<h4>Chapter 77: A Happy Billionaire</h4>


    Eliana’s hand trembled slightly as she grasped the doorknob, the cool metal grounding her against the whirlwind in her chest. The emerald dress whispered against her skin with every breath, a silken promise of something she wasn’t sure she deserved. She pushed the door open, stepping into the hallway where Rafael waited, his wheelchair positioned with that effortless poise that made the world seem to bend around him.


    Rafael’s head turned at the soft click of the door, his eyes lifting to meet her. For a heartbeat, the air between them thickened, charged with an unspoken electricity. Then his lips curved into a grin, slow and genuine, lighting up the sharp angles of his face like dawn breaking over a stormy sea. "Eliana," he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine. "You look... breathtaking. Like you were born to wear that."


    She felt heat bloom in her cheeks, her honey eyes flickering down to the floor before lifting back to him. "It’s just a dress, Rafael. But... thank you. You make me feel like it’s more." Her voice was soft,ced with that quiet vulnerability she couldn’t quite hide, but there was a spark in it too—a tentative joy at seeing the happiness etched into his features.


    He chuckled, the sound low and rich, echoing in the quiet hallway like it belonged to another world—a sound meant only for her. Extending his hand, his eyes softened, though his smile carried that dangerous charm that always left her breathless.


    "Come here," he murmured, his voice velvet andmand all at once. "Let’s get you out of this room before I decide to keep you all to myself."


    Her chest tightened, torn between nerves and a giddy rush of warmth. She slid her hand into his, her slender fingers slipping against his stronger, calloused ones. The touch anchored her, sending a current racing up her arm, as though her body recognized something her heart wasn’t ready to confess. His grip was firm yet tender, his thumb sweepingzy circles against her skin—an unspoken promise, a silent reassurance that the unease still knotted in her stomach didn’t belong there.


    He guided her forward with a quiet confidence, wheeling beside her as though every movement had been rehearsed in a dance only he knew. The simple act of walking with him felt intimate, like stepping into a rhythm that belonged entirely to them.


    The car ride became a fragile cocoon, a pocket of calm before the storm. Morning light spilled across the city, painting the streets in pale gold and cold steel. The world outside moved quickly—soldiers gathering, banners fluttering in the distance, the restless pulse of a city bracing for the new day. But inside the car, there was only Rafael. His voice filled the space, animated and boyish in a way that disarmed her..


    "You’ll love the office," he said, his tone carrying both pride and mischief. His eyes gleamed as he leaned just close enough for her to catch the warmth in them. "It’s my kingdom—chaos and all. But today..." his gaze lingered on her lips for the briefest of moments before sliding back to her eyes, "...today, with you there, it’ll feel like home."


    The words struck her harder than she expected, making her heart stumble against her ribs. Home. No one had ever said that to her. The word tasted like honey and longing, like something she hadn’t dared to dream of but secretly craved.


    Sheughed softly, trying to mask the swell of emotions rising in her chest. The sound seemed too small against the storm of feelings he stirred in her. She leaned back, willing herself to stayposed, but every time his free hand grazed her arm—light, fleeting touches that left trails of fire in their wake—her resolve wavered.


    Her body betrayed her, drowsiness tugging at her eyelids, coaxing her to surrender to the gentle lull of his presence. But she fought it, forcing her gaze to stay on him, on the curve of his mouth as he spoke, on the warmth threading through every word. She wanted to hold on to the moment, to the way he made the chaos outside feel distant and unimportant.


    For the first time since her grandfather died, she wasn’t thinking of survival, of consequences, of scars unseen. She was thinking of him—of the way his voice wrapped around her like sunlight, of how his hand hadn’t let go of hers since the hallway. And in the quiet between words, in the way his thumb still brushed her knuckles, she realized that maybe—just maybe—she could find happiness with him regardless of Mirabel.


    When they arrived at Vexley Holdings, the towering ss monolith that pierced the skyline like a de, Rafael’s driver pulled up to the private entrance. Eliana’s breath caught as they stepped out—well, she stepped, and he maneuvered his chair with practiced grace. The lobby was a hive of polished marble and hushed efficiency, but the moment they crossed the threshold, heads turned. Whispers rippled through the air like wind through leaves.


    Rafael, the enigmatic CEO who hadn’t set foot in the building with anyone but his steadfast assistant James in years, was chatting animatedly with a woman. A stunning woman in emerald silk, her arm lightly linked with his chair’s armrest, herughter mingling with his. Who was she? The staff exchanged nces—receptionists pausing mid-keystroke, executives halting their strides. Normally, Rafael glided through these halls like a shadow, his expression a mask of cool detachment, James trailing like a loyal sentinel. But today? He was smiling—actually smiling, his chiseled jaw softened, his dark wavy hair catching the light as he tilted his head toward her.


    "Is that... Mr. Vexley’s guest?" a young intern murmured to her colleague, eyes wide behind her sses. "He looks... happy. Like, really happy."


    Across the lobby, a cluster of board assistants buzzed. "Never seen him bring anyone. Not even family. Who is she? Some new executive?"


    Eliana felt the weight of those stares like pins on her skin, her steps faltering slightly in the towering heels. Her heart pounded, a mix of thrill and terror churning in her gut. "Rafael," she whispered, leaning closer, her voice barely audible over the hum of the space. "Everyone’s looking. I feel like I’m on disy."


    He nced up at her, his grin unwavering, but his tone turned gentle, coaxing. "Let them look, Eliana. They’re just jealous because you’re with me. Focus on me—only me. The rest? They don’t matter." His words wrapped around her like a warm nket, and she nodded, squeezing his hand tighter. With him, the eyes faded into a blur, and she walked taller, her natural elegance shining through the modest roots that had once made her shrink.


    The real shockwave hit when they approached the private elevator, its gleaming doors reserved for the elite. Gasps echoed faintly as the doors slid open, and Eliana stepped in beside him, the elevator whisking them skyward without a single shared nce at the crowd below. "Did you see their faces?" Rafael teased once the doors closed, hisughter bubbling up. "Priceless. You’re already shaking things up, my beloved."


    She swatted his shoulder yfully, a giggle escaping despite the nausea twisting anew. "Stop it. I don’t want to cause a scene on my first day visiting."


    "First day?" He arched a brow, his eyes twinkling. "This is your day. Every day with you is."


    Up on the penthouse floor, Rafael’s office was a sanctuary of dark wood, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sprawling city, and minimalist luxury that screamed power. He wheeled in first, gesturing to the expansive desk piled with reports. "Make yourselffortable," he said, but before she could settle into a chair, he patted hisp with a mischievous wink. "Or better yet, right here."


    <strong><i>To be continued...</i></strong>