Suddenly, I Am Rich

Selina stepped aside, and Gray walked into her condo unit. Just like then, her unit smelled like flowers. He noticed some books on the coffee table and some clothes tossed around the couch.

”Is your nanny out today?” he curiously asked as he saw the small mess.

”Yeah, she went home yesterday.” Selina pressed her lips together and nodded. Her cheeks slightly heating up. She immediately knew why Gray asked that question as her eyes landed on the same view that Gray was looking at.

”Anyway.” She closed the door gently and turned to him. ”You really don’t look like yourself tonight.”

Gray exhaled and dropped into the nearest seat that he could find. He rested his head on his palm and glanced up at Selina.

”It’s been a long day...”

”I heard of the disaster in your meeting,” Selina said, coming closer, crossing her arms loosely.

”You heard?” Gray smirked faintly.

”You know I’m friends with Mara,” she said with a shrug. ”I don’t know the full details, but I know enough to know you two didn’t enjoy any of it.”

Gray let out a low chuckle. ”That’s one way to put it.” His voice softened. ”It wasn’t just a bad meeting. It was... a funny of a failure meeting.”

Selina sat on the couch beside him. She laughed out loud and looked at him with a teasing gaze.

”So that’s why you’re here. You need help.”

Gray nodded slowly. His hands rubbed his temples as he thought about the words. He wasn’t used to saying them. Asking for help felt foreign. For most of the time, help was offered to him.

He had never asked for it so directly like this.

”I was thinking,” he began, his tone quiet but somehow unsure, ”if this keeps dragging, I might have to talk to Conrad. I know that we’re business partners, but overtime, I already saw him as an elder. Someone who knows the industry better than I do.”

”That makes sense. But why does it sound like you’re hesitating?” Selina tilted her head.

”Because it feels like admitting I can’t do it myself.” Gray’s jaw clenched lightly.

Selina listened closely. Hearing Gray’s worries, she finally understood where he was coming from. She realized then that Gray was someone who wouldn’t ask for help even if he had a choice.

”You’re not weak for asking for guidance, Gray. You’re smart. Even the strongest people look to someone else sometimes. If my grandfather can help, and it doesn’t mean selling yourself to him, then what’s the harm?”

Gray met her eyes. In them, he found the reassurance he hadn’t realized he was seeking.

”I guess the harm,” he muttered, ”is my pride.”

”Then maybe it’s time to put your pride in the backseat. Just for now. You don’t have to fight every battle alone.” Selina smiled softly.

Her words landed heavier than he expected. For a moment, he simply sat there, breathing. He let the words sink into his brain before he eventually nodded.

”You’re right,” he admitted. ”I’ll just ask him. I guess it’s not bad to ask for some advice.”

”Good. I’ll back you up however I can.” Selina’s smile widened, filled with warmth and gentleness.

Something loosened in Gray’s chest at those words. He leaned back against the couch and let out a long exhale. He completely turned his body to face her.

”Thanks, Selina. Really. I didn’t know who else to talk to.”

Selina also shifted slightly to face him better.

”Oh well, what can I say? You came to the right place.”

The two of them laughed together when Selina suddenly rose from her seat.

”So, do you want something to drink?”

Gray glanced at her, brows lifting faintly.

”Drink? As in...”

”I’ve got wine and some beers,” she said, already moving toward the kitchen counter. ”It’s been a while since I opened a bottle, but this feels like the night for it.”

”Sure. Why not?” Gray let out a low chuckle.

”We’ll drink then!” She exclaimed out loud.

After some time, Selina returned with two glasses and a dark wine bottle from a well-known, expensive brand. She poured some for herself carefully, then handed one to Gray before sitting back beside him.

They clinked glasses softly. ”To surviving terrible meetings,” Selina joked.

”To me, asking for help.” Gray also added, making both of them laugh.

The first sip they had was smooth. The wine has rich, deep, and sweet flavored. It warmed Gray’s throat on the way down. He let out a small hum in satisfaction.

”Not bad.”

”Not bad? That’s one of the better ones I saved.” Selina chuckled.

