Part 18

As Colet finished getting dressed, she walked back to the dining area, where Maloi was setting the plates. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm food filled the penthouse.

They sat across from each other, enjoying their meal in comfortable silence. Colet occasionally sneaked glances at Maloi, who looked extra radiant this morning.

Midway through breakfast, Maloi put down her fork and looked at Colet with a soft but determined expression. "So... are we officially together now?"

Colet smirked, leaning back in her chair. "I thought that was obvious after last night."

Maloi chuckled, shaking her head. "I just wanted to hear you say it."

Colet reached for Maloi's hand across the table, giving it a squeeze. "Yes, we are. You're mine, and I'm yours."

Maloi's heart skipped a beat. "Good. Because I don't plan on going anywhere."

They smiled at each other, both feeling the weight of what they had just made official. Neither of them was in a rush to tell their friends—they wanted to enjoy this privately for now.

Colet smirked. "We should probably come up with a plan before our friends starts prying."

Maloi laughed. "Let's just see how long we can keep this a secret."

Colet raised an eyebrow. "Knowing our friends? Not long."

They clinked their coffee mugs together, silently agreeing to take things at their own pace—at least for now.

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As they finished their breakfast, Maloi stood up to clear the dishes, but Colet gently caught her wrist, pulling her closer.

"Leave it," Colet murmured, her voice low and warm.

Maloi tilted her head, a playful smirk on her lips. "And why is that?"

Colet didn't answer with words—she simply pulled Maloi into a slow, lingering kiss. Maloi melted into it, her hands resting on Colet's shoulders as she deepened the kiss.

The morning sunlight streamed through the penthouse windows, casting a golden glow around them. The world outside didn't matter—just this moment, just them.

When they finally pulled away, Maloi giggled, slightly breathless. "You're impossible."

Colet smirked, tucking a strand of Maloi's hair behind her ear. "And you love it."

Maloi rolled her eyes playfully but didn't deny it. Instead, she stole another quick kiss before finally stepping away. "Fine. But you're still helping me clean up."

Colet chuckled. "Deal."

They moved around the kitchen together, sneaking glances and stolen kisses between tasks, completely wrapped up in their little bubble of happiness.

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As Maloi dived into the whirlwind of her album launch, her days were packed with rehearsals, interviews, and studio sessions. She barely had time to breathe, but through it all, Colet was there—quietly, steadily, and always supportive.

Even though their relationship wasn't public, Colet made sure Maloi never felt alone. She sent care packages to the studio, had meals delivered when she knew Maloi was too busy to eat, and sent her little notes of encouragement.

Whenever Maloi felt overwhelmed, she'd steal a moment to check her phone, always finding a sweet or teasing message from Colet:

"Don't forget to drink water, superstar."

"I ordered your favorite snacks. Check the breakroom."

"One step closer to the top. I'm proud of you."

On the nights Maloi finished late, Colet would be waiting outside the studio in her car, ready to drive her home. They'd share quiet moments in the car, Maloi resting her head on Colet's shoulder, just breathing in her presence.

Even if Colet wasn't in the crowd at Maloi's public events, she was always there—behind the scenes, in the small, meaningful ways that mattered. And Maloi felt it, every single time.

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Maloi's schedule was packed with performances, and at every event she could, Colet was there—blending into the crowd, keeping a low profile, but always watching with quiet admiration.

She stood at the back of dimly lit venues, sat in VIP sections of exclusive gatherings, and even attended large concerts where Maloi's music filled the entire stadium. Each time, she was mesmerized—watching Maloi command the stage with her presence, her voice carrying emotions that resonated with thousands.

Maloi always had an extra spark in her eyes whenever she spotted Colet in the crowd. A small smile, a fleeting glance—those little moments were enough to make her heart race.

After performances, Colet would always be the first to send a message:

"You were amazing. I'm so proud of you."

"You owned that stage."

"Meet me outside. I brought food."

And when schedules allowed, they'd steal time together—whether it was a quick embrace backstage or a quiet drive home. Even in the midst of Maloi's rising fame, Colet remained her safe place.

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Maloi's fans started noticing a striking, reserved woman who seemed to always be present at her events. She never stood too close to the stage, never sought attention, but she was always there—watching intently, supporting Maloi from the sidelines.

Some fans started speculating online:

"Who is this mystery woman at Maloi's events?"

"I've seen her at multiple shows now. Is she a bodyguard? A manager? A close friend?"

"She looks familiar, but I can't place where I've seen her before..."

Blurry photos of Colet in the crowd began circulating on fan pages, fueling curiosity. Some dedicated fans even tried to piece together her identity, but Colet's private nature and powerful connections kept her out of the spotlight.

Maloi, on the other hand, was aware of the growing attention but wasn't ready to address it. She and Colet had agreed to keep things between them for now. Still, whenever she caught sight of Colet in the audience, Maloi couldn't help but smile a little wider, sing with a little more passion—something the fans definitely noticed.

"Maloi always seems happier when that woman is around."

"Whoever she is, she must be important to Maloi."

The speculation only grew stronger, but for now, neither Maloi nor Colet was in a rush to reveal the truth.

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As the days went by, Maloi found herself thinking about Colet more often—whether it was during quiet moments in the studio, before she stepped on stage, or even in the middle of a song. Colet had become a constant presence in her heart, a source of comfort and inspiration.

She loved how Colet supported her without needing to be in the spotlight, how she made time for her despite her own demanding career, and how she always knew exactly what to say to ease Maloi's stress. Colet wasn't just someone she was dating—she was becoming Maloi's safe space, her home.

