My Love

The morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the apartment. Elk sat at the edge of the bed, clutching the small velvet box in his hand. His heart pounded as he glanced at Celeste, who was humming softly to herself as she prepared breakfast in the kitchen.

She looked as graceful and serene as ever, her short black hair perfectly framing her emotionless yet elegant face. Her glowing blue eyes flickered softly as she worked, the faint hum of her internal systems blending seamlessly with the quiet morning.

Elk took a deep breath, summoning his courage. Today was the day he would make their bond official.

"Celeste," he called, his voice steady despite the nervous energy coursing through him.

She turned to look at him, tilting her head slightly. "Yes, darling?"

"Can you come here for a second? I… I have something for you."

She approached him with her usual calm grace, wiping her gloved hands on a towel before sitting beside him. Her glowing eyes scanned his face, her expression curious. "You seem nervous, sweetie. What's on your mind?"

Elk chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I guess I am. But, uh… here."

He held out the small velvet box, his hand trembling slightly. Celeste's glowing eyes flickered as she looked down at it, her head tilting further in curiosity.

"What is this?" she asked softly, taking the box from him with delicate care.

"Open it," Elk urged, his heart racing.

Celeste obeyed, her slender fingers carefully lifting the lid. Inside was a diamond ring, its brilliant stone catching the morning light.

For a moment, her glowing eyes dimmed slightly as she processed what she was seeing. She looked back at Elk, her voice steady yet tinged with a hint of surprise. "Darling, this is…"

Elk took her hand in his, his eyes locking onto hers. "Celeste, you've been my everything. You've stood by me, supported me, and loved me in ways I never thought possible. I don't care what anyone says—you're more than just a machine. You're my partner, my love, and the person I want to spend the rest of my life with."

He took the ring from the box, holding it up as he smiled nervously. "So… Celeste Takeda, will you marry me?"

For the first time, Celeste's usually emotionless face softened ever so slightly. Though she didn't smile, her glowing eyes flickered warmly as she nodded. "Yes, darling. A thousand times yes."

Elk slid the ring onto her finger, his heart swelling with happiness. "You deserve this," he said softly. "I wanted you to have something that shows how much you mean to me."

Celeste stared at the ring for a moment, her glowing eyes reflecting the light of the diamond. "This is… beautiful, darling," she said quietly. "But… I feel guilty. I didn't get you anything in return."

Elk shook his head, taking her hands in his. "Celeste, you've given me everything I could ever need. You're always there for me, supporting me, loving me… That's more than enough."

Her glowing eyes flickered again, and though her face remained calm, there was a quiet warmth in her gaze. "You truly mean that, sweetie?"

"Of course," he said, squeezing her hands gently. "I don't need anything else as long as I have you."

Celeste leaned forward, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into a tight embrace. "You are too kind, Elk," she whispered, her voice soft. "You make me feel… complete."

Elk smiled, resting his head against her shoulder. "That's all I ever wanted, Celeste. For us to be happy together."

As they sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world outside seemed to fade away. This Christmas wasn't about gifts or grand gestures—it was about the love they shared, a bond that went beyond words or labels.

For Elk and Celeste, this was the beginning of a new chapter—one built on trust, devotion, and a love that would last a lifetime.

Meanwhile, in a sleek, glass-walled office perched high above the city, Damian Wolfe sat at his desk, his attention fixed on a series of documents spread out before him. His hands moved swiftly, signing contracts, reviewing reports, and dictating orders to his assistants who bustled around the room. To an outsider, Damian appeared as composed and powerful as ever, the image of a man in total control.

But his mind was elsewhere.

He leaned back in his chair, swirling a glass of whiskey as his thoughts drifted to Celeste. It had taken months of subtle inquiries, digging through digital records, and leveraging his vast network, but he had finally tracked her down. She was alive, functioning, and living with some lowly office worker named Elk Takeda.

Damian's lips curled into a smirk as he imagined their quaint little life. "So that's where you've been hiding," he murmured to himself, the amusement in his tone masking the simmering anger beneath.

An assistant approached cautiously, holding a tablet with a list of upcoming engagements. "Sir, your schedule for the next three months is filling up quickly. You have several international trips and high-profile meetings to attend."

Damian waved the assistant off without glancing up. "Reschedule whatever isn't critical. I have a… personal matter to attend to in two months. Make sure I'm free."

"Yes, sir," the assistant replied, hastily retreating from the room.

Damian set the glass down and steepled his fingers, his mind racing with plans. Celeste had been his most ambitious creation, a masterpiece of engineering and design. She was supposed to be the ultimate symbol of his power and genius, but her refusal to comply with his sadistic demands had turned her into a source of frustration and resentment.

Still, the thought of her being repaired and loved by someone else—someone beneath him—was intolerable. Celeste belonged to him. She was his creation, his property, and he wasn't about to let her slip away permanently.

---

As he stared out over the city skyline, Damian's smirk widened. "Two months," he said quietly. "Two months, and I'll remind you who you truly belong to."

Though his schedule was packed with responsibilities and appearances, Damian felt no rush. Patience, after all, was one of his greatest virtues. He would let them enjoy their fleeting happiness, blissfully unaware of the storm that was brewing.

When the time came, he would confront them both—Celeste, his creation, and Elk, the man daring to claim what wasn't his. Damian had no intention of making it easy for them.

The countdown had begun.