”You’ve been saving it for a special occasion?”

”Yeah,” she agreed with a playful tone in her voice. ”Guess tonight counts.”

The two of them drank, and with each sip, the weight of the day seemed to ease off Gray’s shoulders. Their conversation drifted. It was light at first.

They teased about Gray’s expressions during the meeting, laughed, and even joked about ranking the worst business meetings they’d ever had.

The more they laughed, the looser Gray felt. The more Selina smiled, the more he noticed the curve of her lip and the sparkle in her eyes when she laughed too hard.

At some point, they just noticed that the bottle was already half gone. Selina poured more into Gray’s glass with a grin.

”Careful. You’re getting red.”

Gray touched his cheek, smirking faintly. ”So are you.”

Selina laughed, her voice lighter now. ”Guess we’re both guilty then.”

They drank more slowly after that. The two of them slowly got consumed by alcohol. Their words softened, and their tones became quieter.

For some reason, Gray found himself leaning a little closer without meaning to. Selina’s shoulder brushed against his arm, and neither of them pulled away.

The silence between them this time wasn’t filled with tension. It was something else. Something warmer.

Gray’s gaze drifted to her lips, just for a moment, before he caught himself and looked away. But Selina noticed.

”Gray...” Selina’s own smile softened, and she tilted her head slightly.

He turned back to her. Their faces were close now, closer than they had been all night.

Selina’s breath hitched faintly, and her eyes looked for his.

For a moment, neither of them moved. The only sound was the faint ticking of the clock and their breathing.

Then, slowly, almost naturally, Gray leaned in forward.

Selina met him halfway.

Their lips touched. It was gentle at first. The two of them were almost hesitant, as if testing the waters at first. But the warmth that bloomed between them was undeniable.

When they pulled back, Selina’s cheeks were flushed, and Gray’s eyes softened in a way they rarely did.

Neither spoke for a long moment. Then Selina let out a small laugh, nervous but genuine.

”Guess the wine worked.”

Gray chuckled quietly, shaking his head. ”Guess it did.”

Selina’s laugh faded, but the flush on her cheeks stayed. Gray was still watching her, his lips curved faintly but his eyes carried something different now.

The silence lingered between the two of them, and Selina’s smile slowly gave way to a softer expression. Her lips parted slightly, like she wanted to say something but couldn’t quite find the words for it.

Gray didn’t wait for them.

This time, he leaned in again without hesitation.

Selina met him just as quickly. Their lips pressed together again, more determined now. Her hand brushed against his shoulder, then settled there, almost testing. Gray tilted his head, deepening the kiss, his palm finding the side of her face as if anchoring himself.

The second kiss lasted longer, stealing the air between them until Selina finally pulled back for a breath, her forehead resting against his.

Her chest rose and fell quickly, and she let out a faint laugh.

Gray’s thumb brushed her cheek lightly.

”Still blaming the wine?” he asked, his voice rougher than before.

”Not anymore,” Selina’s lips curved into a small, breathless smile.

That was all it took.

She leaned in this time, closing the space between them. Their mouths found each other again, urgent and searching. The earlier hesitation was gone. What was left was heat and excitement.

Selina’s fingers slid up to Gray’s collar, tugging him nearer. He moved with her, his other hand resting against the small of her back, pulling her body against him. He could feel her soft breasts against his hard chest.

Their breaths mingled as the kiss deepened.

The taste of wine lingered on their tongues. They shared saliva and played with each other’s tongues. They were quickly drowned out by the rush of warmth spreading through their chests.

They broke apart only for seconds, just enough to breathe, only to crash together again like they couldn’t get enough of each other. Their make-out session turning deeper than the last.

Selina’s soft moan slipped out again between kisses.

”Gray...” she whispered against his lips, her voice trembling with something she couldn’t quite name.

Gray pressed his forehead to hers, his breathing heavy.

”What?” he murmured back, though his lips were already brushing hers again, unwilling to stay apart.

Selina didn’t answer—not with words. Instead, she kissed him, harder, her hand sliding up to the back of his neck, holding him there.