Rhea's life is a picture of quiet bliss-working in her cozy bakery, surrounded by the sweet smells of fresh pastries, and living a life full of sunlight and simple pleasures. But there's one person who disturbs her peace every day: Keane, the enigma...
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Rhea awoke with a familiar knot in her stomach. Her dreams had been tangled with shadows and sharp eyes, and even as morning light poured through her bedroom window, she couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease.
She brushed it off as best she could, focusing on her morning routine: shower, breakfast, and a comforting cup of coffee as she mentally prepared for another busy day at the bakery. But, as she gathered her things and headed out the door, a small part of her wondered if Keane would be waiting.
The thought made her both excited and wary.
The morning rush hit the bakery as usual, and Rhea lost herself in the bustle of customers, filling orders, and exchanging smiles. But just when the crowd thinned, and she had a moment to catch her breath, she saw him.
Keane stood at the doorway, framed by the morning light, his intense gaze already on her.
Her heart skipped a beat. "Morning, Keane," she called out, her voice bright, trying to disguise the nervousness creeping up her spine.
"Morning, Rhea." His voice was as smooth as always, calm yet charged, like he was revealing only a fraction of what he was feeling. "Busy day?"
She nodded, gesturing to the nearly empty trays of pastries. "Nonstop since sunrise. You're just in time, though. I saved a red velvet cupcake for you." She reached under the counter and pulled out a small box, handing it to him with a smile.
He accepted it with a slight nod, his fingers brushing hers just briefly enough to make her pulse quicken. "Always looking out for me," he said, his tone soft, almost... possessive.
Rhea swallowed, forcing herself to meet his gaze. She wanted to understand him, to see past the unreadable mask he wore. "Keane, I feel like we've talked so many times, but I barely know anything about you."
The slightest shift of tension crossed his expression, gone almost as soon as it appeared. "What do you want to know?"
She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Anything. Where you're from, what you do... Why you come here every day." The last part slipped out before she could stop it, but once she'd asked, she couldn't take it back. Her heart pounded as she waited for his answer.
Keane's gaze was intense, like he was weighing each word. Finally, he replied, "Maybe I come here because I feel drawn to this place. To you."
The way he said it made her pulse race, but there was something unsettling beneath his words—a hidden depth, as though he were revealing just the surface of something darker.
"I appreciate that," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "But it feels like... like there's more to it than that."
He tilted his head, a faint, unreadable smile playing on his lips. "Maybe there is. But some things are better left unsaid."
Rhea forced a laugh, hoping to lighten the tension. "Mysterious as always."
Keane's gaze softened, just a bit. "I promise I'll tell you more in time. But for now, let's just say I look forward to these mornings as much as you do."
A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, and she looked away, suddenly feeling vulnerable under his gaze. Before she could respond, he spoke again, his tone shifting to something darker.
"Have you noticed anyone unusual hanging around?" he asked, his voice low. "Anyone who made you feel uncomfortable?"
The question threw her off. "No, not really. Why?"
A flicker of something dangerous crossed his face, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. "Just looking out for you, Rhea. This city isn't always safe."
She managed a small smile, hoping to ease the tension. "Thanks, Keane. But I can handle myself."
Keane's eyes lingered on her, that intense look in them never wavering. "I know you can. But I'll always be here to make sure you're safe."
He left then, leaving her alone with the weight of his words.
———
The drive back to his penthouse felt longer than usual, each minute filled with a simmering need to be close to her again. Keane had felt her hesitation, her curiosity, and he knew he'd have to tread carefully. But he wasn't about to let her pull away, not now.
Back in his darkened sanctuary, he watched her through the screens, his eyes following her every move. He saw her serving customers, the smile on her face soft and warm. It was a smile he wanted reserved for him, and him alone.
She was starting to question him, to dig into his presence in her life. And while he could be patient, he didn't want her getting too close to the truth—not yet.
He leaned back, his eyes fixed on her as she moved behind the counter, graceful and unaware of his gaze.
"She's still mine," he murmured to himself, fingers drumming against the arm of his chair.
Tomorrow, he would have to be even closer.
Keane's eyes stayed glued to the monitor, watching Rhea's every move, his pulse steady but intense. Each smile she offered to her customers, each flicker of laughter—it was like she was giving pieces of herself to strangers who didn't deserve her attention, her light. He clenched his jaw, irritation simmering beneath his calm exterior.
His gaze shifted to the small camera feeds from outside her bakery, mapping her surroundings. His network had ensured he could see everything, down to the stray passerby glancing too long through her bakery window. It was a subtle but necessary measure, one he had meticulously set up to make sure she remained untouched, unswayed by anyone who could steal her focus.
In his mind, Rhea was a masterpiece—a rare find in a world filled with chaos and noise. She was calm, vibrant, a beacon in his life of control and calculation. And that was why she couldn't simply be another person. She had to be his, completely, down to the last breath.
He would give her a few more days of this delicate distance. But soon, she'd understand that they were bound together in a way she couldn't escape. Soon, she'd realize he was the one meant to protect her— always
