chapter 68: together with the stars

Andrew POV:

I stood in the middle of our new house, still trying to process that this was actually ours. A three-story home in one of the nicest parts of Swellview, complete with a pool, a sauna, and enough space for everything we could ever need. Mika had worked hard for this, and with Bose still gone, I had taken over his job, making more than enough to make sure we could live like this.

Mika was in the living room, unpacking boxes and arranging decorations on the shelves. "Andrew, hand me that frame," she called without looking. I grabbed it and walked over, placing it in her hands. As she reached up to set it on the top shelf, she struggled to reach.

"Need some help, shorty?" I teased, stepping behind her. Before she could protest, I gently lifted her up so she could reach.

"You're just tall," she mumbled, placing the frame down. As I set her down, I caught the scent of her shampoo mixed with the faint traces of my cologne lingering on her sweater. She turned to look at me with a small smile, her arms looping around my waist.

"You like it here?" I asked softly, looking around at the half-unpacked living room.

"I love it," she admitted. "It finally feels like... ours."

I leaned down, kissing the top of her head. "Good. 'Cause I don't plan on moving anytime soon."

She grinned, then looked toward the staircase. "Come on, we still need to set up the guest rooms."

We had made three guest rooms, just in case any family or friends wanted to stay over. One room, though, was already decided—Lily's. Then there was one more room, left empty for now, but both of us knew what it would be for.

Mika glanced toward that door as we passed it. "You really think we'll be good parents someday?" she asked, her voice quieter.

I stopped, looking down at her. "I think we'll be great parents. You'd be an amazing mom."

She exhaled a soft laugh. "You say that so easily."

"'Cause I mean it," I said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "And besides, we don't have to figure it all out now. We've got time."

She nodded, squeezing my hand before dragging me toward the last few boxes in the hallway. "Alright, no more deep conversations. We need to finish setting this up."

"Yes, ma'am," I said with a smirk, grabbing a box.

Chapa POV:

I woke up slowly. Bose's arm was draped over my waist, his breathing slow and even against the back of my neck. It was familiar. Too familiar. Like he had never left. But he had.

I stared at the ceiling, my heart twisting with everything I still hadn't figured out. It wasn't that I didn't want to be here, in his arms, but I wasn't ready to just forget how much it hurt when he disappeared. I carefully slipped out from under his arm, moving slow so I wouldn't wake him, and got out of bed.

In the kitchen, I moved on autopilot, pulling out eggs, bread, and some fruit. Cooking kept my mind occupied, gave my hands something to do. I needed that right now. The sizzle of the eggs hitting the pan was the only sound in the quiet penthouse. I was almost done when I heard footsteps behind me. I didn't turn around.

"Morning," Bose said, voice groggy with sleep. I didn't respond right away, just finished plating the food.

He sat down at the small table, looking at me. "You made breakfast?"

I slid a plate in front of him and sat down with my own. "I was hungry," I said simply.

We ate mostly in silence. I could feel his eyes on me every few minutes, like he wanted to say something but didn't know where to start. I didn't make it easier for him.

After a while, I glanced at the time. "What time are we going to the beach?"

Bose wiped his mouth with a napkin and leaned back in his chair. "In two hours."

I nodded. That gave me some time to think. Not that thinking was getting me anywhere.

The next two hours dragged. I kept busy, scrolling on my phone, walking around, anything to avoid the tension. Bose didn't push me, didn't force a conversation. Maybe he knew better. Maybe he was just as lost as I was.

Eventually, it was time to go. I grabbed my motorcycle keys and put on my brown leather jacket. Bose followed me outside, in his blue denim jacket, waiting as I got on. He hesitated before getting on behind me, but when he did, his arms wrapped securely around my waist. I exhaled slowly, trying to ignore the way my heart picked up at the feeling.

I drove us to the beach, the wind rushing past us, the road stretching ahead. Bose held on, resting his chin lightly on my shoulder at one point. I didn't move away.

When we arrived, the beach was quieter than I expected. Just a few people scattered around, the waves rolling in calmly. I took off my helmet and ran a hand through my hair. Bose did the same, stretching a little.

