyara's face turned tomato red as she looked at Jasmine and her husband.

I knew she meant it. With people around us, we weren't meant to be so close, but I didn't care.

"Did you really think carefully before agreeing to be his girlfriend?" John asked, and I glared at him.

"Yes—" I interrupted, "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know, you just don't seem the romantic type. You're more of a tough guy, and we both know that," he said, tapping his cheek where I had punched him a year ago after learning he was dating my sister.

I sighed and said the unexpected.

"I'm sorry." Everyone gasped, including Kiyara. I rolled my eyes when I saw John smirking.

"I forgive you, brother-in-law," he said slowly. Jasmine's smile was radiant.

"Guess Kiyara changed you," Jasmine said happily.

"Please, no. I think he changed on his own," Kiyara said.

"No, Kiyara did change me," I said, lost in her eyes.

"Launch is ready, sir," the maid announced. I gestured for her to leave.

"So, shall we have a family dinner?" I asked, and everyone agreed.

Throughout the dinner, Jasmine chatted endlessly, and Kiyara responded as if they were b est friends. John looked at his wife with a lost expression, while I was completely captivated by my source of life, my heartbeat, my oxygen.