A Weekend of Bliss

The weekend arrived with a sense of calm that had been absent from their lives for too long. After the tense gala and the simmering emotions between them, both Alex and Isabella were more than ready for a break. It was the first weekend they'd both agreed to stay home, away from the noise of their high-powered lives, to simply enjoy each other's company.

It started simply, with a quiet Saturday morning in their luxurious Tokyo mansion. Isabella woke up earlier than usual, the morning sunlight filtering through the curtains in her bedroom. For once, she didn't feel the usual rush of anxiety about what the day would bring. Instead, she felt an unfamiliar peace settling over her.

In the kitchen, she found herself pulling out ingredients, a small smile tugging at her lips. Cooking was something she hadn't done in a long time, not since she'd left her family home in Brazil. She used to love preparing meals, but her life with Alex had left little room for such simple pleasures.

Alex walked into the kitchen just as Isabella was preparing to cook. He stopped in the doorway, surprised to see her there, barefoot and looking so at ease in his space. She had her hair tied back, and she wore a light sundress, her whole demeanor soft and relaxed.

"What's going on here?" he asked, his voice gruff but amused.

Isabella turned to him, a little shy smile on her face. "I thought I'd cook us something. I've missed homemade food."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "You can cook?"

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Of course I can cook. You think I don't know how to survive without your five-star chefs?"

His lips twitched with a smile, and for the first time in a while, he allowed himself to relax in her presence. "I'll believe it when I taste it," he teased.

As she started chopping vegetables, Alex found himself lingering in the kitchen, drawn to the domestic scene unfolding before him. There was something incredibly comforting about watching her move with ease, her hands skillfully preparing the food. It was a side of her he hadn't seen before—a softness that contrasted with the strength she'd shown in navigating their complex marriage.

After a while, Alex joined her at the counter, watching her closely. "You don't have to do this, you know," he said softly, almost as if he was worried about something.

Isabella glanced up at him, her expression unreadable. "I want to. I like doing this."

And it was true. For the first time in a long time, Isabella felt like she was doing something for herself, something that reminded her of who she was before all the chaos of her life with Alex.

As the aroma of sizzling garlic and herbs filled the kitchen, the tension that had lingered between them slowly began to melt away. They shared light conversation as Isabella cooked, and Alex—though hesitant at first—started to help, chopping vegetables and keeping her company.

It was a simple, ordinary moment, but for them, it felt like a significant shift.

When the meal was finally ready, they sat down at the dining table, the spread of homemade dishes before them. Isabella had made a mix of Brazilian comfort food and some lighter dishes she thought Alex might enjoy. She watched as he took his first bite, her heart pounding slightly in her chest.

Alex chewed thoughtfully, his expression serious. Isabella was about to ask if it was okay when he looked up at her, his face softening into a smile. "It's perfect," he said, his voice quiet but genuine.

Relief flooded her, and she couldn't help but smile back. For the rest of the meal, they ate in a comfortable silence, punctuated by the occasional remark or shared glance. It was the most peaceful meal they'd ever shared, and for a few hours, it felt like they were just a normal couple, not a mafia boss and his wife caught in a complicated web of emotions and power plays.

The next day was just as blissful. They spent the morning lounging around the house, talking about nothing and everything. Alex, who was usually so guarded and distant, seemed to let his walls down just a little, sharing small details about his childhood and his travels. Isabella found herself laughing more than she had in a long time, feeling the bond between them grow stronger with every passing hour.

In the afternoon, they decided to take a walk in the private gardens behind the mansion. The rain had cleared, leaving the air fresh and cool. As they strolled through the neatly manicured paths, Isabella felt Alex's hand slip into hers, a quiet but meaningful gesture that sent warmth spreading through her chest.

They didn't talk much during the walk, but they didn't need to. The silence between them was comfortable, filled with the unspoken understanding that they were both starting to feel something neither of them had expected.

By the time the evening rolled around, they found themselves back in the kitchen, deciding to cook together once more. This time, Alex took the lead, following Isabella's guidance as they prepared a simple pasta dish. It was messy, imperfect, and full of laughter—something that felt incredibly normal, yet special for them.

When they finally sat down to eat again, the mood between them had shifted. There was no more awkwardness, no more tension. It was just them, two people slowly realizing that perhaps their relationship was becoming something more than just a convenient arrangement.

As they finished the meal, Alex looked at Isabella, his gaze intense but soft. "You know," he said quietly, "I didn't expect this."

Isabella tilted her head. "Expect what?"

"This," he gestured between them, "to feel so… easy. So… real."

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. She had been feeling the same, but hearing Alex admit it aloud made it all the more real.

"I didn't expect it either," she confessed.

They shared a long look, the weight of unspoken feelings hanging between them. It wasn't love—at least, not yet—but it was something. Something that neither of them had expected but were starting to embrace.

For the rest of the weekend, they stayed in that bubble of bliss, enjoying the quiet intimacy they had found in each other's company. It was a temporary reprieve from the outside world, from their complicated lives, but it was a moment they both desperately needed.

And for the first time in a long time, Isabella didn't feel like she was just playing a role in someone else's game. She felt like she belonged—like she was exactly where she was meant to be.

With Alex.