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Two Years Later

Zayn was pacing back and forth in the living room, clearly furious. He mumbled under his breath, his tone sharp and dripping with irritation.

“Seriously, there’s a limit to everything... but here? Here it’s like no one even gives a damn!”

Alex’s parents were sitting quietly on the couch, looking both concerned and amused. They were used to Zayn’s usually calm demeanor, so seeing him like this was a rare event. Rare and mildly entertaining.

Zayn’s brows were furrowed, lips pressed tightly together as he continued muttering to himself. The tension in the air was so thick, it felt like even the furniture wanted to step out of the room. No one dared to interrupt him not even Alex’s dad, who was known to crack jokes during the most serious moments.

And then came the sound of footsteps.

Alex walked down the stairs casually, yawning, running his hand through his messy hair. He looked every bit like someone who’d just rolled out of bed, while Zayn looked like he’d already fought a war before breakfast.

Alex raised his eyebrows and subtly gestured toward his parents, whispering,

“What’s going on?”

His parents both raised their hands in helpless surrender. Alex sighed and took a few cautious steps toward Zayn.

“Zayn?” he asked softly.

Zayn turned his head sharply, his eyes burning with rage. The second their eyes met, he strode toward Alex with heavy, purposeful steps.

“What happened?” Alex stepped back instinctively. “Didn’t get enough sleep again?”

“Don’t test me today,” Zayn growled. “You’ve been driving me crazy. Like seriously, Alex!”

“Okay okay, calm down,” Alex said, holding up his hands in surrender, trying to diffuse the situation.

“Shut up, you idiot!” Zayn snapped.

Alex looked helplessly at his parents, who were now trying their best to suppress their smiles. They looked at their son with a knowing expression you had it coming.

Zayn followed his gaze, turning toward Alex’s parents with an accusing glare.

“Mom. Dad. You both have completely spoiled him.”

Alex scratched the back of his head and gave a sheepish smile. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry,” he said. “I promise I’ll go tomorrow.”

“Go where?” Zayn narrowed his eyes.

“To the office!” Alex said quickly.

“You’re the CEO, Alex,” Zayn said through clenched teeth. “And yet every damn morning, I’m the one handling your meetings, coming up with new excuses__‘Sir had a late-night call,’ ‘Sir has a migraine,’ ‘Sir is stuck in traffic’__when the truth is, Sir is snoring in bed like a bear.”

“Okay, I get it,” Alex muttered. “I’m sorry... really.”

Zayn rolled his eyes and walked away toward the kitchen, muttering something under his breath about useless husbands and irresponsible CEOs.

Alex waited a moment, then followed. As soon as he entered the kitchen, he saw Zayn angrily pulling out a bottle of juice from the fridge. He stepped closer, gently wrapping his arms around Zayn’s waist from behind.

He leaned in and placed a kiss on Zayn’s neck.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

Zayn’s expression softened, though he didn’t turn around immediately. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“You know exactly how to calm me down, don’t you?” Zayn said, his voice a little less harsh now.

Alex chuckled, resting his chin on Zayn’s shoulder.

“You look so cute when you’re angry.”

Zayn let out a soft laugh and shook his head. “Stop flirting with me. Your parents are still outside.”

“Who cares?” Alex whispered, pulling Zayn closer by the waist. He turned him around and leaned in, kissing him tenderly on the lips.

Zayn gave in, placing his hand on Alex’s neck and kissing him back, the frustration slowly melting from his face.

Unbeknownst to them, a little head had peeked in through the kitchen door.

Ari, now eight years old, had been wandering in search of his favorite toy when he saw his parents... kissing.

He blinked, smiled innocently, and tiptoed back out of the kitchen like a sneaky little spy. Quiet as a feather, he walked back to the living room and climbed onto the couch between his grandparents.

He settled comfortably into his grandfather’s lap.

“They finished fighting?” his grandfather asked, grinning.

Ari nodded with a wide smile.

His grandmother giggled and wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug.

“You’re such a smart boy, aren’t you?”

“I told you,” Alex’s mom whispered to her husband. “Those two can’t stay mad at each other for long.”

Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, Alex pulled away from the kiss and rested his forehead against Zayn’s.

“Don’t be mad at me,” he whispered. “I hate seeing you upset.”

Zayn sighed and cupped his face gently. “I just want you to take things seriously. You worked so hard to get here, Alex. Don’t throw it all away by slacking off now.”

“I know, I know.” Alex leaned into his touch. “It’s just... sometimes I feel like everything’s moving so fast. The company, our life, Ari growing up it’s overwhelming.”

Zayn smiled softly. “That’s what we have each other for, remember?”

“I remember,” Alex whispered. “And I’m really thankful I have you.”

Just then, they heard a little giggle from the living room.

Zayn raised an eyebrow. “Did he see us?”

Alex peeked around the kitchen doorway and saw Ari pretending to read a book while his grandparents smiled knowingly.

“Yeah,” Alex muttered. “He definitely saw us.”

Zayn laughed. “Guess we’ll have to be careful next time.”

“Or not,” Alex grinned. “Let the boy know his parents are madly in love.”

Zayn rolled his eyes, playfully swatting Alex’s arm.

“I’m still mad, by the way,” Zayn teased.

Alex grinned and kissed his cheek. “I’ll make it up to you tonight.”

“You better,” Zayn replied, finally smiling fully.

Ari peeked in again and giggled before running back to his grandparents.

“Those two,” his grandmother said lovingly. “Always acting like newlyweds.”

“They’ll always be like that,” his grandfather replied with a chuckle. “That’s what makes them special.”

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