A Dance Of Crowns & Thrones | Book I

Chapter 153 | The One That Filmed Everything 🍆

Timeline - June 19th | Present Time

Relaxing by the poolside after spending the sunrise at the beach, Matthew and Eko were enjoying a magnificent mid-morning. Eko slowly nibbled on the strawberries from the fruit platter before them, the sun casting a gentle warmth over their already perfect day. Matthew, lounging across from her, grinned through his sunglasses, still recovering from the playful tickling session that had driven Eko to retreat into the poolside chair.

Grasping the mimosa she had set down earlier, Eko cozied into the plush pillows, her oversized rose gold sunglasses slipping down the tip of her nose as she eyed her soon-to-be husband. He was the epitome of relaxed, stretched out like some sort of beach god in his white cargo briefs and open-collared shirt, his skin already boasting a golden tan that only enhanced his perfectly sculpted body. His genes were ridiculously unfair.

It was unfair, she thought, how easily he managed that sun-kissed glow. Meanwhile, she felt like she had to bathe in sunscreen just to avoid looking like a mismatched mannequin on their wedding day.

"Does she remember?" Matthew asked lazily, bringing his mimosa to his lips. His black aviators masked the mischievous glint in his eye, but Eko knew it was there—the telltale curl of his lips giving him away.

"Not from that short conversation," Eko replied, taking a slow sip of her own drink. Her rose gold oversized sunglasses perched perfectly on her face as she watched her soon-to-be husband, who seemed far too relaxed given the situation. "But I'm sure it'll hit her soon enough now that she's conscious."

Matthew let out a low chuckle, his grin widening in amusement. "I think you're going to hear her scream all the way from down here once she realizes who she drunkenly married."

Eko shook her head, mirroring his smile. "I think you'll hear him more than her."

Matthew's laughter erupted, filling the air between them. "Yeah, squealing in delight," he teased, nearly choking on his drink. "Followed by that moment of pure panic when he pieces together what he's gotten himself into. How do you explain to your girlfriend that you drunkenly married the girl she's jealous of?"

As Matthew's laughter filled the air, grateful that he wasn't in the same predicament, a thought suddenly crossed Eko's mind—one she hadn't previously entertained. She raised an eyebrow, sitting up a little straighter, her brow furrowing as she glanced at him. "Babe, do you think they, you know... slept together?"

Matthew's gaze remained fixed on her, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as Eko casually tossed her kimono-style dress aside. The graceful movement revealed her toned stomach and long legs, instantly reminding him of the night before—those very legs wrapped tightly around him until they were interrupted by the impromptu wedding celebration.

"If they did," he said, grinning as his eyes roamed over her 'Soon To Be Mrs.' white bikini, "that's really not our business, is it?"

Matthew couldn't help but admire her in that bikini, a sight that had been a real treat that morning when she'd dragged him out for an early swim, while the rest of the group slept off the excesses of Eko's bachelorette party. His gaze lingered on her, still glowing from their morning together, as she reclined in her chair, completely at ease.

Eko, however, wasn't quite as relaxed. Tilting her head in thought, she bit her lip. "I just feel like... we should know if we're about to walk into world war three. Jesse's newly single, and he's in a serious relationship—that's like, the perfect recipe for disaster."

Matthew chuckled, sipping more of his drink before setting it aside. "You're overthinking it," he said, leaning forward with that familiar, playful grin.