Chapter 37

The night stretched on, but for Selena, everything else faded into the background as she sat next to Von. They didn't need to say much. Sometimes the quiet was enough—the way his hand gently held hers, the subtle glance shared between them, the silent understanding of where they stood. No one else at the club mattered right now.

Selena leaned back in her chair, her gaze drifting over the crowd. Music pulsed through the air, the bass heavy and loud, but it felt like a distant hum to her. She was focused on Von, the way his dark eyes followed her movements, the intensity in the way he looked at her that still made her heart skip.

"You ever think about the future?" she asked quietly, her voice just above the music.

Von's expression softened, and for a brief moment, he didn't look like the intimidating street figure everyone knew him as. He looked like a man, just a man, who had been through things but was still figuring out his place.

"Yeah," he replied after a beat, his voice low, steady. "Sometimes."

Selena tilted her head slightly, studying him. "What do you see?"

He paused for a moment, his lips curving into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "I don't know. But... I see us."

There was something about the way he said that—so simple, yet so loaded with meaning—that made Selena's heart swell. It wasn't the first time he had implied something about their future, but the weight of his words hit differently tonight. It was like everything had been leading up to this point.

"You sure about that?" Selena asked, a playful grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Von met her gaze with a look that spoke volumes. His hand tightened around hers just slightly, the gesture saying more than any words ever could. "Yeah, I'm sure."

Selena didn't know what it was about him that drew her in so deeply. Maybe it was the way he seemed so untouchable to everyone else but completely opened up when he was with her. Maybe it was the way he protected her, even from herself at times. Or maybe it was how she felt safe in his presence, like nothing and no one could break what they had.

They stayed like that for a while—just sitting, talking softly in the dim light of the club, exchanging looks, letting the world pass by. The noise of the club didn't matter, the people didn't matter. It was just them, and that was enough.

After a while, Ray came over, pulling Selena out of her bubble. She had that mischievous glint in her eyes, and Selena couldn't help but chuckle.

"You two are in your own world over here," Ray said, grinning. "But you're missing out, girl. The night's still young."

Selena laughed, glancing at Von. "You go ahead, I'll catch up."

Ray gave her a playful look. "Mm-hmm. We'll see about that." She turned back to the crowd, her laughter trailing behind her.

Selena turned back to Von, her expression softening. "You okay with all of this?" she asked, a little more vulnerable than usual.

Von's eyes softened as he looked at her. "With you? Yeah. I'm good. I got you."

The words, simple and straightforward, settled into her chest, making everything feel right. She smiled, feeling more at peace with herself than she had in a long time.

"I'm glad," Selena whispered.

They stayed at the club for a little longer, but the energy had shifted. Instead of the chaotic fun that usually filled the nights, everything felt quieter now. It wasn't the wild party that defined most nights out; it was just the two of them, hanging in their own little bubble. Selena realized that the connection they had was something deeper than the surface, something stronger than anything she had anticipated.

The following week, Selena was preparing to leave for Miami for her brand shoot. It wasn't the first time she'd been away for work, but this time felt different. The pull she felt toward Von wasn't something she could easily ignore. And though she was excited for the opportunity to shoot and expand her brand, part of her dreaded leaving.

She found herself texting him more than usual, checking in, sending little updates. She didn't want to make it seem like she couldn't handle being apart from him, but something about being away made her want to keep that connection alive.

She sat on her bed, packing her suitcase as her phone buzzed with a message from Von.

Von: "You good? You ready to leave already?"

Selena smiled, typing back.

Selena: "Yeah, just finishing up. You gonna miss me?"

There was a pause before his reply came through.

Von: "Of course. You're my peace."

Selena's heart skipped at the words. It wasn't something he said often, but when he did, it felt like a little reminder of how much he cared, how much he appreciated her in a way no one else ever had.

Selena: "I'm gonna miss you too. But I'll be back before you know it."

She finished packing her things, adding a few extra outfits for fun, and a fresh pair of heels she had been dying to wear for one of the shoots. She wanted to be prepared for everything, but she also wanted to feel confident, like she always did when she was working. This trip wasn't just for content—it was a step forward in her brand, and she was going to make the most of it.

Later that evening, just before she was about to call it a night, there was a knock on her door.

She opened it, finding Von standing there with a small bag in his hand.

"You didn't think I was gonna let you leave without saying goodbye properly, did you?" he asked with a small smirk, holding up the bag. "I got you something."

Selena raised an eyebrow, amused. "You're spoiling me, huh?"

Von shrugged casually, but his eyes were soft as he reached out and handed her the bag. Selena opened it, revealing a small gold bracelet with a simple charm that read "Peace". She looked up at him, her heart warmed by the thoughtful gesture.

"I know you're always on the go, but I want you to remember that you have peace with me," Von said, his voice sincere.

Selena smiled, moved by his words. She slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, feeling it settle there comfortably. It was the perfect reminder for when she was far from him, when she needed to stay grounded and remember what mattered most.

"You're something else, Von," Selena said softly, her voice filled with emotion.

He smiled, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Just for you, Lena."

They stood there for a moment, the weight of the unspoken feelings between them heavy in the air. Without another word, Selena stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. She felt his arms encircle her, holding her close, and for a brief moment, everything felt just right.

"I'll be back soon," she whispered into his chest.

"I know," Von murmured, his voice low. "And I'll be here when you get back."

Selena pulled back slightly to look at him, a smile tugging at her lips. "I'll hold you to that."

With one final kiss, Selena stepped back, grabbing her bag. She looked at him one last time before stepping out the door, ready to head to the airport, but her heart felt full, knowing that Von was waiting for her return.