Morning sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the master bedroom in a warm golden glow. The soft rays slipped past the curtains and stretched across the polished wooden floor before climbing onto the king-sized bed, wrapping the room in a peaceful stillness.

Luca Hale slowly opened his eyes.

For a few quiet moments, he simply lay there, listening.

The villa was unusually calm. There were no phone calls, no reports waiting to be reviewed, and no executives demanding his attention. Just the distant songs of birds outside and the gentle hum of the air conditioner.

Then he noticed something warm resting against his arm.

Turning his head, he found Amelia Grant curled up beside him beneath the blankets.

Her long chestnut hair had become slightly messy during the night, several loose strands falling across her face. One arm rested lightly over his chest while her breathing remained slow and steady, completely unaware that he was already awake.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Luca’s lips.

’She really sleeps like a rock.’

He glanced toward the digital clock on the bedside table.

8:07 A.M.

A second later, yesterday’s conversation came back to him.

’Amelia has work today.’

He leaned over carefully and brushed a loose strand of hair away from her cheek with surprising gentleness.

"Rise and shine."

"Mmm..."

She didn’t react beyond letting out a sleepy little sound.

Luca smiled.

"Miss Grant."

Another muffled groan escaped the blanket.

"Mmm... five more minutes..."

"You’ve got work."

That finally produced a response.

One sleepy eye cracked open.

She looked at him for a second before immediately closing it again.

"...Luca."

"Hm?"

"How am I supposed to go to work..."

She shifted slightly before freezing.

A quiet groan escaped her lips.

"...after you completely destroyed my ass yesterday?"

Her exhausted, matter-of-fact tone caught Luca completely off guard.

He burst into laughter.

"So that’s somehow my fault?"

"It absolutely is."

She buried her face deeper into the pillow.

"I don’t even think I can walk properly..."

Luca folded his arms, trying not to laugh again.

"Well, you’d better figure it out."

She peeked at him through one eye.

"Why?"

"Because I’d hate for that promotion you’ve been dreaming about to turn into a dismissal letter."

Amelia finally opened both eyes.

She narrowed them dramatically.

"You really know how to ruin a romantic morning."

"I call it motivation."

"I call it emotional abuse."

Luca chuckled.

"You’ll survive."

"Hmph."

Still pouting, Amelia slowly pushed herself upright.

The moment she stretched, she immediately winced.

"...You’re smiling."

"I am."

"I don’t like that smile."

Luca leaned comfortably against the headboard.

"You were talking pretty confidently last night."

Amelia immediately grabbed the nearest pillow and tossed it at him.

"Stop reminding me."

Without any effort, Luca caught it with one hand.

"I distinctly remember someone begging me not to stop."

Her cheeks instantly turned bright red.

"...I hate your memory."

"And I have excellent hearing."

She glared at him for another second before finally giving up.

"You’re impossible."

"So I’ve been told."

She let out one last dramatic sigh before carefully climbing out of bed.

Every step made her move just a little slower than usual.

"I need a shower."

"I’ll try not to miss you."

She glanced back over her shoulder.

"You’ll miss me."

"I might survive."

"Barely."

Unable to stop smiling, Amelia disappeared into the bathroom.

A few moments later, the sound of running water echoed softly through the villa.

Luca climbed out of bed and stretched before getting dressed.

By the time Amelia emerged from the bathroom nearly twenty minutes later, she looked like an entirely different person.

Her hair was neatly tied back.

Her makeup was light and elegant.

She wore a fitted cream blouse beneath a tailored navy blazer, paired with a matching skirt that perfectly suited her office.

The only thing betraying the events of the previous night...

...was the slight stiffness in her walk.

Luca noticed immediately.

"You’ve still got that funny walk."

Amelia rolled her eyes.

"And whose fault is that?"

"I’ve actually been asking myself the same question."

She laughed despite herself.

"You really have no shame."

"None whatsoever."

He picked up his keys from the nearby table.

"Come on."

"Breakfast is on me."

Amelia checked the time on her phone before reluctantly shaking her head.

"I wish I could, but i’m already cutting it close."

She slipped her phone into her handbag.

"If I stop for breakfast now, I’ll definitely be late."

Luca nodded thoughtfully.

"Then I’ll drive you."

"You don’t have to."

"I know."

He smiled.

"But I want to."

A few minutes later, the Koenigsegg One:1 rolled smoothly out of the villa and onto the streets of San Fierro.

Morning traffic had already begun filling the roads.

Office workers hurried toward their buildings.

Street vendors prepared their stalls for the day.

The city was slowly waking up.

Inside the hypercar, however, everything felt surprisingly relaxed.

They chatted about random topics.

Amelia complained about paperwork waiting for her at the office.

Luca teased her for spending half the previous night insisting she wasn’t tired before falling asleep almost instantly.

Every few minutes, laughter filled the cabin.

The drive passed far quicker than either of them expected.

As they approached Amelia’s office district, she suddenly pointed toward a nearby intersection.

"Stop here."

Luca glanced ahead.

"Your office is another block away."

"I know."

She smiled sheepishly.

"If you drive me right to the entrance, everyone at work will spend the entire day asking questions."

"You don’t want them seeing you get out of a Koenigsegg?"

"I especially don’t want them seeing me get out of one after spending the night with its owner."

"Fair enough."

Luca eased the car to the curb.

The engine settled into a quiet rumble.

Amelia unbuckled her seatbelt before turning toward him.

"Thanks..."

Her smile softened.

"...for everything."

"For saving me last night."

"For standing up to Broberry."

"For taking care of me."

She hesitated.

A faint blush slowly crept onto her cheeks.

"And..."

"...for last night."

Luca rested one arm on the steering wheel.

"I should be thanking you."

She blinked.

"Oh?"

"I didn’t realize someone could moan my name loudly enough for the neighbors to hear."

Amelia’s face instantly turned scarlet.

"My apartment is detached!"

"So?"

"So..."

She opened her mouth.

Closed it.

Opened it again.

Nothing came out.

Finally, she threw up her hands in surrender.

"You are unbelievably annoying."

"I prefer charming."

Despite herself, she burst into laughter.

Shaking her head, she opened the passenger door.

Before stepping out completely, she suddenly leaned back inside.

Without warning, she placed a quick kiss on his cheek.

"Take care of yourself, handsome."

Luca smiled.

"The club turned out to be more interesting than I expected."

"It definitely did."

His expression gradually became more serious.

"If Broberry..."

"...or anyone connected to him..."

"...gives you any trouble at all..."

His eyes met hers.

"...call me immediately."

The playful smile on Amelia’s face slowly disappeared.

She nodded without hesitation.

"I will."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Amelia smiled once more.

"See you soon."

"See you."

She stepped onto the sidewalk and adjusted the strap of her handbag before hurrying toward the office building.

Halfway there, she glanced back.

Luca was still watching her.

He gave her a small wave.

Unable to stop herself, Amelia smiled brightly and waved back before disappearing through the revolving glass doors.

Only after she was safely inside did Luca restart the engine.

The Koenigsegg let out its familiar mechanical growl before pulling away from the curb.

Within seconds, the silver hypercar merged effortlessly into the morning traffic, disappearing into the bustling streets of San Fierro as another eventful day quietly began.