Chapter 33
Theo
Daphne blinked awake slowly, the morning light filtering softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. She stretched lazily, turning over to find Theo lying beside her, already awake, his gaze steady and warm as he watched her with an affectionate smile.
"Good morning," he murmured, his voice a low, soothing rumble that made her heart skip.
A shy smile tugged at her lips. "Were you just watching me sleep?" she teased, her voice still soft from waking.
Theo chuckled, brushing a lock of hair back from her face. He leaned closer, his lips grazing her forehead in a gentle kiss. "You look beautiful. I couldn't look away."
Daphne sighed contentedly, nestling closer to him. "I didn't know you could be so sweet in the mornings," she murmured, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Only for you," he whispered, tilting her chin up to look at him.
Daphne felt a blush creep up her cheeks, her fingers fidgeting lightly on his chest as she glanced away with a soft laugh. "You're just saying that."
"Not a chance," Theo said, catching her hand and pressing a soft kiss to her palm, his eyes never leaving hers. "I meant every word." He ran his thumb over her knuckles, his gaze tender and full of warmth.
Daphne's heart fluttered at his words, and she lifted her hand to trace the line of his jaw. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a gentle, lingering kiss, his hand sliding to the small of her back to draw her closer.
Daphne melted into him, her hands slipping around his neck as she kissed him back, savoring the warmth of his embrace, the quiet intimacy of the morning. They stayed like that, wrapped up in each other, sharing soft kisses and whispered words as the morning sun bathed them in golden light.
Theo brushed his thumb over Daphne's cheek, his eyes filled with a quiet joy. "I could get used to this," he said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Daphne laughed softly, her heart swelling with happiness. "Me too." She nestled closer, resting her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. "Let's just stay here a little longer."
"Anything you want, sunshine," he murmured, his arms tightening around her as they lay there, lost in their own little world, letting the rest of the day wait just a little longer.
Daphne traced idle patterns along Theo's arm, her head resting on his shoulder. The comfortable quiet between them settled like a soft blanket, and Daphne finally spoke, her voice gentle.
"Theo... about Lily," she began carefully, glancing up to catch his expression.
He looked down at her, one brow raised, his face softening at the mention of his sister. "What about her?"
Daphne took a small breath, her fingers stilling on his arm. "I just... think maybe you shouldn't be too hard on her about last night."
Theo's jaw tightened slightly, but he didn't interrupt, waiting for her to continue.
"She's not irresponsible," Daphne said. "She's a smart girl. She's just young and you, your dad, your brothers, everyone has sheltered her a lot. This is really her first time out in the real world."
Theo sighed, his gaze shifting as he considered her words. "I know. I just... worry about her, especially around guys like Gabriel. He's not exactly the type I want her with."
Daphne gave him a small, understanding smile, running her fingers soothingly along his arm. "I think part of caring for your sister means letting her make her own choices, even if they're a little messy. You were saying just last week how strong she's gotten since she started college."
Theo looked back at her, a hint of a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "She's been different, more independent... but it doesn't make it any easier to watch her get in trouble."
Daphne's eyes softened as she thought about Lily and the glimpses of vulnerability she'd seen.
"She's finding her own path, Theo," she said gently, watching his face. "And she needs room to do that. You can't always be there to guide her steps or stop her from making mistakes. She's smart, and she's learning."
Theo's expression tightened, his jaw clenching as he absorbed her words. "I know," he replied slowly, his voice softening. "But she's been sheltered for so long. There are things out there... people... who won't have her best interests at heart."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing," Theo pulled Daphne closer and kissed the top of her head. "Just thinking about all the bad people in this world."
Daphne nodded, her hand moving up to rest on his shoulder in a comforting touch. "Lily's been in your family's protective bubble her whole life. And now that she's away from that, she's learning who she is outside of being your sister. That's huge for her. Part of letting her grow up is allowing her to stumble here and there, knowing that you'll still be there for her when she needs you."
Theo's gaze softened as he looked back at her. "It's just hard," he admitted, almost reluctantly. "I want to fix everything for her. Make it easy."
Daphne smiled, brushing a thumb along his hand. "She doesn't need things to be easy. She needs to know she has your trust, that you believe in her enough to let her find her own wayâeven if it's messy sometimes. She's stronger than you give her credit for."
