Chapter 38: chapter 38
Nightfall wrapped the sky in deep shades of blue and silver.
The soft hum of the city outside was distant, almost like a lullaby.
Y/N stood under the warm water for a long while, letting it wash away the heavy thoughts of the day.
After finishing her shower, she slipped into a silky nightdress, soft and delicate against her skin, and covered it lightly with a matching gown.
She sat in front of the vanity mirror, carefully starting her night routine — dabbing moisturizer onto her cheeks, brushing her hair slowly.
The room smelled faintly of fresh soap and her favorite subtle perfume.
The door creaked slightly behind her.
Yuri walked in, wearing a simple white vest and soft cotton pajama pants, a towel lazily slung over his shoulders.
His hair was slightly damp from his own quick shower, a few stray drops still clinging to his temple.
Without saying a word, he walked behind her.
He leaned down and wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her from behind.
His lips pressed a tender kiss onto her damp hair, lingering there for a moment longer than usual — as if grounding himself in her scent, her presence.
Y/N froze for a second, her eyes meeting his through the mirror.
Then, without a word, Yuri reached into the vanity drawer, pulling out the hairdryer.
He plugged it in, turned it on low, and gently started drying her hair — his fingers threading softly through the strands, careful and tender, as if she were something fragile he was afraid to break.
The mirror reflected the moment perfectly:
A boy who loved her deeply,
and a girl who wished time could freeze just like this.
Y/N turned around slowly on the vanity stool, her delicate fingers casually finding their way to hold Yuri's waist.
She looked up at him, her eyes wide, deep, and searching — as if trying to memorize every inch of him, every emotion in his gaze.
The hum of the hairdryer faded as Yuri switched it off, placing it aside without looking away from her.
For a moment, they simply stood there, locked in each other's gaze —
the air between them thick with unspoken words, silent fears, and a love so deep it almost hurt.
Yuri's soft, warm eyes looked down at her, filled with nothing but affection and a kind of quiet understanding.
He reached out, cupping her cheek gently, his thumb brushing across her skin.
Without saying a word, he leaned down, slowly, giving her enough time to pull away if she wanted —
but she didn't.
Y/N closed her eyes and met his lips halfway, their mouths pressing together in a slow, tender kiss.
It wasn't rushed.
It wasn't desperate.
It was deep… full of longing and silent promises.
In that moment, under the dim light of her bedroom, nothing else mattered.
Not tomorrow.
Not the secrets she carried.
Only this, them, and the way their hearts beat in sync.
Yuri moved instinctively, his arms sliding beneath her, lifting her up effortlessly.
Y/N gasped softly against his lips, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist, her arms looping around his neck —
clinging onto him like he was the only solid thing left in her crumbling world.
Their kiss deepened, hungry yet tender, a storm of emotions neither could put into words.
Yuri held her tighter, as if afraid that if he loosened his grip even for a second, she would vanish into the night.
Without breaking their kiss, he carried her toward the bed, every step heavy with urgency and longing.
When he reached the edge, he lowered her gently onto the mattress, his body pressing against hers, fitting perfectly like a missing piece.
He hovered above her, his hands braced on either side of her head, his breath ragged, his forehead resting lightly against hers.
Their eyes met again — wild, desperate, trembling.
Y/N's heart raced beneath him, her fingers tangling in his damp hair, pulling him back down into another searing kiss.
Yuri moved with a tenderness that spoke louder than words:
You're mine.
Y/N kissed him back fiercely, pouring into him all the emotions she couldn't say out loud —
the love, the fear, the pain of knowing she would have to walk away soon.
Y/N broke the kiss, her breathing uneven, her fingers pressing lightly against Yuri's chest to create a little space between them.
"Not today, Yuri," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly — not from fear, but from the overwhelming emotions surging inside her.
Yuri paused, gazing at her with soft, understanding eyes.
He saw the sadness, the hesitation… and he didn't push further.
"Okay," he said gently, his voice nothing but a tender promise.
He leaned down and placed a soft, lingering kiss on her forehead, sealing it with all the love and patience he had.
Then he shifted his weight carefully, laying beside her.
Without a word, he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her against his chest.
One hand tugged the blanket up to cover them both, wrapping her in warmth and safety.
