Enigma of Love

The One

River

I woke up before Arden, feeling the soft rise and fall of her breath as she lay on my chest. Her hair was spread out like a halo, her face serene and beautiful in the morning light. I looked at her, and a wave of emotions surged through me, stronger than anything I'd ever felt before. It wasn't just love; it was something deeper, something almost primal. It was as if she had been created solely for me, to fit perfectly into the missing piece of my heart.

Watching her sleep, I marveled at how much she had come to mean to me in such a short time. Four months. Four incredible, life-changing months. And in that time, I had found a love I never knew existed. It was hard to explain, even to myself, but it felt like destiny. Like every moment of my life had led me to this point, to this woman lying peacefully in my arms.

I gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, careful not to wake her. She stirred slightly, her lips curling into a soft smile, and I couldn't help but smile back. How had I gotten so lucky? How had I found someone who made me feel so complete, so alive?

The sound of the city waking up outside was a distant hum, but in this moment, it felt like the world had shrunk to just the two of us. I thought about the first time I saw her, the first time we talked, our first date. Every memory was vivid, every moment etched into my mind. She had brought so much joy into my life, so much light.

As I lay there, holding her, I realized that this was it. She was the one. There was no doubt in my mind. I loved her more than I ever thought possible. It was a love that went beyond words, beyond actions. It was a love that was simply... us.

She began to stir, her eyes fluttering open. When she looked up at me, her smile widened, and my heart skipped a beat. "Morning," she murmured, her voice soft and sleepy.

"Morning, beautiful," I replied, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Sleep well?"

"Always, when I'm with you," she said, nuzzling closer. I held her tighter, feeling that overwhelming sense of love and gratitude once more.

We cuddled for a while longer, savoring the warmth and comfort of each other's presence. Her body fit perfectly against mine, and I wished I could stay like this forever. But eventually, reality intruded, and I knew I had to get ready for the office.

"I hate to say this, but I really have to go," I murmured, my voice filled with reluctance.

Arden looked up at me, her eyes pleading. "Can't you stay a little longer? Just a few more minutes?"

I sighed, my heart aching at the thought of leaving her. "I wish I could. But I need to go home and change for the office. I have a few meetings this morning."

She pouted playfully, making it even harder to leave. "Fine," she said, her tone a mix of disappointment and understanding. "But I'm holding you to extra cuddle time tonight."

I chuckled, kissing her softly. "Deal."

As I got out of bed and started gathering my clothes, an idea began to form in my mind. It was something I hadn't voiced yet, but it was becoming clearer with every passing day. What if we moved in together? The thought of waking up to her every morning, coming home to her every evening... it was incredibly appealing.

I kept the idea to myself for now, wanting to wait for the right moment to bring it up. But the thought lingered as I got dressed and kissed her one last time before leaving.

"I'll see you tonight," I said, giving her one final, lingering kiss.

"I'll be waiting," she replied, her smile making my heart skip a beat.

Arriving at the office, the thought of moving in with Arden never left my mind. The idea had taken root, and I couldn't shake it. As I walked through the door, I greeted Jane professionally, still seething over the words she'd said about Arden. It took all my self-control to keep the conversation civil, but I managed.