Theo was silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on hers, and then he sighed, finally letting go of some of the tension he'd been holding.
"You're right," he murmured, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "I guess I need to let her grow up a little."
"Exactly." Daphne's smile widened, her voice warm. "Being there when she needs you is enough. She'll always know you're there. She adores you."
Theo's smile spread. His eyes scanned Daphne's face as she peered up at him. The lazy morning crawled across their bedroom floor as Theo tangled his legs with Daphne.
"Enough about my sister," he said, pulling Daphne closer and rolling her under him. "I want to go back to talking about how beautiful you are."
Daphne laughed as Theo kissed her cheeks and pressed her into the bed. She wrapped her legs around his waist and held him tightly to herself as he moved his mouth to her and kissed her. The sound of him inhaling her scent and moaning into her mouth made Daphne's belly clench. She kissed him back with the same heat he poured into her. Their hands began to move and explore as clothing began to come off. Daphne wondered if Theo carried protection when suddenly there was a knock at the door.
Theo and Daphne stilled, hoping Lily would go away if they didn't answer. But after a few seconds when she knocked again, Theo groaned and rolled off of Daphne.
"Yeah?" He cleared his throat.
"I have a class this afternoon," Lily said from the other side of the door. "Do you want to grab breakfast before I go?"
"Yeah, that sounds great," Daphne called out. "Be out in a minute."
Daphne couldn't stop the laugh that bubbled out of her as Theo threw a pillow over his face and groaned.
_________________________
Lily
Lily paced outside Theo and Daphne's room, her fingers gripping the hem of her sweater so tightly her knuckles turned white. She kept glancing at the door, heart pounding in her chest as she rehearsed her apology over and over in her head. Worry gnawed at her, twisting her stomach into painful knots as flashes of the previous night's events played in her mind. The longer she waited, the more doubt crept in, whispering that no matter what she said, it wouldn't be enough to fix things.
The door finally swung open, and Theo and Daphne stepped out. Lily's gaze shot up, her breath catching as she froze in place. She straightened, trying to push down the nervous energy shaking her shoulders, and took a shaky breath, ready to speak.
Theo met her gaze for a brief moment before sighing, his expression tired and guarded. "Ready?" he muttered, his tone clipped, avoiding her eyes.
"Y-yes," Lily stammered, but before she could get another word out, Theo raised a hand, stopping her.
"Let me get some coffee in my system first," he said, his voice rough and strained. "I didn't sleep at all last night." He moved past her without another glance, and Daphne offered Lily a small, supportive nod as she followed Theo to the elevator.
Lily swallowed hard, falling into step behind them as they rode the private elevator down in silence. Each floor they descended only seemed to tighten the knot in her stomach. By the time they reached the lobby and settled into a quiet corner of the hotel's restaurant, she could barely keep her hands from trembling.
Once they were seated, Lily cleared her throat softly, glancing at Theo. "Theo," she began cautiously, waiting until he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, as if nursing an invisible headache.
"Go ahead," he said, his tone weary.
Lily's face flushed, and she forced herself to hold his gaze. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice earnest but steady. "I should've listened to Daphne right away last night. I was stubborn, and I didn't think things through."
"You should have," Theo replied, his eyes hard and unyielding as they fixed on her. "You had no business being in a place like that. Mom and Dad trust you to make responsible decisions. We trust you. But last night? That was anything but responsible."
As he spoke, Daphne gently reached out and placed her hand over his, giving it a light squeeze, her quiet presence trying to soften his anger. Theo's jaw tightened, but he allowed the contact, his expression shifting slightly as he looked down.
"It won't happen again," Lily said softly, feeling the weight of her words. "I let Gabriel frustrate me, and I lost sight of what mattered."
Theo's gaze hardened. "I don't want him anywhere near you."
"I agree," Lily nodded quickly, her face earnest. "He's... irritating, to put it mildly. But that's no excuse for me to be reckless."
Theo narrowed his eyes slightly. "Is his sister like him? I can't remember if I've met her."
