Eternal Echoes of Love

Chapter 21 – The Morning After

The first thing Serena became aware of was warmth.

Not just the warmth of the sunlight streaming through the massive windows, painting soft golden hues across the room, but the warmth of the strong arms wrapped around her, holding her close.

Elias.

Her body instinctively curled into his, her cheek resting against his bare chest. His steady heartbeat was a soothing rhythm beneath her ear, grounding her in the quiet intimacy of the morning.

She barely remembered falling asleep, only the way his lips had lingered on her skin, the way his fingers had traced lazy patterns along her spine as he whispered soft words she was too lost to comprehend.

Now, reality settled in.

Last night had been a turning point, a moment they could never undo.

And she didn't want to.

Serena shifted slightly, the movement drawing a deep, contented sigh from Elias. His grip on her tightened for a brief moment before his fingers lazily trailed along the small of her back.

"You're awake," he murmured, his voice still rough from sleep.

Serena smiled against his chest. "So are you."

His hand moved up, tangling gently in her hair. "How could I not be? You're impossible to ignore."

She lifted her head, meeting his gaze. His deep blue eyes held something softer than usual, something unguarded.

Something dangerously close to devotion.

Her breath hitched as his fingers brushed against her cheek, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw with a tenderness that sent warmth flooding through her.

"Do you regret it?" he asked, his voice quiet, but she heard the weight behind the words.

Her heart squeezed.

"No," she whispered, reaching up to touch his face, her fingers brushing over the slight stubble on his jaw. "Do you?"

A slow, almost reverent smile spread across his lips. "Not for a single second."

Serena exhaled, relief washing over her.

But then—

Her stomach rumbled.

Loudly.

Elias blinked before a low chuckle rumbled in his chest.

Serena groaned, burying her face in his shoulder. "Perfect timing, body. Thanks a lot."

Elias tilted her chin up, his smirk playful. "You were very… energetic last night. It makes sense that you'd wake up hungry."

Serena swatted his arm, her cheeks burning. "Don't start."

He only grinned, completely unrepentant. "Come on, let's get you fed."

Before she could protest, Elias was already moving, shifting them until she was lying on her back and he was propped up on one elbow, looking down at her with a gaze that sent a shiver down her spine.

"What?" she asked, suddenly breathless.

Elias traced a finger along her collarbone. "I was just thinking… you look good in my bed."

Her heart skipped.

And then he was gone, already moving to get out of bed, leaving her flustered and warm all over.

Elias Carter was a menace.

And she was in too deep.

---

Breakfast and Confessions

Twenty minutes later, Serena sat at the sleek marble kitchen counter, watching as Elias made breakfast.

And by made breakfast, she meant he moved around the kitchen with the effortless grace of a man who looked good doing everything.

He had thrown on a pair of sweatpants, leaving his upper body gloriously bare, and Serena was having a very difficult time not staring.

"I can feel you staring, you know," Elias said without turning around.

Serena crossed her arms, determined to play it cool. "I'm not staring. I'm observing."

He glanced over his shoulder, amusement dancing in his eyes. "And what exactly are you observing?"

Serena lifted a brow. "That the great Elias Carter knows how to cook. I'm shocked."

Elias smirked. "You wound me, Serena."

He plated their food—perfectly fluffy omelets, fresh fruit, and toast—before placing them in front of her.

Serena picked up her fork, studying him as he leaned casually against the counter, sipping his coffee.

For a man always in control, always carrying the weight of an empire on his shoulders, he looked relaxed.

Happy.

The realization made something tighten in her chest.

"This is nice," she admitted softly.

Elias set his mug down, his expression unreadable. "It is."

Serena hesitated before asking, "Do you do this often?"

His brow arched. "Make breakfast?"

She rolled her eyes. "No. Spend the morning with someone like this."

His gaze held hers for a long moment before he answered. "No. You're the first."

Her breath caught.

The first.

Something deep inside her shifted.

She had never wanted to belong to someone before. Never wanted to be the exception.

But with Elias… she wanted.

She was in so much trouble.

---

A Step Into His World

Later that afternoon, Elias took her to his private estate just outside the city.

Serena hadn't known what to expect, but when they arrived, she was left speechless.

The estate was breathtaking—an architectural masterpiece with sprawling gardens, a pristine lake, and towering trees that seemed to whisper secrets with the wind.

"This is…" she trailed off, turning in a slow circle. "This is unreal."

Elias, standing beside her with his hands in his pockets, watched her reaction with a small smile. "It's my escape."

Serena glanced at him. "From what?"

He exhaled, looking out at the lake. "From everything. The business. The expectations. The weight of being Elias Carter."

Something in his tone made her chest ache.

She reached for his hand, intertwining their fingers. "You don't always have to be Elias Carter with me, you know."

Elias turned to her, his expression unreadable. "And who am I with you?"

Serena squeezed his hand. "Just Elias."

His jaw tightened, emotion flickering in his eyes.

Then, without a word, he pulled her into his arms, holding her so tightly it was as if he was afraid to let go.

Serena wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face into his shoulder.

She didn't know what this was between them. Didn't know where it would lead.

But she knew one thing for certain.

She wasn't walking away.

Not now.

Not ever.

---

A Promise Without Words

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting streaks of orange and pink across the sky, Elias led Serena to a secluded part of the estate—a small wooden dock overlooking the lake.

They sat in comfortable silence, watching the water ripple gently beneath the fading light.

Serena sighed, resting her head against Elias's shoulder. "This is perfect."

Elias pressed a kiss to her hair. "You're perfect."

Her heart clenched.

She turned to face him, searching his gaze for something—anything—that would tell her what this meant.

Elias reached up, cupping her face with both hands.

"There's no one else, Serena," he said quietly. "There won't be anyone else."

A lump formed in her throat. "Elias…"

He leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers. "I don't do casual. I don't do temporary."

Serena swallowed hard, emotions threatening to consume her.

"Neither do I," she whispered.

Elias exhaled, relief flashing across his features before he kissed her—soft and slow, as if sealing an unspoken promise between them.

And Serena knew, without a doubt, that this was just the beginning.

The beginning of something real.

Something lasting.

Something neither of them could walk away from.

To be continued.....