19

Elara stretched, feeling the ache in her muscles, a pleasant physical reminder of the night of passion. She slowly opened her eyes and was greeted by the sight of Daniel, still sleeping beside her. His hair was a bit messy, and his face, relaxed and free of its usual mask of control, was strikingly beautiful. The early morning light streaming through the windows fell on his face, highlighting the contours of his jaw and smooth skin. Elara felt a wave of affection and care so strong it nearly brought her to tears again. This man, who had dominated and taken her to unexplored places of pleasure, was, in that moment, just her Daniel, adorned, vulnerable.

She kissed him softly on the shoulder, a good morning kiss of gratitude. He moved steadily, a smile forming on his lips as he snuggled deeper into the pillows. His sleep was deep. Elara turned her head to the window and saw the infinity pool, which now reflected the sky in shades of gold and pink, blending perfectly with the horizon. Daniel was right; it was a breathtaking sight. She felt a calm, serene happiness fill her.

As Elara lost sight of herself, a discreet, subtly sound cut through the stillness of the room. It was a soft click, the sound of a door opening. She turned her head and saw it. A tall, slender figure with gray hair and impeccable posture. He wore a dark gray suit, a perfectly pressed white shirt, and a discreet vest. The doorman from the previous night had been the first indication of the discretion and luxury that awaited her. Now, she was faced with a butler. The man entered the room with a silver tray in his hands. He moved with the silent grace of a ghost, his footsteps making no sound on the soft carpet. His eyes, a pale blue, did not meet Elara's. His attention was completely focused on the task at hand. He was the embodiment of discreet professionalism, of someone who saw everything but observed nothing.

The butler stopped beside the bed, near the now-cold fireplace, and gently placed a tray on a small serving cart, which he pushed with equal fluidity. He set the breakfast table on the cart, his movements precise and efficient. The aroma of fresh coffee and freshly baked bread drifted through the room, making Elara's stomach rumble gently. The morning sun, already streaming into the room, glinted off the polished silver of the tray, revealing a cornucopia of delights.

There were two plates, one for each of us. On one, a cheese and herb omelet looked so fluffy and golden. On the other, blueberry pancakes were stacked high, drizzled with melted butter and maple syrup. Beside the plates, a basket of still-warm bread and croissants. In crystal glasses, freshly squeezed orange juice and a yogurt with berries and granola were served. Coffee, brewed in a silver pot, exuded a rich, inviting aroma.

The butler, with the same silence with which he had entered, set the cart beside Daniel's bed and gently, in a low, polite voice, woke him. "Sir, 8 a.m. Your breakfast is served." Daniel stirred slightly, his face still smooth and relaxed. He opened his eyes, and his gaze fell first on Elara, a peculiar, genuine smile settling on his face. Only then did he notice the butler.

"Thank you, Henry," Daniel replied, his voice hoarse with sleep. The butler,Henry, gave a slight shake of his head in response and, with the same description, left the room, leaving them alone again.

Elara encouraged him to leave, the door closing softly, sealing them back in their private affair. It was then that she saw it. Sitting on the bed, covered only by silk sheets that slid with every movement, she was completely naked. A hot flush crept up her neck and face, not from embarrassment, but from delicious surprise. In her commotion and contentment, and with Henry's impeccable discretion, she hadn't even thought to cover herself. The butler had entered, served breakfast, and left, all without giving the slightest indication that he had noticed her nakedness. He was a part of the tapestry of Daniel's world, a presence so perfect he was invisible.

Daniel, who was watching her with a smile, noticed the blush on her face. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Breakfast in bed," he murmured, his voice deep and content. He released her from his embrace, taking the omelet plate for her. "I didn't know how much I missed this," he said, his eyes meeting hers. "Waking up and having you beside me." The sentence was a ray of sunshine, a declaration of affection as powerful as any he had made the night before. Daniel's world, which Elara had imagined to be cold and calculated, was actually a place of warmth and intimidation.

Elara sat up in bed, picking up her fork. She looked at him, a genuine smile on her face. "Good morning, my universe," she replied, repeating the words she had said in the shower. She took a bite of the omelet and ate it. It was delicious, the melted cheese and fresh herbs blending perfectly. Daniel, in turn, took the pancakes and began to eat them with equal satisfaction. That moment, as they shared a simple and delicious meal, was the final confirmation that she had become part of his world.

As they ate, Elara explained the cart, the polished silver, and the fine china cups. The description ofHenry, the butler, impressed her. He was a silent, essential piece of that perfect world Daniel had built. "He's impressive," she commented, her voice low so as not to disturb the morning stillness. "I didn't even hear him come in."

Daniel smiled, taking a sip of black coffee.Henryis the best," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "He takes care of everything. He leaves the world outside, and makes sure that everything works as it should." The phrase, though simple, carried enormous weight.HenryHe wasn't just an employee; he was the guardian of those sanctuaries, the man who maintained the walls of Daniel's world so that he could have moments like this.

Elara nodded, realizing a new layer of understanding about Daniel's life. He wasn't just a powerful man. He was a man who possessed perfection and loyalty, and he received it. And now, she was part of it. She was no longer the actress looking for a role, or the girl seeking revenge. She was Daniel's wife, sharing breakfast with him in a penthouse apartment that felt like a slice of heaven, and everything was, finally, as it should be.

Elara finished the last bite of her omelet, the taste of cheese and fresh herbs still lingering in her mouth. The cup of coffee was warm in her hands, and the rich aroma wafted through the air. The morning silence, broken only by the soft sounds of Daniel eating pancakes and the distant hum of the city, was a balm to her soul. She felt as if she were floating, the reality of the previous night and the tranquility of this morning blending into a single, overwhelming experience. Daniel, bare-chested, looked like a Greek statue in the morning light, and the sight of him, so relaxed and at ease, was one she would never forget.