Y/N rested her head against his heart, feeling its steady rhythm against her cheek.
For a moment, she closed her eyes, letting herself believe that maybe, just maybe, they could stay like this forever.
Yuri whispered softly into her hair,
"Whenever you're ready, babe. I'll wait for you."
Tears pricked Y/N's eyes, but she blinked them away quickly, tightening her grip around his waist as if trying to absorb his strength.
The night stretched on — silent, bittersweet, and full of the words they didn't dare speak aloud.
Morning comes softly. Yuri opens his eyes, greeted by the sight of a calm, sleeping face beside him. A stray strand of hair lies against her porcelain-white skin. Gently, he reaches out and tucks it behind her ear, careful not to wake her.
He watched her sleep for a moment longer, then leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. She groaned lightly, her eyes fluttering open. When she saw him, she smiled warmly and murmured,
"Good morning, babe."
Yuri's eyes widened in surprise. "Babe again?" he echoed, a hint of amusement in his voice.
She giggled and snuggled closer. "I just want to call you babe today," she said playfully.
Yuri pouted slightly, his tone teasing.
"Where's my morning kiss?"
She giggled, then leaned in, closing the small distance between them. Her lips met his in a soft, lingering kiss, warm and full of sleepy affection.
Their lips locked, moving softly against each other, savoring the warmth between them. After a moment, Yuri pulled away, his cheeks flushed. He hid his face in the crook of her neck, breathing in her scent as he whispered,
"Babe… you make me want you more and more."
She smiled softly, her fingers reaching up to fumble gently through Yuri's hair, her touch light and soothing.
"Time will come," she whispered, her voice tender against his ear.
Fernandez corp :
The glass doors slide open with a gentle hush as Y/N steps into the grand lobby of the building. The marble floors gleam under the lights, reflecting the sharp lines of her white suit. The soft clink of her gold chain and the rhythmic echo of her heels command attention with every step. Her Lady Dior bag at her right hand — elegant, understated, powerful.
Her assistant, a step behind, holds a sleek tablet, whispering updates.
Y/N's expression doesn't falter, but the slight tilt of her chin speaks volumes — a mix of composure and anticipation. The mere mention of his name sends a ripple of something fierce beneath her poised exterior.
As they enter the private elevator, the glass walls reveal the bustling city below. She presses the button for the top floor.
The assistant steals a glance. "Do you want me to infrom Mr. YURI to assist the meeting?"
Y/N's gaze remains forward. "No. This is something I have to handle myself."
With a soft ding, the doors open. She steps out, ready to face not just a boardroom — but many faces that want me to pull down form my position.
A respectful silence falls across the boardroom as Y/N steps to the head of the long polished table. Sunlight streams in from the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft glow on her crisp white suit.
The executives straighten in their seats, eyes trained on her with quiet anticipation. Some are nervous. Others, simply in awe.
Y/N offers a composed smile, her voice calm yet commanding.
Y/N: "Hello. Good morning, everyone."
A soft chorus of greetings returns.
Y/N: "Today, I want to announce a very important message to all of you. But before that, I'd like to be briefed on the current company chart. The real one — not the sugar-coated version."
Her gaze moves to the CFO seated two seats to her left. He stiffens slightly, clearing his throat as he taps his tablet.
CFO: "Yes, Ms. Y/N. As of this quarter, our overall revenue has increased by 12.5%, mainly driven by the successful launch of our digital platform. However…" — he scrolls down — "There has been a slight dip in client retention, especially in our Southeast Asia division. HR turnover has also risen by 6%."
Y/N listens without a blink, her fingers lightly tapping on the table.
Y/N: "Thank you. And marketing?"
The Head of Marketing speaks up next. "We're seeing strong traction in the European markets, but our domestic campaigns need revision. The recent shift in consumer interest—"
Y/N: "—should have been anticipated," she cuts in, cool but fair. "I want a revised pitch deck."
Y/N: "Now," she says, straightening up, "as for the announcement…"
She pauses — the kind that demands silence.
Y/N (calmly):
"I will be stepping down from my position temporarily and leaving the leadership in the hands of our CEO."
Y/N pauses at the head of the table, her voice smooth but edged with finality.
Y/N:
"So please, while I'm gone… any problem will be handled by our CEO."