Lily shook her head. "Alexa isn't like Gabriel at all. She's not aâ"
But her words died on her lips as her gaze shifted over Theo's shoulder. She froze, feeling her jaw drop in surprise as she saw Gabriel himself standing at the host's table, grinning as he started toward them.
"What the hell?" she gasped, her eyes widening.
Daphne and Theo turned, following her gaze, and a tense silence fell over the table as Gabriel sauntered over.
They all watched him approach their table with a confident but cautious smile, his hands tucked into his pockets as he came to a stop beside them. He glanced at Lily first, giving her a brief nod, then turned his attention to Theo. Despite Gabriel's relaxed posture, there was a flicker of hesitation in his gaze, as if he knew he was stepping into tense territory.
"Good morning," Gabriel began, his tone respectful but casual. "I'm Gabriel."
Lily and Daphne's eyes bounced to Theo. They both held their breath as Theo slowly stood up and held out his hand.
"Theo," he said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Gabriel nodded, shaking Theo's hand.
"What can I do for you, Mr. Rayes?" Theo cleared his throat and stood up straight, pushing his own hands into his pockets and pinning Gabriel with his sharp eyes.
"I wanted to clear things up about last night," Gabriel began. He shot a quick, apologetic look at Lily before refocusing on Theo. "I realize things got a bit... heated, and that was never my intention. I was just trying to get Lily out of there safely. It wasn't the kind of place I'd want my sister in, and I figured you wouldn't want her there either."
Theo's expression didn't soften, and he held Gabriel's gaze with an unreadable intensity, his eyes sharp as they assessed him.
"She speaks very highly of you," Gabriel continues. "I can tell by the way she talks that she really values you and holds you to high regards. And from what Lily has shared about you, I knew you would want her to be protected the same way I would want my own little sister to be protected."
Theo remained unmoved. Daphne stared at him, wondering what he was thinking. Beside her Lily sank farther and farther into her seat with a deep scowl on her face. Gabriel cleared his throat, glancing down for a moment before looking back up, determined to continue despite Theo's lack of warmth.
"I understand you're not thrilled about how it all went down," he said. "I'd probably feel the same if it were my sister. I just want you to know that I wasn't trying to start anything with Lily. I was just... looking out for her."
Theo's jaw tightened as he listened, but he barely acknowledged Gabriel's words, responding with a simple, clipped, "Thanks for the clarification."
Daphne's gaze shifted between the two men, clearly sensing the tension, and she gave Theo's hand another gentle squeeze under the table. Gabriel caught the gesture and swallowed, trying to keep his composure, but it was clear that Theo's cool reception had thrown him off balance.
After a tense pause, Gabriel took a small step back, his expression guarded but resolute. "Right. I'll... leave you guys to your breakfast, then." He turned his gaze back to Lily, giving her a final nod, an unspoken apology flickering in his eyes before he straightened and turned to leave.
As Gabriel turned to go, Theo's gaze followed him.
"Gabriel," he called out.
Gabriel paused, glancing back with a hint of surprise. He turned to face the table once more. The silence stretched, and when Theo finally spoke, his voice was steady, his expression asked.
"I appreciate the apology," Theo said, his tone calm but carrying weight. "And despite how things went down... I want to say thank you to you for looking out for my sister."
Lily's eyes widened. She gripped the armrests of her chair and gaped at her brother, wondering if she was hearing him correctly.
"And I owe you an apology too," Theo coniuned. "I should not have resorted to violence."
Gabriel gave a slight nod, acknowledging Theo's words with a seriousness he hadn't shown before. "I know family's everything," he replied, his voice lower, more earnest. "And last night... I'd have done the same if it were my sister."
Theo nodded, a small acknowledgment of understanding passing between them. He didn't break eye contact, but the tension had visibly eased, his expression showing a reluctant acceptance.
"Just remember that Lily has family looking out for her, too. We don't want to see her in that kind of situation again."
"Understood," Gabriel replied, his voice steady. "Thank you for giving me a chance to explain."
Theo gave a single, curt nod and returned to his seat. Daphne gave Theo a warm, approving smile, and Theo settled back into his chair, glancing once at Lily as if to reassure her that, for now, the matter was settled.
Lily sat staring at the flower arrangement at the center of the table as Gabriel walked away, leaving the three of them alone. Her brows were knit together as she sported a deep frown on her face.
