The night was cool, and laughter drifted softly down the hallway as Thalia, Nina, and Lily walked out from the kitchen. Their aprons were off, hair slightly messy from a long day, but spirits light
They all laughed, steps echoing lightly until a tall shadow turned the corner.
Vicious.
He walked out of his room at the same moment they approached. His gaze landed first on Thalia. His expression softened — subtly, but enough for both girls to catch it.
Lily and Nina straightened immediately.
"Good night, sir," they chorused politely, bowing slightly before walking briskly away — but not too far. They lingered at a distance, watching.
Thalia lowered her head, about to pass, when a warm hand gently caught hers.
"Thalia."
She blinked, surprised, lifting her eyes to meet his.
He held out a black box — sleek, expensive-looking.
"I got this for you," he said.
Her brows rose. "For me?"
He nodded once. "Hope you like it."
She took the box, smiling faintly. "Chocolates?" she guessed.
"Open it," he urged, voice low.
She opened it slowly — beautifully arranged dark chocolates, wrapped in gold foil. She blinked, touched.
"Thank you…" she said softly, then squinted playfully. "Okay, what's up now?"
Vicious put his hands into his pockets, almost boyishly. "Nothing. Just… have it now."
A beat of silence — a soft tension.
Thalia picked one chocolate, unwrapped it gently, and instead of eating it, she unexpectedly stood on her toes and placed it between his lips.
His eyes widened just slightly — caught off-guard.
"Too bad if the buyer doesn't get any," she teased.
Then she walked away — slow, graceful, intentionally leaving him processing that moment.
Vicious stood there stunned for half a second — then a smile tugged at his lips, subtle but real.
"She's killing me slowly," he muttered under his breath, watching her walk away.
Thalia reached Lily and Nina, lifting the box proudly.
"We are sharing this," she announced.
The girls squealed softly, following her to her room. Once inside, they sat cross-legged on her bed like teenagers having a midnight gossip. Chocolate wrappers already piling in the center.
"So…" Lily leaned closer with a wide grin. "Tell us more about you, Thalia!"
Thalia laughed. "Me? I'm not that interesting."
Nina gasped. "Oh please — new girl living in the boss' house? Interesting is an understatement."
Thalia thought for a moment, then began:
"I love writing. I love gardening too — when things feel hard, flowers calm me. I lost someone close some years ago... it changed me. I'm learning life again. Slowly."
Nina's expression softened. "That's… deep. And brave."
Thalia shrugged lightly, trying not to make the atmosphere sad. "And I cook terrible noodles sometimes."
Lily burst out laughing. "Those noodles slapped yesterday!"
Nina clapped her hands dramatically. "They knocked my soul out."
They laughed again, eating more chocolates. Warm. Girly. Safe.
Then — the question they've been dying to ask dropped.
"So you and the boss…" Nina wiggled her brows. "Are you two… you know… something?"
Thalia blinked innocently. "Something as in?"
"As in SOMETHING," Lily leaned in, whispering loud.
Thalia rolled her eyes, nonchalant. "No. He is just… kind. Protective, maybe. Nothing more."
Both girls gasped dramatically.
"Protective?"
"Kind??"
"Oh, she's gone," Nina teased, pretending to faint.
Thalia tossed a pillow at her.
"You both are crazy."
Their laughter filled the room — sweet, pure, like friends who'd known each other longer than just weeks.
Minutes later, the door opened gently.
Vicious.
The girls froze. Lily elbowed Nina, and they scrambled up like startled kittens.
"Good night, sir!" they squeaked and escaped faster than lightning, leaving Thalia alone — heart suddenly louder in her chest.
He stepped inside, closing the door halfway but not fully — respectful, calm.
"You liked the chocolates?" he asked, leaning slightly on the doorframe.
"Yes," she smiled. "Thank you."
He walked closer — slow, like he didn't want to scare the moment away. He sat on the edge of her bed, leaving space, but his presence filled the room like warm night air.
"I saw you laughing," he said softly. "It suits you."
Thalia looked down, suddenly shy.
"You don't have to dim who you are in this place," he continued. "Laugh. Live. I want you to be happy here."
Something in his voice made her chest tighten — gentle, sincere.
"Victor…" she whispered.
He lifted his eyes to hers — tender, unguarded. For a moment, time slowed.
He reached toward her hair, paused, silently asking permission with his stare. When she didn't pull back, he tucked a loose strand behind her ear, fingertips brushing her cheek with careful reverence.
Her breath trembled. His gaze lowered from her eyes to her lips — not to kiss, but as if reading unspoken words.
"You placed that chocolate in my mouth," he murmured with a half-smile. "You almost gave me a heart attack."
Thalia laughed under her breath, nervous. "Well… you told me to have it."
He leaned slightly closer just enough to feel his warmth.
"You're trouble," he whispered.
She smiled. "Good trouble?"
"The best kind," he answered.
Thalia's eyes warmed. "Thank you for the chocolates."
He smiled the kind that wasn't practiced or powerful, but real. "You shared them."
"I wanted to.
He lifted his hand, fingers brushing her cheek lightly, slowly, Thalia didn't move away, she leaned into it without meaning to.
"Thalia…" His voice dipped — gentle, careful.
"If I'm going too far, tell me to stop."
She didn't speak she just looked at him, eyes soft, breath held.
Vicious stepped closer, closing the space between them. His thumb traced her jaw softly, and with a breath he kissed her a tender, slow kiss, soft . Not demanding. Not rushed. Gentle… like he was afraid she'd vanish.
Her eyes fluttered closed.
When he pulled away, their foreheads rested together, sharing the same breath.
"I've wanted to do that since today, but you don't kiss me back" he whispered.
Thalia exhaled shakily, heart racing softly.
His slight smile returned, warm, teasing
Vicious brushed a kiss to her forehead this time softer, safer, a promise rather than a claim.
"No rush," he murmured. "We'll go slow. I just needed you to know."
He stepped back reluctantly, hand trailing from hers like a magnet breaking.
"Goodnight, Thalia."
"Goodnight," she whispered
She touched her lips when the door closed.