Alex and Naosa returned home after a wonderfully sweet honeymoon, but reality set in quickly. The thought of going back to their weekday routine—apart again—cast a cloud over Alex’s mood.
On their last day of vacation, he kept sighing.
“I don’t want to go to work tomorrow,” he grumbled.
Naosa laughed, patting his head like a sulking kid.
“Just five more days and it’ll be the weekend again.”
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On Monday morning, Miguel informed Alex that he’d need to attend a two-week business trip the following month.
It wasn’t especially intense—just a handful of key meetings for collaborative research progress reports and international forums. But the distance made it simplest to stay for the full duration.
Alex really didn’t want to go.
He tried bargaining with the schedule—fly out for a week, come home for the weekend, then back again Sunday night. But when he ran it past Kacy, Lu, and Naosa, all three immediately objected.
“That’s way too tight,” Kacy said flatly. “And reckless,” Lu added.
Naosa, ever calm, reasoned with him:
“You have an early Monday meeting. If your flight’s delayed, it’ll be a mess. It’s better to just stay.”
She smiled, teasing. “You’ll still be able to ‘spy’ on me on the cameras, right?”
Kacy and Lu, who hadn’t finalized their moving plans yet, reassured him.
“Don’t worry about Nao. Just go and do your job properly.”
Alex hesitated, even considered taking Naosa with him to New York. But the memories of what happened last time—the stress, the misunderstandings—lingered. He couldn’t bring himself to take her back there.
Reluctantly, he agreed to stay in New York for the full two weeks.
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The following month, after arriving in New York, Alex found himself with far too much free time between meetings. He couldn’t read, couldn’t sleep—just stared at the screen, watching Naosa on the camera, his longing quietly building.
When he called, her bright voice soothed him. But she also worried about him.
“Go take a walk—or hit the gym. You’ll feel better,” she suggested.
Taking her advice, Alex headed to the hotel gym—a top-tier facility that spanned an entire floor and was usually quiet during the day.
He was mid-workout when a trainer approached and informed him that a private guest was arriving. Alex was asked to move to another room.
He hesitated. The other rooms were for squash, yoga, or swimming—none of which interested him. He had just found his rhythm and didn’t want to stop.
“Can I just stay in a corner?” he asked. “How many people are coming? I promise I won’t get in the way.”
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The trainer, sensing Alex’s desperation, went to speak with the manager.
Near the counter, the arriving guest and his bodyguard were already speaking with hotel staff. The trainer returned and explained that Alex was a renowned scientist on a short-term business trip, clearly not a security risk, and politely asked whether he could finish his workout quietly.
The guest agreed.
And that guest was Leo Hartley.
Leo Hartley, the globally famous singer, occasionally used the hotel’s gym during off-peak hours. That day, he’d reserved it privately.
Alex, surprised but grateful, thanked the trainer and asked him to relay his appreciation to Leo.
Leo approached with a friendly grin.
“So you’re the brilliant scientist who still does leg day?”
Alex laughed.
“And you’re the globally famous singer who lifts weights like the rest of us?”
They both chuckled.
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“I’m on a business trip,” Alex explained. “Too much free time. I was going stir-crazy in my room. Really appreciate you letting me stay.”
Leo shrugged.
“It didn’t feel right to kick someone out mid-workout. I just like to avoid drama. But they told me you’re trustworthy.”
Despite his status, Leo was approachable and kind. The two were close in age and both British, which helped them connect quickly. Before leaving, Leo mentioned he’d be back later in the week and told his bodyguard Alex was welcome any time.
That night, Alex called Naosa, sounding like himself again.
“I’m exhausted,” he sighed contentedly. “But finally, I can sleep.”
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A couple of days later, Leo reappeared at the gym.
They ran side by side, trained together, and gradually grew closer. Alex found himself talking about Naosa constantly.
“I’m a newlywed,” he admitted. “I miss her like crazy.”
Leo chuckled.
“That’s rough. But now I really want to meet this woman you keep talking about.”
Alex smiled sadly.
“I wish I could introduce her to you.”
Seeing the genuine loneliness in his eyes, Leo invited him to dinner that evening.
With no other plans, Alex gratefully accepted.
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That night, he joined Leo for dinner at a high-end restaurant. Alongside Leo were his girlfriend, Celeste Monroe, and the veteran singer Julian Cross.
Celeste, a former magazine cover model turned entrepreneur, had launched a women-led wellness brand and become a vocal advocate for gender equity across industries. Her relationship with Leo was a constant media topic, but in person, the two carried themselves with quiet grace.
Dinner was warm and relaxed.
Alex answered their questions easily, but no matter where the conversation started, it kept circling back to Naosa.
When Celeste asked how he and Leo met, Alex told the story—how he’d been wallowing in his hotel room, missing his wife, until she encouraged him to get some exercise, which led to their encounter at the gym.
“If I had downtime, I’d just call her or watch the camera to see what she’s up to,” he said with a laugh. “Working out’s cleared my head. My wife’s happy about that too.”
Celeste exchanged a glance with Leo that clearly said, Is this man serious? Leo just smiled and listened patiently.
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“You really love your wife, don’t you?” Leo said.
Alex nodded.
“I do.”
Then Celeste leaned in, her tone shifting slightly.
“What does your wife do?”
Alex replied simply.
“She used to be a lab scientist. We worked together. But after we got married, she left the lab. Now she’s at home, exploring her own passions.”
“So she’s not working anymore?” Celeste asked, calm but pointed.
“That isn’t really something we’re focusing on right now,” Alex said.
Celeste’s expression didn’t change, but the air around her cooled just slightly.
“I’d love to meet your lovely wife someday,” she said.
She didn’t smile. I want to meet her—and save her from this man.
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