The Billionaire and Secret Vow

Amelia observed Dominic standing in front of her. The black suit he wore fit him perfectly, exuding an aura of masculinity and dominance that he made no effort to conceal. Yet, what captured Amelia's attention was not just his appearance—but the way he carried himself. 

However, in the silence of the room, Amelia noticed something different in his gaze. A quiet understanding that seemed to say they had been through so much together. Their first encounter, unplanned and seemingly forced, had led their relationship beyond mere business partners. 

Dominic slowly ran a hand over his chin, his expression turning more serious. "After everything that's happened, I've come to realize something. This world will never truly be safe for people like us. There will always be enemies lurking in the shadows, and there will always be someone who wants to destroy us." 

Amelia remained silent for a moment, trying to process his words. 

"But," Dominic continued, his gaze softening as he looked at Amelia, "I also realized that there are still things worth holding onto. Something valuable, something that makes me want to keep fighting." 

Amelia felt her heartbeat quicken at the unspoken implication in Dominic's words, but she tried not to show it. "You sound like someone who's starting to find a reason to live, Dominic." 

Dominic smirked faintly. "Maybe I am." 

Silence settled between them once more, but this time, it was not out of confusion or tension. There was something deeper between them—something that didn't need to be spoken aloud. 

Finally, Amelia let out a small smile. "Thank you for coming today." 

Dominic looked at her with meaning. "You know I'll always be here for you." A simple statement, yet it carried a depth that Amelia could not fully comprehend at this moment. 

### 

After a long day at the office, Amelia finally arrived at her apartment as the sun had already disappeared beyond the horizon. She slipped off her high heels with a tired sigh and collapsed onto the couch, trying to shake off the weight of the day. 

Moments later, her phone vibrated from inside her bag. A message from Caroline made her sit up before leaning back again. 

Caroline: So? How was your 'unofficial date' earlier? 

Amelia sighed and quickly typed a reply. 

Amelia: Not a date, Caroline! 

It didn't even take a full minute before Caroline replied again. 

Caroline: You can deny it all you want, but I know you like him too. Be careful, Amelia. Dominic King is no ordinary man. Haha. 

Amelia stared at the message for a long moment. She knew Caroline was right—Dominic was different from most men. He wasn't just a CEO but someone who carried secrets, ambition, and danger that constantly surrounded him. 

Shaking off the thoughts of him, Amelia got up and walked to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of cold water. But before she could take a sip, a knock echoed through her apartment. 

Knock. Knock. Knock.

She frowned, trying to figure out who would visit her unannounced at this hour. Walking to the door, she peeked through the peephole—and her heartbeat instantly accelerated. 

Dominic King stood outside, clad in his usual sharp suit, looking as formidable as ever. Amelia took a deep breath before finally opening the door. 

"Dominic?" she asked, still surprised by his sudden arrival. "What are you doing here?" 

Dominic's gaze was darker than usual, filled with something she couldn't quite decipher. "You said it yourself, Amelia. You're not alone in facing this problem." 

Amelia swallowed hard. Why did it feel like this man always knew exactly how to shake up her world? 

Dominic slid his hands into his pockets and spoke in a low voice, "I can't let you be alone tonight." 

Silence filled the air between them as Amelia stood at the doorway, staring at Dominic, who remained there with an unreadable expression. 

"Come in," she finally said, hesitating for a moment before stepping aside to let him in. 

Dominic nodded and entered, his eyes briefly scanning the apartment before settling onto the sofa in the middle of the room. 

"Nice place," he commented casually as he sat down. 

"Don't change the subject, Dominic." Amelia crossed her arms. "Why are you here this late?" 

Dominic studied her for a moment before stepping closer. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay after everything we've been through." 

There was something different in his tone—something genuine that made Amelia's guarded demeanor soften slightly. The truth was, she hadn't fully recovered from the exhausting ordeal they had endured. 

"I'm fine, Dominic. You don't have to worry about me like this," she replied, though her voice carried traces of fatigue. 

Dominic's gaze was unwavering, as if assessing the truth behind her words. Then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box, setting it on the table. 

Amelia frowned. "What's this?" 

Dominic pushed it slightly toward her. "Take a look." 

