𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇 | ᴊᴀᴠɪᴇʀ ᴘᴇɴᴀ |

~ 40 ~

It had been nearly two months since Javier and Madison returned from Vancouver, and San Francisco felt like both a familiar home and a fresh start. The days had settled into a comfortable rhythm, with work resuming at Javier's marketing company, but the air between them felt lighter, as though a new chapter of their lives had quietly begun.

Madison had fully embraced her role as the head of the law department. Under her guidance, the team they made, was stronger and more cohesive than ever. Javier couldn't help but notice how Madison had transformed the office’s atmosphere, once filled with tension and constant pressure, into something more collaborative.

One late afternoon, as the golden sunlight streamed into Madison's office, Javier stood at her door, leaning casually against the frame. He watched her, admiring the way she was completely engrossed in her work, her brow slightly furrowed as she made notes on a contract. Her hair was loosely tied back, a few strands framing her face, and Javier found himself lost in the sight of her.

Madison glanced up, catching him staring. She smirked, setting her pen down. "You know, you could help instead of just standing there."

Javier crossed the room, the grin on his face softening as he leaned against her desk. "I'm just appreciating the view," he teased, his eyes warm as they lingered on her. "You've really made this place better, Madison. Everyone knows it, even Mark and Sarah."

Just as if summoned by their names, Mark and Sarah appeared in the doorway, knocking lightly before stepping in. Mark balanced a stack of files under one arm, while Sarah handed over a fresh cup of coffee to Madison.

"Hey, boss," Mark said with a lopsided grin, setting down a thick binder. "The contracts for the new partnership are good to go. Just need your signature."

Sarah added with a small smile, "And here's the compliance review. Everything checks out."

Madison gave them a grateful nod, taking the documents. "Thanks, you two. You’ve been great lately. I'm not sure we'd have managed without you both holding things together."

Mark shrugged with a playful smile. "Hey, we just follow the best boss we've had." He shot a glance at Javier, who raised an eyebrow but smirked.

Sarah chimed in, her tone light, "And things are definitely less tense around here now. The whole team feels it."

Madison shared a knowing glance with Javier before turning back to them. "Well, I appreciate all the hard work. But you two should get out of here before we end up pulling an all-nighter."

With a few more laughs, Mark and Sarah headed out, leaving Madison and Javier alone in the quiet of the office once again. The silence between them was comfortable, yet charged with an underlying tension. Javier crossed to the window, looking out over the city skyline, its evening lights beginning to shimmer against the darkening sky.

Madison stood, moving beside him, their shoulders brushing. "You seem lost in thought," she said softly, her voice cutting through the quiet.

Javier turned to her, his gaze steady and thoughtful. "I've been thinking a lot lately. About us, about the future." His tone was serious, but there was a softness in his eyes, a vulnerability that Madison hadn't seen before.

She reached for his hand, intertwining her fingers with his. "What about it?" she asked, her voice gentle.

He smiled, his thumb grazing over her knuckles. "About how lucky I am to have found you. About what we could build together."

Madison's breath hitched slightly at his words, and she stepped closer, resting a hand on his chest. "I've been thinking about that too. I never imagined... any of this. But now I can't imagine anything else."