❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 92

Valerie

The first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, golden glow across the bedroom.
I stirred awake, slowly peeking my eyes open. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I felt at peace. The last evening seemed too good to be true, and I thought I just dreamed it.
But as soon as I felt the familiar warmth of Charles' body beside me, I knew it was real.
He was real.

I shifted carefully in his arms and turned to face him. He was still sleeping, his whole body wrapped around me like a sloth.
I gently traced his closed eyelids, the shape of his nose, the outline of his lips.
His mouth twitched into a smile under my touch.
"Hi," he whispered, eyes still closed.

"Good morning, sleepyhead."

His eyes fluttered open, and his smirk turned into a warm smile as his gaze fell on me. "How long have you been watching me?" he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.

"Long enough to realize you snore," I teased, chuckling with amusement.

"I do not snore," Charles protested, feigning offense. "I was just breathing... enthusiastically."

I coaxed out a soft laugh, gently wiping the disheveled hair out of his face. "Sure, if that's what helps you sleep at night."

He closed his eyes again for a second, leaning into my touch. "You help me sleep at night," he muttered, letting out a deep exhale.

I combed his hair back with my fingers, smiling, before I leaned down to give him a soft kiss on the lips, which he returned immediately.
He straightened up, pulling me closer and wrapping his arms around me after he pulled away. "You know, I seem to recall some drooling on my shoulder."

I gasped in a mock outrage, giving him a slight clap on the shoulder. "I did not! You're making that up!"

"Am I?" Charles raised an eyebrow, a playful grin on his face. "Guess we'll never know."

I playfully swatted his chest. "You're impossible."

His face was a wide grin. "And you love me for it," he replied, leaning in to capture my lips in another, tender kiss.

When we pulled away, I gave him a cheeky smile. "I'll contemplate on that," I teased, ruffling his messy hair at his quiet protests.

I rested my head on his chest for a moment, listening to his steady heartbeat.
"I missed this," I said softly, drawing small circles on his chest. "All of it."

Charles stroked my hair, his touch gentle and soothing. "You wouldn't believe how much I missed it," he admitted. "Everything feels so much lighter now."

We lay there for a while, comfortable in each other's embrace, the world around us slowly coming to life. My mind wandered, processing everything that had happened in the last 24 hours. It felt like waking up from a bad dream.
I tried not not think about it too much, but my thoughts wouldn't let go.
Of everything.
It all fell into place now.
How Raphael acted. How weirdly he behaved most of the time. Why Charles did what he had done. Why he had no other choice.
I understood it now. It all made sense.
Why he couldn't stay away from me despite our break up. He never wanted it.

I could hear the sound of birds chirping outside and the faint hum of traffic. But it seemed far away compared to the cozy bubble Charles and I were in. Just us two.