With slight hesitation, Amelia picked up the box and carefully opened it. Inside lay a small silver pendant shaped like a compass, adorned with a diamond at the center that sparkled under the light. 

"This is …" Amelia looked up at Dominic, her eyes questioning. 

Dominic gave a faint smile. "There's a tracking device inside. I just want to make sure you're safe." 

Amelia stared at the pendant for a moment before looking back at him. "You … worry about me?" 

Dominic didn't answer immediately, but his dark brown eyes spoke louder than any words. 

Amelia let out a sharp breath. "Dominic… I can take care of myself. You don't have to be this concerned about me," she said seriously. 

Dominic merely smirked. "I know … I understand that you're more than capable, Amelia. But that doesn't mean I can't protect you in my own way, does it?" 

Then, without realizing it, Dominic shifted closer, narrowing the space between them. Amelia found herself locked in his magnetic gaze. He didn't say anything, simply allowing the moment to unfold naturally. 

She wasn't sure what was more dangerous—the enemies lurking in the shadows or the way Dominic's presence unraveled her carefully built walls. 

Her eyes flickered down to the small pendant in her hands before returning to Dominic, who sat beside her, his expression unreadable. There was something in his gaze that unsettled her—not out of fear, but because she was beginning to recognize feelings within herself that she had long ignored. 

Taking a deep breath, she closed the small box in her hands. "Fine. I'll keep it. Thank you for your concern." 

Dominic raised an eyebrow slightly, as if surprised by her response. "No protest?" 

Amelia glanced at him before offering a simple explanation. "There's no point. I know you wouldn't stop until I accepted it." 

Dominic let out a soft chuckle. "You're finally starting to understand me." 

Amelia scoffed lightly. "Not exactly something to be proud of." 

They fell into silence again, but this time, the atmosphere between them was different. Not awkward, but not entirely comfortable either. They were both lost in their thoughts, weighed down by something neither of them dared to say aloud. 

Amelia turned to him, her gaze serious. "I've never asked you this before, but why do you want to protect me so badly?" 

Dominic met her eyes briefly before leaning back against the sofa. "Why not?" 

"Dominic." Amelia's tone was sharper, pressing him for a real answer. 

He sighed before finally speaking. "Because you're different." 

She frowned. "What do you mean?" 

Dominic rested his arms on his knees, his gaze unwavering. "I've met a lot of people, Amelia. People who come and go once they get what they want, people who try to destroy me, people who only see me as an opportunity. But you… you're not like them." 

His words stirred something deep inside her. Her chest tightened, her resolve wavered. How was she supposed to stay strong when the man before her kept breaking through the barriers she had built so carefully? 

She looked away, unwilling to meet his gaze. "Don't be so sure, Dominic. I could still disappoint you someday." 

Dominic smirked faintly. "Maybe. But until that day comes … I'll still be here, standing by your side."

Here's the English translation of your text: 

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The night grew late, yet Amelia remained seated on her sofa, her gaze fixed on Dominic, who now stood near the large window overlooking the sparkling city lights. 

The atmosphere was calm—almost eerily so, considering the chaos they had just been through together. No gunshots, no chases, no dangerous schemes. Just the two of them in this space, enveloped in a silence that felt oddly comforting. 

Amelia let out a slow breath before taking a sip of her tea. "I still can't believe we can just sit here like this." 

Dominic glanced at her briefly before turning his attention back to the window. "Do you want to go back to that chaotic world?" 

Amelia shook her head slightly. "No. I just ... feel strange." 

This time, Dominic fully turned to her, his eyes searching. "Strange how?" 

Amelia placed her cup on the table and met Dominic's gaze. There was something she had been holding back, something she refused to admit, yet it was becoming harder to ignore. 

"Because I feel comfortable." 

Dominic fell silent, as if those words were more dangerous than the bullets that had once been aimed at him. 

They stared at each other, letting the silence convey more than words ever could. Amelia's heartbeat quickened. She had always kept her distance, ensuring no one could get too close. But with Dominic … her walls were slowly crumbling. 

Just as the silence between them deepened, Dominic's phone vibrated, breaking the moment. He exhaled softly before answering. "Yes?"