She lets the weight of her words settle.
Y/N (sharper):
"Any objections?"
Silence.
A few shift uncomfortably in their seats, but none dare speak. The authority in her presence — the calculated confidence in every word — leaves no room for doubt.
The room remains silent after Y/N's firm declaration. She doesn't sit, but stands at the head of the table with her presence still commanding.
hesitantly.
Executive 1 (carefully):
"Ms. Y/N… may we ask how long you'll be away?"
She pauses, her hand on the doorframe, back still to them. There's a brief silence, and then—without turning—
Y/N:
"Long enough."
She glances slightly over her shoulder, her expression unreadable but graceful.
Y/N:
"Time isn't the concern. What matters is that this company keeps running at the same standard — or better."
A few heads nod, though unease lingers. That's when the real CEO, seated quietly at the far end of the table, finally speaks — a composed, older man known for his calm demeanor.
CEO:
"No objection, ma'am. I will handle everything… just the way you would do."
Y/N faces him fully now, offering a respectful nod.
Y/N (firmly):
"Good. I'm trusting you."
Then she lets her gaze sweep the rest of the room — silently warning them all to stay in line.
Y/N:
"Let's not give me a reason to come back sooner than planned."
Y/N:
"Then this meeting is adjourned."
Her voice slices clean through the air — crisp, final, leaving no room for rebuttal.
And with that, she exits — her heels clicking down the hall like a clock ticking toward something larger.
Y/N steps into her office, the heavy door clicking shut behind her. The glass walls, the towering shelves, the sleek black desk — all symbols of control, of power.
But the moment she's alone, her facade softens.
She exhales — a long, quiet breath she'd been holding since the boardroom. Her shoulders lower slightly as if she finally allowed herself to feel the weight of the moment. She walks slowly to her desk, placing her bag down gently before sinking into the leather chair.
Her eyes flutter shut.
Her fingers trace the edge of the armrest slowly, lost in thought.
Y/N (inwardly):
You were always the part of me I couldn't control… and now I have to let you go. For now.
Y/N opens her phone, her fingers hovering above the screen for a moment. She hesitates — just briefly — then begins to type.
Y/N:
hey, you busy?
It doesn't take long. Her phone buzzes almost immediately.
Yuri:
babe, what happened?
She stares at the message for a moment, her heart tugging at the warmth in that one word — babe.
Her lips press into a faint smile, bittersweet.
She types again.
Y/N:
if you're free… let's go for a date?
This time, the pause feels longer. She watches the little "typing…" bubble appear and disappear. Her heart races — not out of fear, but anticipation.
Yuri:
Just say when and where. I'll be there.
A flicker of relief crosses her face. Maybe she's about to break her own heart. Maybe not.
But for now — she chooses love.
She stands from her chair, smoothing out her suit, and grabs her bag.
Y/N:
Pick me up in tonight . And don't be late. And don't dress up just casually
The city at night glows soft and golden, the hum of distant traffic and streetlights painting the streets in a warm haze.
Y/N steps out of her building, her flared faded jeans swaying gently with each step, the black crop top hugging her perfectly. Her hair, loose and wavy, dances in the evening breeze. She sees him immediately.
Yuri.
Leaning casually against his sleek black BMW, white tee slightly wrinkled, loose jeans relaxed on his frame. The NY cap sits low over his brow, shadowing his eyes — but she knows that look. Knows that smirk that always waits for her. A silver watch glints on his wrist as he lifts a hand, casually checking the time — or maybe just showing off.
She stops for a moment, taking him in. And just like that — as if her heart has no defenses left — she falls again.
Not because of how he looks, but because he's still him.
She walks straight into him, no hesitation, and wraps her arms around him.
Her voice is soft. Almost broken.
Y/N:
"I missed you."
Yuri's arms fold around her, strong and sure — like they always have. He holds her close, his chin resting lightly on her head.
Yuri (softly):
"I never stopped missing you."
They stay like that for a moment longer — no noise, no world, just the comfort of each other.
He leans back just enough to look at her face, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Yuri:
"Ready to run away for a few hours?"
Y/N (smiling):
"Only if you promise not to let go."
Yuri (grinning):
"Never."
He opens the passenger door for her like it's instinct — because with her, it always is.