Eternal Echoes of Love

Chapter 11 – A Love That Feels Like Forever

The morning sun bathed the city in a golden glow, but inside Elias's penthouse, time felt suspended.

Serena lay tangled in the sheets, her body still humming from the night before. She wasn't used to this—waking up in someone's arms, feeling something close to peace.

Elias stirred beside her, his arm tightening around her waist as if he could sense the war inside her. He pressed a sleepy kiss to her shoulder.

"You're thinking too much," he murmured against her skin.

Serena exhaled, turning in his arms to face him. "And you're too good at reading me."

Elias smirked, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her back. "It's not hard. You're here, but your mind is running."

She studied him, the way the morning light softened his sharp features. "Maybe I just don't know how to be in the moment."

Elias shifted, rolling her onto her back, his body pressing against hers. "Then let me teach you."

Her breath hitched as his lips brushed hers, slow and unhurried, as if they had all the time in the world.

And for once, Serena let herself believe that maybe they did.

---

Breakfast in Bed, Love in the Air

An hour later, Serena sat in bed, wrapped in nothing but Elias's dress shirt, while he brought in a tray of breakfast.

"You cooked?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at the sight of perfectly golden pancakes and fresh fruit.

Elias chuckled, sitting beside her. "Let's just say I have my talents."

Serena took a bite, humming in approval. "I'm impressed."

Elias smirked. "I like impressing you."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't fight the smile tugging at her lips. It was too easy with him, too natural.

And that scared her more than anything.

Elias caught the shift in her expression, setting his fork down. "Talk to me."

Serena hesitated. "I don't know how to do this."

"Do what?"

She gestured between them. "This. Us. Whatever this is."

Elias studied her for a moment, then reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You don't have to figure it out right now."

Serena swallowed. "And if I never do?"

His gaze darkened, but there was no hesitation when he said, "Then I'll wait."

Her chest tightened.

Because she knew—Elias Carter wasn't the kind of man who waited for anything.

And yet, for her, he would.

---

A Date Neither of Them Expected

By midday, Elias had managed to convince Serena to spend the day with him.

"Where are we going?" she asked as he pulled her through the streets of the city, his fingers laced with hers.

"You'll see."

Minutes later, they arrived at a hidden garden nestled between two high-rise buildings. It was quiet, filled with blooming roses and fairy lights strung across the trees.

Serena blinked. "How do you know about this place?"

Elias shrugged. "It's my escape."

Serena turned to him. "You? The Elias Carter? You need an escape?"

Elias's smirk was softer this time. "Everyone does."

She watched him, the way his usual confidence melted into something more human, more real.

Maybe she wasn't the only one afraid of feeling too much.

She reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. "It's beautiful."

Elias's eyes met hers, something unreadable flickering in them. "Yeah," he said, but he wasn't looking at the garden.

He was looking at her.

---

A Dance Under the Stars

Night fell too quickly.

Serena should have gone home, but she didn't. Instead, she found herself back on Elias's rooftop, the city stretching out before them.

Elias poured them each a glass of wine, but neither of them touched it.

The air between them was charged, electric.

And then—

Elias reached for her hand. "Dance with me."

Serena laughed. "There's no music."

Elias smirked. "I don't need music to hold you."

Her heart stumbled, but she let him pull her into his arms.

They swayed in silence, the sounds of the city below fading into nothing.

Serena rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes.

She had never felt safer.

"Serena," Elias whispered.

She looked up, and before she could say anything, he cupped her face, his thumb brushing over her cheek.

"I don't want this to end."

Serena's breath caught.

Neither did she.

And so, when Elias kissed her—soft and slow and filled with everything they couldn't say—she kissed him back.

Because maybe, just maybe, this was what forever felt like.

To be continued....