<b>Chapter </b><b>126 </b>


    The morning sun crept in through the curtains in golden slivers, softly painting the room in warmth..


    It was one of those rare times when she was the first to wake up. Hershes fluttered slowly as she blinked away the haze of sleep, which wanted to pull her back in.


    But the first thing she felt wasn’t sunlight at all–her head was resting against something firm and not a pillow.


    it was warm and steady breathing, followed by the gentle rise and fall of a chest beneath her cheek.


    As the blurriness cleared, she found herself lying against Alejandro’s bare chest, and one of his hands was wrapped loosely around her waist.


    Nivera’s heart beat just a little faster.


    She tilted her head slightly and looked up at him. He was still asleep and, strangely… peaceful. There were no furrowed brows or clenched jaws like she had seen before.


    His lips were parted slightly, and for once, the shadows that constantly haunted his eyes were gone.


    <b>It </b>was one of those times when she got to see the vulnerable side of him.


    Typically, Alejandro was the first one up, restless and moody.


    But today… She felt peaceful, safe. Something in her memory stirred–an old notion she once overheard: people slept best with those they werefortable with.


    At the time, she’d rolled her eyes and dismissed it as one of those romantic clichés. But looking at him now, something shifted inside her.


    Maybe there was truth to it.


    Alejandro Garcia, the man who had trouble getting sleep, was resting–soundlessly, peacefully–with her lying on him.


    She let her eyes linger on him a moment longer before slowly turning her gaze toward the bedside clock. Her brows furrowed the moment she saw the time.


    10:07 a.m.


    What?! He widened in horror.


    She still had time to get ready for the shoot, but not much.


    That was probably what had jolted her awake in the first ce. The only thing more surprising than the time was the fact that Alejandro hadn’t woken up before her. He always did. Always.


    Slowly, gently, she reached for his hand and began to lift it from her waist. It took effort not to disturb him, especially as he instinctively twitched and adjusted in his sleep, his fingers brushing her side onest time before she managed to get out of bed.


    She stood there for a moment, watching him with a strange smile on her lips, before she tiptoed out of his room and into hers, where she immediately headed into the bathroom so she could have her bath.


    Coming out, she chose an outfit quickly: something casual while still feeling like her.


    She didn’t bother with her hair and makeup, as the beauty team would take care of it. Nivera then checked her reflection and gave herself a small nod.


    Meanwhile, back in Alejandro’s room, about thirty minutes after Nivera had left the room, Alejandro finally stirred.


    His eyes cracked open groggily as he stared at the ceiling, blinking in confusion. He sat up slowly, his muscles stretching and his hand going to rub his face as though trying to make sense of what had happened.


    Usually, he woke up disoriented. Cold sweat dripping and his heart racing as nightmares wed their way through his skull. That was his


    normal.


    But today… there was nothing.


    Just quiet and peaceful.


    He tried to remember thest thing clearly, and the only thought that popped into his head was Nivera.


    They had been talking about their childhood when they fell into afortable silence, and that was thest thing he remembered, which


    meant he must have fallen asleep.


    As always, he fell asleep whenever he was with her, and it was always one that was devoid of nightmares.


    “Nivera,” he murmured under his breath as he turned to the other side of the bed, expecting to see her–but the spot was empty and cold,


    indicating that she had long gone.


    That… wasn’t right. He was always the one up first. Always.


    Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, Alejandro stood and headed to the bathroom to ssh some water on his face.


    He still looked a little dazed when he crossed the hallway and stepped into her room without knocking.


    She was already dressed and tying her hair up into a messy ponytail.


    She looked up when he opened the door, and a smile appeared on her face.


    Alejandro raised a brow, still caught off guard. “You’re… up.”


    Niveraughed lightly, brushing her ponytail over her shoulder. “I know. It’s shocking.”


    “Very.” He walked further into the room, resting one hand on the edge of the dresser. “Did you sleep okay?”


    “Better than I expected,” she admitted, meeting his eyes. “And you?”


    He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, <i>he </i>stared at her for a moment and then gave a small, almost disbelieving nod. “Yeah. I did.”


    It was one of the best sleep he had in a while


    “I didn’t want to wake you,” he heard her say.”


    “Thank you.” He appreciated her not waking him up as he needed the sleep.


    The soft tension between them was fragile but unmistakable.


    She turned back <i>to </i>the mirror and picked up her lip balm. “I have to leave for the shoot soon. Celeste will be here any moment.”


    He nodded slowly, still watching her like she was something rare.


    “You’ll do great,” he assured her.


    Nivera paused, her gaze flickering to him in the mirror. “Thank you.”


    And with that she was gone. Alejandro immediately headed to his room, and he picked up his phone. Dialing a number, the expression on his face darkened.


    The receiver picked up soon after. “Make sure she is safe. I’ll have your head if anything happens again on your watch,”


    Without waiting for a response, he disconnected the call. Hopefully things would go smoothly–there was no reason for it not to…


    So why was he getting the gut feeling that something was going to go wrong?