"Come on," he said, tilting his head toward the shoreline. "Let's walk."

I hesitated, then sighed. "Fine."

We walked along the sand, and slowly, the tension in my chest started to fade. Maybe it was the sound of the waves, or the salty air, or maybe it was just him. The way he walked beside me like he never left. Like he was trying to fit himself back into my life without forcing it.

At some point, he grabbed a handful of water and flicked it at me. I gasped. "Oh, you did not just do that."

He grinned. "What are you gonna do about it?"

I scoffed, bending down to scoop up water of my own and throwing it straight at his face. He laughed, shaking the water from his hair, and before I knew it, we were full-on splashing each other like kids. I hadn't laughed this much in a long time.

We eventually collapsed onto the sand, catching our breath. I looked at him, his face glowing in the sunlight, hair shorter than it used to be but still looking good. He caught me staring and smirked.

"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing," he said, but there was something in his eyes. Something warm, something real.

I looked away, hugging my knees to my chest. "I had fun today," I admitted softly.

Bose leaned back on his hands, looking at the waves. "Me too."

"Let's go to Mount Swellview." he then insisted.

"Now?" I asked.

"Yes now, let's go." he said and pulled me up from the ground.

The wind brushed against my face as we rode up Mount Swellview, Bose's hands steady on the handlebars of my motorcycle. The city lights twinkled below us, blending into the dark sea beyond. I let my arms tighten around his waist for a moment, inhaling his scent—clean, warm, familiar.

When we reached the top, he killed the engine and helped me off the bike, his touch lingering a little longer than necessary. I stepped forward, looking over the view. It was stunning, the kind of beauty that made you forget about everything else for a second. The kind of beauty that made it feel like anything was possible.

"Sooo... I've been thinking," Bose said hesitantly, hands stuffed into his pockets.

"About what?" I asked, watching the waves roll in far below us.

He exhaled, looking down at the ground before glancing back at me with a small, nervous smile. "We could build our own house up here. On Mount Swellview."

I blinked at him, not sure if I heard right. He kept looking at me, waiting. I didn't answer at first, letting his words sink in, letting the idea settle in my chest. Then I turned back to the view, letting a small smile tug at my lips. "Okay," I said quietly, then looked at him. "Yes. I'd love that."

I laughed softly, and something inside me melted. I didn't care anymore. I didn't want to ignore him anymore. I just wanted to be here, with him. A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it.

Bose was beside me in an instant, pulling me into a hug. "I'm sorry," he murmured against my hair.

"It's not your fault," I whispered, my voice thick.

He pulled back slightly, studying my face. "I still shouldn't make you cry this much," he said, wiping a stray tear from my cheek. "I don't think I've ever seen you cry this much."

I laughed through the tears, shaking my head. He backed away, but I smacked his chest. "Asshole," I muttered before yanking him into another hug. "Don't go."

His arms tightened around me. "I won't."

I swallowed, my voice barely above a whisper. "If you ever leave again, I swear, I'll come find you and kill you myself."

Bose chuckled softly, pressing his forehead to mine. "I'd never dare to leave you again. I promise."

He was so close I could feel his breath against my skin. "I don't know if I can believe your promises," I admitted, my voice small.

Bose stepped back slightly, a teasing glint in his eyes. "And will you believe me if I do this?"

Before I could ask what he meant, he dropped to one knee. My heart stopped. My breath caught in my throat. He pulled out a small ring box and looked up at me with the most sincere expression I'd ever seen on his face.

I panicked. My whole body froze, and I turned away, covering my face as the tears fell harder.

"Chapa," his voice was soft, careful. "I love you. I've loved you for so long, and I don't want to waste any more time. I know I hurt you by leaving, and I know I don't deserve an easy yes. But if you'll have me, if you'll let me spend the rest of my life proving to you that I'll never leave again—will you marry me?"

I couldn't breathe. My mind was a mess, my emotions all tangled. Bose, kneeling in front of me, waiting. The boy I loved, the one I missed more than anything, asking me to be with him forever.