After he finished eating, he took her cup, placing it back on the tray with a smooth movement. Breakfast had been a pause, a moment of simple intimacy, but now the air was charged with a new anticipation. Daniel looked at her, and a predatory yet gentle smile played across his lips. He rose from the bed, his muscles moving with impressive fluidity. The silk sheet slipped from his body, revealing him completely, without any shame or hesitation.

"Let's take a dip in the pool," he suggested, his voice low and full of an invitation that went beyond words. "The sun is already strong outside."

Elara felt her heart race. The infinity pool, the same one she'd seen the night before, the same one he'd emerged from like a sea god, now beckoned. But the thought of going there, naked, in broad daylight, on one of the city's highest points, made her hesitate. It was a vulnerability she wasn't yet ready to embrace. She rose from the bed, grabbing a silk robe from the armchair.

Morning sunlight bathed the room, highlighting the polished marble and wood paneling. The soft carpet beneath her bare feet was a quiet luxury. Elara headed to the bathroom, the same marble and glass sanctuary as the night before. Upon entering, she saw it. On the marble countertop sat a discreet yet elegantly crafted leather vanity case. She approached, and what she saw inside stopped her in her tracks. It contained makeup products from the most sophisticated and exclusive brands, brushes, perfumes, face creams, and toiletries—all new, neatly arranged in a leather pouch. It was a complete beauty and hygiene kit, tailored just for her.

Elara turned, still on the threshold of the bathroom, her face a silent question. Daniel, who stood a few feet away, watching her, smiled. He knew exactly what she was thinking. The fact that something as personal and intimate as a makeup and toiletries kit could have been provided, without her even asking, was the final proof that he was not just a man, but an entity orchestrating every aspect of reality around him.

"Henry prepared it for you," Daniel said, his voice confirming her silent assumption. "You can be sure." The phrase was a reminder of the impeccable professionalism of his butler and, by extension, his entire empire. Henry didn't just serve breakfast. Henry anticipated the needs, desires, and most intimate demands of Daniel and those around him. He had already provided makeup, bath products, and personal care for her, his master's wife. It was a gesture of power and possession, but also of care and attention. He wanted her perfect, flawless, and he would ensure she had everything she needed to be just that.

Elara nodded, her surprise turning into calm satisfaction. She felt like the queen of her kingdom, and Daniel, her king, who provided her with everything she needed. She touched the leather bag with her fingers, feeling its softness and quality. The fact that he had already done all this made her feel safe and protected. This man, who had dominated her in bed, now pampered her with a luxury she had never imagined.

Daniel stepped away from her, walking toward a white marble staircase that seemed to disappear into the ceiling. "Let's take that dip in the pool," he said, his tone a gentle invitation, but the expression on his face one of someone who wouldn't take no for an answer. The morning sunlight streaming through the panoramic windows enveloped his naked body in a golden halo, and he looked like a god ascending back to Olympus.

Elara watched him ascend, his figure growing smaller as he ascended the staircase. The staircase was made of white marble, with a smooth texture, and resembled a staircase in an ancient palace. The design was clean and modern, without any excess. It was the perfect representation of Daniel's world: a place where luxury and functionality blended seamlessly.

"Aren't you coming?" Daniel's voice echoed in the vast room, his tone now a hint of playful challenge. He stood at the top of the stairs, his figure a dark silhouette against the glow of the penthouse. Elara hesitated, her eyes roaming over her own naked body. Shame was an unfamiliar sensation to her, but the idea of exposing herself like that, out in the open, at one of the highest points in the city, made her tremble. She was a naked woman in a penthouse apartment, but the world outside, with millions of eyes below, felt like a threat.

"But naked..." she thought, the voice of her own mind a doubt she couldn't voice.

The answer came from her heart, from a need she couldn't ignore. She wanted to be with him, in his universe, in his kingdom, no matter the cost. The fear of exposure, the insecurity of her own body—all of it seemed insignificant compared to the promise of being with him. He was calling her, inviting her to a new level of intimacy, and she couldn't refuse.

She removed her robe, letting it fall gently to the floor. The cool morning air from the ventilation system touched her skin, and a chill ran through her. She felt the morning sunlight on her skin, and a new sense of freedom and power filled her. She was no longer a hostage to fear and insecurity. She was Daniel's woman, and she would go wherever he led her. She was his queen, and the world was her kingdom. She was part of him, and he was part of her. Nudity, which had once frightened her, was now a symbol of her total surrender.

Elara began climbing the stairs, her bare feet touching the smooth white marble. Each step was a step toward a new reality. She ascended the stairs, her figure, naked and powerful, a stunning sight. The morning sunlight enveloped her, and she felt a new strength fill her. She was ready for the challenge, ready for the new chapter of her life.

Reaching the top of the stairs, she was greeted by the most breathtaking view she had ever seen. The infinity pool, with its crystal-clear, inviting water, reflected the sky in hues of blue and orange. Daniel stood there, at the edge, waiting for her. His body, wet and glistening, was a stunning sight. The edge of the pool, which seemed to disappear into the horizon, gave the illusion that the water was pouring directly onto the city. The air was cool and fresh, without a trace of the pollution from the city below.

Daniel smiled, extending his hand to her. "Come, my lotus flower," he invited, his voice a soft melody. He didn't judge her, didn't look at her with lust. Only with a caress and admiration that made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. This was his universe, and he was inviting her to be its queen. His hesitation had turned into an unshakable certainty.