One evening, after a long day of rehearsals, Maloi sat in her apartment, staring at her phone. She hesitated for a moment before sending a simple text:

Maloi: "Are you free?"

A few minutes later, Colet replied:

Colet: "For you? Always."

That was all it took. Maloi grabbed her keys and headed to Colet's penthouse.

When Colet opened the door, Maloi didn't say anything at first. She just stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Colet, holding her tightly.

"I missed you," Maloi murmured against her shoulder.

Colet chuckled, gently rubbing Maloi's back. "You saw me yesterday."

Maloi pulled back slightly, looking into Colet's eyes. "That's not enough."

And in that moment, she knew—she wasn't just falling for Colet. She had already fallen, deeply, completely.

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When Maloi arrived at Colet's penthouse one evening, she wasn't expecting anything out of the ordinary. But as Colet guided her to a door she hadn't paid much attention to before, she felt a mix of curiosity and excitement.

Colet opened the door with a proud smile. Inside was a beautifully designed studio space—one side set up with a sleek music workstation, complete with a high-quality microphone, soundproofing, and instruments, while the other side had a bright, cozy art corner with an easel, canvases, and shelves filled with new paints and brushes.

Maloi's breath hitched as she stepped inside, taking in every detail. "Colet... you did this for me?"

Colet leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a small smirk on her lips. "I know you get your best ideas when you're comfortable. Now, you don't have to choose between staying over and working on your art and music."

Maloi turned to face her, her heart full. She took slow steps toward Colet before wrapping her arms around her waist. "You always know exactly what I need," she whispered, burying her face against Colet's neck.

Colet held her close, pressing a kiss to Maloi's temple. "That's because I love you."

Maloi pulled back slightly, eyes shining, a soft smile forming. "I love you too."

She kissed Colet—slow, deep, and full of everything she felt. And as they stood there, wrapped up in each other, Maloi knew this wasn't just a relationship anymore. This was home.

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Maloi ran her fingers over the piano keys, then moved to the neatly arranged paintbrushes, overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness behind it all. Every detail reflected how much Colet paid attention to her needs, her passions.

Colet, standing a few steps away, watched Maloi with a soft, loving gaze. Seeing Maloi's excitement and awe made everything worth it. She leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, a small smile playing on her lips.

Maloi turned to face her, eyes shining with emotion. "Colet... this is perfect."

Colet stepped closer, tucking a strand of Maloi's hair behind her ear. "I just want you to have a space where you can be yourself. Where you don't have to worry about anything."

Maloi bit her lip, feeling her heart swell. She reached for Colet's hands, intertwining their fingers. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

Colet gave her a small squeeze. "I think I do."

Maloi smiled before pulling Colet into a deep, lingering kiss, pouring all her gratitude and love into it. When they parted, Maloi rested her forehead against Colet's.

"You're making it really hard for me not to fall even deeper for you," Maloi whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

Colet chuckled, pulling Maloi into her arms. "Then don't hold back."

And in that moment, Maloi knew she wouldn't.

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As Colet moved around the kitchen, the sound of Maloi testing out the instruments filled the penthouse. Soft piano notes blended with the occasional strum of a guitar as Maloi familiarized herself with the setup.

Colet glanced toward the studio room, smiling to herself. She loved seeing Maloi in her element, completely immersed in her passion. The way Maloi's fingers danced over the keys, the way she hummed a melody—it made Colet's heart swell.

Maloi, lost in the music, didn't even realize how much time had passed until the scent of Colet's cooking drifted into the room. She set the guitar down and walked toward the kitchen, watching Colet move with ease, plating their dinner.

"You're spoiling me," Maloi teased, wrapping her arms around Colet from behind, resting her chin on Colet's shoulder.

Colet smirked, turning her head slightly. "You deserve it."

Maloi placed a small kiss on Colet's shoulder before pulling away. "Dinner smells amazing."

Colet handed her a plate. "And your music sounds amazing."

Maloi grinned. "Guess we're both good at what we do."

They sat down together, enjoying their meal with soft music playing in the background, sharing laughter and lingering glances. It was a quiet, intimate evening—one that made them both realize just how much they cherished these moments together.

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One evening, after a long day in the studio, Maloi was curled up on the couch in Colet's penthouse, sketching in her notebook. Colet, fresh out of the shower, sat beside her and pulled Maloi close, resting her chin on Maloi's shoulder.

"You've been quiet. What are you working on?" Colet asked, glancing at the sketch.

Maloi smiled, tilting the notebook slightly to show her—a rough sketch of Colet, mid-laugh, looking carefree. "Just something," Maloi murmured.

Colet smirked. "I didn't know I was your muse now."

Maloi rolled her eyes playfully but didn't deny it. "You inspire me."

Colet's heart swelled at those words. She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Maloi's temple. "That's good because you inspire me too."

Maloi placed her sketchbook aside and turned fully to Colet, tracing her fingers over Colet's jaw. "I love being here," she admitted.

Colet cupped Maloi's cheek. "Then stay."

Maloi blinked. "What?"

"Move in," Colet said simply, her voice steady but hopeful.

Maloi stared at her, lips parting slightly in surprise. She wasn't expecting that—not yet, at least. But now that Colet said it, it felt... right. She already spent most of her time here, and everything about Colet's penthouse felt like home because Colet was here.

Maloi didn't hesitate for long. She smiled, eyes soft and full of affection. "Okay."

Colet's lips curled into a grin before she pulled Maloi in for a deep, lingering kiss.

"Good," Colet murmured against Maloi's lips. "Because I was going to keep stealing your things until you had no choice."

Maloi laughed, wrapping her arms around Colet. "Guess you don't have to now."

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