"That wasn't so bad, right?" Daphne broke the silence.
"He didn't mean a single word he said," Lily shook her head. "Theo, please tell me you don't believe him."
"Of course not," Theo ran a hand through his hair. He sat forward and unrolled his napkin, placing it on his lap. "He just gave us more reasons as to why you need to stay the hell away from him."
"You two can't be serious," Daphne laughed. "He came to apologize."
"His apology means nothing to me, sunshine," Theo said.
Lily shot Daphne a doubtful look, her fingers tapping restlessly on the table. "Exactly. Apologies don't mean anything if they're just words." She leaned back, arms crossed, clearly irritated. "He's only saying what he thinks we want to hear."
Daphne gave her an understanding smile, but there was a hint of exasperation in her tone. "I don't know, Lily. He came all the way over here, and he didn't seem like he was putting on an act. Maybe he actually feels bad about how things went down."
"Trust me, Daphne, guys like Gabriel don't just apologize because they're sorry," Theo said, his voice low but resolute. He adjusted his napkin in his lap, glancing once at Lily as if to gauge her reaction. "He's too used to getting his way. Saying he 'wanted to protect you'âthat was just a convenient excuse for butting in. It doesn't make him trustworthy."
Daphne sighed, her gaze flickering between the two of them. "Sometimes people do have good intentions, even if it's hard to see. I mean, if we're being honest, you'd want someone looking out for Lily if you couldn't be there, right?"
Theo's jaw tightened, but he gave a short nod. "Of course. But he's not the guy I'd want looking out for her."
Lily pursed her lips, frustration written across her face. "I'd rather look out for myself than have someone like Gabriel involved."
Daphne raised her hands in surrender, her smile tinged with mild amusement. "Alright, alright. Clearly, neither of you is warming up to the guy. But maybe cut him a little slack for at least trying?"
Theo shook his head, smirking slightly as he glanced at Daphne. "I appreciate the optimism, sweetheart, but it's a hard no from me."
Lily's frown deepened, and she gave a resolute nod. "Same here."
Daphne shrugged, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. "Well, maybe one day you two will come around. Stranger things have happened."
The three of them exchanged looks, but despite Daphne's attempt to lighten the mood, Theo and Lily's resolve remained unshaken.
_______________________________
Lily
When Lily finally reached her dorm, the weight of the morning's tension still lingered in her chest. She closed the door behind her, tossing her bag onto the bed with a sigh, when her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was Alexa.
"Hey," Lily answered, trying to keep her voice light. "What's up?"
"Lily!" Alexa's voice came through, sharp with frustration and worry. "What is going on with you and my brother?"
Lily froze. "Wait, what do you mean?"
"I know about that whole scene with your brother and Gabriel last night," Alexa shot back, her voice growing more strained. "What's going on between you two?"
Lily quickly shook her head, even though Alexa couldn't see her. "Nothing, Alexa. There's nothing going on between us."
"Really?" Alexa pressed, her skepticism clear. "Because it sounds like Gabriel's suddenly playing knight-in-shining-armor for you, and that doesn't just happen out of nowhere. Is there something you haven't told me?"
"No, no," Lily said quickly, pressing her hand against her forehead. "Gabriel and I don't... get along. At all. I don't know why he thought he needed to 'look out for me' last night, but trust me, it's not like that. I don't want anything to do with him."
There was a pause on the other end, and Lily could practically feel Alexa's uncertainty through the phone. "Then why did he get involved? He wouldn't just do that. Are you sure nothing happened between you two?"
"Alexa, I promise, nothing happened," Lily said firmly, hoping her voice sounded convincing. "I don't even want to see him again after last night. Theo was just... being Theo, trying to look out for me."
Another pause, softer this time. "Fine," Alexa finally said, her tone calming, though her unease still lingered. "I believe you, but... this whole thing has me on edge. Gabriel's my brother, and he's not usually like this. I just wanted to make sure you were being honest with me."
"I am," Lily reassured her. "I'd tell you if there was anything to tell, but there isn't."
Alexa sighed. "Alright. But... if anything does come up, just let me know, okay?"
"Of course. I'll talk to you later, Alexa," Lily said, her voice softening.
