chapter903

As they walked toward the door, Elio noticed the lingering caution in Candice’s eyes. He stopped, his expression softening into a somber plea. "Don't be afraid of me, Candice."

Candice hesitated, then nodded before shaking her head.

Elio sighed, a sound of weary resignation. "The hardness you saw... that is for the boardroom. Never for you."

"But I’m technically your subordinate too," Candice pointed out softly.

Elio let out a short, exasperated laugh, hanging his head. "Is that how you see us? Boss and employee?"

"It’s not that," she clarified quickly, worried she’d hurt him. "It’s just... taking time to adjust to this version of you."

Elio checked his watch, but lunch seemed like a distant priority now. Instead of heading for the main exit, he led her toward the private lounge connected to his office. Candice followed, confused by the change in direction.

Once inside, Elio closed the door and turned to her. He stepped into her personal space, gently trapping her against the door. He held her wrists, his gaze intense and mesmerizing as he leaned in. Candice’s breath hitched; the air felt thick with his scent and the sheer magnetism of his presence.

"Candice," Elio whispered, his voice dropping to a husky, low vibration. "Should I interpret your silence as you having feelings for me as well?"

Her mind went blank, her heart hammering against her ribs. Before she could answer, Elio leaned in and claimed her lips with a whirlwind of passion. It was a kiss fueled by ten years of unspoken longing, deep and searching.

Candice found herself yielding instantly, her body leaning back against the door as she surrendered to the familiar yet electrifying sensation. The world outside the lounge—the office, the scandals, the company politics—all faded into insignificance.

"Candice..." Elio breathed against her ear, his voice rough with an overwhelming desire. "Do you want this? Do you want me?"

Overwhelmed by the intensity of her own feelings, Candice couldn't pull away. She nodded silently, burying her face against his sturdy chest.

Elio locked the door with a soft click. He lifted her effortlessly, his arms a secure anchor as he moved toward the bed. In the quiet sanctity of the lounge, the barriers they had built over a decade finally crumbled.

For Candice, the fear and uncertainty of the morning were replaced by a profound sense of belonging. It wasn't just an act of intimacy; it was the realization of a dream she had carried since she was ten years old. In Elio's embrace, she finally understood that the man she had admired from afar was now hers—completely and unreservedly.