The silence stretched too long. About two minutes, maybe three. Bose cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uh, the rocks are kinda uncomfortable for my knee, but I can switch them if you—"

Before he could finish rambling, I turned back around and crashed my lips against his. He made a surprised sound before kissing me back, his hands gripping my waist like he never wanted to let go.

When I finally pulled away, he grinned at me. "So... should I take that as a yes?"

I sniffled, nodding. "Yes. I do want to marry you, you idiot." I wiped at my eyes and laughed. "I can't even believe I said yes after what you put me through."

Bose stood, wrapping his arms around me and holding me like he was afraid I'd change my mind. "I've been planning this for a long time," he murmured. "Even when I was away, I thought about this every single day."

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small notebook. I frowned. "What's that?"

He handed it to me. "Open it."

I flipped through the pages, my breath catching as I saw the dates scrawled at the top of each entry. My name was everywhere. Messages, thoughts, feelings he wrote every single day while he was gone.

"This is what I wanted to tell you every day," Bose said, voice quiet. "But I couldn't."

I smiled through the tears, shaking my head. "Thanks for making me cry again, jerk."

He laughed, wiping my cheek. "I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

I let out a shaky breath, looking up at him. "Good."

Andrew POV:

The house was quiet except for the soft hum of the city outside. Our first night in our new home. Mika and I sat on the couch, plates balanced on our laps, sharing a late-night dinner. The place still smelled like fresh paint and new furniture, but it already felt like home.

I stretched my arm along the back of the couch, my fingers absentmindedly playing with Mika's hair. She was curled up next to me, wearing one of his old hoodies, her legs tucked under her. We were both exhausted from unpacking, but neither of us wanted to go to bed just yet.

"You're quiet," I noted, nudging her gently.

Mika glanced up at me, her fork hovering over her plate. "Just thinking."

"About?" I tilted my head, watching her intently.

She hesitated before answering. "Everything. This house. Us."

A slow smile tugged at my lips. "Regrets already?"

She scoffed and lightly smacked my arm. "No, dummy."

My chuckle rumbled in my chest. "Good." I leaned in, brushing a kiss against her temple. "Because I don't either."

For a moment, we just sat there, wrapped in each other's warmth. Mika turned slightly, her eyes flicking down to my lips before meeting my gaze again. The corner of my mouth lifted, I knew exactly what she was thinking.

"You keep looking at me like that, and we won't be finishing dinner," I murmured.

She set her plate aside and moved closer. "Maybe I don't want to finish dinner."

My eyes darkened as I placed my own plate down and pulled her onto my lap. "Is that so?"

She nodded, biting her lip, her fingers sliding into my hair.

Within seconds, our lips met, slow at first, like we had all the time in the world. But the heat built fast, my hands running down her back, her body molding against mine. I didn't rush, savoring every kiss, every small sigh she made against my mouth.

By the time we reached the bedroom, Mika was breathless, her hoodie half-off, her fingers gripping my shoulders. I pressed her gently against the bed, my forehead resting against hers, as if grounding myself.

Then she whispered, "I can't wait."

I paused, looking down at her. My lips curved into a smirk. "Can't wait for me?"

She opened her mouth to answer, then hesitated. Instead of the playful response I expected, her fingers traced the back of my neck, her voice suddenly softer. "I can't wait to have kids."

I froze.

For a second, I thought I misheard her. My heart pounded as I pulled back slightly to search her face. "You—what?"

Mika's cheeks burned. She hadn't meant to say it out loud I think. Not yet. But now that it was out there, she seemed relieved.

I swallowed hard, still processing. I had pictured a future with Mika a thousand times. But hearing her say it so directly—knowing she wanted that with me now—hit me differently.

My hand cupped her cheek, my thumb brushing over her skin. "You really want that now?"

She nodded. "With you? Yeah. I do."

My chest tightened, warmth spreading through me. I didn't say anything at first, just leaned down and kissed her deeply, pouring everything I felt into it. When I finally pulled back, my lips ghosted over hers as I whispered, "Then I can't wait either."

Blaise POV:

I sat at Miles' dining table, hunched over my tablet, meticulously sketching the final details of my latest illustration. The glow of the screen illuminated my focused expression as I carefully shaded the protagonist's hair. If I nailed this project, I'd finally have the chance to pitch my own script and illustrations—a potential step toward turning my story into an actual manga. My company specialized in books, mangas, comics, and webtoons, and this was my shot.

