Chapter 43: First Kiss
The hallway was silent. Everyone had already gone to bed.
The lights were dim. The city sparkled beyond the glass walls of the penthouse.
Chris stood outside Liliana’s door, wondering if he should leave. Then the door opened almost immediately.
Their eyes met, neither seemed surprised.
"You’re awake."
"You too."
The two laughed softly. Because apparently neither of them could sleep again.
"Can I come in?"
Liliana stepped aside.
"You’re already here."
Chris smiled before stepping inside the room.
The familiar scent of flowers greeted him. Liliana had somehow managed to make her room feel like home despite only living there for a few days. Several books rested on the bedside table. A small vase stood near the window.
The atmosphere felt warm. Comfortable. Very Liliana.
She sat on the edge of the bed while Chris occupied a nearby chair.
No one spoke.
The emotional conversation earlier still lingered in their minds. The story, memories and the confession.
Everything.
"How are you feeling?"
Liliana smiled. "Tired."
"Same."
A pause followed. Then she looked toward him.
"Do you think they’re still shocked?"
Chris laughed. "River definitely is."
Liliana giggled. "And Leo."
"He looked personally betrayed."
"Well...".She smiled. "You did hide a wife for five years."
Chris rubbed the back of his neck. "That’s fair."
The room became quiet again.
But unlike before, it wasn’t awkward. Just peaceful.
A kind of silence that only existed between people who truly knew each other.
Chris looked toward the city lights. "We finally told them."
Liliana nodded. "How does it feel?"
He thought about it, and smiled.
"Good." A pause. "Really good."
For years they had hidden and avoided questions.
They changed subjects, kept their distance in public..They pretended.
Now at least a few more people know the truth. The people they trusted and that mattered.
Liliana looked down at her hands. "I never thought we’d get this far."
Chris frowned. "What do you mean?"
She smiled softly. "When we got married." Her voice was quiet. "Pulse had just debuted."
She laughed. "You barely had time to sleep."
"That’s true."
"You were always exhausted."
"Also true."
"And I honestly thought you might forget about me."
Chris looked offended. "I always remember you."
"Yes. You did. Always. I love the gifts." Liliana laughed.
The sound made Chris smile. He loved that laugh. Always had since they were children.
Since before he understood what love actually meant.
His expression softened. "Lily."
The nickname immediately caught her attention because Chris rarely used it.
Not in public. Not around others. Only when they were alone and were just the two of them.
"Thank you."
Liliana blinked. "For what?"
"For staying."
The answer surprised her.
Chris continued. "For choosing me." His gaze never left hers. "For protecting my dream."
The room suddenly felt smaller. Quieter. Warmer.
Liliana’s heart began racing. Because she recognized that look.
The look Chris only showed when he forgot to hide what he felt.
"You don’t have to thank me."
"I do."
"No."
"Yes."
She laughed softly. "You’re stubborn."
"So are you."
"Fair."
Neither looked away. Not this time. Not anymore.
Years of friendship, marriage and waiting.
Everything seemed to settle between them.
"Lily." His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Yes?"
For a moment, Chris looked strangely nervous. Which was ridiculous.
He had performed in front of stadiums, faced reporters and handled scandals.
Yet somehow, this was harder.
Much harder.
Slowly, he reached for her hand. Liliana immediately held his, naturally. Comfortably. The way she always did.
"You know..."
Chris smiled. "What?"
"We’re married."
He laughed. "I’m aware."
"No." She smiled. "I mean we’re actually married."
Chris looked confused. That wasn’t helping.
Liliana laughed again. Then shook her head. "Never mind."
The smile on her face softened. It was gentler. Warmer.
And suddenly Chris understood.
Five years of marriage, of waiting.
And five years of putting everyone else first.
His heart pounded.
"Lily."
"Yes?"
Chris hesitated.
Then finally asked. "Can I kiss you?"
The question surprised her. Not because she didn’t want him to but because he asked.
As though he wasn’t already her husband. As though she still had a choice.
And perhaps that was exactly why she loved him.
Because after everything, he still respected her.
He still cared about what she wanted. He still chose kindness.
Liliana smiled. A small smile. A shy one.
Then nodded. "Yes."
For a second, their world stopped.
Both were suddenly nervous. Both were suddenly aware of how important this moment was.
Then Chris gently lifted a hand to her cheek.
His touch was careful and tender. His eyes were fixed on her. As though she might disappear.
Liliana’s heart raced. So did his.
Slowly and very gently. Chris leaned forward, crossing the space between them. And then kissed her.
It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t just passionate. It wasn’t something out of a movie drama.
It was soft, gentle and warm.
A kiss that carried years of affection. Years of friendship. And years of love that had never been spoken properly.
When they finally pulled apart, neither spoke. His forehead pressed against hers.
They simply stared at each other.
Then Liliana laughed. A nervous laugh.
But a happy one.
Chris immediately laughed too.
"What?"
He smiled.
"Nothing."
"That’s suspicious."
"It is."
She shook her head.
Then she moved closer and rested her head against his shoulder.
The familiar position immediately relaxed both of them.
Outside, the city continued moving. Cars passed below. Lights flickered across distant buildings. Life continued.
But inside that room, for the first time since their marriage began, nothing felt unfinished anymore.
Not the friendship. Not the promises. Not the love.
Chris wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Liliana closed her eyes.
It felt comfortable and safe.
It felt like home.
Neither noticed the figure quietly walking past the hallway outside.
Leo.
On his way to get water.
He glanced toward Liliana’s closed door, paused. Then, immediately kept walking.
"Nope."
He pointed at the floor.
"I know enough already."
And for the first time since learning the truth, Leo decided that some things were better left unexplained.
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