As she ended the call, Lily sat back, exhaling slowly. The last thing she needed was Alexa or anyone else thinking there was more between her and Gabriel.
_________________
Theo
Daphne tapped her pen on a section of the blueprint, glancing at Susan. "So, for this area here," she began, pointing to the main entryway, "I'm thinking we bring in more natural light. Maybe a set of floor-to-ceiling windows along this wall to open things up. Thoughts?"
Susan nodded, considering it. "That would brighten the whole space, especially in the mornings. But we'd need to be careful with temperature control; too much glass could lead to overheating during summer."
"Good point," Daphne agreed, her brows knitting as she jotted down a quick note. "What if we went with tinted or double-pane glass? It could manage the sunlight better but still keep the space open."
"That could work," Susan replied, a small smile appearing. "And for the flooring hereâ" she gestured to a central section of the layout. "I thought maybe a polished concrete finish? It's sleek, low-maintenance, and works with the modern look you're going for."
Daphne nodded, her enthusiasm clear. "Yes, exactly. It'll create that seamless, contemporary feel. And with the right lighting, it'll look even better. Have we priced it out yet?"
"Yes, I got a quote from the contractor," Susan said, sliding over a page. "It's within budget, but we'd need to confirm before they can order materials."
Daphne studied the numbers, then gave a decisive nod. "Let's greenlight it. We'll prioritize quality here since it's a high-traffic area."
As they worked, Daphne was acutely aware of Theo's gaze. She glanced up, catching his eyes again. His expression was unreadable, yet she sensed a quiet pride in his look, a certain intensity that sent a slight flutter through her chest. But she kept her focus, turning back to Susan.
"And for this corner," Daphne continued, her voice steady, "I'm leaning toward adding more greenery, maybe a vertical garden. Thoughts?"
Susan's eyes lit up. "That would bring in such a fresh element! Plus, it ties in with the sustainable theme you mentioned."
"Exactly," Daphne said with a smile, excitement sparking in her eyes. "Let's draft a proposal for that, too. I want the clients to feel like they're stepping into a space that's vibrant and alive."
As Daphne's attention returned to the blueprint, she felt Theo's gaze still on her, his focus unwavering, and she could almost feel the weight of his admiration filling the room.
Wrapping up her last point with Susan, Daphne's mind racing with the lingering awareness of Theo's intense gaze. She drew a quick breath, glancing down at her notes before looking at Susan with a polite smile.
"Susan," she said smoothly, "would you mind giving Theo and me a moment? There's just one thing we need to discuss in private."
Susan glanced between them and gave a nod, gathering her papers. "Of course. I'll be right outside if you need me."
As soon as the door clicked shut, Daphne turned to Theo, folding her arms and fixing him with a serious stare.
"You need to stop." She said.
"Stop what?" Theo arched his brow.
"Undressing me with your eyes in public," Daphne said, her voice a low, scolding whisper. "We have work to finish, and we need to stay professional."
But Theo only smirked, leaning back in his chair with an unapologetic, slow look up and down her figure. The glint in his eye was anything but professional.
"How am I supposed to focus when you are wearing that skirt?" he murmured, a teasing edge to his tone. "It's new isn't it? I don't remember seeing it before."
Daphne shook her head, her lips twitching.
"You walk in here," Theo slowly sat forward. "Taking charge like that... it's torture."
Daphne felt a warm blush creep up her cheeks but she held her ground, straightening her posture.
"I'm serious," she replied, a firmness in her voice. "This is work."
With a heavy sigh, Theo rose to his feet. He took pulled his suit together and did the first button, a smirk playing on his lips as he made his way around the table to where Daphne stood. His dark eyes stalked her as he stopped before her and took a seat on the edge of the table.
"And I am listening," Theo replied, his tone light. He holded his arms over his chest and crossed his ankles. When he spoke again, he leaned in closer, his lips brushing Daphne's ear. "But I'm also just saying... I'm a big fan of your work attire."
Daphne huffed, a hint of a smile breaking through her stern expression as she shook her head.
"Unbelievable," she muttered. But even as she returned to the blueprints, she felt the heat of his gaze linger, sparking something undeniably thrilling beneath the layers of her professional resolve.
They are so stinkin' cute! hehehe....