Just as I lifted my stylus to make another stroke, the front door swung open, and Miles stepped inside, tossing his keys onto the counter. "Hey beautiful," he greeted, slipping off his shoes and running a hand through his braids. He looked exhausted but still gave me a a small kiss.

"Hey," I replied, barely glancing up as I continued working. He peered over my shoulder, resting his chin lightly against my head.

"That's the main character?" he asked, pointing at the screen. "Looks kinda like you."

"Not everything I draw is about me," I said, rolling my eyes, though I knew he had a point.

Miles snorted. "Mhm. So, what's up? You've been working nonstop."

I set my stylus down and stretched my arms. "I was actually thinking about something," I started, watching him lean against the counter. "Since you don't live in the Man's Nest anymore—"

"Yeah?" he encouraged, raising an eyebrow.

"I was thinking maybe I could move in here?" I said, glancing at him. "I mean, I wouldn't have to pay for my apartment anymore, and since you're not always home, I'd have a lot of quiet time to focus."

Miles tilted his head, smirking. "Oh? So you can't focus when I'm here?"

I rolled my eyes. "That's not what I meant."

He laughed, stepping closer. "Relax, I'm messing with you." He brushed his fingers against my jaw before pressing a soft kiss to my lips. "I'd love that."

I smiled against his lips before pulling away. "You sure? I don't wanna mess up your space."

"You're already in my space, Blaise," he teased. "Might as well make it official."

I chuckled, leaning back in my chair. "Okay, but if I'm moving in, I need to redecorate a little. I can't have your bachelor pad vibes cramping my creativity."

Miles rolled his eyes. "Say less. I'll give you the money, just don't turn it into some pastel dreamland."

"Oh, now that's tempting."

He groaned playfully, but I could see the excitement in his eyes. "Nah, for real. Do whatever you want with it."

I grinned. "Thanks, I'll make it ours."

Bose POV:

The wind was calm as I sat with Chapa on top of the mountain, the city lights blinking in the distance. The air was crisp but not cold, just the perfect temperature to be out here. I reached for the bag I had brought and pulled out a few things, setting them down beside me.

Chapa narrowed her eyes. "Wait—what's all that?"

I smirked. "Camping gear. Thought we could stay the night here."

She blinked in surprise. "I didn't even notice you brought that with you."

"I used to camp in the grass all the time back in Italy," I said, shrugging. "Figured we should get used to the view if our future home is gonna be here."

A small, warm smile crept onto her face. "I like the sound of that."

Setting up the tent didn't take long. It was a simple two-person tent, nothing fancy, just enough to keep us covered for the night. I laid out two thick blankets inside and tossed her one. The sun had started dipping below the horizon, casting golden streaks across the sky, and for a moment, I just watched her take it all in.

"Hey," I said after a while. "Can I meet your parents next week?"

She turned to look at me, one brow raised. "Why?"

"Because I want to tell them that I want to marry you."

Chapa's eyes widened slightly, then she shook her head with a small chuckle. "Bose, you don't need their permission."

"I know." I leaned back on my hands, watching her. "But I still want to. It matters. To them, probably more than you think."

She scoffed. "Yeah, I doubt that."

I gave her a knowing look. "They might just be scared to show how much they care. But they do. They're your parents, after all."

She stared at me, then narrowed her eyes playfully. "What's that supposed to mean?"

I shrugged, grinning. "Just saying, you kind of take after them."

She opened her mouth to argue, then shut it again, clearly realizing she had no good comeback. I laughed as she rolled her eyes.

We spent the next hour playing stupid little games, talking about random things, and just enjoying each other's company. She told me stories about what had happened while I was gone, some that made me smile, some that made my heart ache. But she was here now. We were here now.

Eventually, we lay down inside the tent. The night was silent except for the occasional chirp of crickets. Chapa curled up against me, her head resting on my chest, arms wrapped around me as if she was afraid to let go.

Then, out of nowhere, she whispered, "Bose..."

