Heir of Deception | (for mature audience)

Chapter 9: Christian

Christian

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Ever since that night we almost had sex, things have reverted to what they were before those fleeting moments of intimacy. Her lips and the way she tasted were addictive, to say the least. The sensation of her tugging my hair made me feel alive in a way I hadn’t felt in years. Holding her in my arms was something entirely different, a feeling that was both exhilarating and terrifying. But all of that changed when she threw me out of her room, leaving me to grapple with confusion and longing.

It has been two weeks since that night, and I still can't explain what I did wrong to warrant her anger. My mind races with possibilities. Did I touch her in a way she wasn’t comfortable with? Did I say something that offended her? Whenever we’re at the gym together, she stays an extra hour after I leave, and I can’t decipher why. Is it that she needs space from me, or is she just avoiding the discomfort brewing between us?

Her breakfast choices have also changed dramatically. Gone are the days of her enjoying avocado toast and eggs. Now, she opts for just two slices of cinnamon toast and a cup of ginger tea. Who the hell drinks ginger tea? I keep all my questions to myself, fearing that any inquiry might further offend her.

"We have to start planning the engagement party," she finally says, breaking the deafening silence that has filled the room for far too long.

"Yeah, people are already talking," I reply, trying to keep my tone neutral.

The news of our relationship has hit the headlines, and with a little doctoring of the truth from both of us, the media has feasted on this story. I called in a favor from a friend, Damien Laurent, who has connections to one of the most reliable tabloids, The Society Insider. Damien's family owns The Laurent Media Group, a multimedia conglomerate that encompasses The Society Insider, a pop culture news blog, LOUD Records, and L'Muse, a fashion and lifestyle magazine that completes with the likes of Vogue & Elle.

"We can go over the guest list tonight," she says, her tone now more serious.

"My family wants to meet you; they’re coming over for dinner tonight," I inform her, watching her expression closely.

"Okay," she replies, taking a sip of her ginger tea. Her face scrunches up in a way that makes it clear she doesn't enjoy it.

"See you tonight, princess," I say as I get up from my seat, feeling a slight sense of anticipation mixed with anxiety.

I walk out of the room, and Jackson, my driver and security detail, follows me down to the basement where my car is parked. As we drive out of the garage, we are met with a swarm of paparazzi. Ever since we broke the news about our relationship, they have been following us around like a swarm of flies. Alexandria warned me about this, but I didn’t fully appreciate the level of intrusion it would bring.

My day at the office was typical—endless meetings, calls, and reports—but today, I noticed an increase in spam calls from reporters trying to get a scoop. I had a meeting with the board to discuss our latest property investment, but I couldn't focus. Why? Alexandria, that’s why. Her recent dietary choices have become a growing concern for me.

She has been feeling lightheaded for a couple of days now, and whenever I ask her about it, she brushes it off, claiming she’s just dehydrated. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Excusing myself from the meeting, I retreated to my office and dialed the number of Dr. Johnson, my family doctor, desperate for guidance.

"Dr. Johnson, hello," I greeted him, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Mr. Calloway! What’s going on?" he replied cheerfully, but I could hear the underlying concern in his tone.

"I'm good, but I need to know something. A... friend of mine has made some changes in her diet and has experienced some fainting spells. Is that normal?" I asked, my heart racing with worry.

"Yes, fatigue can be one of the side effects when you change your diet, Mr. Calloway," he said, but I wasn’t convinced.

"There are more things I've noticed; can I list them for you?" I pressed, hoping he could shed light on the situation.

"Of course," he responded, sounding attentive.

Ever since Alexandria moved in with me, she has been eating small portions at dinner, and she always excuses herself to the bathroom afterward. Some nights, she skips dinner altogether, claiming that Grace has prepared her a large lunch. But when I ask Grace, she tells me the opposite—Alexandria barely eats. Moreover, she has been wearing baggy clothes more frequently, and her increased exercise routine has me worried.

"That sounds like a sign of Anorexia Nervosa, Mr. Calloway," Dr. Johnson said, his tone shifting to serious.

"Are you sure? She's a very secure woman about her weight; she’s a model," I replied, my heart sinking at the thought of her struggling.

"Anorexia Nervosa is very common in models, Mr. Calloway," he emphasized. "Fifty-four percent of all models suffer from Anorexia Nervosa."

"Thank you for your time," I said before hanging up, my mind racing with the implications of his words.

Later that day, when I returned home from work, I found Gloria in the kitchen preparing for dinner with my family. I headed upstairs, intending to check on Alexandria, but when I walked into her room, I found it empty. I then discovered her sleeping in the movie theater, The Devil Wears Prada playing softly on the screen.

"Hello, princess," I whispered gently as I shook her awake.

"What time is it?" she asked, rubbing her eyes. "Is your family here? Fuck." She rushed up, her panic evident.

"No, no," I soothed her. "They’re not here yet, princess, but we should get ready for their arrival. I'm going to take a shower now, okay?"

I wanted to ask her about what Dr. Johnson had told me, but the fear of her reaction held me back. What if she became angry with me for questioning her? What if I was completely wrong? The uncertainty gnawed at me as I stepped into the shower, trying to wash away the worry that had settled in my chest.

As the water cascaded over me, I thought about Alexandria. She had become a whirlwind in my life, turning everything upside down. I had never expected to feel so deeply for someone in such a short time. But now, I was scared—scared for her health, scared of losing her, and scared of what this relationship meant for both of us.

When I finally emerged from the shower, I wrapped a towel around my waist and made my way back to her room. I knocked softly on the door, half-expecting her to be ready, but when she opened it, I was taken aback by how beautiful she looked, even in her casual attire. Her hair was a mess from her nap, but there was a glow about her that drew me in.

"Are you ready for my family?" I asked, trying to keep the mood light.

She gave me a small smile, but I could see the flicker of apprehension in her eyes. "I guess so. I just hope they like me."

"They will," I reassured her. "Just be yourself."

As we prepared for the evening, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to address my concerns with her. I had to know if she was okay. But in that moment, as she slipped on a dress that hugged her curves perfectly, I couldn’t help but admire her beauty. She was stunning, and I felt a rush of pride knowing she was with me, even amid the chaos surrounding our lives.

"Christian," she said softly, pulling me from my thoughts. "Are you okay? You seem distant."

"I'm fine," I replied, though I knew it was far from the truth. "Just a lot on my mind."

She stepped closer, her eyes searching mine. "You can talk to me, you know."

I hesitated, weighing my options. Did I want to risk pushing her away by confronting her about her health? Or should I keep quiet and hope it was just a phase?

"Yeah, I know," I said finally, forcing a smile. "Let’s just focus on tonight."

As we made our way downstairs, I steeled myself for the evening ahead. My family could be overwhelming, but I hoped that Alexandria could handle them. More importantly, I hoped she could handle me.