Heir of Deception | (for mature audience)

Chapter 5: Alexandria

Alexandria

-

When people started filtering into the gym, we decided it was time to leave. I was sweaty, and so was he; sweat dripped down his back and front, making the T-shirt he wore cling to his sculpted body. He pushed his hair back, flexing his muscles, and the veins in his arms popped under the strain. I had to admit-he was a handsome man, no lie.

As the elevator doors opened, we stepped inside his penthouse. Last night, I had been too tired and too angry to accept the tour he had offered me, but now, I felt ready to see the place. He walked up the stairs, and I took two steps down into the living area, which encompassed the living room, kitchen, and dining area.

The room was stunning, with floor-to-ceiling windows that flooded the space with natural light. The decor was minimalistic, featuring wood, leather, and metal tones, with expensive art pieces scattered throughout, bringing vibrant color into the space. Every inch of the house was beautiful, a testament to both wealth and taste.

When I stepped into the kitchen, I was even more in awe. The dark matte grey cabinets matched the island perfectly, while the white marble that extended up the backsplash added a touch of elegance. It was a chef's dream, and I couldn't help but admire the design.

I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge before heading back to my bedroom. After a refreshing shower, I got dressed in comfortable clothes, ready to meet up with my friends who were coming to help me pack up my apartment. As I left my bedroom and headed downstairs for breakfast, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"Good morning, Ms. Carter," an elderly woman said with a warm smile. "I'm Grace, Mr. Calloway's housekeeper."

"You can just call me Alexandria or Lex," I replied, returning her polite smile.

"Will do," she said. "Your breakfast is in the dining room."

She led me to the dining room, where I found Christian sitting and waiting for me. He was perched at one end of the long table, while my breakfast sat at the other. I took the silver cover off the plate, revealing a beautifully arranged meal.

"You didn't have to wait for me," I said, taking a bite of my egg and avocado toast.

"Breakfast is served at nine," he replied, already starting to eat.

We spent the rest of breakfast in silence, occasionally sharing glances. Grace had prepared four slices of toast, and I usually only managed to eat one or two, but I forced myself to down the extra slice. After we finished eating, we both got up and exited the dining room.

"If you need to go anywhere, you can call my driver until I arrange one for you. Mrs. Grace has his number," he said, his tone leaving no room for debate.

"I can just call an Uber," I countered.

"No, you will use my driver, and that's final," he insisted. "I'll be leaving now. Goodbye."

He left for work, and I rushed back upstairs to my room, locking the door behind me before heading straight into my ensuite bathroom. I stuck my finger down my throat, gagging until the food I had just eaten came back up.

I have an eating disorder. I can only consume small amounts of food, and I've been struggling with it for a while. It started during my college years when I faced pressure about my body from my mother, who insisted I lose weight so my sister could have a chance at modeling.

---

After that episode, I changed into baggy sweatpants and a hoodie, pairing them with sneakers. Grabbing my phone, I called an Uber to my apartment, informing Grace that I was leaving before heading out. In less than a few minutes, I arrived at my old place.