I ran my fingers through her hair. "Yeah?"

She hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Actually, in the time you were away, I realized just how much I missed you... how much you mean to me. And that I had nothing to really hold onto when you were gone." She paused, inhaling softly. "Then I started thinking about something we talked about before."

I glanced down at her. "What do you mean?"

She shifted slightly, pressing closer. "About kids."

That caught me off guard. I pulled back a little so I could see her face. "Wait... what?"

She exhaled a small laugh. "I've been thinking about it a lot. And I realized... I would love to have a mini Bose."

A slow smile spread across my face. "What if it's a mini Chapa?"

She grinned. "That'd be fun too. But either way... I'd still have a piece of you with me."

I stared at her for a long moment, feeling my heart swell. I didn't think it was possible to love her more than I already did, but somehow, she always managed to prove me wrong.

I tightened my hold around her. "You're really serious about this?"

She nodded. "Yeah. But only if you're ready."

I cupped her face gently. "Chapa, I've never been more sure about anything in my life."

She smiled, and I kissed her forehead, pulling her even closer.

"You should come with me to Italy sometime," I murmured.

Chapa blinked, turning to face me. "To meet your family?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "My dad's planning to go back too. Italy is his home after all."

She listened, her expression thoughtful as I continued. "I bought three big houses next to each other. One for Fransesca and Elio, one for my dad, and the third one... well, I thought it could be ours. Like, a vacation house, somewhere we can stay when we visit him."

Chapa's lips parted slightly, surprised. "You planned all of that?"

"Yeah. They've got a farm there, but it's close to a big village, so they have everything they need. And it's peaceful. I thought it'd be good for them."

She smiled softly, running her fingers over the fabric of my shirt. "It sounds nice."

"I figured we could bring Sage sometime too," I added, watching her reaction closely. "She's never really traveled before, and I think she'd love it."

Chapa let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "She'd lose her mind. She's been talking about wanting to see more of the world forever."

"So you'd come?"

She hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Yeah. I would love that. And Sage would too."

I let out a breath, then a small smile tugged at my lips.

"Good," I whispered, pulling her a little closer. "That means a lot."

She rested her forehead against my chest, her fingers tracing absentminded circles on my arm.

Then, out of nowhere, she asked, "What about your parents?"

I exhaled slowly, staring up at the fabric of the tent. "Their meet-up went well. Better than I expected, honestly. But I still don't know where things will go from here. I think... they're figuring it out as they go."

She nodded thoughtfully, tracing patterns on the blanket. A few moments passed in silence before she asked, hesitantly, "Does he still love her?"

I turned my head to face her. "Yeah."

After a pause, I changed the subject. "I've been planning to leave the academy and my stepdad's business. To be independent from him."

She raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Since my real dad wasn't in my life, I spent years trying to get a father figure by doing what my stepdad wanted. But the love I got from my real father the moment I met him? That was more than I ever received from my stepdad."

She stayed quiet, digesting my words.

Then she asked, "But how will you live further with our upcoming plans? How much money do you even have?"

I smirked. "Enough."

Chapa gave me a look. "If that house is too much, we can get something smaller, you know."

I let out a laugh. "Chapa, I'm a billionaire."

She froze. "Oh yeah I forgot. You just don't give off billionaire vibes."

I grinned at her reaction. "I can provide for the future of our entire bloodline."

She blinked, processing that, then let out a soft laugh. "Well... that's good to know."

I sat up slightly, resting on my elbow. "What about you? Do you still want to stay at the academy?"

She shook her head. "I was going to leave anyway. I've finished most of my lessons, and I already have a great position at my job."

I nodded, satisfied with her answer. "Then we should open a little shop next to our future house. You can sell your paintings there. And maybe more stuff."

She smiled. "What kind of stuff?"

"I don't know. Handmade things. Things people want." I shrugged. "What? You already have a name in the art world."

She rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, she fell silent for a moment before saying, "It's crazy how fast we're planning all this. It's only been a day."

I leaned in slightly, looking straight into her eyes. "We've had a long time to think about it."

She didn't argue with that either. Instead, she just stared at me, and I could see something shifting behind her gaze—something hopeful.