The mansion was quiet.
Too quiet.
Leah stirred in bed, noticing the soft hum of the city outside.
She glanced at the clock.
Earlier than usual.
Izana wasn't beside her.
Not in bed.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She knew.
He was already at work.
Downstairs, the office lights were on.
Izana sat at his desk, posture straight, eyes scanning documents and messages on multiple devices.
The New Year had brought more deals.
More opportunities.
More dangers.
And that meant he had to be extra careful.
Every decision measured. Every step considered.
Every ally, every rival, every possibility accounted for.
Even breathing carefully mattered.
Leah descended the staircase quietly, watching him from the top.
His jaw was tight.
Fingers tapped against the desk.
A faint sigh escaped him, almost imperceptible.
She hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should disturb him.
But the sight of his tense shoulders made her move.
She entered the office softly.
"Iz…" she said gently.
He didn't look up immediately.
"…Hmm?" he replied, voice low, clipped.
"You've been here for hours," she said, holding a small tray with coffee and breakfast. "Can you at least eat something?"
"…Later," he said, without lifting his eyes from the papers.
She set the tray down anyway.
"Later is now," she teased softly. "…Trust me."
Izana's gaze flicked to her briefly.
A small, almost imperceptible softness in his eyes.
But he didn't say more.
He was focused.
Too focused.
Leah watched him, concern knotting in her chest.
"…Iz," she said again. "…You're tense. You're working harder than usual."
His shoulders stiffened slightly.
"…It's New Year," he said quietly, not looking up. "…More deals. More eyes. Everything has to be precise."
Leah nodded, understanding immediately.
"…So you're being extra careful," she murmured.
"Yes," he admitted, finally meeting her eyes. "…Even a small mistake could be dangerous."
She took a slow step closer.
"You don't have to carry it all alone," she said softly, hand brushing against his arm. "…You have me. Always."
He tilted his head slightly, his expression calm but revealing a flicker of gratitude.
"…I know," he said quietly. "…That's why you're here."
Her lips curved faintly.
She leaned closer.
"Then eat something," she whispered, teasing lightly. "…Even the highest-ranking mafia boss needs breakfast."
Izana's lips twitched, just slightly.
"…You're ridiculous," he murmured.
"Only for you," she said softly.
The office door clicked open suddenly.
Dante leaned in, arms crossed, a smirk on his face.
"Boss," he said, voice teasing. "The city isn't going anywhere. You might want to eat before your head explodes."
Izana's gaze sharpened.
Dante raised his hands in mock surrender.
"…Fine, fine," he said softly, voice lower now. "…I'll behave."
Leah chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
She sat beside Izana.
The desk between them seemed enormous, but she didn't mind.
"…You've got a lot to handle," she murmured. "…How do you even manage?"
He tapped his pen against the desk, eyes still scanning the documents.
"…Carefully," he said, finally letting a faint smirk cross his lips. "…One step at a time. One decision at a time. One deal at a time."
She rested her hand lightly over his.
"…And if one deal falls through?" she asked softly.
Izana looked at her then, calm, unwavering.
"…Then we fix it," he said simply. "…Together."
Her chest warmed.
A few moments of silence passed.
Leah watched him shift slightly, rubbing his temple.
"…You're doing too much," she said gently. "…You need a break."
He leaned back, eyes narrowing slightly.
"…I don't have time for breaks," he said quietly. "…Not right now."
She smiled faintly.
"And that's why you're letting me sit here?"
He didn't answer immediately.
"…Partly," he said finally, voice low. "…But mostly because I trust you."
Her heart skipped.
"…Iz," she whispered, leaning closer. "…Let me help. Even in a small way."
He finally allowed it.
Not completely, not yet.
But enough.
She brought over a small plate of breakfast.
Coffee. Freshly baked bread. Fruit.
She placed it in front of him.
"Eat," she said softly. "…Even a little."
He hesitated.
"…I'll start with this," he murmured. "…Thank you."
She smiled faintly, brushing her fingers along his hand.
"…You don't have to do everything alone," she said again. "…I'm here. You know that, right?"
Izana's eyes softened, just slightly.
"…I know," he said. "…And I'm grateful."
The moment stretched.
Leah rested her head on his shoulder, careful not to disturb him.
Izana shifted just enough to allow it.
Her hand stayed on his arm.
Comforting. Steady.
Safe.
"…You're really something, you know," she said softly. "…Even with all this… you still let me be here."
He pressed a light kiss to her temple.
"…Only for you," he murmured. "…Always."
Leah's lips curved into a smile.
"…I'll hold you to that," she whispered.
Hours passed quietly.
Izana worked carefully, documents spread across the desk, phone buzzing intermittently.
Leah stayed nearby, offering small gestures of support: adjusting his tie, handing him a pen, gently touching his shoulder when he tensed.
Even Dante popped his head in occasionally, teasing just enough to make both of them laugh softly.
"…See?" Leah said softly after one such interruption. "…Not everything is a battlefield."
Izana gave a faint smirk.
"…Some things are," he murmured. "…But yes. I admit… this isn't one of them."
Leah's chest warmed.
By afternoon, Izana finally allowed a small break.
Leah prepared a small meal and brought it to him.
They sat together, quietly sharing a few bites.
No business. No tension.
Just them.
Hands intertwined.
Soft smiles.
A quiet warmth that belonged only to them.
"…Thank you," he said finally, voice low. "…For this. For everything."
Leah smiled.
"…Always," she replied softly.
He leaned slightly, pressing his forehead to hers.
"…We'll handle it all," he murmured. "…Together. Always."
Her eyes glistened.
"…Yes," she whispered. "…Always."
The afternoon sun filtered through the office windows.
The city below moved, unaware.
But in that quiet room, the weight of the world felt lighter.
Because even a mafia boss had someone he trusted completely.
And she trusted him in return.